The Newfoundland dog is an animal well known in England, for its attachment to the water; but the true breed has become scarce, and is rarely to be found, except upon the coast of Labrador. Most of the Fisheries are plentifully supplied with these dogs, and they prove of great utility in dragging home the winter fuel. They are also employed in Newfoundland for the same purpose, where they are usually yoked in pairs. Such is the disregard of these creatures for cold, that, when the thermometer of Fahrenheit has indicated twenty degrees below Zero, they have been known to remain in the sea during an entire hour. The fishermen feed their dogs upon salted hallibut, or, indeed, any other sort of food; for they are an extremely voracious animal, and will devour almost any thing. Their docility is so remarkable, that they will leap from the summit of the highest cliff into the water, in obedience to the commands of their master. To man they are ever gentle and good-natured; so much so, indeed, that it has been very customary, of late years, to cross their breed with an English bull-dog, whereby they are rendered more fierce and surly towards strangers. It is pretended that a thoroughbred Newfoundland dog may be known by certain black marks on the roof of its mouth; but this is by no means a positive proof, as many other kinds of dogs have the same mark.
The author has already mentioned, in a former work, the method of travelling with these dogs, as practised by the European settlers in Labrador [ note ]. The sledge used for this purpose is about twelve feet in length, shod on each side with whalebone, and covered with the skin of the polar bear. It is drawn by ten or twelve dogs, yoked two and two, with a harness made of slips of seal-skin. Two of the most sagacious and best-trained dogs are placed in front, as leaders; no reins being necessary; for the animals will naturally follow a beaten track through the snow; and they are easily guided by a long whip, the lash of which extends to the foremost dogs. The rate of travelling varies, according to the stale of the snow; but it seldom exceeds ten, and is never less than six, miles an hour. (141-143)