THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG

SIR,
BEING a constant reader of your Magazine, I find you readily permit any reasonable queries concerning subjects which are admitted in the work; and being also a subscriber, I presume you will allow me to apply, through its medium, to your correspondents for some information on the natural history of that valuable animal, the Newfoundland dog. I have waited for months in the fond expectation that each succeeding Number would contain some remarks on my faithful and tractable favorite, but without effect. Mr. Blaine adverts to two varieties in his Pathology, and we all know the fact; but how little do we know of the characteristics of this exotic, when, as Colonel Hawker observes, every dog as big and rough as a jack-ass is taken for a Newfoundland?
Hoping you will not accuse me of impertinence, I remain your most obedient servant,
CAIUS MAJOR.
Montrose, Aug. 24, 1827

REPLIES TO lNQUIRIES RELATIVE TO THE NEW FOUNDLAND DOG.

SIR,
IN your Number of this month I observe some inquiries relative to the Newfoundland dog. Your Correspondent's question is more difficult to answer than would appear at first sight. It was once my fate to be stationed at St. John's, in that Island, for about half a year. I did not look forward to my sojourn there with much pleasure, but consoled myself by reflecting, that it would at least enable me to procure a thorough-bred dog of that species, which I had long desired. Upon my arrival I commenced my search. St. John's was full of dogs of all sorts and sizes, but such evident curs, that I quickly gave up the idea of finding there what I wanted. In the neighbourhood I was for a long time equally unsuccessful. I then inquired amongst the oldest inhabitants; and they told me that they believed the breed to be extinct, or, if found any where, only on the north shore, by the Straits of Belle Isle, or the coast of Labrador. They accounted for it very naturally, by telling me, that, as the only way in which these dogs were required was for the purposes of draught, size was the main point, and the real Newfoundland dog, at least in his own frozen climate, is considerably smaller than we generally suppose. A number of large dogs had been imported in the fishing vessels from England, were left upon the island, and soon contaminated the native blood, but answered the purpose as well, if not better.
The condition of these dogs is a most wretched one: during the winter they are forced to drag loads of wood every day from sixteen to twenty miles, and at night get nothing but a little fish. In the summer they are rather better off; for as soon as the snow is melted, and they are no longer useful, they are turned into the streets, and left to shift for themselves. As the tails, entrails, and heads of cod fish, their principal if not only food, are lying about in every direction, and used to manure the surrounding country — which, by the bye, makes a walk out any thing but fragrant — this is not difficult.
After some time, I by chance procured a bitch, which tallied more with the description of the real Newfoundland dog than any I had seen. She was about the size of a large harrier, black and rough, with pointed pendulous ears, but which, upon any excitement, stood almost erect; the head was sharp. The Labrador breed, at least those I have seen, are smoother, and have the head shorter and thicker. The chief excellence of mine consisted in her diving: she would go down to the depth of sixteen or twenty feet, and when near the bottom, her exertions to reach it, which might easily be seen in that clear water, were most violent. I never found her of any use as a sporting dog, but to fetch birds which had fallen into the water. She used to go out snipe-shooting with me, and appeared very fond of it, but had not the smallest idea of finding game, or even of trying for it. A native of so severe a climate, it was natural to suppose she would not be very susceptible of cold, but the reverse was the case: after a few plunges into the water, she would sit by the side, shivering and shaking, her teeth chattering as if in an ague fit, watching for me to throw in another stone.
I afterwards went to the West Indies, and took her with me. All the time I had her in Newfoundland she had been very ill and weak, but when within seven degrees of the Line recovered rapidly. A great change, however, took place in her appearance — her long hair fell off, and she became nearly smooth. About a year after my return to England she again fell ill, and I was obliged to shoot her. I must observe, that in this country she recovered her long rough coat. In the Cynographia Brittanica it is said that they are generally black and white, or red and white; but I never saw one supposed to be genuine that was not entirely black.
If your Correspondent is anxious to possess a thorough-bred one of this kind, and has no means of procuring it from the Straits of Belle Isle, or the coast of Labrador, he is more likely to find it in England than any where else. At all events, I would recommend him not to send to St. John's, unless he has a resident friend there; as I know, from experience, that masters of merchant vessels, who are sometimes employed for that purpose, seize and convey on board the first large dog they meet, and bring him home in triumph as genuine Newfoundland.
I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant,

A WANDERER.

October 16, 1827.

TO CANIS MAJOR, AND HIS NEW FOUNDLAND DOG.

SIR, AN invitation to inquiry upon the original character of a favorite animal is not only a natural, but an amiable feeling. From the remarks in your letter addressed to the Editor of this Magazine, I conclude that you have been searching for information, without being able to reward your curiosity in an ample manner; and in this my attempt to elucidate the subject, I am fearful also of an unsuccessful issue: for, indeed, the matter, on the face of it, is not capable of much farther developement than what is now before the world. However, as I am, and ever have been, devoted to the study of Nature's productions, although I may not be able to anatomise like the two great Professors, yet my experience and investigations may enable me to throw a little light on the obscurity, and at any rate to exhibit a few intresting anecdotes which this noble creature has supplied.
You ask for the natural history of the animal, and appear at a loss for characteristics. The latter, I think, may easily be drawn; but how you are to be satisfied distinctly from the generalities of them, in any effort to trace pure origin, I confess myself ignorant. It is well known Newfoundland supplied this country with these dogs; but it is not known at all how the Aborigines became possessed of them: — that they are not indigenous, and that they are not a parent stock, is certain.
The first visitors to the American continent carried out the species in all distinctions, which Europeans had ages before become familiar with, and which had been entirely domesticated with their habits. These, from the unsettled state of the interlopers, and the various discomfitures and losses they sustained, were consequently unattended to; and, as might have been expected, very soon lost their restrictive character and affection for man. They wandered into the forests; they sought food through their natural instinct; they became ferocious; and, in a short time, were a race of wild creatures, little less dangerous and destructive than wolves. Of all animals the dog is most susceptible of change; most easily affected by climate, food, and education: his form, his faculties, his disposition vary in a wonderful manner. With these notorious truths in view, and applying the circumstances of emigration before mentioned, I think the veil begins to be withdrawn: besides, there is a more positive confirmation at hand, upon which a strong hypothesis may be raised. Naturalists have determined upon beyond thirty varieties of the species, more than half of which are ascertained to be influenced by the above circumstances, and to experience such changes in form, features, size, and temperament, as to render any attempts at tracing original character hopeless. It is known also, that the hound, the harrier, the water dog, and the spaniel are the same dog, and natives of both France and Spain: these kinds accompanied the American explorers: it may, therefore, be fairly presumed, upon these premises, that the Spanish water dog is the original parent stock of our subject.
I have said before, in the misfortunes of early transportation, they became wild, and lost to their masters; but as settlements became permanent, and civilization established, domestic necessities soon reduced their savage state, and, in time, reformed the vicious habits, bringing them to subjugation, and, as it were, reason. There are no circumstances in which man has been placed, but this wonderful creature — the dog — has ever been of the most eminent service. Providence, in his wise dispensations, has, in this particular, provided with a benevolent and liberal hand for our wants; and whether or not the dog was at first placed and devoted to the particular calling, yet his construction and his instinct were to be in a manner the most easy directed to especial necessities.
In the case before us, the Island itself (if I may use the term) is amphibious — the inhabitants we know are, their occupations being even more subservient to water than land. The dog, with his web feet and aquatic disposition, given to him by all-powerful Nature as co-assistants to his species, is as valuable as the boat — a saviour in shipwreck, a recoverer of losses, a helper in toil, a watchman, and a companion in calms and in storms: on shore, under a yoke to a sledge, performing the duties of a horse, supplying every want, and eminently useful in drawing wood from the forests, which is done in considerable weights, unattended by a driver!! returning again and again, after having delivered the load; and, when the labour is ended, enjoying, like their lords, dried cod for supper. These are local examples of character, but they are born in the blood: as the portrait rises into life, many more attend the picture, and personally applicable, highly interesting. We all know — (talking in this number, I include searchers of wonders, observers of nature, describers of nature, and withal sportsmen, not only in scarlet, but who, having these affections in their hearts, embrace a wider field, and may be justly stamped of Thornton blood) — the noble deportment of the animal, the intelligent head, the peculiar soft and generous countenance, displaying, in a language going at once to the heart, strength in attachments, steady faithfulness, gratitude, courage, fine temperament devoid of ferocity, but with a front heroic in features, daring to his enemies, but firm and kind to his friends. The muscular limbs, the towering curly tail, the soft silky ear, the remarkably smooth coat, though long, curling only on the upper part of the legs and on the back part of the thighs, breadth over the shoulders, depth in the brisket or girth, are all descriptive of his appearance, distinguishing his nobleness and constituting his attractions.
Thus far his person and disposition are delineated, with an endeavour at a faithful representation, arising entirely from personal knowledge. His instinct, or sagacity, now remain to be described — a cultivated soil, yielding abundant harvest, and only to be duly appreciated by actual anecdotes, which, sought for in a trifling ratio of industry, would fill a volume. My space is limited: therefore I shall only select a few facts of undoubted authority — in effect carrying the strongest conviction that the mental qualities are not over-rated.
In the winter of 1789, a ship was lost near Yarmouth, a Newfoundland dog only escaping to shore, but loaded with a sacred deposit — no doubt entrusted to his well-known perseverance and understanding by his perishing master — a pocket-book. The sagacious friend, on his landing amidst a crowd, took some time to select his object; when, leaping fawningly on the breast of a man, he delivered his charge. The dog immediately returned to the spot of his landing, watching with great attention for every thing that came from the wreck, seizing and endeavoring to bring them on shore.
A vessel having left her port, deeply laden with corn, had only cleared the river of her harbour, when the Captain's exotic suddenly jumped into the boat towing astern, shewing considerable uneasiness, by refusing all entreaties to return on board. This evidently displayed some evil. Upon examination it was discovered a plank had started, and the vessel was filling fast. Cesar not only saved his own life, but all the crew's, displaying a matchless fore-knowledge.
At a salmon fishery in Wales I once saw a most interesting instance of canine wisdom, and upon a favorite element: The instant the net was cast, the attendant dog (one of our own breed) took post on a shallow in the middle of the stream, watching any fish that might escape the toil. A large salmon rushed down the river. A most diverting chase now began, and when the depth foiled poor Ajax, he flew to the next shallow: the fish dashing for the sea, here a desperate struggle ensued, and was several times repeated. At last it came to swimming, where the noble fish outwitted all the astonishing exertions to arrest its progress.
At the Vicarage of Church Eden, in Staffordshire, a labourer, long confidentially employed, was entrusted with the key of the barn, frequently bringing corn to the house for family use. A large dog of our breed was loose of a night. Honesty failed, and Hodge ventured to carry a sack in a different direction to the parsonage. So long as the path went straight Ajax was passive; but the moment his companion forgot to stop, he seized the flaps of his coat and pinned him to the spot: return was attempted; but, no here you must stand and see what day-light says to your acts. In this dilemma constable and thief remained all night — a trusty guardian — practising no injury, but dispensing justice with a stern hand. In this singular situation the parson in the morning found both delinquent and friend. Mercy was shewn, repentance effected, and dog and man were ever afterwards sworn chums.
In His Majesty's ship Blisson, Captain Beaufort had a favorite named after his gallant vessel. — "A huge whale (these are his words) reared his unwieldy back out of the water, near the ship. Blisson barked; the whale, unused to such an attack, flapped the sea with his monstrous tail. Blisson was in an agony of ardour to be at him. The whale put his nostril to the water's edge, and snorted a river into the air. Blisson could stand that no longer, but jumped into the sea from our quarter deck, and chased him: calling and roaring were of no use; fortunately, the whale thought proper to dive, or my Blisson would have fared worse than Jonah!" Here's courage!
I have numerous other facts to relate, but surely these are quantum suff.; and they prove indisputably all the virtues enumerated in his character of a life preserver. The cases are so frequent, and the circumstances so imposing, that, if justice were rendered, a public monument ought to be erected in Hyde Park to the immortal Newfoundland dog, to be typified by a figure of old Neptune in cast iron, at the charge of the Humane Society.
I must now take my leave, offering in humble deference this effort to satisfy your laudable interest. If it prove successful I shall be gratified. It has led me to rather a lengthened discussion; but, like other gourmands, I recommend to my friends what I like myself. To the critic's spleen I consider it a rare morsel.
I remain your obedient servant,
PETER PRY.

THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG

SIR,
YOUR excellent Magazine now and then contains some curious remarks on the animal kingdom; and I was much pleased with the few anecdotes your correspondent PETER PRY has given of the Newfoundland Dog. They reminded me of a circumstance that occurred at the country house of a friend of mine; and if you think it worthy of a corner in your next, it is much at your service.
This friend has a very fine Newfoundland dog, a very sagacious animal, as well as a very beautiful one: his usual resting place during the day is under the portico of the hall door, where a mat serves him for bed, bolster, and sheets. On one occasion, when his master was in London, and only two or three servants in the house, an old female beggar in a ragged jacket — one I believe that had been paid for by the Government, and perhaps had seen the battle of Waterloo — entered the carriage gate, and walked through the shrubbery to the front of the house for the purpose of asking alms. She was immediately approached by the dog, who laid hold of the corporal part of her dress, though not that of her person, and very steadily conducted her back to the carriage gate, in spite of her cries, which alarmed the servants; but they did not arrive in time to prevent him from accomplishing his object. The old woman was much frightened, and related to the servants the whole affair — that he had not offered to bite, but laid hold of the sleeve of her jacket, and dragged her back to the high road.
May I request your friend PETER PRY, who seems to have a good knowledge of the matter, to favour us with the names of a few places, thirty or forty miles from Town, down the Thames, where an idler could get a little wild-fowl shooting, and no questions asked. I do not mean with punt and stancheon, but a good double gun. — Yours, X
December 8, 1827.