[ The Fanciers' Journal ]
This animal-fancy weekly, originally entitled The Fanciers' Journal and Poultry Exchange before dropping the latter part of that title although it continued to publish items on pigeons and poultry as well as dogs, was published in Philadelphia, PA, beginning in 1874.
The January 30, 1892, issue carried this report of a Newfoundland trained to larceny:
Charles Blaney, a resident of this city, was arrested to answer the charge of larceny, which offense was really committed by his dog. Blaney had taught his Newfoundland dog numerous tricks, amongst others that of retrieving. At a word from his master he dashed down on the ice among some school boys and seized a sled and rope between his teeth and made off with it The youngsters recaptured their sled and the dog then made off with a pair of skates in a bag, and carried them to his master's wagon, which was waiting conveniently near by. After depositing his prize Blaney patted his head aud bade him go and get more. Again in the midst of the children went the dog. This time he seized a pair of overshoes, which he laid at his master's feet. The dog made another trip and would have finished in securing the entire outfit of the terror-stricken children had not a policeman come up and stopped the game by arresting Blaney and his canine companion. (66)