[ 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, 1858, issue featured "Aquatic Shooting in France," by "Diana," which details the author's adventures in otter hunting. One of his stories involves the death of his dog, despite a rescue attempt by a Newfoundland, when he left his dog in the care of a friend, whose stable boy decided to walk the dogs along a near-by river:
One Sunday, not long after my departure, the family being at church, a stable boy took Pepper and a fine Newfoundland dog belonging to the house, a stroll along the river, close to which the gentleman's residence was situated. The dogs soon found an otter, which instantly took the water, Pepper springing after him almost at the same moment. The otter and dog seized each other immediately, when they sank and disappeared under water. When they had been out of sight for some time, Lion, the Newfoundland dog, showed evident signs of uneasiness. At length, finding Pepper did not re-appear, he lost all patience, and springing into the river, he dived and brought his little friend to the surface, swimming towards the bank. The stupid boy mistaking Lion's friendly intentions, struck him on the head with a large stone, which made him drop Pepper, and the latter sank again, alas! never to rise more. Whether he was alive when Lion brought him to the surface is doubtful, as he had been so long under water. I rather think not. Poor Pepper! I grieved very much for you, and since your death I have never possessed another dog.
Lion's friendship for the little dog was great, and was shown in many beautiful and interesting ways. Amongst others I may mention that he always let Pepper take his bone from him, enduring with great patience and forbearance, without resentment, the many petty insults which the little dog offered him. When attacked by dogs larger than himself, Lion always took his part, and this was not seldom the case; for Pepper, goodnatured and friendly with dogs of his own size, always flew at larger ones when they came in his way, thus provoking their assaults. His friend Lion was never moved from his equanimity and forbearance by his petulance, but once, and then the large dog's ire was only shown by putting his heavy paw on Pepper to keep him quiet, occasionally showing his formidable teeth if at any time the little fellow evinced unusual restlessness under the pressure. (205 - 206)