A Newfoundland dog lives up to their reputation after acting immediately when his human sister needed to be "rescued" in the water.
On September 2, 2024, social media user Chewy the Newfoundland (@chewythenewfoundland) shared a video of the family enjoying a sunny day on the water. Take a look!
In the video shared on Instagram, we meet Chewy, an adorable Newfoundland dog .
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In the clip, chewy is in a boat wearing a life jacket while the boat is still docked.
His family was spending some time on the dock, catching the sun without being out on the water. They've got their beach chairs set up, and they're enjoying a drink.
And just like the family in chairs, the kids are having fun in the water. They're safe and wearing life jackets, which we see when Chewy's human sister jumps off the dock and into the water.
Chewy was watching the whole time, and the second his sister hit the water, he was already jumping to "save" her.
Chewy jumps off the boat and goes onto the dock, but he doesn't quite make it. His front paws are on the dock, but his back feet are still on the boat.
The person behind the camera went and helped Chewy by giving him a little life so he could continue on.
When Chewy was all clear, he jumped into the water and swam right to his human sister because he really thought she was in danger. Of course, she was totally fine swimming and didn't need saving, but the big Newfoundland thought differently and acted quickly.
"He was so eager to save her [that] he needed saving himself," the text on the video joked. "Just a big goofy rescue."
In the comment section, people were giggling but also giving Chewy props for being so alert and calling out the boots he was wearing for his slip-up.
One wrote, "Chewy must be protected at all costs."
Another shared, "This is great. Dogs are the best."
Someone else added, "Proof you can still help people even if you don't exactly have it together."
One shared, "Poor chewy, only thing that can stop him is doggy shoes."
Another wrote, "Newfs we’re bread to do this!"
Newfoundland Dogs are Built for Rescuing People, Especially in the Water
According to the American Kennel Club , Newfoundland dogs are hardwired to watch out for people in the water.
"These benevolent giants, best known as working companions and natural swimmers, have an instinctive drive to protect the waterfront and rescue people in distress – particularly those in water," they explain.
Newfoundland dogs have webbed feet, which are perfect for swimming. They also have a water-resistant coat, which means they won't be weighed down when in the water like other dogs with coats that aren't water-proof.
"Newfs are born swimmers, complete with partially webbed feet, and strong enough to save a grown man from drowning," the American Kennel Club explains.
The organization shares that Newfoundland dogs aren't working as water rescue pups in any official way, "but they still patrol the beaches in France and Italy."