ALLOW me to add a few remarks by way of supplement to what has appeared at various times in the Sporting Magazine, and particularly of late, on the subject of the Newfoundland Dog. This animal, possessing so many properties peculiar to the respective classes of dogs, such as fidelity, vigilance, fine nose, added to sagacity and docility in the extreme, independent of its predilection for water, appears in a manner to be an epitome of the whole canine species. Such deterioration, however, has it undergone from a variety of circumstances, that it is now scarcely to be recognised in any part of England.
In the real Newfoundland Dog, which, in point of size, was between the extremes of great and small, we had formerly to admire instinct almost approaching to reason. Due symmetry of proportion marked its shape, save that of his being rather long and loose about the loins; and universal black, or black and white, covered the body, whilst its thick waving tail, moving in exact unison with the immediate disposition of the animal, served as an index to its sensations of joy and spirits, or churlishness end sorrow. To say that the breed has been neglected altogether, would be wrong. It has been attended to, however, chiefly with the view of increasing its size, whilst in most other respects it has been allowed to degenerate, till its blood has been blended with that of all sorts, from the mastiff and the greyhound, to the terrier and the turnspit.
Scarcely an English vessel steers for Newfoundland, without a dog on board, which in lighter winds, and when all goes well, is taught, a variety of tricks by the crew; and whether the same be pointer, bull-dog, spaniel, terrier, or any other sort, it matters not, provided it has a look of waggish merriment, can, when bid, rifle a sailos's pocket of his biscuit, play the monkey in good weather, and be out of the way when all hands are called by the fury of the tempest, or any other exigency. On the arrival of the vessel, this dog is generally sold for rum, or exchanged for one of the country, and thus left ashore to adulterate what remains of the parent stock.
There is nevertheless here and there some attention yet paid to the propagation of the original and true breed in their native country; but St, John's, which may be called the capital, or any other place frequented by a variety of shipping from all quarters, one, who is acquainted with the country, would not advise to select from. At Trepassy, Placentia, Carboniere, Ferryland, and other harbours of less note, where, in the wilder parts of the winter, wild ducks and other water-fowl flock together in innumerable quantities, it is the interest of the inhabitants to preserve the original breed, for reasons of an indispensible nature; for it must be noted, that as most of the water-fowl procured here is shot (perhaps dozens at a time), from high impending rocks, when coming in to dive for muscles [sic], and other shell-fish, adhering to their base (for this is mostly a very bold shore), no other dog from expedience has been found, which will persevere in bringing the whole, one by one, up these craggy and abrupt precipices; so that nothing could be more apropos, had nature placed this sort of dog in that country for such express purpose.
Some habits of the real Newfoundland Dog are peculiar, and easily discernible from those of others of the canine race. In their native country, it is a common thing to see one of them sitting on the projecting crag of a rock, hours together, watching the undulation of the sea; and whatever, by means of the current, presents itself as floating on its surface, is dashed at, inevitably seized, brought on shore, and, with no humble expectations of applause, conveyed by this faithful creature to its master, or some one of the household.
As fetching and carrying, however, seem, in these dogs, to be a natural propensity, and are so well known, it will be needless to dilate thereon; but as to their services in drawing the sledge, etc. which they execute with the application of all their powers, and with perfect steadiness, it may amuse some readers to be informed as to the method by which they are brought to habits of such utility. When, a twelvemonth old, or rather when the dog has cast off the puppy, he is taken a mile or so from home by his owner, and one who is a perfect stranger to him. There a long stick of three or four pounds weight is fastened to the neck, on the end of which the stranger sits till the owner has had time to return home. The stranger then rises, rates and flogs the dog, which sets off as hard as he can drive homeward, dragging the log after him, yelling aud howling as if he was tail-pip'd. This is repeated daily, the weight being gradually increased, till the poor creature, sick and faint with over fatigue, slackens his pace, and vomits. — This last is the test, of his being broken. Indeed after this, he is rarely known to refuse the collar, and whether up hill, or down hill, nothing can exceed his alacrity and chearfulness [sic], in all kinds of draft proportioned to his strength.
Various, methods have been adopted, in order to increase the size of these dogs in their own country, from a supposition that they would be adequate to heavier burthens; and for this purpose the coarse brindled dog of the neighbouring coast of Labradore [sic], and in one or two instances the English mastiff, have been introduced — but in either case with the desired effect; for what the issue of this project gained in strength, they wanted in docility; notwithstanding, for straitforward work, though sometimes sulky, the Labradore breed is tolerably tractable. Another plan, with a view to increase the size, was to mix the breed with the wolf of the country, remarkable for deep chest, low haunches, and strength of limb; deficient, however, about the loins, but not in comparison with the Newfoundland dog. This cross was easily obtained by chaining the bitches when at heat, near the haunts of the wolves, where they invariably became impregnated, and where blood, pieces of skin, and other effects of violent fighting and laceration, proved by what numbers they had been visited, and how much they had been the object of furious strife and jealousy. This plan, however, failed on the same principle as the other — the produce was found to be unmanageable. Two of this breed, about-three months old, the writer saw at St. John's — they promised to be of great size, but from their known inutility in that country they were reserved as a present to a friend in England. In appearance they resembled the wolf much more than the dog — they had brown, shaggy coats, small pricked ears, very sharp noses, and although they were not known to bark, they would howl hours without intermission.
It is a mistaken notion that the Newfoundland dog is particularly liable to madness (although such is often the concomitant of the returning spring), for dogs of all sorts in that country have been attacked by it indiscriminately. — This malady, it is reasonable to suppose, is in a great measure caused by the little food they have to subsist on, and the nature thereof, in the winter, when so much work is required of them; which, keeping the constitution low, renders it as liable to be affected by any great and sudden change in the atmosphere. A small allowance of salted fiah, soaked in water till the particles are in some measure extracted, is all the generality of the settlers can afford them in this inclement season, and to the quick breaking up of the frost, and the immediate succession of spring, medical men have attributed this scourge, which, however resembling ours in other respects on this side of the water, is scarecly ever attended with hydrophobia.
Particularly adapted as the real Newfoundland dog is to the nature of the services required of him in his native country, his versatile powers nonetheless serve him as a recommendatory passport wherever he goes; and for the generality of winter-shooting in England, that is, after the months of September and October, he is one of the best single dogs in existence. His circuitous way of hunting, if it may be so called, directing him not to windward only, but to every point of the compass, renders him a sure finder of the closesst laying game; and for the recovery of a wounded bird, which, as the last refuge, has recourse to long matted grass, thick sedges, and other dank as well as dry places, unfriendly to his scent, no country can produce his equal.
November 21, 1816. P.