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 esponsibility 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.