[ London Times ]
This newspaper, most correctly known simply as The Times, began publication in 1785 and continues to this day.
The August 3, 1829 edition of The Times carried the following "lost Newf" notice, regarding a Landseer Newfoundland with the same name as the Newf commemorated in the Edwin Landseer painting commonly known as Off to the Rescue (1827) and in the Newfoundland statue by Matthew Cotes Wyatt, Bashaw, The Faithful Friend of Man (1831 - 1834). I very strongly suspect this is the same dog, for the description of the Wyatt statue of Bashaw (in the Victoria and Albert Museum) specifically notes that the dog's owner, John William Ward, 1st Earl Dudley, lived in Park Lane, London, which is precisely where the dog in this newspaper notice was reported missing.
At least we know this particular Bashaw was found and safely returned, for Wyatt's statue of Bashaw wasn't begun until several years after this notice appeared. I would add also that I have never yet come across any evidence that "Bashaw" was a popular name for Newfoundlands at this time (or ever), unlike "Nelson" or "Lion" or "Neptune" or "Carlo." It may also be worth noting that the reward of two guineas — approximately $280 US in 2024 — was more than double the usual reward offered for Newfoundlands at this time, indicating its owner was well-to-do.
TWO GUINEAS REWARD. — LOST, on Friday last, the 31st of July, in the neighborhood of Park-lane, a fine [?] BLACK and WHITE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG; answers to the name of "Bashaw." Whoever has found the same, and will bring it to No. 2, New Norfolk-Street, Park-lane, shall receive the above REWARD.
Bashaw will show up in the London Times again, in 1834, when the paper runs an announcement that the statue of him is available for public viewing, probably in an attempt by the sculptor, Wyatt, to recoup some of the cost of the statue, since Bashaw's owner, the 1st Earl Dudley, died without having paid for the work, the value of which was being disputed by his estate's executors.
