For the 3rd year in a row, the North Central Newfoundland Club is excited to offer a Beginning Water Dog Test in conjunction with the NCNC Water Test. This event will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025, following the NCA WD and WRD tests.
This is a non-NCA event. You do not earn an official NCA title for passing this test. It is open to all dogs, 6 months of age and older. They need not be a Newfoundland dog nor be registered with the AKC.
Test entries will close on September 8th at 11:59pm CDT. Cost of entry is $28.
Test Overview:
The test is modeled on the NCA's WD test but tailored for the inexperienced dog. Examples of these changes are:
- Allowing the dog to retrieve an item to the shore, not necessarily to hand
- Shorter distances
- Allowing the handler to enter the water to help start the dog swimming
- Having the basic control exercises be on-leash
- Allowing a long line on the dog to prevent him/her running loose
- Allowing the handler to treat the dog between exercises
When we developed this test, based in general on the NCA's WD test, we included elements of both the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada's Water Rescue Dog Novice test and the High Country Newfoundland Club's tadpole test.
Important Information:
- All dogs must always be kept either in a crate or on a 6' leash except when being tested or swimming at the designated time.
- You will be responsible for keeping your dog under control and away from the other dogs while at the site.
- Please inform the Test Secretary, Damian Burke, ASAP at smeed1@mac.com, if you will be bringing a bitch in season (BIS) to the test as these dogs will be crated away from the other dogs and they will be tested last.
-
Unless overruled by text in this document, all applicable, general NCA rules for a water test as shown at https://memberapi.ncanewfs.org/api/committees/wdc/docbase/Water_WaterTest Regulations_Vers2.pdf will apply.
Entering the Test:
The test will open for registration on August 5, 2025. Entries will be online only at https://ncnc.wildapricot.org/event-6236405. The test registration will close at 11:59 pm CDT on Monday, September 8, 2025. Cost of entry is $28 per dog.
Once the number of entrants is known, a better start time estimate can be provided. Entrants are encouraged to join us for the NCA tests in the morning. The miminum number of entries for the Beginner Water Dog Test is 3 dogs. The maximum number of entries for the Beginner Water Dog Test is 6 dogs. However, this number might increase depending on the number of entries in the NCA tests. Accepted slots in the test will be determined by entry date, but not time within the date. Ties will be determined by lottery, so as to provide a fair chance for all entrants to participate. In the unlikely event that the NCA test is canceled, then the Beginner Water Dog Test will be canceled. Entrants would be notified as soon as possible ahead of time and the entry fee would be refunded.
Entering Multiple Dogs:
To allow the greatest number of participants in this test, we are prioritizing every entrant's first entered dog. You can still enter multiple dogs, but dogs after the first one entered will go on the waiting list and will get in the test only if there is room for them. So if you are entering multiple dogs, we suggest entering the dog you most want to participate first. Then enter your other dog(s) right away.
Required Equipment:
- US Coast Guard approved life jacket for the handler to wear
- Suitable foot protection for the handler to wear
- A bumper for the dog to retrieve
- If desired, US Coast Guard approved life jacket for the dog to retrieve (can be child's size)
- A line with a knot or bumper on the end for the dog to retrieve
What's in the Beginner Test:
The test consists of 2 land-based exercises and 5 water-based exercises. A handler/dog team must pass all 7 exercises to qualify. Each dog will perform all 7 exercises in a row in the order shown below. The handler may do the following:
- Gently guide the dog by the collar between exercises
- Give the dog a treat between exercises. But no luring with a treat.
Land-Based Exercises
1. Controlled Walking
Overview - Dog walks under control with handler on-leash along the beach 60 feet one way then 60 feet back.
Details - Handler may get the dog wet before this exercise. Hand signals, verbal commands, and other encouragement are allowed. Handler may not touch dog once they say they are ready. Judge commands team with "Forward", "About Turn", and "Halt." There will be one halt at the end and another somewhere during the exercise. The leash must not be constantly tight.
2. Recall
Overview - Dog stays while handler walks out 15', turns to dog and calls dog. Dog comes and stops within 4 feet of handler.
Details - Exercise will be performed with 15' leash held by handler and attached to dog. Handler may not touch dog once they say they are ready. Handler will give "Stay" command and walk out 15' from the dog holding the leash. Dog must stay until judge tells handler to call dog and handler calls dog. Handler can give up to 2 commands to come before the dog moves. Once the dog is moving forward, the handler may encourage dog with hand signals and vocal commands as well as take up to 3 steps backward (not pulling on leash) to encourage the dog to come. Handler must not get the dog to come by pulling on the leash.
Water-Based Exercises
If the handler is worried that their dog might try to run off the beach, they may attach a long floating line to the dog's collar. It should be touched by the handler only in an emergency when they feel the dog is about to or starting to run away.
1. Single Retrieve
Overview - Handler tosses bumper at least 30' into water and the dog fetches the bumper and returns it to shore.
Details - Handler may not touch dog once they say they are ready. The handler may enter the water with the dog until the dog is swimming, at which point the handler must return to shore. Delivery may be to hand or dropped on the shore near the handler. When the handler has the bumper in hand, the judge will say "Exercise Finished."
2. Drop Retrieve
Overview - A kayak or boat rider crosses the test area at 35 feet from shore and drops a bumper or life jacket and leaves the test area. The dog fetches the article and returns it to shore.
Details - The article can be either a bumper or a life jacket (handler's choice.) The article is dropped on the shore side of the boat. The article may be marked by splashing it during the drop. Handler may not touch dog once they say they are ready. The handler may enter the water with the dog until the dog is swimming, at which point the handler must return to shore. Delivery may be to hand or dropped on the shore near the handler. When the handler has the article in hand, the judge will say "Exercise Finished."
3. Swim Out to Calling Steward
Overview - A calling steward goes out 50' and calls the dog. The dog must swim out to the calling steward and return to shore. Dog does not need to take a line.
Details - Calling steward greets the dog then goes out 50 feet from shore. Handler may not touch dog once they say they are ready. Calling steward can splash the water and call the dog, using dog's name. The handler may enter the water with the dog until the dog is swimming, at which point the handler must return to shore. The dog swims out to the calling steward and either gets close enough to be touched by the calling steward or circles them. The dog then swims back to shore. When the dog reaches shore, the judge will say "Exercise Finished."
4. Swim Out to a Boat
Overview - The dog swims out to a boat 50' from shore. The dog will take a bumper or line and return it to shore.
Details - A bumper with a rope attached or a rope line (entrant's choice) is given to the steward on the boat. The boat goes out 50 feet. Handler may not touch dog once they say they are ready. The boat steward splashes the water and calls the dog, using dog's name. The handler may enter the water with the dog until the dog is swimming, at which point the handler must return to shore. When the dog is within 6 feet of the boat, the boat steward may (repeatedly, if necessary) hand or throw the bumper/line to the dog. The dog will then carry the bumper/line back to the shore followed by the boat. When the dog reaches wading depth, the judge will say: "Exercise finished."
5. Swim to Handler
Overview - Steward holds dog while handler swims out 30'. Handler calls dog to them close enough to touch, then both swim to shore together.
Details - Handler swims out 30' from shore while a steward holds the dog on shore. Upon signal from judge, handler calls the dog, and the steward releases the dog. Dog comes to handler, close enough to touch then both handler and dog swim back to shore. Judge says "Exercise finished" when the dog reaches wading depth.
Test Schedule Sunday, September 20, 2025:
The test will be held at Lake Andrea in Pleasant Prairie, WI. A description of the
site can be found on page 3 of this document.
Following the NCA tests:
- Entrants check In
- Judges meet with Beginner Water Test entrants
- All-Breed Water Dog Test entrants' equipment check
- Judges meet with Beginner Water Test stewards
- Beginner Water Test Pre-swim (15 minutes)
- TEST BEGINS!!!
- Beginner Water Test land-based exercises
- Beginner Water Test water exercises
- Awards Presentation shortly after the conclusion of the test
*** We recommend entrants bring a pop-up tent for shade/shelter. ***
If you need to cancel your entry or have any other questions, please contact the Test Secretary (Damian Burke) at smeed1@mac.com.
Beginner Water Dog Test Exercises
