Why is the Newfoundland also called the Lifeguard Dog?
Similar to the Saint Bernard’s propensity for rescuing people in the snow, the Newfoundland is renown for its countless rescues of swimmers. In the 1800’s two Newfoundland dogs were a required part of the Lifesaving equipment at each of the lifeguard stations around the coast of England. Possessing an instinct for water rescue, the Newfoundland dog is physically well-suited to swimming, with its webbed feet, thick rudder-like tail, water-resistant double coat and its powerful build, strength and stamina. When a swimmer is in trouble but conscious, the Newf will swim out to just beyond the person, then swim close by in the direction of shore (or the shallow end of a swimming pool), and allow the person to grab ahold of any part of his anatomy in order to tow the swimmer to shore with swift powerful swimming strokes. Only in the case of an unconscious swimmer will a Newf grab the swimmer with its mouth, consistently taking the upper arm in its jaws for the tow to safety. This particular
