The Newfoundland Dog

The Newfoundland is a large dog with the size and strength to perform the tasks required of him. It has a heavy coat to protect it from the long winters and the icy waters surrounding its native island. Its feet are large, strong, and webbed so that it 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 gives us stories of brave Newfoundlands which have rescued men and women from watery graves; stories of shipwrecks made less terrible by dogs that 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 it 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. It must have powerful hindquarters and a lung capacity which enables it to swim for great distances. It must have the heavy coat which protects it from icy waters. In short, it must be strong, muscular, and sound so that it may do the work for which it has become justly famous.

Above all things, the Newfoundland must have intelligence, the loyalty and the sweetness which are its best known traits. It must be able and willing to help its owner perform necessary tasks at command and also have the intelligence to act on its own responsibility when 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 it an effective guard and watchdog combined with the gentleness which makes it a safe companion. For generations it has been the traditional children's protector and playmate.