NEWFOUNDLAND DOG, a well-known and fine variety of the dog, seldom seen in a state of purity, when it is comparatively small, but very muscular and strong, and generally black. The large, and, it must be confessed, handsome dogs, which are so often seen in this country, and pass for Newfoundland Dogs — "Dogs" — it is Col. Hawker, if we recollect right, who so designates them — "as big as a jackass and as hairy as a bear" — are very different from the compact and moderate-sized animals which, in their native country, are employed in drawing sledges and little carriages laden with wood, fish, or other commodities. Some of these true Newfoundland Dogs we have seen, and they make admirable retrievers. We have also seen the great and less pure English Newfoundland Dogs, so to speak, employed in the field for the same purpose with great success. One of the leading qualities of both, when so broken in, is the gallant manner in which they will face and penetrate cover, however thick nnd rough, in pursuit of the lost object. Whether it be furze, bramble, or blackthorn, in they dash, and almost always persevere till they have recovered the lost piece of game. As water-dogs they are above all praise. Their zeal, their devotedness, their entire abandonment of self when they rush to the rescue of some drowning wretch, are admirable; to be sure, in their eagerness to save, they sometimes encumber those with help who do not need it; and there have been instances where they have nearly destroyed the swimmer by their kindness. Directly they see anybody, or indeed any animal whatsoever, struggling in the water, in they jump, and seem to think that it is their duty never to leave them till they have got them out. They have been employed most successfully in wrecks, and will work against the most heavy sea; not always wilh success however. There is a case on record where the compact frame and indomitable courage of a bull-dog succeeded in carrying him through breakers which proved fatal to the Newfoundland breed. During a heavy gale a ship had struck on a rock near the land. The only chance of escape for the shipwrecked was to get a rope ashore, for it was impossible for any boat to live in the sea then running. There were two Newfoundland Dogs and a Bulldog on board. One of the Newfoundland Dogs was thrown overboard with a rope tied round him, and perished in the waves. The second shared a similar fate; but the Bulldog fought his way through that terrible sea; and arriving safe on shore, rope and all, became the saviour of the anxious people on the wreck.
The Newfoundland Dog is confiding, very sagacious, and capable of the warmest attachment to his master. The attacks of little dogs are generally cither coolly looked down upon, as if hardly understood, or treated with marked contempt; but there are exceptions to this lofty behaviour: we saw a harmless and very affectionate pug receive his mortal hurt from one of these dogs, and that without the slightest provocation on the part of the poor little pug. This however was a bad-tempered exception to the general rule; and the Newfoundland Dog may, notwithstanding, be pronounced to be as generous as he is brave.