Watercubs & Kivisilmän
working show-quality newfoundlands
and history
USA:
Junior Division
Dogs with AKC or CKC Companion Dog titles are exempt from the Basic Control exercises. Such dogs will receive a passing score from each judge in this exercise.
There are three parts to the Basic Control: Controlled Walking, a Recall, and a One-Minute Down. The dog may be guided gently by the collar between exercises. Extra hand signals, verbal commands, and other encouragement are allowed on the motion exercises.
If a Test Committee schedules the Basic Control Exercise on the day preceding the water exercises, it must also offer Basic Control on the day of the water test for anyone who is unable to attend the previous day.
Controlled Walking: The dog must walk with the handler in response to the commands given and should remain within arm's reach of the handler at all times. The handler must not touch the dog, but may command and encourage the dog. The dog is not required to remain in any particular position, but should remain within arm's reach.
During this exercise one judge will call commands, but both judges will score. The commands from the judge will include: forward, left turn, right turn, about turn, halt, and exercise finished. It is the judge's option in what order he calls the commands.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog is frequently beyond the reach of the handler.
2. The dog fouls the ring.
Recall: The recall is performed the full length of the ring. The judge will instruct the handler to "Sit your dog" and will ask "Are you ready?" The judge will then instruct the handler to "Leave your dog". The handler must give only one stay command. The stay command can be given by both voice and hand simultaneously. The dog must stay until called by the handler. The handler will walk to the opposite side of the ring, turn, face the dog, and remain in place until the exercise is finished. The judge will instruct the handler to call the dog. A signal, verbal command, or simultaneous commands may be used to call the dog. Extra hand signals and vocal commands are allowed after the dog begins to move. The dog must respond within 10 seconds. The dog will come close enough to be touched by the handler and should sit facing the handler. The judge's commands to the handler are "Sit your dog", "Leave your dog", "Call your dog", and "Exercise finished".
1. The dog does not stay in place (changing position from the sit to a down will not be a failure)
2. The handler gives more than one "stay" command or more than one "come" command.
(Hand signals and voice commands must be given at the same time to be considered
"one command".)
3. The dog does not respond to the "come" command within 10 seconds.
4. The dog does not come.
5. The dog does not go to the handler.
6. The dog goes to the handler but remains out of reach.
7. The dog fouls the ring.
One Minute Down: The One Minute Down is a group exercise performed with the handlers across the width of the ring. The judges will keep each group to a maximum of ten (10) dogs. The handlers and their dogs (on lead) will enter the ring and line up along one side as instructed by the judge. The handlers will remove the leads and place them behind their dogs. When in position, the judge will ask "Are you ready?" and will then say "Down your dogs". The handlers may manually put their dogs down. The judge will instruct the handlers to "Leave your dogs". Handlers will give one (1) command to stay. The stay command may be a verbal command, hand signal, or a simultaneous verbal and hand signal. The handlers will walk to the opposite side of the ring, turn, and face their dogs. After one minute, the judge will say "Return to your dogs". The handlers will walk around the dog and return to heel position. The dog must remain down until the handler returns to the heel position. The handlers will not release their dogs until the judge says "Exercise finished".
1. The handler gives more than one command to stay.
2. The dog moves substantially even though still down.
3. The dog sits or stands any time before the handler returns to the heel position.
4. The dog fouls the ring.
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler wait on shore facing the water. The judge will ask the handler, "Are you ready?" and then will instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The handler will throw the bumper at least thirty (30) feet out from shore and into swimming depth water for the dog. The bumper may have a short line attached to facilitate throwing. Anticipation is allowed. The handler sends the dog with voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistle. The dog swims out to the bumper, retrieves it, and brings it to the handler on the shore. The dog must deliver the bumper to hand. Verbal encouragement, extra commands, and whistles are allowed as the dog is working. The dog need not sit to deliver the bumper to the handler. A "finish" is not required.
If the throw is not of adequate distance, the judges will instruct the handler to throw the bumper again. The test committee will appoint a steward to serve as a designated thrower in the event one should be needed.
The dog may bring the bumper to the closest point of land; in which case, the handler may move along the shore to that point to receive the article without stepping into the water. The point of land at which the dog delivers the bumper may be outside the marked test area. If the dog fails to retrieve on the first command, it may be redirected by the handler with voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistle to retrieve the bumper.
The judges will signal completion of the exercise when the dog has delivered the bumper to hand, or when the dog has failed the exercise.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
1. The dog does not retrieve the bumper.
2. The dog gets the bumper but drops it and refuses to pick it up.
3. The dog refuses to deliver the bumper to hand.
4. The handler assists the dog in marking the bumper by throwing objects.
5. The dog leaves the water without making the retrieve.
Suggested Time Limit: Sixty (60) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler wait on shore facing the water. Stewards will paddle across the test site approximately fifty (50) feet from shore. Upon a signal from a judge, a steward will quietly place an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) life jacket or an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) boat cushion in the water on the seaward side of the watercraft,making no effort to attract the dog's attention to the drop. The judges will select the article the morning of the test, and it will be the same for all dogs. After the watercraft has cleared the area, a judge will ask the handler, "Are you ready?" and then instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The handler will send the dog with voice commands, hand signals and/or whistles in the direction of the floating article. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. The dog swims out to the article, retrieves it, and returns it to the handler on shore. The dog must deliver the article to hand. The dog may bring the article to the closest point of land; in which case, the handler may move along the shore to that point to receive the article without stepping into the water. The closest point of land may be outside the marked test site. No sit or finish is required. The exercise is finished when the dog delivers to hand, or when the judges indicate the dog has failed. The judges will signal a completed exercise.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog does not retrieve the article.
2. The dog gets the article, drops it, and will not pick it up.
3. The dog fails to deliver the article to the handler.
4. The handler aids the dog in marking the article by throwing objects.
5. The dog leaves the water without making the retrieve.
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler wait on shore facing the water. The land steward will give the handler one end of the line. Before the exercise begins, the calling steward, on the direction of the judge, will walk up to the dog, pet it briefly and ask its name. The steward will swim away from shore into position at the fifty (50) foot mark. When the steward is in position, a judge will ask the handler, "Are you ready?" and then will instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. As soon as the judge signals the beginning of the exercise, the steward will begin calling the dog. The steward will use the dog's name and must use the same manner of calling for each dog.
After the judge says "You may begin", the handler gives the dog one end of a seventy-five (75) foot floating line. The line may be knotted at one end to facilitate carrying. The handler may gently place the line in the dog's mouth, entice the dog to take the line, or command the dog to take the line. The line may not be tossed into the water for the dog to grab. If the line is dropped prior to the dog committing to the water, the handler may pick it up and start again. Once the dog has committed to the water, the handler may command the dog to pick it up but may not touch the line.
The dog will hold the line in its mouth, and on voice commands, hand signals, and/or a whistle from the handler will enter the water and carry the line to the steward. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. The handler may play out the line to avoid entanglement but will keep one end on shore. The dog must bring the line close enough for the steward to reach it without changing his/her location in the water. The dog must hold the line in its mouth until the steward can grasp it, but the dog does not have to relinquish the line to the steward. The steward will hold the line up for the judges to see. The exercise is finished when the steward has hold of the line, or when the judges indicate the dog has failed. The judges will signal completion of the exercise. The handler will then call the dog to shore. The dog may continue to hold the line in its mouth and accompany the steward to shore.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The handler physically guides the dog any time after the exercise has begun.
2. The dog leaves the water after it has been sent, and before it delivers the line to the steward.
3. The dog does not come close enough to the steward to allow the steward to take hold of the line while the dog is holding it.
4. The handler tosses the line in the water for the dog to retrieve
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
Standard of Performance
The dog will remain on shore with the handler. The handlers' 8-foot floating line with attached boat bumper will be placed in the boat by a steward. The stewards will be positioned in an approved rowboat fifty (50) feet from shore. The dog and handler will approach the water, and the judge will ask, "Are you ready? The judge will instruct the handler "You may begin". At this point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. As soon as the judge signals the beginning of the exercise, a steward in the boat will attract the team's attention by calling the dog's name and splashing the bumper next to the boat. The dog should swim to the boat, take the bumper or line from the steward, and tow the boat to shore. The steward will splash the bumper close to the boat but may not throw it in front of the dog. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. The dog may hold either the line or the bumper. The dog may bring the boat to the closest point of land, in which case, the handler may move along the shore to meet the dog. The handler will not enter the water until the dog is at wading depth for the dog. The dog must pull the boat until it touches the bottom, at which time the judges will signal completion of the exercise.
1. Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
2. 1. The dog does not swim out to the boat.
2. The dog refuses to take the bumper or line from the steward.
3. The dog does not pull the boat to shore.
4. The dog drops the equipment and does not respond to the handler’s commands to pick it up.
5. The dog comes out of the water prior to completion of the exercise, unless dog is actively in the process of towing and beaching the boat in order to complete the exercise
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler are on shore at a spot designated by the judges. The judge will ask, "Are you ready?" and then will instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this time, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. Dog and handler will approach the water and wade out together to swimming depth for the dog. The dog and handler will swim together for twenty (20) feet. The prescribed distance is not judged until both the handler and the dog have begun swimming. The dog may swim in any position within a four-foot (4) radius of the handler. The dog may not swim on top of the handler nor otherwise impede the handler from reaching the prescribed distance. A judge will signal when the required distance is reached. The handler will stop swimming and command the dog to turn toward shore. The handler may not physically turn the dog. The handler then holds onto the dog and encourages the dog to tow him to shore. The dog is to do so promptly, although one or two circles by the dog for orientation with the shoreline are allowed. The dog may tow the handler by having the handler hold onto the dog or by the dog holding the handler by the arm. If the dog holds the handler by the arm, some protection on the arm is permitted. This protection will be flush with the skin and there will be nothing dangling from it.
The handler must be free floating and allow him/herself to be towed by the dog. A small amount of motion by the handler for balance is allowed. Once the dog has reached wading depth, the handler may stand and walk to shore with his/her dog. The judges will signal completion as soon as the dog is walking.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog must be physically guided into the water or while swimming.
2. The dog leaves the four-foot (4) radius of the handler and does not immediately return to the handler on command.
3. The dog physically interferes with the handler's ability to swim the prescribed distance.
4. The dog refuses or is unable to tow the handler to shore.
5. The handler makes swimming strokes that are interpreted by the judges as assisting the dog.
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
Senior Division
Standards of Performance
The two articles to be retrieved will be an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) boat cushion and an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) life jacket. With the dog and handler on shore facing the water, a judge will ask, "Are you ready?" Stewards will paddle across the test site and drop two articles fifty feet (50 feet) from shore and fifty (50) feet apart on the land side of the watercraft. The articles will be splashed two or three times to attract the dog's attention.
When the articles are in place, the stewards will paddle clear of the site, and a judge will tell the handler which is the first article to be retrieved. It will be the same order for each dog unless conditions necessitate a change. A judge will then instruct the handler, 'You may begin". At this time, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The dog and handler must start from the center of the test area; however, once the judges indicate the start of the exercise, the dog and handler are allowed to move along the beach. The handler sends the dog for the first article from any point on the shore with voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistles. Extra commands and voice encouragement are allowed as the dog works. The dog must retrieve the article and deliver it to the hand of the handler on shore. The dog may bring the article to the closest point of land, in which case, the handler may move along the shore to that point to receive the article without stepping into the water. The closest point of land does not have to be within the marked test area. The handler may pat and praise his dog before he sends it for the second article; no other physical manipulation of the dog is allowed. The dog will be directed for the second article from any point on the beach. When the second article is delivered to hand on shore in the same manner as the first one, the judges will signal completion of the exercise.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises.
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog gets the wrong article.
2. The dog does not retrieve both articles.
3. The dog does not deliver both articles to hand.
4. The dog comes out of the water prior to completion of the first retrieve.
5. The dog comes out of the water after it has been sent for the second retrieve without the article.
6. The handler assists the dog in marking an article by throwing objects.
Suggested Time Limit: Three (3) minutes. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
Standard of Performance
The dog and handler will be on shore. The judge will ask "Are you ready?" and then will instruct the handler "You may proceed". At that point, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The dog will board a boat and travel with the handler in a safe and controlled manner. The dog and handler have thirty (30) seconds to board and be ready for departure. The thirty (30) second boarding time is separate from the suggested time for completing the retrieve.
The dog must willingly board the platform on the boat without physical assistance from the handler within the 30-second time limit and remain on the platform, under control, until required to exit. The dog must exit from the platform. The handler is responsible for placing the paddle on the platform and is allowed to sit on the platform with his/her feet in the water.
The dog and handler go out in the boat rowed by a steward. The handler may place an arm on the dog on the ride out as long as he/she is not restraining the dog. They go out fifty (50) feet from shore, and the boat is positioned parallel to shore. A judge will signal "You may begin" by an arm signal or one short blast on a whistle. At that signal, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. Upon the signal from the judge, the handler throws a canoe or raft paddle at least ten (10) feet from the boat. The judges must be able to see the paddle thrown to judge the 10-foot distance. When the paddle is in the water, the dog must jump willingly from the platform of the boat, within thirty (30) seconds, to retrieve the paddle. The dog must return the paddle to the boat and relinquish it to either the handler or the steward. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed while the dog is working. . The handler is allowed to splash the water to attract the dog's attention when the dog is returning the paddle to the boat. When the dog has relinquished the paddle to the handler or steward, the judges will signal completion of the exercise.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog refuses to willingly board the boat.
2. The dog refuses to jump from the boat within thirty (30) seconds.
3. The dog jumps before the paddle hits the water.
4. The dog refuses to return the paddle to the handler or the steward.
5. The dog does not exit the boat from the platform or does not remain under control on the platform during the exercise.
6. The dog is restrained while on the boat.
7. The dog and handler are not aboard and ready for departure within the thirty (30) second time limit.
Suggested Time Limit: Ninety (90) seconds is allowed to complete the entire exercise: however, the dog must jump within thirty (30) seconds. Timing starts when judge instructs,
"You may begin".
TAKE A LIFE RING
Standard of Performance
The life ring is attached to a line three (3) feet to five (5) feet in length. The line may be knotted in some fashion to facilitate the dog holding and towing it. One of three water stewards will be designated as the "victim", and this steward will assume the same position in the water for each dog.
The dog and handler will wait on shore in the center of the test area. A judge will ask the handler, "Are you ready?" and will then instruct three stewards to enter the water and swim out to a point approximately seventy-five (75) feet from shore. When they have reached the 75-foot distance, they will be spaced at thirty-foot (30) intervals. The thirty-foot (30) intervals shall be measured on shore and marked in a visible fashion to enable the stewards to maintain their positions. A judge will indicate to the designated "victim" the start of the exercise by a hand signal or one short blast on his whistle. That steward will begin to splash and call for help but may not call the dog by name. The other two stewards shall quietly tread water, remaining in position and watching the "victim".
A judge will then instruct the handler "You may begin". At that time, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. Once the judges indicate the start of the exercise, the handler and dog may move to any position on the beach before the dog is sent. The handler will give the line attached to the life ring to the dog. The dog will take it on command without the handler having to physically put it into the dog's mouth. The handler will send the dog to the "victim" in distress by voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistles. If the dog drops the line, the handler may command the dog to retake it, but the handler may not pick up the line and start again.
The dog is to swim "directly" to the calling person in the water and carry the life ring close enough so that the "victim" may grab hold of it. The word "directly" does not necessarily mean in a straight line, since some dogs naturally swim in an arc to reach a destination. If a dog appears to start toward the wrong steward and can be verbally redirected by the handler to go to the designated "victim", the dog will pass. As long as the dog is working, it should not fail until it delivers the life ring to the wrong steward or exceeds the time limit for the exercise. The steward must not use swimming strokes to reach for the life ring and is required to hold the life ring while being towed to shore. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. When the dog and "victim" reach wading depth water for the dog, the judges will signal completion of the exercise.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises (Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog refuses to hold the line.
2. The dog goes to the incorrect steward.
3. The dog fails to bring the ring close enough for the "victim" to reach it.
4. The dog fails to tow the "victim" to shore.
5. The dog drops the equipment, and the handler assists the dog in marking the equipment by throwing objects.
6. The dog leaves the water prior to completion of the exercise.
Suggested Time Limit: Two (2) minutes. Timing starts when the judge instructs, "You may begin".
Standard of Performance
This exercise starts on the beach. The dog will willingly accompany the handler into the water. The handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The point of the dog's elbow will measure the required depth. When dog and handler are in position, a judge will ask, "Are you ready?" A judge will then instruct the handler, "You may begin". The handler will toss the object into the water at least three (3) feet in front of the dog and parallel to shore. The object to be retrieved will be no more than twelve (12) inches long and 4 inches tall. When submerged, it should extend no more than four (4) inches from the bottom and should be weighted evenly so that it will sink immediately.
The handler may not touch the dog after the object is thrown. The handler may be beside the dog so that the dog can immediately deliver the object to hand. The handler's position should not block the view of the judges. The dog will have a total of three minutes from the time the object is first thrown to retrieve it from the bottom and deliver it to the handler.
The handler has the option of throwing the object as often as necessary, but the total time for the entire exercise is not to exceed three minutes. Each new throw must be at the required depth and at least three (3) feet in front of the dog. The judges will signal completion of the exercise.
A dog may paw or submerge its head on this exercise, but it must pick up the article and deliver to hand.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog does not retrieve the object thrown at the required depth and/or distance.
2. The dog does not deliver to hand.
3. The dog drops the article and fails to retrieve it again.
Suggested Time Limit: Three (3) minutes. Timing starts when the judge instructs, "You may begin".
Standard of Performance
A steward will be waiting in a rowboat seventy-five (75) feet from shore. The dog and handler will approach the water, and a judge will ask, "Are you ready?" Then a judge will instruct the handler, "You may begin". At this time, the handler must have hands off the dog and/or the dog's collar. The handler will give the dog an eight (8) line with a bumper attached. The dog may hold either end of the equipment, the line or the bumper. The dog will take the equipment on command. The line may not be tossed in the water for the dog to grab. If the dog drops the line or bumper, the handler may command it to retake it, but the handler may not pick up the line or bumper and start again.
The handler sends the dog with voice commands, hand signals, and/or whistles to swim to the steward in the boat. The steward will attract the dog's attention by calling the dog, but not by name, and by splashing the water. While the handler is commanding the dog to swim out to the boat, he/she may not step into the water. The dog will swim out to the boat and come close enough to deliver the bumper or line to the steward in the boat. The steward shall not leave the boat to grab the line. The steward will reach for the bumper or line from the side from which the dog is approaching and hold onto it. Verbal encouragement and extra commands are allowed as the dog is working. The dog may bring the boat to the closest point of land, in which case, the handler may move along the shore to meet the dog. The handler shall not enter the water until the dog is at wading depth for the dog. The dog must pull the boat until it touches bottom, and the judges will signal completion of the exercise at that time.
Failing Performance: The dog will fail for any of the failures common to all exercises
(Chapter 2, Section 15) and if:
1. The dog refuses to take the bumper or line in its mouth.
2. The dog refuses to deliver the bumper or line to the steward in the boat.
3. The dog does not tow the boat to shore.
4. The dog drops the equipment and will not pick it up when directed by the handler.
5. The dog drops the equipment and the handler assists the dog in marking the equipment by throwing objects.
6. The dog comes out of the water prior to completion of the exercise, unless it is actively towing and beaching the boat to complete the exercise.
Suggested Time Limit: Two (2) minutes. Timing starts when judge instructs, "You may begin".
(c) Salmelin