The Newfoundland Dog breed has a rich history of working abilities including both water rescue and draft work.  Newfs played an important role in the lives of the residents in their native province, particularly fishermen whose dogs helped by hauling their fishing nets in from sea.  Once on shore, the dogs were then hitched to wagons or carts to take the fish to market.  The dogs also helped around their owner's homes hauling loads of firewood and supplies.

National and Regional Newfoundland Dog Clubs around the globe work to preserve the natural working dog abilities of the breed and promote this heritage by offering workshops and seminars on draft work as well as draft tests.

2008 NDCC National Specialty Draft Dog Test photo by Black Dog Barnyard

As the holiday season approaches many regional clubs participate in Christmas tree pulls, a fun activity for the entire family.  We recently posted a link on our Facebook page to this excellent article from the Newf Club of America on how to modify your dog's cart for carrying a Christmas tree.  The photo (shown below) that accompanied the article shows a happy, healthy 4 year old newf pulling a tree on a wagon.

Photo from the NCA facebook page

Many of us have enjoyed participating in draft work with our Newfs and know first hand that a correctly balanced cart and properly fitted harness ensures that the dog is not bearing the weight on its body. 

Participating in draft work is a great way for Newf owners to build a stronger bond with their dog, to learn a new useful skill, and to preserve the heritage of the breed we love.  To learn more about draft work and upcoming seminars and tests in your area, or to join in on Christmas tree pulls or parades contact your regional Newfoundland Dog Club.

In the Newf Friends area there are two clubs:
Central Ontario Newf Club
South Eastern Ontario Newf Club

For a full list of  regional clubs across Canada visit the Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada website

For information about regional clubs across America visit the Newfoundland Club of America website

In the UK visit the Newfoundland Dog Club UK's website

2008 NDCC National Specialty Draft Dog Test photo by Black Dog Barnyard

For more information about Working Dog activities visit the Newf Club of America website which is an excellent resource for all things Newf!

2008 NDCC National Specialty Draft Dog Test photo by Black Dog Barnyard

 


Nellie is an active girl and will need LOTS of opportunities for age appropriate exercise to keep her out of trouble.  As with all giant breed puppies, exercise should be tailored to her needs as a growing puppy -- no overdoing it!

Nellie is being fostered in the Bancroft, ON area and her approved adopters will be required to pick her up in person.  Preference is given to homes within a 5 hour drive -- this includes parts of Ontario and Quebec.  Please note, unlike with adult rescues, we do not place young puppies into the US due to vaccine requirements at the border.

An adoption donation of $700 applies - see note above regarding the partial refund after her spay.

To be considered for adopting Nellie please complete the adoption application found here and email it back to us.  Homes without a securely fenced play yard will not be considered.

She is being fostered in the Bancroft area and her approved adopters will be required to pick her up in person. An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Looking handsome!

He is absolutely the best match for this family! He is great with all the kids, all the dogs that visit, he's protective & very loving! He is the best & he loves his life! 

 We love him!

Snuggled up with his best friend

Swim time with his buddy

Nov 15: I was adopted!

Sweet, friendly, gentle and playful -- Charlie is the whole package!  This adorable girl is going to make one lucky family very happy!  She's a well mannered girl who follows direction well and is affectionate and people focused.

Having a GREAT time racing along the snow covered trails at her foster home

Charlie arrived in our program on Nov 7 after her owners made the heartbreaking decision to surrender her. With several very young children in their family, Charlie's needs were always coming last.  Her owners decided to turn her over to us to find her a home where she will get the time, care and attention she deserves.

Charlie was born on Dec 2, 2009 so will be turning 5 years old this year.  Other than being underweight and in need of building muscle, she is in overall good health.  She has received regular vet care and good nutrition throughout her life.  She has been spayed and is up to date on all vaccines.

She comes from a reputable breeder who we have been in touch with.  Discussing Charlie's options and looking at what would be in her best interest, it was evident that we would be able to find an excellent home for Charlie very quickly.   At our request she is staying in our care with her breeder's support.  Her adopters will be put in touch with Charlie's breeder who will be available to them for advice throughout Charlie's life.


Charlie gets along well with other dogs and could happily join a family where she would have a four footed playmate.  She shares toys well, has nice manners meeting new dogs, is able to eat side by side with other dogs without any issue.  She is also friendly with cats.

She is very happy outdoors enjoying nature with her foster family and certainly loves romping along the snow covered trails at her foster home!  Her previous family had a cottage and she enjoyed visiting there and apparently is an avid swimmer.



Charlie lived with young children and could join a family with older children who are well mannered around animals.  She enjoys playing with older children very much but can be rather enthusiastic while playing!  She found the activity of a home with very young children/toddlers to be a bit much and would often retreat to the quiet of her backyard to get away from the activity.  For this reason, we are not considering homes with children under 10 years of age.

A happy, healthy girl!

Charlie has nice house manners and follows commands well. She is responding well to basic commands but definitely needs work on her leash manners.  She is VERY food motivated and a quick learner.  She'd be a great candidate for obedience work, draft work, water rescue and more.

She is a sensitive girl who lacks confidence in new situations and is hesitant in surroundings that are unfamiliar.  It took a few days in foster care for her to pick up the routine and get comfortable, but she is now making herself right at home.  A confident owner who will take time to build her confidence will benefit her greatly.  The more opportunities she has to visit new places, the easier it will be for her.

She is very people focused and eagerly accepts attention from everyone she meets -- she has perfected the classic newfy-lean!  She loves to be near people and enjoys hanging out at her foster mom's side.

Charlie on intake -- in need of some grooming.

Applications are being accepted now and we are reviewing our waiting list to look at the possible matches for this wonderful girl.  Charlie is being fostered in Bancroft, ON and her approved adopters will be required to pick her up in person.  An adoption donation of $500 applies.

Gander with C Company Royal Rifles of Canada Oct 27/41

Gander was a Newfoundland dog posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal, the "animals' VC", in 2000 for his deeds in World War II,^[1] the first such award in over 50 years.^[2

Military service

Gander, initially a family pet named Pal, accidentally scratched a child's face with his paw. Worried that he would be forced to have Pal put down, the original owner gave the large dog to the Royal Rifles, a regiment of the Canadian Army stationed at Gander International Airport, Newfoundland and Labrador. The soldiers quickly renamed him Gander and "promoted" him to sergeant. When the unit was shipped to Hong Kong in the fall of 1941, Gander went along.

Gander with Fred Kelly, in barracks, 1941

The Battle of Hong Kong began on December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Gander helped fight the Japanese invaders on three occasions. The last time, Gander picked up a thrown Japanese hand grenade and rushed with it toward the enemy, dying in the ensuing explosion, but saving the lives of several wounded Canadian soldiers.^[3]

After efforts by the Canadian War Museum, the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals awarded Gander the Dickin Medal on October 27, 2000, the first such award since 1949. The citation reads:

For saving the lives of Canadian infantrymen during the Battle of Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in December 1941. On three documented occasions, Gander, the Newfoundland mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada, engaged the enemy as his regiment joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters "C" Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous defence of the island. Twice Gander's attacks halted the enemy's advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers. In a final act of bravery, the war dog was killed in action gathering a grenade. Without Gander's intervention, many more lives would have been lost in the assault.^[1]

At the insistence of survivors of the battle, his name was listed with those of 1975 men and two women on the Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Wall in Ottawa, Canada.^[3]
____________________________________________________________________________________

Pictured below, is a photo of Sable Chief, another Newfoundland dog who was known for his roll in the military.  Sable Chief was the mascot of  the 2nd Battalion Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I.

References

Did you know that November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month ?

Senior dogs make wonderful companions but sadly are often overlooked at shelters and rescues in favour of younger animals.  There are many advantages to adopting a senior pet:

• What you see is what you get.  There are no surprises when you adopt a mature pet - you know exactly what their size, coat type, grooming needs and exercise needs are.
• Most senior dogs are already trained, know basic commands and have good leash manners.  They are ready to get out and explore the world with you.
• Generally, older dogs have good house-manners (they won't eat your shoes!) and are already housebroken so they require less time and energy to integrate them into your home than younger dogs do.
• Mature pets have been around the block a few times and have learned a lot over the years about life's lessons. They tend to be more laid back and settle in easily and adapt to new situations quickly.  
• Many senior dogs have met a lot of other dogs and have learned how to get along with them.  They tend to have good doggie social skills and have a calming influence on younger more rambunctious dogs.
• Senior dogs are mellower and more focused than younger dogs making them easier to train.
• Senior dogs have lower exercise needs than young dogs so they are well suited to most families.  They are often satisfied with a nice walk followed by a nap by the fire.
• Senior dogs have so much love to give -- they appreciate a kind hand, a warm bed and love and affection.
• When you adopt a senior dog you save a life.

Senior dogs make wonderful companions -- if you have been thinking about adding a new dog to your family, please consider adopting a mature dog, you won't be disappointed!