The Newfoundland Dog
The Newfoundland is a large dog with the size and strength to
perform the tasks required of him. He has a heavy coat to protect
him from the long winters and the icy waters surrounding his native
island. His feet are large, strong, and webbed so that he may
travel easily over marshes and shores. Essentially, the Newfoundland
dog is as much at home in the water as on dry land. Canine literature
give us stories of brave Newfoundlands which have rescued men and
women from watery graves; stories of shipwrecks made less terrible by
dogs which carried life lines to stricken vessels; of children who
have fallen into deep water and have been brought safely ashore by
Newfoundlands; and of dogs whose work was less spectacular but equally
valuable as they helped their fishermen owners with their heavy nets and
performed other tasks necessary to their occupations. Although he is a
superior water dog, the Newfoundland has been used and still is used in
Newfoundland and Labrador as a true working dog, dragging carts, or more
often carrying burdens as a pack horse.
In order to perform these duties the Newfoundland - must be a large dog -
large enough to bring ashore a drowning man. He must have powerful
hindquarters and a lung capacity which enables him to swim for great
distances. He must have the heavy coat which protects him from the icy
waters. In short, he must be strong, muscular, and sound so that he may do
the work for which he has become justly famous. Above all things, the
Newfoundland must have intelligence, the loyalty and the sweetness which
are his best known traits. He must be able and willing to help his master
perform his necessary tasks at command and also have the intelligence to act
on his own responsibility when his rescue work demands it.
The Newfoundland dog is mainly kept, not as an active worker, but as a companion, guard and friend. We appreciate particularly the sterling traits of the true Newfoundland disposition. Here we have the great size and strength which makes him an effective guard and watchdog combined with the gentleness which makes him a safe companion. For generations he has been the traditional children's protector and playmate.
We know of no better description of the character of the Newfoundland dog than the famous epitaph which reads:
Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed Beauty without Vanity Strength without Insolence courage without Ferocity and all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.