Newfoundland Club of America Water Test Regulations
Chapter I - General Regulations
Section 1. Application for Tests
Section 2. Duties Of the Water Test Committee
Section 3. Qualifications of Judges
Section 4. Dogs Eligible to Compete
Section 5. Dogs that May Not Compete
Section 6. Test Disqualifications
Section 7. Handling a Dog
Section 8. Bitches in Season
Section 9. Unentered Dogs
Section 10. Entering at Own Risk
Section 11. Judges Decisions
Section 12. Entry Limitation
Section 13. Entry in Junior Division
Section 14. Entry in Senior Division
Section 15. Qualifying Performance & Awards
Section 16. Changes of Judges, etc.
Section 17. Stewards
Section 18. Test Site Conditions
Section 19. Spectators
Section 20. Emergency Provisions
Section 21. Personal Flotation Devices
Section 1. Application for Water Tests
A Water Test Committee from a recognized Regional Club of the Newfoundland Club of America (NCA) may apply to the Working Dog Committee (WDC) of the NCA for permission to host a Water Test. Application must be made using an approved WDC application form.
Application forms are available from the Water Test Applications Secretary and the NCA website where toolkits are available in the working dog section. The completed application must be sent to the WDC Water Test Applications Secretary whose name is available on the web site. The application must contain the following information:
1. The names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses of the Water Test Chairperson, the Water Test Secretary, and a third Water Test committee member from the test giving club. All must be NCA members.
2. The names of the two judges along with their Judges' Acceptance Forms completed and signed.
3. The written guarantee that steward assistance and all equipment (other than the equipment furnished by each entrant), and other necessary provisions will be available at the test site.
4. The certification that all NCA Water Test regulations will be followed.
5. The date of the Proposed Water Test, the test site address, and a description of the site including a detailed site map. The WDC recommends that Water Test dates be coordinated with neighboring Regional Clubs to avoid conflicting dates within 300 miles.
6. The signatures of the Water Test Chairperson, the Water Test Secretary, the third Water Test committee member and a member of the Regional Club's Board of Directors signing on behalf of the Regional Club.
A completed application, which includes judge’s acceptance forms, must be mailed to the Water Test Applications Secretary a minimum of four (4) months, but not more than twelve (12) months, prior to the date of the proposed test. The WDC Water Test Applications Secretary usually communicates the WDC’s approval or rejection of the Water Test Application to the Water Test Chairperson within forty-five (45) days following the receipt of the completed application. When the Working Dog Committee is considering a regional club’s application for an NCA Water Test, the committee considers any past violations of the Regulations at its previous tests. An email address must be included if verification of application received is requested.
An application that is received late will be accessed late fees. Any part of the test application received up to 5 days after the deadline will be assessed a $25.00 late fee. Fully completed test applications received 6-30 days late will be assessed a $50.00 late fee. Test applications received more than 30 days after the deadline will not be approved. Late fees must be paid by the regional club prior to approval of any further working event.
In the event the WDC denies permission for holding the test, the water test committee may appeal to the NCA Board. The Working Dog Committee shall supply the NCA Board their reasons, in writing, for not approving the requested test. The final decision shall be that of the NCA Board.
Section 2. Duties of the Water Test Committee
The water test committee will act as the official representative of the NCA and must enforce these Regulations. Any violations of these Regulations shall be reported in writing and attached to the water test committee's report to the WDC.
The Water Test Committee will prepare a premium list for the water test to distribute to those who request it. It should also be posted on the Regional club's web site.The premium list must include the following information:
The date and location of the water test with a detailed description of the test site and other features specific to the test site. This must include information regarding water conditions and the distance from shore where the average Newfoundland dog begins swimming.
The judges' names, including the name of any observer judge, if known.
The entry limit, that there will be an alternate list if the entries exceed the limit, and the method for determining alternates as specified in the NCA policy on handling entries, refunds and alternates listed in Section 12 Entry Limitation.
The beginning date for accepting entries, which must be no less than ten (10) days after the premium list has been made available.
The closing date for accepting entries.
The levels (WD, WRD, WRDX) being offered at the test and the order in which they will be judged.
The approval date of the Water Test Regulations being used at the NCA Water Test.
A statement regarding entrant's responsibility for obtaining the current NCA Water Test Regulations.
The name and address of the WDC Publications Secretary from whom entrants can order the NCA Water Test Regulations and notification that the Regulations are also available on the NCA website as well as any updates made to the regulations.
The name and address of the Water Test Secretary to whom the entries shall be sent.
Entries must be made on an official NCA entry form containing the notice that a copy of the entered dog's AKC, ILP, or foreign registration paper must be attached.
Additional information such as the following: officers and directors of the NCA and regional club; awards; accommodations; directions to test; advertising; meals; any special events and additional activities. Any event, other than an NCA event, being publicized in a water test premium or catalog must include a statement indicating that the event is not an NCA event. For example: an ad for an all breed test following the NCA test must clearly state "This is not an NCA event".
Whether or not there will be practice allowed at the site and the times, if allowed.
The Premium List must not be made public before the regional club receives approval from the NCA WDC to conduct the test(s).
After the closing date for entries, the Water Test Secretary will notify each exhibitor, at least ten days before the test, of the following information: water test location (including a map and/or written directions), judging time, judges' names, exhibitor number, and any changes in the water test information that occurred since the premium list was sent. If entries exceed the published entry limit, the Water Test Secretary will notify alternates
of their position on the alternate list as per the NCA policy on entries, refunds and alternates.
The Water Test Secretary will keep a copy of the current NCA Water Test Regulations and Grievance Procedures at the test site for reference.
The Water Test Chairperson will appoint a safety officer. The Safety Officer will be responsible for ensuring that no unentered dogs are permitted in the main testing area at a water test. The Safety Officer will see that all personnel are properly equipped with approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) flotation devices and are wearing adequate foot protection prior to entering test waters. Each exhibitor is responsible for providing his/her own flotation device as well as proper footwear.
The Water Test Chairperson and Water Test Secretary must each submit reports to the designated Working Dog Committee member within thirty (30) days after the test. The Chairperson's report will include a description of the test, a summary of any problems or complaints registered with the Water Test Committee, and other information requested by the WDC. The Secretary's report will include the judges' report sheets, Entry Forms with AKC registrations, two (2) copies of the premium list, four (4) copies of the marked catalog and any other materials requested by the WDC. Entrant and judges evaluations should not be included. The WDC Water Test Records Secretary will send one copy of the marked catalog to the NCA Database Committee and one to the NCA Historian.
All required reports submitted to the designated Working Dog Committee member must be postmarked within thirty (30) days from the date of the test in order to receive approval for a subsequent test. Completed paperwork that is postmarked 1-5 days late will have the regional club assessed a $25.00 late fee. Completed event paperwork postmarked 6+ days late will have the regional club assessed a $50.00 late fee. Late fees must be paid by the regional club prior to approval of any further working event.
Section 3. Qualifications of Judges
Before the Water Test Committee applies for permission to sponsor an NCA Water Test, it must select a judging panel from the list of judges who have met the qualifications approved by the WDC and the NCA Board. A current list is available from the designated Working Dog Committee member who maintains the judges’ qualifications records and on the NCA web site. Judges whose names are “flagged” on the judges list cannot accept assignments until they exhibit at a test and will not be approved on a judging panel.
Section 4. Dogs Eligible to Compete
The NCA Water Tests shall be open only to purebred Newfoundland dogs at least six (6) months of age by the date of the test. As used in these regulations, the word "dog" refers to either sex. All entries must have an AKC individual or litter registration number, an ILP number, or a foreign individual or litter registration number.
Section 5. Dogs that May Not Compete
No dog belonging wholly or in part to a Water test judge or to any member of such person’s immediate family, including in-laws, can be exhibited under the judge. Lame dogs or dogs that have been taped or bandaged in any way, or have anything attached to them for medical purposes, shall be ineligible to be tested.
Section 6. Test Disqualifications and Ineligibility
Judges must immediately disqualify and remove the following from further competition:
Any dog which its handler cannot control.
Any dog which attacks a person or dog on test grounds.
Any handler who deliberately interferes with another handler or dog.
Any handler who behaves in an unsportsmanlike manner in or outside the testing area. (Unsportsmanlike behavior includes, but is not limited to, the following: directing angry or abusive language at a person or dog, mistreating a dog, showing discourtesies to judges, test officials, stewards or others.)
The judges will mark the dog disqualified and state the reason on the official judges' form. The Water Test Secretary will also note the disqualification in the test report to the WDC.
The Working Dog Committee and the NCA have adopted the AKC official policy concerning dog attacks that lead to an injury, either to a person or to another dog. Also, Water Test judges may excuse, and even ask to have removed from a test site, if necessary, any dog that appears dangerous to other dogs or persons. Actual reports of dog attacks causing injury to either a dog or a person would go directly through the grievance process. The grievance may be filed by the person injured, the person whose dog was injured, or any witness to an attack causing injury. The dog in question should be removed from the test site and cannot be entered in any subsequent NCA working event pending the completion of the grievance hearing process through the WDC, with subsequent action by the Board. Any test the dog is entered in already would have to be forfeited with the dog in question banned from the test site pending completion of the grievance process. The recommendation of the WDC will be sent to the Board following
the grievance hearing, which would end the WDC jurisdiction. The Board will need to form a committee whose purpose it is to deal with reinstatement requests after the Board has denied further exhibition privileges for any Newfoundland.
AKC Rules Applying to Dog Shows: Chapter 11, Section 15- Any dog, that in the opinion of the Event Committee, attacks a person or dog at an AKC event, resulting in an injury, and is believed by that Event Committee to present a hazard to persons or other dogs, shall be disqualified by the Event Committee pursuant to this section, a report shall be filed with the Executive Secretary of The American Kennel Club. The disqualified dog may not again compete at any AKC event nor be on the grounds of an AKC event unless and until, following application for reinstatement by the owner to the American Kennel Club, the owner receives official notification in writing from the AKC that the dog's eligibility has been reinstated.
Section 7. Handling a Dog
Each dog must be handled by the same handler for all exercises. Handlers may be substituted after the test closes but the secretary must be informed of the change before the test begins.
Section 8. Bitches in Season
Bitches in season may participate in NCA Water Tests. Bitches in season will be kept out of the test area and away from all other dogs until called for by the judges. They may perform the Basic Control Exercise after all other dogs have been judged on that exercise. At least one other "volunteer" female will perform the One Minute Down with the bitch in season.
Bitches in season shall be judged on the water exercises at the conclusion of judging for that day. When Junior and Senior Division entries are judged on the same day, any Junior Division bitches in season shall be judged after other regular judging for both divisions has been completed, including post entries, followed by the Senior Division bitches in season. This applies to two (2) day tests which are held back to back as well. For two (2) day tests where the Junior Division entries are judged on one day and the Senior Division entries on another, any Junior Division bitches in season will be judged at the conclusion of the Junior judging and any Senior Division bitches in season will be judged at the conclusion of the Senior Division judging.
Section 9. Unentered Dogs
The appointed Safety Officer is responsible for insuring that all unentered dogs are kept outside and away from the designated test area.
Section 10. Entering at Own Risk
Entrants participate in an NCA Water Test at their own risk. Entrants agree to abide by the NCA Water Test Regulations and the Constitution and By-laws of the NCA.
Section 11. Judges' Decisions
At the Water test, the decisions of the judges are final in all matters affecting the scoring and working ability of the dogs and their handlers. The judges are in sole charge of the Water Test area until their assignment is complete. A dog must be marked passing on every exercise by both judges in order to qualify for a WD or a WRD title.
Section 12. Entry Limitation
Once test approval is received from the NCA Working Dog Committee, the Water Test Committee can determine the date it will accept entries, and the date will be published in the premium list. This date must be at least ten (10) days after the premium list is made public.
Maximum entries to be judged are thirty (30) dogs per test day. If a water test committee anticipates an entry in excess of its facilities for a water test, it may limit entries to less than thirty (30). In setting entry limits, a test committee should consider that, on the average, judges can usually judge five (5) Junior Division entries per hour and three (3) Senior Division entries per hour. Test Committees may also decide on a minimum number of entries to hold the test as long as it is published in the premium list.
A prominent announcement of such limits must appear on the title or cover page of the Water test premium list. Priority will be given to entries that have not earned titles in the division entered. Titled dogs may be entered for judging (requalification) if entry limits have not been filled, and the entry form must state that the entry is for requalification. Under no circumstances can the published entry limit be changed.
Entries will be accepted by mail only and must show a postmark.
Accepting Entries: Test premiums will list an opening and closing date for entries. The opening date is the earliest date an entry can be sent as indicated by the postmark of the entry; the closing date is the last day an entry can be received by the test secretary and is unrelated to the postmark. The test will not close officially until the published closing date, even if the entries exceed the limit before the closing date.
No dog will be allowed to enter more than one division in a test or on the same day, with the exception of post entries.
Do not assign final entries until the closing date. This will accommodate entries that arrive on different dates but that have identical postmarks. Open all envelopes before assigning entries, because some envelopes may contain more than one entry and some may be entering only one day of a two-day test weekend.
When the test closes, if the entries exceed the maximum limit, follow the procedure listed below. If a lottery is required as specified below, a separate lottery MUST be held for each of the two days of a two-day test weekend. (Note: An efficient and unbiased way to do a lottery is to number each entry and put the corresponding numbers on small, individual pieces of paper. Randomly select the papers to determine the status of each entry.) There must always be at least two people present to witness the lottery, at least one of which is not entered in the test.
Assigning Entries: 1. Assign a spot in the test to each entry postmarked with the first allowed entry date; assign a spot in the test to each entry postmarked with the second allowed entry date; continue as above until all spots in the test are full. 2. If at any time there are more entries with identical postmarks than spots available in the test, conduct a lottery to determine which entries are accepted into the test. Those not assigned spots become alternates. Example 1: If the entries received with the first allowed postmark exceed the test limit on the closing date, conduct a lottery with all of the entries with that postmark. Those not chosen become alternates. Continue to do a lottery for each postmarked date to determine the order of the alternate list. Example 2: There are openings in the test for entries postmarked with the first and second allowed date. Five entries are postmarked with the third allowed date and there are two openings left. Conduct a lottery with those five entries—two will be entered in the test and three will become alternates as will any entries with later postmarks. Example 3: If the limit is 25, and there are 30 entries with the first postmark, the first 25 randomly selected in the lottery will be assigned spots in the test and the remaining entries will be pulled as first alternate, second alternate, third alternate, etc. Assign other entries with later postmarks as alternates in the same way doing a lottery for each postmarked date. 3. Add requalification entries to the alternate list after all untitled dogs on the list. Requalification entries should be added by postmark and by lottery, as necessary.
Withdrawing Entries and Refunds: To withdraw an entry, the entrant must notify the test secretary by telephone, email, or U.S. mail. The secretary must confirm receipt of such notifications. The entrant will receive a full refund of the entry fee if the notification is received prior to the closing date for entries. After the closing date has passed, no refunds will be given, even if an alternate was tested in their place, with the exception of alternates that did not get into the test. In addition, an entrant with one dog in the test and another on the alternate list
may not substitute one dog for the other. If the entrant must pull the entered dog, then the first dog on the alternate list will fill the opening.
Alternates and Refunds: If an entrant submits an entry to a draft or water test but is not assigned a place in the test, the test secretary must notify the entrant immediately after the closing date and give the entrant the option to be placed on the alternate list. If the entrant prefers not to be on the alternate list, he or she will receive a full refund. If the entrant choses to stay on the alternate list and pulls their entry at a later date they will not receive a refund.
Once the closing date listed in the premium has passed, if an entrant notifies the secretary that they are withdrawing their entry or have passed at a previous test, all entrants on the alternate list must be notified that their ranks have changed. If a space does not become available for an alternate on or before the day of the test, the alternate will receive a full refund. Example: If a test limit is 25 dogs and 25 dogs are tested, but none of the five dogs that were on an alternate list were tested, the five alternates would receive refunds after the test. If 20 original dogs and three alternates were tested, but two alternates did not attend the test, the handlers of those two alternates would not receive refunds because had they attended, they would have been tested.
If an entrant has been assigned a spot in the test but their dog passes at a previous test, the handler must notify the test secretary by 6 pm the night before the test as to whether they will move their entry to another division (i.e., WD to WRD or WRD to WRDX), withdraw from the test, or requalify in the same division if the test is not full. If the test is full they have the option of being moved to the end of the alternate list to requalify. This overrides Section 4,4.B, of the current water test rules.
Section 13. Entry in Junior Division
Entry in Junior Division is open to dogs with the following stipulations:
Any eligible dog that has not yet earned a WD title may enter the Junior Division.
Any dog that has earned a WD may enter as a requalifying WD. However, if the dog passes the Junior Division, the dog may not be post entered in Senior Division at the same test. Any entry for requalification will be accepted only if the limit for the test (overall limit or division limit, as listed in the premium list) is not exceeded.
Any dog that has earned a WRD may enter as a requalifying WD. If the dog passes Junior Division, the dog may not be post entered in Senior Division at the same test.
If a dog earns its WD after the closing date of a subsequent test in which it is entered, the handler may choose to requalify the dog in the Junior Division at the future test if these conditions exist: A.) There are no untitled alternates waiting to fill the dog's space,
and B.) The entry as a requalifier will not exceed the maximum entry limit of the Junior Division, if a limit is stated in the premium list.
Section 14. Entry in Senior Division
Only dogs which have passed the Junior Division shall be eligible to be tested in the Senior Division.
If a dog entered in the Junior Division has passed a Junior Division test after the closing date for entries, the entry may be transferred from the Junior to the Senior Division. To transfer the entry from Junior to Senior Division, the handler must submit to the Water Test Secretary a signed statement listing the name of the dog, the date and location of the Water Test passed, the judges' names, and the name and address of the owners. A change of entry from Junior to Senior must be received by 6:00 pm. the night before the test.
A dog that has earned a WRD may enter as a requalifying WRD. Any entry for requalification will be accepted only if the limit for the test (overall limit or division limit, as listed in the premium list) is not exceeded.
Dogs which successfully fulfill the requirements for a Water Dog title at a test may be post-entered in the Senior Division at that test and will be tested at the conclusion of Senior Division judging. There will be an additional entry fee. The handler will be allowed to test his dog only until it fails an exercise.
Section 15. Qualifying Performance & Awards
For a dog to receive a qualifying performance, both judges must mark the dog with a passing performance for each exercise in the division entered. A dog receiving a qualifying performance in Junior Division is entitled to use the title "Water Dog" in any Newfoundland Club of America activity. "WD" is the abbreviation for the Water Dog title. A dog receiving a qualifying performance in the Senior Division is entitled to use the title "Water Rescue Dog" in any activity. "WRD" is the abbreviation for the Water Rescue Dog title. A dog requalifying at either level can add the number of times they have requalified after the title such as WD1 for a dog that has earned a WD and requalified at the junior level once, or a WRD3 for a dog that has earned a WRD title and requalified at the senior level three times.
Section 16. Changes of Judges, Water Test Officials, or Site
If a Water Test Committee is informed at any time prior to the opening of its water test that an advertised judge cannot fulfill his/her engagement to judge, the Water Test Committee will substitute a judge from the NCA WDC Approved Judges List. The designated NCA Working Dog Committee member (who processed the water test application) or the WDC Chairperson (in case the designated person cannot be
reached) must be notified to approve the substitution. This may be done by phone, mail or electronic means; however, if the request is made by phone, a follow-up letter must be sent to the designated NCA Working Dog Committee member (who processed the water test application) with a full explanation. The designated member must notify the other WDC members of the change and the reason for the request. If time permits, a written notice should be mailed to the exhibitors.
In the unlikely event that a judge becomes ill or is unable to fulfill the judging assignment on the day of a test or during a test, and the designated WDC member or Chairperson cannot be reached according to the procedures described above, the test committee may substitute an Approved Water Test Judge who is in attendance at the test to fulfill the assignment. If an approved judge is not available, a qualified person with considerable water test training and exhibiting experience (See Chapter Two, Section 1, paragraph 2 on Qualifications of Judges) may be appointed by the Test Committee to fulfill the assignment. The designated WDC member or Chairperson must be notified of the substitution as soon as possible, and a full explanation for the substitution, including the qualifications of the substitute judge, must be included in the test chairperson's report.
Prior to the start of the test or substitute judging assignment, the change must be posted. Exhibitors have the right to withdraw their entry if they choose not to exhibit under the substitute judge, and their entry fee will be refunded.
In the event a site must be changed, the Water Test Committee should make every effort to secure a suitable site within twenty-five miles of the original site.
If, because of natural disasters, civil disturbances, or other acts beyond the control of the test-giving club, it is impossible to start or complete the test, no refund of entry fees will be made.
Section 17. Stewards
Stewards assist the judges, and they may act only on the judges' instructions. Stewards will not give information or instructions to owners and entrants except as specifically instructed by a judge, and then only in such a manner that it is clear that the instructions are those of the judge. Exhibitors are not permitted to give instructions to the stewards. Any harassment of stewards must be reported immediately to the judges.
Care must be exercised to ensure the calling steward(s) are not overly familiar with a dog being tested. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
The steward(s) has cared for the dog within the past six months.
Calling stewards may be part of the same training groups of handlers and dogs in a given summer. However, calling stewards must avoid direct contact with the dogs they
will call for at tests in that summer training season. It is therefore recommended that clubs intending to host Water Tests should consider appointing their calling stewards as early in the season as possible to avoid potential conflicts.
The steward(s) has trained the dog for obedience, conformation, or working events.
In no case should a member of the owner's or handler's immediate family steward exercises for their own dog, a dog they co-own, or for one with which they are overly familiar.
For consistency in the test, calling steward(s) should be prepared to steward for the entire test. Changes of stewards should be limited to substitution for a steward that is ill or in distress.
Section 18. Test Site Conditions
The ring for the Basic Control exercise must be enclosed by ropes, baby gates, etc, be rectangular and should be at least forty by fifty feet (40' x 50'). The area designated for water testing shall be sectioned off in some way. The usable waterfront must be a minimum of seventy-five (75) feet. The water should extend at least 200 feet from the shore. The testing area should have a gradual drop off and must permit the dogs to be swimming within twenty (20) feet of shore. If water depths change due to unforeseen circumstances, after the site has been approved, the required distances for an exercise will be increased up to twenty (20) feet, as needed, so that the dogs will be swimming as prescribed in the exercises. Markers will be moved to reflect the change in distances. If time permits, exhibitors will be notified of the change of distances in advance. Water must be free of unmarked hazardous objects. There must be an area suitable for the underwater retrieve.
There must be a shaded area provided for entered dogs to be crated or confined when they are not being tested.
Section 19. Spectators
Since Newfoundlands working under natural conditions may be in places where there are extraneous sounds, spectators are encouraged to applaud and cheer for performing dogs as they return to shore with the article or rescue victim. However, spectators must not interfere with the performance in any way. Judges may use their discretion to determine what constitutes interference.
Section 20. Emergency Provisions
The Water Test Committee should take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of all involved. There must be a telephone available at the test site. It is recommended that the services of a veterinarian be available during the water test. The veterinarian
may be "on call" if services are available within a short distance of the test site; otherwise, the veterinarian must be on site. Information regarding after hours emergency care for dogs and people should be available to entrants and committee members. A first-aid kit is required, and a backboard is recommended.
Section 21. Personal Flotation Devices
It is mandatory that any person entering the test water or embarking on a water craft must wear an approved Coast Guard (American or Canadian) flotation device, in good condition, and some form of secure foot protection, “crocs” are not permitted.
The Water Test Committee is responsible for equipping their stewards and personnel with these devices. The safety officer is responsible for ensuring the compliance with the above regulations. The judges shall mark any exhibitor who refuses to comply with these regulations "excused" from further testing.
Section 22. Canceling a Test
If a Water test is canceled due to insufficient entries the WDC Water Test applications person must be notified immediately.
Section 23. Entry of Other Breeds
Test committees may accept the entries of breeds other than Newfoundlands to be judged after their test under the following conditions: The test must not be full, the judges and committee must agree to accept the entry, the entry will not be judged until after all Newfoundlands have been judged and the Newfoundland test is considered finished including bitches in heat, there must be a “volunteer” dog to participate in the long down if the other breed is to be judged in basic control since it is considered a group exercise.
