[ Shoberl/ Natural History of Quadrupeds ]
Frederick Shoberl (1775 - 1853) was a British writer, editor, illustrator, and translator. This multi-volume work was first published in London by J. Harris, 1829, with illustrations engraved by Thomas Landseer, brother of Sir Edwin Landseer. Text below is taken from the 2nd edition, first published in 1834.
This work's first mention of Newfoundlands is metaphorical, comparing the size of an "ursine baboon" to a large Newfoundland dog.
The first anecdote directly regarding Newfoundlands is borrowed from a slightly earlier work, The Menageries, also discussed here at The Cultured Newf:
The author of 'The Menageries' relates that in 1818 a gentleman from London took possession of a house at Horton, in Buckinghamshire,, the former tenant of which had moved to a farm about a mile distant. The new comer brought with him a fine French poodle, to do the duty of watchman in the place of a fine Newfoundland dog, which went away with his master: but a puppy of the same breed was left behind, and was incessantly persecuted by the poodle. As the puppy grew up, the persecution still continued. At length, he was one day missing for some hours; but he did not come back alone: he returned with his old friend, the large dog, when both instantly fell on the unfortunate poodle, and killed him before he could be rescued from their fury. In this case, observes the narrator, the injuries of the young dog must have been made known to his old companion, a plan of revenge concerted, and that plan formed and executed with equal promptitude. (42-43)
The second and final Newfoundland anecdote is taken, without attribution, from an earlier work, Animal Biography by William Bingley, first published in 1802 and also discussed here at The Cultured Newf.
The late Sir Ashton Lever had a live Porcupine; which he frequently turned out on the grass behind his house, to play with a tame hunting leopard and a large Newfoundand dog. As soon as they were let loose, the Jeopard and dog began to pursue the Porcupine, who always at first endeavoured to escape by flight but, on finding that ineffectual, he would thrust his head into some corner, making a snorting noise, and erecting his spines; with which his pursuers pricked their noses, till they quarrelled between themselves, and thus gave him an opportunity to escape. (415)