[ 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 subtitle of this magazine was "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 September, 1832, issue featured an article entitled "The Retriever" in which the authors discusses why he finds Newfoundlands desirable for creating cross-breed hunting dogs:
The Retriever is often tutored from some of our distinct tribes, such as the spaniel, etc. The Newfoundland, and even the terrier, are occasionally employed for the purposes of education; and each of them, possessing in its nature great instinctiveness, is found often to answer the object of the gunner: but I have never myself considered any dog of a distinct species the best for the task. I have bred largely, paid great and unremitting attention to the subject, and gained some experience; and that experience has taught me to consider a cross between a pure Newfoundland and the setter (the old English springer) hy far the most suitable to my views — for this plain reason: the Newfoundland, being unquestionably, from his short large head and expansive nostrils, the clearest smelling dog we have, must be the best. The Newfoundlander has also great strength and courage; and his wide palmated feet adapt him so well for swimming — a very desitable accomplishment for a dog, as birds, particularly wild fowl, have so often to be fetched from the water. The setter has also high courage and a fine nose, and his roughness of coat, as well as habit and constitution, altogether render him decidedly more fitted to amalgamate with the Newfoundland, and produce a good dashing animal, than any other dog I know of. From this mixture, I have myself had some of the best and staunchest Retrievers ever seen; handsome in appearance, and good as they were handsome. (405)