NEWFOUNDLAND (DOG)

The 'Newfoundland' is a large, usually black, breed of dog originally used as a working dog in Newfoundland. They are known for their sweet dispositions, loyalty, and natural water rescue tendencies.

Contents

Appearance

Temperament

History

Health

Quotes

Famous Newfoundlands

References

External links

Appearance

Newfoundlands ("Newfies" or "Newfs") have webbed feet and a water-resistant coat.^[1] Males weigh 60–70 kg (130–150 lb), and females 45–55 kg (100–120 lb), placing them in the "giant" weight range. Some Newfies have been known to weigh over 90 kg (200 lb).
American Kennel Club (AKC) standard colors of the Newfoundland are black, brown, gray and landseer (black head and white and black body); The Kennel Club (TKC) permits only black, brown and landseer; and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) permits only black and landseer. The 'Landseer' is named after the artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who featured them in many of his paintings. AKC, CKC and TKC all treat Landseer as part of the breed. FCI consider the Landseer to be a separate breed; others consider only it simply a Newfoundland color variation.

Temperament

International Kennel clubs generally describe the breed as having a sweet temperament.^[2][3]1 They have deep barks, are easy to train and are known as guardians, watchdogs and good with children.^[4]

History

The breed originated in Newfoundland from dogs indigenous to the island. There is speculation they may be descended partly from the big black bear dogs introduced by the Vikings in 1001 A.D.³ However it is more likely that their size results from the introduction of large mastiff type dogs, brought by generations of Portuguese fishermen. With the advent of European settlement, a variety of new breeds helped to shape and re-invigorate the breed, but the essential characteristics of the Newfoundland dog remained. By the time colonization was permitted in 1610, the distinct physical characteristics and mental attributes had been established in the breed for all time. In the early 1880s fishermen from Ireland and England traveled to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland where there were two main types of working dog: one more heavily built, large with a longish coat, whereas the other was lighter in build, an active, smooth-coated water dog. The heavier one was the Newfoundland and the other was the St. John's dog, the forerunner of the Labrador Retriever. The dogs were used in similar ways to pull fishnets and heavy equipment.
During the Discovery Channel's second day of coverage of the AKC Eukanuba National Championship on December, 03, 2006, anchor Bob Goen reported that Newfoundlands exhibit a very strong propensity to rescue people from water. Goen stated that one Newfoundland alone once aided the rescue of 63 shipwrecked sailors. Today, Kennel Clubs across the United States host Newfoundland Rescue Demonstrations, as well as offering classes in the field.
In 1832, Ann Harvey of Isle aux Morts, her father, and a Newfoundland Dog named Hairy Dog saved over 180 Irish immigrants from the wreck of the brig Despatch.
And in the early 1900s, a a dog that is thought to have been a Newfoundland saved 92 people who were on a sinking ship in Newfoundland during a blizzard. The dog retreived a rope thrown out into the turbulent waters by those on deck, and was able to bring the rope to shore to people waiting on the beach. A breaches buoy was attached to the rope, and all those aboard the ship were able to get across to the shore.

Health

There are several health problems associated with Newfoundlands. Newfoundlands are prone to Hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint), Elbow dysplasia, and cystinuria (a hereditary defect that forms calculi stones in the bladder). Another genetic problem is subvalvular aortic stenosis, also referred to as subaortic stenosis or SAS. This is a common heart defect in Newfoundlands involving defective heart valves. SAS can cause sudden death at an early age. Newfoundlands also tend to slobber copiously, but this is generally only a concern for fastidious owners, rather than for the dogs themselves.

Quotes

"The man they had got now was a jolly, light-hearted, thick-headed sort of a chap, with about as much sensitiveness in him as there might be in a Newfoundland puppy. You might look daggers at him for an hour and he would not notice it, and it would not trouble him if he did." Jerome K. Jerome ''Three Men in a Boat''

"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. This Praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human ashes, is but a just tribute to the Memory of Boatswain, a Dog." George Gordon, Lord Byron, Epitaph to a Dog.
"Newfoundland dogs are good to save children from drowning, but you must have a pond of water handy and a child, or else there will be no profit in boarding a Newfoundland." Josh Billings
"A man is not a good man to me because he will feed me if I should
be starving, or warm me if I should be freezing, or pull me out
of a ditch if I should ever fall into one. I can find you a
Newfoundland dog that will do as much." Henry David Thoreau ''Walden''

Famous Newfoundlands

★ 'Boatswain' - pet of Lord Byron

★ 'Pilot' - pet of Edward Fairfax Rochester in Jane Eyre - first described in chapter 12.

★ 'Adam' - 'Seaward's Blackbeard' - 1984 Best in Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show

★ 'Josh' - 'Darbydale's All Rise Pouchcove' - 2004 Best in Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show

★ 'Sable Chief' - mascot of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

★ 'Seaman' - pet of Meriwether Lewis

★ 'Sirius' - dog of Maggie in the book Star in the Storm

★ 'Nana' - dog of the Darlings in Peter Pan

★ 'Swansea Jack'- Dog of the century

★ Sgt. Gander the Mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada who was killed in action at the Battle of Hong Kong when he carried a grenade away from wounded soldiers. For this he was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal retroactively in 2000

★ Several of the First Dogs in the White House were Newfoundlands

★ 'Brumus' - Robert F. Kennedy's dog

References

1. Newfoundland Breed Standard The Kennel Club, 'Exceptionally gentle, docile nature' .. 'webbed' ... 'oily nature, water-resistant'
2. Newfoundland Breed Standard American Kennel Club, 'a sweet-dispositioned dog that acts neither dull nor ill-tempered' ... 'Sweetness of temperament'
3. CKC Breed Standards Canadian Kennel Club, 'The Newfoundland?s expression is soft and reflects the character of the breed--benevolent, intelligent, dignified but capable of fun. He is known for his sterling gentleness and serenity'
4. Is A Newf For You Newfoundland Club of Canada, 'not incessant barkers' ... 'not known as guard dogs, they are guardians, defending when necessary' ... 'Most Newfs are readily trained' ... "has been the traditional children's protector and playmate"

External links

★ Newfoundland Club of America

★ The Newfoundland Club (UK)

★ Newfoundland Club Inc. of New Zealand

★ Newfoundland Dog Breed Profile

★ Databaso on newfoundland more than 3000 pictures and pedigree