Full Water Test Regulations - May 2023
Test Managers Pack - Water

Certified water tests are regulated by and held under one of three breed clubs - Northern Newfoundland Club, Southern Newfoundland Club & The Newfoundland Club.

The dog and handler will be tested as a team at 5 levels known as Section A - E.  The tests are based on the building block principle, skills learnt by handler and dog for the lower levels are repeated and refined or modified in higher level tests. Two examples of this building block approach are:-

(1) Approaching a boat correctly not climbing or trying to enter the boat is necessary for Section A Exercise 1 but is also used in all subsequent sections;

(2) Retrieving a handler using the dogs name in section A is gradually built on up to section E where the dog retrieves one of two strangers as directed

It is essential to master the lower levels first in order to proceed to the higher levels. Dogs must pass each lower section before being permitted to attempt the next section, i.e. passing A & B before entering Section C. 

On a test day there will be two Judges and it is their desire to maintain consistency between themselves and the regulations and for all the dogs to pass. Handlers may ask them questions during the test if they are unsure whether they are permitted to do something or not. Judges may volunteer some advice to help handlers and their dogs during the first three test levels (A, B & C) but not in higher levels.

The Judges will be using a scoring system for marking each performance. These marks are purely for their use and will not be divulged to entrants. The published results will only show whether the required standard was reached. The dog and handler must reach the required standard in each exercise otherwise they will fail the test as a whole. A dog can fail through accumulating too many marks, performing a failure action or running out of time. At the conclusion of each test the Judges will inform handlers whether they and their dog have passed or failed and probably make some verbal comments.

There will also be written comments to collect from the score steward, together with a certificate of competence for a pass.

These tests are non-competitive - test days are for entrants to have FUN with their dogs and delight in their joint achievements and those of fellow Newfoundland owners. Even at a test remember never to become so serious that the fun goes out of working for either you or your Newfoundland.

Water Test Section A (Minimum age 6 months)

Exercise A1 - Swim out 15 metres to boat
Exercise A2 - Swim out 15 metres to handler/stranger
Exercise A3 - Retrieve familiar article from 6 metres

Water Test Section B (Minimum age 9 months)

Exercise B1 - Tow boat back 20 metres
Exercise B2 - Tow handler or stranger from 20 metres
Exercise B3 - Retrieve provided article from 6 metres
Exercise B4 - Retrieve of article from underwater
Exercise B5 - Controlled swim (straight 20 metres)

Water Test Section C (Minimum age 18 months)

Exercise C1 - Jump from boat and tow from 25 metres to shore
Exercise C2 - Tow a stranger from 25 metres
Exercise C3 - Retrieve dropped article from boat at 15 metres
Exercise C4 - Controlled swim (45 metres with min. 2 turns)

Water Test Section D (Minimum age 24 months)

Exercise D1 - Take coil of rope out to a boat at 25 metres and tow it back to shore
Exercise D2 - Rescue stranger fallen from a boat at 25 metres
Exercise D3 - Directed retrieve of one of two articles at 15 metres
Exercise D4 - Search for hidden stranger behind a boat at 25 metres and tow to shore

Water Test Section E (Minimum age 24 months)

Exercise E1 - Take out life buoy/jacket to stranger who is 30 metres out
Exercise E2 - Search for a hidden rope at 30 metres and tow boat back to shore
Exercise E3 - Directed tow of one of two persons from 25 metres
Exercise E4 - Jump and take a rope to a stranger in another boat who is 25 metres out

Full Draught Test Regulations - October 2019
Test Managers Pack - Draught

Certified draught tests are regulated by and held under one of three breed clubs - Northern Newfoundland Club, Southern Newfoundland Club & The Newfoundland Club.

The dog and handler will be tested as a team at 5 levels known as Beginners - Level 4. The tests are based on the building block principle, skills learnt by handler and dog for the lower levels are repeated and refined or modified in higher level tests, therefore it is necessary to master the lower levels first in order to proceed to a higher level. For example dogs must pass the Beginners test before entering Level 1, and Level 1 before entering Level 2 etc. The exercises actually test the partnership of the handler and dog, not just the dogs capabilities, and you are expected to work as a team.

On a test day there will be two judges and it is their desire for all the entered 'team's to pass. Handlers may ask the judges questions during the test if they are unsure whether they are permitted to do something or not. Judges may volunteer  some advice to help handlers and their dogs during the lower level tests (beginners, levels 1 & 2). To guide handler, a  breakdown of the penalty points is shown within the exercises. The judges will be using a scoring system for marking each performance. These marks are purely for their use and will not be divulged to handlers. The published results will only  show whether the required standard was reached. The dog and owner must reach the required standard in each exercise  otherwise they will fail the test as a whole. At the conclusion of each test the judges will inform the entrant whether they  and their dog have passed or failed and probably make some verbal comments. There will also be written comments to collect from the score steward, together with a certificate of competence for a pass.

Draught Test Beginners (minimum age 12 months)
Control Section - 3 to 6 turns, 5 second wait, random unexpected stop, 1 minute sit or down stay, recall from 5 metres
Pull Section - Diagonally across the ring in a straight line

Draught Test Level 1 (minimum age 18 months)
Control Section - 7 to 9 turns, 30 second halt in any position, 5 second wait, random unexpected stop, 1 minute down stay off lead with handler 5 metres away, recall from 5 metres
Manoeuvring Section - With the dog hitched up to a cart, carry out a mixture of circular patterns, broad curves, right angle turns, narrow areas, a wait at a removal obstacle, a figure of 8.
Haul Section - 0.5 - 1 mile distance whilst carrying 5kg weight, a 1 minute down stay with handler 5 metres away.

Draught Test Level 2 (minimum age 24 months)
Control Section - Change of pace to slow and back to normal, at least 9 turns with 3 at slow pace, 1 minute halt any position, two 5 second waits, a random unexpected stop, a recall from 10 metres
Group Down Stay - 2 minute duration with dogs 4 metres apart and handler 5 metres away
Manoeuvring Section - With the dog hitched up to a cart, carry out a mixture of circular patterns, broad curves, right angle turns, narrow areas, a wait at a remove obstacle, a figure of 8.
Haul Section - 1 - 2 mile distance whilst carrying 10kg weight, navigating obstacles such as gates, left/right turns, S bends, natural distractions, simulated emergency stop and unhitch, out of sight down stay for 1 minuite, 1 metre back up.

Draught Test Level 3 (minimum age 24 months)
Control Section - The first 75% of the course will be on lead with changes of pace slow to normal and fast to normal, minimum of 9 turns with all changes of pace, 1 minute halt in the stand position, three 5 second waits at each pace, random unexpected stop, back up of one metre. The final 25% of the course will continue in normal pace off lead with a recall on the move from 10 metres and 3 turns. 
Group Down Stay - 3 minute duration with dogs 3 metres apart and handler 10 metres away
Manoeuvring Section - With the dog hitched up to a cart, carry out a mixture of circular patterns, broad curves, right angle turns, narrow areas, a wait at a remove obstacle, a figure of 8.
Haul Section - 2 - 3 mile distance whilst carrying 15kg weight, navigating obstacles such as gates, S bends, a ditch, a large gap, shallow steps or similar, reverse over 2 metres, a 2 minute out of sight down stay.

Draught Test Level 4 (minimum age 30 months, maximum 7 years)
Control Section - Off lead throughout, demonstrate a noticeable change of pace of slow to normal and fast to normal, minimum of 9 turns with all changes of pace, 1 minute halt in stand position, three 5 second waits at each pace, recall on the move from 10 metres incorporating a turn, a random unexpected stop, a back up of 2 metres.
Group Down Stay - 3 minute duration with dogs 2 metres apart and handler out of sight.
Manoeuvring Section - With the dog hitched up to a cart, carry out a mixture of circular patterns, broad curves, right angle turns, narrow areas, a wait at a remove obstacle, 1 metre back up and a figure of 8.
Haul Section - 3 - 4 mile distance whilst carrying 20kg weight, navigating obstacles such as gates, left/right turns, S bends, a ditch, a large gap, shallow steps or similar, 3 metre reverse around an object (L shape in 2 stages), 3 minute out of sight down stay.