(Photo: Water Rescue Dogs)
Big, brave, and strong swimmers--Newfoundland dogs have all of the natural characteristics of a rescue swimmer. That's why the Italian Coast Guard employs them for that purpose.
Roberto Gasparri, a dog trainer who works with this program, explained to Dog Heirs that these dogs have a great advantage while in the water:
The dog becomes a sort of intelligent lifebuoy. It is a buoy that goes by itself to a person in need of help, and comes back to the shore also by himself, choosing the best landing point and swimming through the safest currents.
The Newfoundlands can jump out of boats and helicopters and swim through dangerous waters to people in need. Once they reach someone in the water, the victim can grab onto the dog's lifejacket and rest while the dog pulls him to safety.
-via My Modern Met