Can any dog do water rescue?
No. The dog needs a powerful build, tolerance of cold water and a very calm temperament. Water breeds have real anatomical advantages: an insulating coat, a tail they use as a rudder, webbed feet.
Water sports
Water Rescue
You've probably seen a Newfoundland hauling a boat to shore in a film. It's a real discipline, with exams, in which water rescue dogs tow both people and boats.
About the discipline
What Water Rescue is
Few dog sports carry straight over into real call-outs, and water rescue is one of them. The dog learns to swim out to a person, give them something to hold on to and tow them back to shore.
Advanced programmes add jumping from a moving boat, towing a boat and working alongside divers. All of that takes a lot of strength and a very calm head.
The classic breeds are the Newfoundland and the Labrador. They have the right build, an insulating coat and webbed feet. This isn't something any dog can do.
How it works in practice
What the training involves
- getting fully at ease in deep water
- swimming long distances safely
- towing a person to shore
- carrying out a lifebuoy or a rope
- jumping from a boat, sometimes a moving one
- towing a small boat
- working with the handler from the water
Every exercise is built up gradually, with a life jacket to start with. Force a dog into deep water and you can leave it with a fear that never goes away.
Which dogs it suits
- water breeds with an insulating coat and webbed feet
- dogs that are physically very strong and emotionally steady
- teams that can get to safe open water regularly
What you need
- a rescue harness with a solid handle
- a life jacket while the dog is learning
- ropes and a towing buoy
- a boat for the advanced exercises
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Water Rescue
Does the dog really tow a person?
Yes, at the advanced levels. The person grabs the dog's harness and the dog swims them to shore. That's why the harness with a solid handle is the one piece of kit the whole discipline revolves around.
Where does one start?
Start by getting the dog used to water, with zero pressure. Only once it goes in happily and swims relaxed do you bring in retrieving exercises. Towing comes much later.
From the same category
Related sports
Water Work
Retrieving, towing and other work exercises in water.
Surf Dog
The dog balances on a surfboard and rides the wave.
Stand-up Paddle with your dog
Paddleboarding with your dog, just for fun or in races.
Water Agility
A course of hoops and floating obstacles that the dog swims instead of runs.
We do not run Water Rescue
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.