A few years ago I posted about my Newf dog who was seriously not into swimming. He never did get into swimming, although he liked being near water. He was a great canoe companion, only ever dumped the canoe once when we forgot to ask him to wait at the dock. Did you know that the gunwale makes a poor step and an excellent springboard for launching any remaining passengers, especially those in the stern, immediately into the water? Well, now you know. He hit the dock and I hit the water at almost exactly the same moment. No time between to reflect or prepare my approach, just splash into the drink. I guess that's why they say you should not leave your lifejacket in the bottom of the boat. Anyway, he only did this once. WE are trainable too.
On long river canoeing trips he would fidget when we were near land, with the rustlings of birds and rodents and who knows what audible from the banks. Once we set out to the middle of the stream he would settle down in his spot between cargo areas, and rest his nose on the gunwale. He wasn't quite tall enough to maintain this position with any comfort, but he would keep his nose as high as possible to make sure not to miss anything good passing by. More than once his fine canine nose spotted interesting wildlife before primate eyes were aware. When he found porcupines, we were glad to be so far from the shore. He was instantly alert and ready to chase, but fortunately reluctant to leap into the water to pursue his prey.
The only time he didn't care for canoeing was when we encountered shoals. Whenever the canoe ground against rocks, he would leap to his feet and 'surf' out the rough patch. When we canoed the Souris River, one ill-advised May Long Weekend, and the spring meltwater had already passed through, he spent more time on top of the cargo than in the canoe bottom, riding up high to avoid the vibrations of rocks against wood and kevlar.
(sidebar - it's odd to think of that tiny trickle as the same river that is currently destroying homes and farms across Manitoba and North Dakota.)
You will note from my use of the past tense that this fine Newf is no longer with us. He had a series of health problems this winter culminating in an aggressive version of the tumours that have plagued him since he was 3. It also turned out that he was mislabeled - not a Newf at all but a setter-spaniel mix with a bit of this and that, but not Newfie at all. That doesn't excuse the lack of swimming ability, though. Gundogs of all kinds are usually water lovers too.
We had many fine adventures with our lovely dog, whatever his breed. He was a willing companion on any kind of hike or boat or car trip. He travelled all across the country with us and seldom complained. He was infinitely patient with our lack of skill at communicating with dogs, and forgave us instantly when we got things wrong. Everyone should be so lucky.
