Pennsylvania: Newfoundland dogs tackle water rescue at Codorus

PENNSYLVANIA -- When Benita Edds saw her 7-year-old Newfoundland Sydney's head coming from around the back of the boat and with it the two people she rescued, she started crying.

It was at that point Saturday at Codorus State Park that she knew Sydney had just passed the Water Rescue Dog Excellent test.

"It was amazing," Edds said. "We have been training for three years and for her to do so well today was incredible." 

Sydney was one of 25 Newfoundlands from as far south as North Carolina that were vying for rescue dog certification at the Colonial Newfoundland Club 2013 NCA Water Tests. There are three different levels, Water Dog, Water Rescue Dog and the highest, Water Rescue Dog Excellent.

Each dog must successfully complete a series of five exercises, and pass them all in order to earn the certificate. The tests get more difficult as the dogs get to the higher levels.

Edds was confident in Sydney, who has excelled in all but one event -- the three-person rescue -- during three years of training. On a boat 100 feet from shore, the dogs must jump off the boat, rescue all three people, about 75 feet away, and bring them back to the boat.

Kerouac, a 20-month-old Newfoundland, gets a hug by his owner
Beth Benton of Charlotte, N.C. after competing in the Colonial
Newfoundland Club 2013 NCA Water Tests at Codorus State Park Sunday.
 (YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - PAUL KUEHNEL)

"She has done fabulous," Edds said. "She has been in the top 10 in the country in obedience and she is a champion, and an all-around good dog."

Edds is no stranger to competition. After competing in archery at Indiana State University, she finished 34th overall and was the third-highest scoring American in the 1984 Olympics.

Shortly after the Olympics, Edds rescued her first Newfoundland. It was actually a dozen dogs she rescued after seeing them starving to death in someone's backyard. The rest is history.

Newfoundlands are double coated so that they can handle the icy waters of Newfoundland or the warm water.

Sydney was not the only dog to pass a certification test on Saturday. Brodie, a 2-year old, passed the Water Dog level.

Owner Julia Sharkey from Maryland was overcome with emotion as she was enveloped by cheering friends once Brodie completed his last exercise.

"I am excited," Sharkey said. "This was the first time he has tested. We have been training for three months and he just loves the water, likes to hold stuff and get things. This was just a natural fit."

The training regime has been grueling and very time consuming for Brodie and his owner. They train every weekend at Codorus with five other Newfoundland owners.

 Karin Bystol, who is the chair of the test, noted how close the Newfoundland community is.

"We are all really close friends," Bystol said. "Even if you don't know people, you all have a common interest. Everyone wants everyone to do well. It is not a competition, it is individual."

(York Daily Record - Aug 26 2013)