[ Sporting Magazine ]
The Sporting Magazine (1792 - 1870) is considered the first general sporting magazine, though in its later decades it gave considerable emphasis to fox hunting. But it published all manner of sporting-related material, from news stories to poetry to calendars of upcoming sporting events. The magazine originally had the subtitle "Monthly Calendar of the Transactions of the Turf, the Chace, and every other Diversion interesting to the Man of Pleasure, Enterprize and Spirit." [more at Wikipedia]
The following item, from the November 1819 issue, appeared in the "Sporting Anecdotes" section:
Mr. Editor, — A striking instance of sagacity in the Newfoundland breed of dogs, is exemplified in the following occurrence, which happened to my no little concern, and at the same time displeasure. My keeper was walking the other day in my preserve with a favourite Newfoundland dog, which had been his faithful and constant companion for many years in his duty of keeping my woods free from poachers, in which service the dog was a very useful and active assistant. The keeper having shot a pheasant, desiring the dog (who also acted as a retriever) to fetch the bird to him, the dog, when halfway to the bird, suddenly returned, refusing to go beyond the place at which he at first had stopped; this being so unusual a circumstance, the man endeavoured more and more to enforce his command, which being able to effect either by words or strokes of the whip, he, in the heat of passion, struck the dog a violent blow in the ribs with his fist, which laid it dead at his feet; he then himself proceeded to pick up thebird, and on returning from the spot, discovered a man concealed in the thicket; he immediately rushed in and seized the man; and, upon examination, several snares were found on his person. I mention this circumstance as much to shew the sagacity of dogs, as to caution sportsmen against using too violent measures on similar occasions. FABER.