Page 94 - K9 News - Issue 14 - December 2020

WORKING
W ORKING

A
ACTIVITIES
CTIVITIES

by THE NEWFOUNDLAND CLUB

W hilst Newfoundlands can be found With their waterproof coat and webbed feet,

participating in a host of activities across
Newfoundlands also proved their worth as a
the United Kingdom today including
Obedience, Rally Obedience, Nose helper in water, not only for retrieving but for
rescuing people who had fallen overboard. The
work, Tracking and Hoopers, the main working breed could often be found as a ‘ship’s dog’ as
aspects that are pursued are based on their well as assisting in the fishing industry working
original uses through history. alongside the dockers and fishermen, taking
lines and equipment out to boats as well as
There is evidence that the North American hauling the catch on land.
Indians mated their dogs to wolves (thought
to be the origin of the breed) and the ensuing
progeny with their thick weather resistant coats
were valuable draught animals with the power
to pull heavy loads through the snow. Evidence
also suggests that the Vikings, Eskimos and
early inhabitants of Newfoundland were utilising
the draught abilities of large bear-like dogs.
More recently in the 1800’s in locations such as
Poole, where narrow winding streets prohibited
the use of horses, Newfoundlands often in
teams of up to 3 were an invaluable alternative
for local haulage and delivering fish along the
south coasts.

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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / DECEMBER 2020