In a state of purity, and uncontaminated by a mixture with any inferior race, this is certainly the noblest of the canine tribe. His great size and strength, and his majestic look, convey to the mind a sort of awe, if not fear, but which is quickly dispelled when we examine the placid serenity and the mild and expressive intelligence of his countenance, showing at once that ferocity is no part of his disposition.
The full-sized Newfoundland Dog, from the nose to the end of the tail, measures about six feet and a half, the length of the tail being two feet; from the one fore-foot to the other, over the shoulders, five feet eight inches; girth behind the shoulders, three feet four inches; round the head, across the ears, two feet; round the upper part of the fore-leg, ten inches; length of the head, fourteen inches; and his feet are webbed, by which means he can swim with great ease. He is covered with long shaggy hair, has feathered legs, and an extremely villous tail, which is curvilinear.
This dog is but of recent introduction into this country from the island whose name he bears, and may be considered as a distinct race. I cannot agree with some naturalists who hold the opinion, that the Siberian, Lapland, and Iceland dogs are from the same stock as the Newfoundland, because the formation of the head in this last is very different, and his muzzle, though long, is not nearly so acute as in the others; he also differs materially in his shape, but more especially in the length of his body.
This dog is not remarkable for symmetry of form, or in the setting on of his legs, whence his motion is somewhat awkward and loose, and consequently he is not distinguished for speed,— a defect which might be remedied by breeding, were an improvement in that particular thought desirable.
The Newfoundland Dog is docile to a very great degree, and nothing can exceed his affection. Naturally athletic and active, he is ever eager to be employed, and seems delighted to perform any little office required of him. Nature has given him a great share of emulation, and hence to be surpassed or overcome is to him the occasion of great pain. Active on every emergency, he is the friend of all, and is naturally without the least disposition to quarrel with other animals. He seldom or never offers offence, but will not receive an insult or injury with impunity. Such is the capacity of his understanding, that he can be taught almost every thing which man can inculcate, and of which his own strength and frame are capable. His sagacity can only be exceeded by his energies, and he perseveres with unabated ardour in whatever shape he is employed, and while he has a hope of success he will never slacken in his efforts to attain it. The amazing pliability of his temper peculiarly fits him for the use of man, and he never shrinks from any service which may be required of him, but undertakes it with an ardour proportionate to the difficulty of its execution. Taking a singular pride in being employed, he will carry a stick, a basket, or bundle, for miles in his mouth; and to deprive him of any of these is more than any stranger could accomplish with safety.
Sagacity and a peculiarly faithful attachment to the human species are characteristics inseparable from this dog, and hence he is ever on the alert to ward off from his master every impending danger, and to free him from every peril to which he may be exposed. He is endowed with an astonishing degree of courage, whether to resent an insult or to defend his friends, even at the risk of his own life.
Habitually inclined to industrious employment, such dogs are as useful to the settlers of the coast from which they are brought as our ponies and galloways are to us. It is easy to accustom them to daily labour. From three to five of them are harnessed to a sledge, or other vehicle, containing a load of wood, or lumber, amounting to twenty or thirty stones, which they steadily draw for miles with ease. This they do without the aid of a driver, when they are acquainted with the road; and having delivered their burden they return home to their master, and receive, as a reward for their labour, their accustomed food, which generally consists of dried fish, of which they are said to be extremely fond. The qualifications of this dog are extensive indeed; as a keeper or defender of the house he is far more intelligent, more powerful, and more to be depended upon than the mastiff, and has of late years been much substituted for him in England; indeed he may with great propriety entirely supersede that breed. As a watch-dog, and for his services upon navigable rivers, none can come in competition with him; and various sportsmen have introduced him into the field as a pointer with great success, his kind disposition and sagacity rendering his training an easy task.
The usual fate of other fine dogs attends this generous race among us; they are too often degraded and degenerated by inferior crosses, which with so noble an animal should be avoided by every possible means.
In the year 1810 these dogs were computed to amount to upwards of 2000 at and in the vicinity of St John's, Newfoundland. They are there, by selfish and inhuman custom, left, during the whole summer, to shift for themselves, and are not only troublesome and dangerous to the inhabitants, but also, from starvation and disease, public nuisances in the streets. Contrary to their natural disposition, when associated with and supported by man, and goaded by the imperious demands of hunger, they assemble in packs, prowl about like wolves for their prey, destroying sheep, poultry, and every thing eatable within their reach. On the return of the cold season their unfeeling masters relinquish the fishing, when they seek with the utmost eagerness for their lately abandoned dogs, without the assistance of which it would be absolutely impossible to get through the severe labours of a Newfoundland winter. In seeking and claiming this property, much confusion, and even litigation in the courts, ensue, the value of these periodically-deserted animals being estimated at from two to eight pounds each.
In the year 1815 a dangerous malady, supposed to be hydrophobia, seized the dogs at St John's. This disease was attributed to the bite of a bull-dog from England; but it is more probable that it originated in the neglect and starvation to which these unfortunate animals had been subjected throughout the summer season. This opinion was in fact doubly confirmed. Many persons were bitten but in the course of some months no symptoms of rabies appeared: and farther, an experienced medical gentleman, who had passed seventeen years in Newfoundland, observed, during almost every season, symptoms nearly resembling this disease. He even had a number of patients who had been bitten; one in particular, in 1817, attacked in his presence by a dog which he was convinced was really rabid; he treated the case, however, as a common wound, — no ill consequences ensued, — and, from general concurrent testimony, no such disease as canine madness had existed in the island, which yet, he acknowledged, might possibly be brought by dogs from Europe.
The medical gentleman above alluded to attributed the disease, which had the semblance of real madness, to a fever induced by severe labour, with insufficient nourishment upon salted and improper food, and hard comfortless lodging; materially, also, to the want of a sufficiency of water, the streams being frozen, and the wretched dogs being reduced to the necessity of barely moistening their mouths with snow. Even while water is plenty, their unfeeling taskmasters will not allow the animals, parched with thirst, occasioned by the exhausting labour to which they owe their support, time to slake their thirst, although in that respect they are always extremely complacent to themselves.
Since 1815 the dogs in Newfoundland have been taken more care of, in consequence of a recommendation of the grand jurors to the Court of Session in February of that year, which was approved of by the Judges. It was in consequence ordered, that all dogs found at large should be forthwith destroyed, except such as were employed in steds, who were required to be securely muzzled; and that, in order the more effectually to promote the destruction of the others, a reward of five shillings for every one destroyed should be paid upon its being produced in the court-house yard.
It is a remarkable circumstance, that the Newfoundland Dog, when pursuing a flock of sheep, will single out one of them, and, if not prevented, which is a matter of considerable difficulty, will never leave off the pursuit until he has mastered his intended victim. He always aims at the throat; but, after having sucked the blood, he has never been known to touch the carcass.
The principal use of this animal, in addition to his quality of a good watch-dog, is to assist in fetching from the woods the lumber intended either for repairing the stages, or for fuel, which has been there cut and laid up in piles; and this is done either by dragging it on the dead, that is, on the bare snow and ice, the ends being fastened together with a rope fixed to the tackling of the dog, or on sledges or catamarans. These are formed of two pieces of plank, shod underneath with hoops of iron or of hardwood, joined by thick pieces from two feet to two feet and a half in length, and supporting four strong long knees, two at each end, fastened in an opposite direction: to this sledge the dog is harnessed, whilst the servant who accompanies him directs his motions, and, by the addition of his own efforts and weight, modifies, as far as he is able, the rapidity of the sledge down steep hills. In the vicinity of rivers the wood is thrown into them in the spring, and carried down by the stream into the harbour, through which great quantities generally find their way into the ocean, where the currents carry them to Greenland, Iceland, the islands of Scotland, and even to Norway.
The Newfoundland Dog, in his native country, seldom barks, and that only when strongly provoked. His utterance appears an unnatural and painful exertion, producing a noise between barking and growling, longer and louder than a snarl, and more hollow and less sharp than the former, still strictly corresponding to the sounds expressed by the familiar words, bow, wow; and here he stops, unless he extend it into a howl, in which he is instantaneously joined by all the dogs within hearing. This happens frequently, and in a still calm night produces a noise particularly hideous.
The Newfoundland Dog resembles the Greenland dog in several respects; but the following facts establish some essential differences between them: — It will be seen by our anecdote of the Greenland dog left at Boomer, that he killed the sheep for the fat about the kidneys, upon which he fed with great avidity, while the Newfoundland Dog seems to kill the same animals merely for the sake of their blood.
The Newfoundland Dog is a valuable and faithful friend to man, and an implacable enemy to sheep. When born or reared from an early age under the roof of man, this dog is the most useful domestic animal in the island of which he is a native. He answers some of the essential purposes of a horse; is docile, capable of strong attachment, and easily pleased in the quality of his food; — he will live upon scraps of boiled fish, whether salted or fresh, and on boiled potatoes and cabbage; but, if hungry, he will not scruple to steal a piece of salmon or raw salt pork from the tub in which it has been left to steep. He is likewise fond of poultry of the larger kind; but he seems to prefer the blood of sheep to every thing else.
Both the Greenland and Newfoundland dogs, however, in a wild state, agree in the dispositions and habits of the wolf. They hunt in packs the animals of the country for the sake of prey; and this circumstance has led to the supposition, which by others is deemed groundless, of there being wolves in the island of Newfoundland.
The well-known partiality of the Newfoundland Dog for water, in which, whether salt or fresh, he appears as if he were in his proper element, diving and keeping under the surface for a considerable time, as well as the fact of his being web-footed, seems to give him some connexion with the class of amphibious animals. The several instances of his superior sagacity on record, and the essential services which he has frequently been known to render to humanity, give him a distinguished rank in the scale of the brute creation. The beautiful animal generally known in England as the Newfoundland Dog, is only half-bred.



We are informed by an author, that he purchased a puppy of the true breed, which had been brought from the northward of the island to Harbour-Grace. This animal grew to the size of a small Shetland pony, was strong and fit for hard work, and very tractable and gentle, even to the children of the family, of whom he seemed to be particularly fond. Nor was he ever known, even in any one instance, to disagree with the cats of the house, which he treated rather with a kind of dignified condescension. But, unless closely watched, he would run after sheep whereever he could trace them, even drive them from high cliffs into the sea, and jump in after them; not, however, without first considering the elevation of the rock; for, if he thought it too great, he would run down, and take the nearest and most convenient place to continue his pursuit. The owner of that dog had at one time some domesticated wild geese, one of which would frequently follow him in his morning walks, side by side with Fowler (which was the name of the dog.) They seemed to live together on the best terms. Unfortunately the servant neglected one night to shut them up according to custom; the next morning the feathers of the favourite goose were found scattered in a small field adjoining to the grounds. The dog was soon after discovered concealed in a corner of the wood-yard, and, on his master looking at him, exhibited evident signs of conscious guilt. His owner took him to the field, and pointed out to him the feathers: the dog, staring at him, uttered a loud growl, and ran away with all the speed of which he was capable, nor could he bear the sight of him for some days afterwards.
On another occasion, his proprietor had three young sheep, for which in the daytime the dog seemed to affect the utmost indifference. The servant neglected one evening to take them into their shed, as also to confine the dog, and the next morning the sheep were found stretched in the back-yard lifeless, and without any other mark of violence than a small wound in the throat, from which the assassin had sucked their blood.
The natural colour of this specimen was a perfect black, with the exception of a very few white spots. As soon as winter approached he acquired a coat which grew to the depth of one inch, of close coarse wool, deviating from the original colour only by an inclination to red; the long thick glossy hairs preserved the same colour up to the surface of the coat, and then turned generally to a perfect white. It is probable that a more constant exposure to the weather would have made the change of colour more complete. The sagacity of this animal was astonishing; on many occasions he appeared to want only the faculty of speech to make himself fully understood.
The Greenland, Siberian, and Pomeranian dogs are said exactly to resemble the dogs of the Esquimaux of Labrador, frequently snarling and howling, but never having been' heard to bark. They are also described as naturally timorous, but, at the same time, if not tamed when young, they become remarkably wild. The Newfoundland Dog above-mentioned never exhibited any sign of a timid disposition. After many hard-fought battles, before he had attained his fullest growth, he established his character and superiority. He was not quarrelsome; he treated the smaller species with a great degree of patience and forbearance; but when attacked by a dog of his own size, or engaged in restoring peace among other dogs, he would set to most vigorously, and continue the struggle until submission was obtained, or peace completely re-established: he would then leave the field of battle with a haughty look and warning growl, and be afterwards as quiet as a lamb. His master was perfectly secure in his company; for the least appearance of an attack on his person roused at once the dog's attention, and produced a tremendous growl, accompanied with evident signs of being prepared to act in his defence, if the case required it.



There is another remarkable instance which also came under the observation of the owner of the dog just mentioned. One of the magistrates of Harbour-Grace had an old animal of this kind which was in the habit of carrying a lantern before his master at night as steadily as the most attentive servant could do, stopping short when he made a stop, and proceeding when he saw him disposed to follow. If his owner was from home, as soon as the lantern was fixed to his mouth, and the command given, "Go fetch thy master," he would immediately set off, and proceed directly to the town, which lay at the distance of more than a mile from the place of his residence. When there, he stopped at the door of every house which he knew his master was in the habit of frequenting, and, laying down his lantern, would growl and beat at the door, making all the noise in his power until it was opened. If his owner was not there he would proceed farther in the same manner, until he found him. If he had accompanied him only once into a house, this was sufficient to induce him to take that house in his round.



A country servant passing a deep water on horseback, with a woman behind him, the latter slipped off, and, after a few struggles, sunk to the bottom unperceived by the clown, who rode on. Some spectators at a distance hastened to the water-side, and beheld the efforts of a Newfoundland Dog which attended the careless servant. The friendly animal had perceived the woman fall, and instantly swam to the place and dived after her. At first he brought her cap to the shore, but, looking at it, he dived again, and brought up her cloak. When he had laid it on the shore, he looked at it for some moments as if with the anger of disappointment, and rushed back to the place the third time, and, to the wonder of the people present, he brought up the woman, over whom he expressed every demonstration of joy. She soon recovered, and was afterwards housekeeper to a clergyman in Norfolk.



In the summer of 1792 a gentleman went to Portsmouth for the benefit of sea-bathing. He was conveyed in one of the machines into the water; but being unacquainted with the steepness of the shore, and no swimmer, he found himself, the instant he quitted the vehicle, nearly out of his depth. The state of alarm into which he was thrown increased his danger, and, unnoticed by the person who attended the machine, he would inevitably have been drowned, had not a large Newfoundland Dog, which by accident was standing on the shore and observed his distress, plunged in to his assistance. The animal seized him by the hair, and conducted him safely to land, but it was some time before he recovered. The gentleman afterwards purchased the dog at a high price, and preserved him as a treasure of equal value with his whole fortune.



Mr Peter Macarthur informs me, that in the year 1821, when opposite to Falmouth, he was at breakfast with a gentleman, when a large Newfoundland Dog, all dripping with water, entered the room, and laid a newspaper on the table. The gentleman (who was one of the Society of Friends) informed the party, that this dog swam regularly across the ferry every morning, and went to the post-office, and fetched the papers of the day.



A gentleman residing in the city of London was going one afternoon to his country cottage, accompanied by Cæsar, a favourite Newfoundland Dog, when he recollected that he had the key of a cellaret, which would be wanted at home during his absence. Having accustomed his dog to carry things, he sent him back with the key; the dog executed his commission, and afterwards rejoined his master, who discovered that he had been fighting, and was much torn about the head. The cause he afterwards learned on his return to town in the evening. Cæsar, while passing with the key, was attacked by a ferocious dog belonging to a butcher, against which he made no resistance, but tore himself away without relinquishing his charge. After delivering the key in town, he returned the same way, and on reaching the butcher's shop from which he had been assailed, he stopped and looked out for his antagonist; the dog again sallied forth, Cæsar attacked him with a fury which nothing but revenge for past wrongs could have inspired, nor did he quit his enemy until he had laid him dead at his feet.



A Newfoundland Dog kept at the ferry-house at Worcester was famous for having, at different periods, saved three persons from drowning; and so fond was he of water, that he seemed to consider any disinclination for it in other dogs as an insult on the species. If a dog was left on the bank by its master, and, in the idea that it would be obliged to follow the boat across the river, which is but narrow, stood yelping at the bottom of the steps, unwilling to take the water, the Newfoundland veteran would go down to him, and with a satirical growl, as if in mockery, take him by the back of the neck and throw him into the stream.


(The anecdote just above first appeared, to the best of my knowledge, in Sporting Magazine's December 1818 issue; it also appeared in The Percy Anecdotes (1821), and will later appear in American Phrenological Journal (1869).



A native of Germany, fond of travelling, was pursuing his course through Holland accompanied by a large Newfoundland Dog. Walking one evening on a high bank, which formed one side of a dike, or canal, so common in that country, his foot slipped, and he was precipitated into the water, and, being unable to swim, he soon became senseless. When he recovered his recollection, he found himself in a cottage, on the opposite side of the dike to that from which he had fallen, surrounded by peasants, who had been using the means so generally practised in that country for restoring suspended animation. The account given by the peasants was, that one of them, returning home from his labour, observed, at a considerable distance, a large dog in the water swimming and dragging, and sometimes pushing, something that he seemed to have great difficulty in supporting, but which he at length succeeded in getting into a small creek on the opposite side to that on which the men were.
When the animal had pulled what he had hitherto supported as far out of the water as he was able, the peasant discovered that it was the body of a man. The dog, having shaken himself, began industriously to lick the hands and face of his master, while the rustic hastened across; and, having obtained assistance, the body was conveyed to a neighbouring house, where the usual means of resuscitation soon restored him to sense and recollection. Two very considerable bruises, with the marks of teeth, appeared, one on his shoulder, the other on the nape of his neck; whence it was presumed that the faithful animal first seized his master by the shoulder, and swam with him in this manner some time; but that his sagacity had prompted him to let go this hold, and shift his grasp to the neck, by which he had been enabled to support the head out of the water. It was in the latter position that the peasant observed the dog making his way along the dike, which it appeared he had done for a distance of nearly a quarter of a mile. It is, therefore, probable that this gentleman owed his life as much to the sagacity as to the fidelity of his dog.



Sir John Carr, in his Tour through Holland, mentions that the Dutch are very fond of dogs. "Our captain (says he) had on board a bitch and two puppies of a very peculiar breed, for which he expressed great attachment, and he was one day not a little amused at my telling him that at the commencement of the gallant action which took place between the Nymph and Cleopatra in the last war, there was a large Newfoundland Dog on board the former vessel, which, as soon as the firing began, ran from below deck in spite of every exertion of the men to keep him down, and climbing up into the main-chains, there kept up a continual barking, and exhibited the most violent rage during the whole of the engagement. When the Cleopatra struck he was amongst the foremost to board her, and walked up and down her decks as if he participated in the glory of the victory obtained by the English."



There was a Newfoundland Dog called Victor, on board the Bellona last war, which kept the deck during the battle of Copenhagen, running backward and forward with so much bravery that he became a greater favourite with the men than ever. When the ship was paid off after the peace of Amiens, the sailors had a parting dinner on shore. Victor was placed in the chair, and fed with roast beef and plum-pudding, and the bill was made out in his name. He was so called after his original master, who was no less a personage than Victor Hughes.



Three days after the engagement at the siege of St Sebastian, a Newfoundland Dog was found lying by the side of his deceased master, an officer of the Royals. On the approach of the French party employed to bury the dead, the faithful animal showed considerable ferocity, but being at length pacified, he permitted the corpse to be removed, and followed it to the grave. The impressive fact was communicated to General Roy, who instantly adopted the noble animal, and afterwards brought him to England.



Some time ago a young woman was amusing herself with an infant at Aston's Quay, near Carlisle Bridge, Dublin. Whilst she was sportively toying with the child, it made a sudden spring from her arms, and in an instant fell into the Liffey. The screaming nurse and anxious spectators saw the water close over the child, and conceived that he had sunk to rise no more. A Newfoundland Dog, which had been accidentally passing with his master, sprang forward to the wall, and gazed wistfully at the ripple in the water, made by the child's descent. At the same instant the child reappeared on the surface of the current, and the dog sprang forward to the edge of the water. Whilst the animal was descending, the child again sunk, and the faithful creature was seen anxiously swimming round and round the spot where it had disappeared. Once more the child rose to the surface; the dog seized him, and with a firm but gentle pressure bore him to land without injury. Meanwhile a gentleman arrived, who, on inquiry into the circumstances of the transaction, exhibited strong marks of sensibility and feeling towards the child, and of admiration for the dog that had rescued him from death. The person who had removed the babe from the dog turned to show the infant to this gentleman, when it presented to his view the well-known features of his own son! A mixed sensation of terror, joy, and surprise, struck him mute. When he had recovered the use of his faculties, and fondly kissed his little darling, he lavished a thousand embraces on the dog, and offered to his master a very large sum (500 guineas) if he would transfer the valuable animal to him; but the owner of the dog (Colonel Wynne) felt too much affection for the useful creature to part with him for any consideration whatever.



A gentleman brought from Newfoundland a dog of the true breed, which he gave to his brother, who resided in the neighbourhood of Thames-street, but who, having no other means of keeping the animal except in close confinement, preferred sending him to a friend in Scotland. The dog, which had originally been disembarked at Thames-street, was again re-embarked at the same place on board a Berwick smack; by which means, during his stay in London, he had never travelled half a mile from the spot where he had first landed. During the short time he remained he had, however, contracted an affection for his master; and, when he arrived in Scotland, his regrets at the separation induced him to take the first opportunity of escaping, and though he certainly had never before travelled one yard of the road, yet he found his way back in a very short time to his former residence on Fish-street Hill, but in so exhausted a state, that he had only time to express his joy at seeing his master, and expired within one hour after his arrival.



A smart frost having set in, a number of boys from Leith school assembled at Lochend, to enjoy the diversion of sliding. They chiefly kept by the margin of the loch, as the ice had not attained sufficient strength; but one of them, more adventurous than his companions, rashly advanced towards its centre, when, as his velocity diminished, he instantly went down, — fortunately the water was only up to his shoulders. Another boy proceeding to his assistance also fell in, but into deeper water, although only a few feet from him. An alarm having by this time been given, several workmen employed at the waterhouse launched the boat, and a gentleman, with a fine Newfoundland Dog, being also most fortunately present, they lost not a moment in repairing to the spot. The sagacious animal, eager to give assistance, made towards the boy, who was in the most imminent danger, and seizing him, would have instantly carried him out, but was impeded by the surrounding ice. Here he sustained him, however, and the boat having made its way through, they were all rescued and taken on board. The meritorious conduct of the workmen is deserving of every commendation; for had it not been for their aid, so promptly and praiseworthily rendered, a few minutes more would have determined the fate of the boy and his canine deliverer.



A boat being overset in crossing the Yeben, not many miles north of Aberdeen, in which were three men and a boy, two of them reached the shore without assistance: the other two were saved by a large Newfoundland Dog, which having brought the man to land, went into the water a second time, and brought out the boy.



One Carr, a waterman, having laid a wager that he and his dog would both leap from the centre arch of Westminster-bridge, and land at Lambeth, within a minute of each other, he jumped off first, and the dog immediately followed him; but not being in the secret, and fearing his master would be drowned, laid hold of him by the neck, and dragged him to shore, to the no small diversion of the spectators. A gentleman offered five guineas for the dog, which the owner refused.



The two following anecdotes, well known to many persons residing in Yarmouth and Newcastle, will prove the great sagacity possessed by Newfoundland Dogs. During a severe storm in the year 1789, a ship belonging to Newcastle was wrecked near Yarmouth, and all on board perished. A large dog of this breed alone escaped by swimming ashore, bringing in his mouth the Captain's pocket-book. He landed amidst a number of spectators, several of whom endeavoured to take it from him, but in vain. The sagacious animal, as if sensible of the importance of his charge, (which had in all probability been delivered to him by his perishing master,) at length leaped fawningly upon the breast of a man who had attracted his notice among the crowd, and delivered the book to him. The dog immediately returned to the place where he had landed, and watched with great attention for every thing that came from the wrecked vessel, seizing it and endeavouring to bring it to land.



A gentleman walking on the bank of the river Tyne, observed a child fall into the river, on the opposite side. He gave notice to his dog, which immediately jumped in, swam across, and seizing the child in his mouth, brought it safe to land.



About twelve years ago a fine dog of a cross breed, between a Newfoundland and a Pointer, had been left by the captain of a vessel in the care of Mr Park of the White-Hart Inn, Greenock. A friend of his, a gentleman from Argyllshire, took a fancy to this dog, and, when returning home, requested the loan of him for some time from Mr Park, which he granted. This gentleman had some time before married a lady much to the dissatisfaction of his friends, who, in consequence, treated her with some degree of coldness and neglect. While he remained at home, the dog constantly attended him, and paid no apparent attention to the lady, who, on her part, never evinced any particular partiality for the dog. One time, however, the gentleman was called from home on business, and was to be absent several days. He wished to take the dog with him, but no entreaties could induce him to follow. The animal was then tied up to prevent his leaving the house in his absence; but he became quite furious, till he was released, when he flew into the house and found his mistress, and would not leave her. He watched at the door of whatever room she was in, and would allow no one to approach without her special permission. When the gentleman returned home, the dog seemed to take no more notice of the lady, but returned quietly to his former lodging in the stable. The whole circumstance caused considerable surprise, and the gentleman, wishing to try if the dog would again act in the same manner, left home for a day or two, when the animal actually resumed the faithful guardianship of his mistress as before, and this he continued to do whenever his master was absent, all the time he remained in his possession, which was two years.



Mr M'Intyre, patent-mangle manufacturer, Regent Bridge, Edinburgh, has a dog of the Newfoundland breed, crossed with some other, named Dandie, whose sagacious qualifications are truly astonishing and almost incredible. As the animal continues daily to give the most striking proofs of his powers, he is well known in the neighbourhood, and any person may satisfy himself of the reality of those feats, many of which the writer has himself had the pleasure to witness.
When Mr M. is in company, how numerous soever it may be, if he but say to the dog, "Dandie, bring me my hat," he immediately picks out the hat from all the others, and puts it in his master's hand.
Should every gentleman in company throw a penknife on the floor, the dog, when commanded, will select his master's knife from the heap, and bring it to him.
A pack of cards being scattered in the room, if his master has previously selected one of them, the dog will find it out and bring it to him.
A comb was hid on the top of a mantel-piece in the room, and the dog required to bring it, which he almost immediately did, although in the search he found a number of articles also belonging to his master, purposely strewed around, all which he passed over, and brought the identical comb which he was required to find, fully proving that he is not guided by the sense of smell, but that he perfectly understands whatever is spoken to him.
One evening some gentlemen being in company, one of them accidentally dropped a shilling on the floor, which, after the most careful search, could not be found. Mr M. seeing his dog sitting in a corner, and looking as if quite unconscious of what was passing, said to him, "Dandie, find us the shilling and you shall have a biscuit." The dog immediately jumped upon the table and laid down the shilling, which he had previously picked up without having been perceived.
One time, having been left in a room in the house of Mrs Thomas, High-street, he remained quiet for a considerable time; but as no one opened the door, he became impatient, and rang the bell; and when the servant opened the door, she was surprised to find the dog pulling the bell-rope. Since that period, which was the first time he was observed to do it, he pulls the bell whenever he is desired; and what appears still more remarkable, if there is no bell-rope in the room, he will examine the table, and if he finds a handbell, he takes it in his mouth and rings it.
Mr M. having one evening supped with a friend, on his return home, as it was rather late, he found all the family in bed. He could not find his boot-jack in the place where it usually lay, nor could he find it anywhere in the room after the strictest search. He then said to his dog, "Dandie, I cannot find my bootjack, — search for it." The faithful animal, quite sensible of what had been said to him, scratched at the room-door, which his master opened. Dandie proceeded to a very distant part of the house, and soon returned, carrying in his mouth the boot-jack, which Mr M. now recollected to have left that morning under a sofa.
A number of gentlemen, well acquainted with Dandie, are daily in the habit of giving him a penny which he takes to a baker's shop and purchases bread for himself. One of these gentlemen, who lives in James's Square, when passing some time ago, was accosted by Dandie, in expectation of his usual present. Mr T. then said to him, "I have not a penny with me to-day, but I have one at home." Having returned to his house some time after, he heard a noise at the door, which was opened by the servant, when in sprang Dandie to receive his penny. In a frolic Mr T. gave him a bad one, which he, as usual, carried to the baker, but was refused his bread, as the money was bad. He immediately returned to Mr T.'s, knocked at the door, and when the servant opened it, laid the penny down at her feet, and walked off, seemingly with the greatest contempt.
Although Dandie, in general, makes an immediate purchase of bread with the money which he receives, yet the following circumstance clearly demonstrates that he possesses more prudent foresight than many who are reckoned rational beings.
One Sunday, when it was very unlikely that he could have received a present of money, Dandie was observed to bring home a loaf. Mr M. being somewhat surprised at this, desired the servant to search the room to see if any money could be found. While she was engaged in this task, the dog seemed quite unconcerned till she approached the bed, when he ran to her, and gently drew her back from it. Mr M. then secured the dog, which kept struggling and growling while the servant went under the bed, where she found 7½d. under a bit of cloth ; but from that time he never could endure the girl, and was frequently observed to hide his money in a corner of a saw-pit, under the dust.
When Mr M. has company, if he desire the dog to see any one of the gentlemen home, it will walk with him till he reach his home, and then return to his master, how great soever the distance may be.
A brother of Mr M.'s and another gentleman went one day to Newhaven, and took Dandie along with them. After having bathed, they entered a garden in the town, and having taken some refreshment in one of the arbours, they took a walk around the garden, the gentleman leaving his hat and gloves in the place. In the meantime some strangers came into the garden, and went into the arbour which the others had left. Dandie immediately, without being ordered, ran to the place and brought off the hat and gloves, which he presented to the owner. One of the gloves, however, had been left, but it was no sooner mentioned to the dog than he rushed to the place, jumped again into the midst of the astonished company, and brought off the glove in triumph.
A gentleman living with Mr M., going out to supper one evening, locked the garden-gate behind him, and laid the key on the top of the wall, which is about seven feet high. When he returned, expecting to let himself in the same way, to his great surprise the key could not be found, and he was obliged to go round to the front door, which was a considerable distance about. The next morning strict search was made for the key, but still no trace of it could be discovered. At last, perceiving that the dog followed him wherever he went, he said to him, "Dandie, you have the key, — go fetch it." Dandie immediately went into the garden and scratched away the earth from the root of a cabbage, and produced the key, which he himself had undoubtedly hid in that place.
If his master place him on a chair, and request him to sing, he will instantly commence a howling, which he gives high or low as signs are made to him with the finger.
About three years ago a mangle was sent by a cart from the warehouse, Regent Bridge, to Portobello, at which time the dog was not present. Afterwards, Mr M. went to his own house, North Back of the Canongate, and took Dandie with him, to have the mangle delivered. When he had proceeded a little way the dog ran off, and he lost sight of him. He still walked forward, and in a little time he found the cart in which the mangle was, turned towards Edinburgh, with Dandie holding fast by the reins, and the carter in the greatest perplexity, who now stated that the dog had overtaken him, jumped on his cart, and examined the mangle, and then had seized the reins of the horse and turned him fairly round, and would not let go his hold, although he had beaten him with a stick. On Mr M.'s arrival, however, the dog quietly allowed the carter to proceed to his place of destination.



Mr Thomas Mackaill informs me, that he had occasion to reside some time at Dundrum, near Cashell, the seat of Viscount Hawarden. One day he happened to be observing the motions of three dogs which were gamboling on a smooth green, close to him, viz. a Newfoundland, a black poodle, and a small mongrel. The latter running with some force against the poodle, by the concussion was precipitated over a wall which was parallel with the green, and six feet above a small stream which is a tributary to the river Shure. This little dog made several attempts to reach the side of the river, from which it fell, the water running at the time with considerable impetuosity, there having been a heavy fall of rain; he was carried rapidly down, and seemed to be making most violent efforts to prevent it; the Newfoundland Dog was looking on all the while; at length, seeming to conceive his little friend in danger, he made a sudden dash into the river, and soon reached the unfortunate messan, took him in his mouth, and carried him to the opposite bank, which was a gentle declivity, and set him down, and, after shaking himself, made the best of his way to the bridge, some distance above where he was, leaving the little dog to go home at leisure.
This little messan belonged to a Highlander who was at Dundrum at the same time with Mr Mackaill. The dog, which was called Bodach, a word signifying old man, formed a great attachment to Mr Mackaill, and always lay beside him in preference to his master. When it became necessary for him to take his departure, the dog endeavoured by every means, to accompany him; and although he was frequently driven back, he always contrived to follow him by going another way; at last Mr M. succeeded in getting him secured and sent home: but such was his grief for the loss of the friend whom he so tenderly loved, that he refused every kind of meat which was offered him, and at last lay down on the spot where he used to lie at the feet of the visitor, and died.




Mr Thomas Mackaill happened one day in the year 1812, to be walking along the banks of the Thames, nearly opposite the Penitentiary at Millbank, when a wherry upset, with two men on. board. A gentleman happened to pass at the same time, accompanied by a fine Newfoundland Dog; but as he did not at first observe the accident, he was surprised at his attendant making a sudden leap into the river. He soon discovered that he was making all possible speed for the unfortunate men, one of whom could not swim, and was using violent efforts to sustain himself; the dog seized him first, as seeming to stand most in need of his assistance, and brought him safely to the shore, and returned to the other, and brought him also, in the presence of at least a hundred spectators.



The same gentleman mentioned to me another Newfoundland Dog, which he frequently saw in a tavern in the High-street of Glasgow, which lay generally at the door. When any person came to the house, he trotted before them into an apartment, rang the bell, and then resumed his station at the door.



In the year 1800 a ship was launched at Ipswich, in Suffolk, and, going off the stocks sooner than was expected, several persons on board were thrown into the water. Though some boats were quickly employed to save the people, they could not give immediate assistance; but a large Newfoundland Dog seeing their situation, rushed into the water, and saved the lives of several men and women by his active sagacity; several were, however, drowned, from not having been assisted in time.



A gentleman engaged in a party of pleasure amidst the romantic scenes of Cumberland, retired to bathe in one of the lakes with which that county abounds; a fine Newfoundland Dog accompanied him. Being an excellent swimmer, he stripped on the delightful bank, and plunged into the water, about the middle of which he was seized with an excruciating cramp, in consequence of which he cried out with pain; and, being utterly unable to exert himself, was about to sink, when his faithful dog, which had watched him with the greatest degree of anxiety and agitation, dashed forward, and cautiously seizing him, rescued him from his perilous situation.



The late Rev. James Simpson of the Potterrow congregation, Edinburgh, had a large dog of the Newfoundland breed. At that time he lived at Libberton, a distance of two miles from Edinburgh, in a house to which was attached a garden. One sacrament Sunday the servant, who was left at home in charge of the house, thought it a good opportunity to entertain her friends, as her master and mistress were not likely to return home till after the evening's service, about nine o'clock. During the day the dog accompanied them through the garden, and indeed every place they went, in the most attentive manner, and seemed well pleased. In the evening, when the time arrived that the party meant to separate, they proceeded to do so, but the dog, the instant they went to the door, interposed, and placing himself before it, would not allow one of them to touch the handle. On their persisting and attempting to use force, he became furious, and in a menacing manner drove them back into the kitchen; where he kept them until the arrival of Mr and Mrs Simpson, who were surprised to find the party at so late an hour, and more so to see the dog standing sentinel over them. Being thus detected, the servant acknowledged the whole circumstances, and her friends were allowed to depart, after being admonished by the worthy divine in regard to the proper use of the Sabbath. They could not but consider the dog as an instrument in the hand of Providence to point out the impropriety of spending this holy day in feasting rather than in the duties of religion.
After the above circumstance, it became necessary for Mr Simpson, on account of his children's education, to leave his country residence, when he took a house in Edinburgh in a common stair. Speaking of this one day to a friend who had visited him, he concluded that he would be obliged to part with his dog, as he was too large an animal to be kept in such a house. The animal was present, and heard him say so, and must have understood what he meant, as he disappeared that evening, and was never afterwards heard of. These circumstances have been related to me by an elder of Mr Simpson's congregation, who had them from himself.



"A young gentleman, Mr George Laurie, of the city of Glasgow, purchased a large black and white spotted Newfoundland Dog in Edinburgh, in the year 1799, before embarking at Leith for Hamburgh, on a tour to the continent. Afterwards, when bathing in the river Oder with two of his countrymen, he had the misfortune to be carried down the stream and was drowned. The dog was at the same time swimming about in the river, and, on missing his master, began to plunge and dive in quest of him, but at length he returned to the bank, where the clothes of the party had been laid, and followed those of his deceased master when they were carried to the hotel. After his portmanteau had been made up and sent off to England, the faithful animal disappeared, and his loss was mentioned with regret in letters from Frankfort, both from the interest which the case of the young gentleman had excited, and also from the active instinct of which the dog had given many proofs.
"At the distance of perhaps two or three months after this disastrous affair, Mr Laurie's friends in Edinburgh were surprised by a call from a person residing in the neighbourhood of Holyrood-house, from whom the dog had been purchased, who informed them that his dog "Help" had returned, but in so worn-out and emaciated a state, that he had since been hardly able to move.
"Inquiry was immediately set on foot to ascertain by what ship the dog had come from the continent. It was ascertained that he had not come into Leith, nor any of the neighbouring ports; and on the whole, it was concluded that this remarkable animal had found his way from Frankfort to Hamburgh, where he must have embarked on board some ship, and come to Newcastle or Hull, and from thence by land to Edinburgh. The dog was afterwards sent to Glasgow to the relations of his late master, and nothing further is known of his history." — The above was communicated to me by Robert Stevenson, Esq., civil engineer.
We shall finish our account by Lord Byron's beautiful epitaph on his Newfoundland Dog, inscribed on a pedestal in the garden of Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire. On one side is the following characteristic notice:—
"Near this spot are deposited the remains of one who possessed beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, and all the virtues of man without his vices. This praise, which would be unmeaning flattery.if inscribed over human ashes, is but a just tribute to Boatswain, a dog who was born in Newfoundland, May, 1803, and died at Newstead, Nottinghamshire, October, 1808.

When some proud son of man returns to earth,
Unknown to glory, but upheld by birth,
The sculptor's art exhausts the pomp of wo,
And storied urns record who rests below.
When all is done—upon the tomb is seen,
Not what he was—but what he would have been:
But this poor Dog, in life the firmest friend,
The first to welcome—foremost to defend;
Whose honest heart is still the master's own,
Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone,
Unhonour'd falls, unnoticed of his worth;
Denied in heaven the soul he held on earth;
While man, vile insect, hopes to be forgiven,
And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven.
Oh, Man! thou feeble tenant of an hour,
Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power,
Who knows thee well, must quit thee with disgust,
Degraded mass of animated dust.
Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat,
Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit.
By nature vile, ennobled but by name,
Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame.
Ye who behold, perchance, this simple urn,
Pass on, it honours none you wish to mourn.
To mark a friend's remains these stones arise,
I never knew but one, and here he lies."

THE RUSSIAN DOG (Canu Hussianns.)

This dog is of a large size, being considerably superior in point of strength to the Newfoundland dog. He was originally produced by a cross between the Newfoundland and the Siberian, and has now assumed the characteristics of a distinct race: his head is large, with moderately long ears, and his tail bent over his back, like that of most of the boreal varieties ; his hair is very long and curled, being from seven to nine inches in length, and in colour he varies from white with black patches to pure white, and sometimes is entirely black. He has an expressive and intelligent countenance, and possesses all those qualities for which the Newfoundland dog is so famous.
In Russia this animal is employed for watching property, which he defends with all the assiduity of a mastiff or Newfoundland dog. He is sometimes also used in hunting the wolf and wild boar, for which he is admirably adapted, from his great strength, and from possessing considerable swiftness. His feet are semi-webbed, and he swims with great ease, and is accordingly often used in shooting aquatic birds, which he fetches out of the water when killed.
. . . .
Mr Mudford, a literary gentleman in London, had a young and beautiful Russian Dog named Crop. He was in colour black and white, his hair nine inches in length, of a handsome and commanding figure, attractive and interesting to all who saw him. He was distinguished by those peculiar and noble characteristics for which the dogs of Newfoundland are so justly famed, and the union of which, in the same individual animal, seems almost incompatible, — the highest degree of courage, and even fierceness on necessary occasions, with the most endearing playful good-nature and inoffensiveness. To these were joined an incessant disposition to volunteer his services wherever, by his extraordinary sagacity, he judged them to be either necessary or useful.

There was one amongst his companions which chose to act the tyrant, and frequently assaulted and bit poor Tray unmercifully. The latter submitted with admirable forbearance for some time, but his patience being exhausted, and oppression becoming daily more irksome, he quietly took his departure. After an absence of several days, he returned in company with a large Newfoundland dog, made up directly to his tyrannical comrade, and, so assisted, very nearly put him to death. The stranger then retired, and was seen no more, and Tray remained unmolested until the return of his master.
The landlord naturally mentioned a circumstance which was the subject of general conversation, and the gentleman heard it with much astonishment, because he suspected that the dog must have travelled into Scotland to make known his ill-treatment, and to solicit the good offices of the friend which had been the companion of his journey back and his assistant in punishing the aggressor. It proved to have been so; for on arriving at his house in the Highlands, and inquiring into particulars, he found, as he expected, that much surprise and some uneasiness had been created by the return of Tray alone; by the two dogs, after meeting, going off together; and by the Newfoundland dog, after an absence of several days, coming back again foot-sore and nearly starved. (337 - 338)

This variety has risen into great reputation with gentlemen of the "Fancy," and consequently good ones sell for a high price.
It is to be lamented that the services of this excellent dog are too often misapplied, and his prowess turned to the most wanton mischief; such as fighting with other dogs, tearing to pieces the domestic cat, worrying and maiming unfortunate and starving stray dogs,—sports that must be viewed by the humane with horror, and cannot be too highly reprobated.
Such is the fancy for this dog at present, that no man of the ton, particularly in London, can be seen in a, morning walk or ride without one of them either a£ his own heels or those of his horse. The dog that follows the horse is too often, poor animal! seen labouring through wet and heavy roads, at three parts speed, with his tongue lolling out of his mouth, the foam issuing in streams from him, and absolutely enveloped in mud, with his tail so draggled that, it nearly weighs him to the earth, having in all likelihood travelled a twenty-mile stage at the stern of a speedy hack. It is a piece of great cruelty to distress so faithful a creature by so unnecessary an exertion, for the mere show of him following as a fashionable appendage. Mr Egan, who is rather amusing on this subject, writes as follows: — "The new brqed„ which has become so truly the go that no rum or queer kiddy, or man of cash, from Tothil-street in the west, to north-eastern Holloway, far less any swell rising sixteen, with a black, purple or green Indiaman round his squeeze, the corner of his variegated dab hanging from his pocket, and his pantaloons well creased and puckered, but must have a tike of the new cut either at the heels of himself or his prad. The swells of Brunswick and the adjoining squares have dropped even the Newfoundland and the Poodle, to be followed by one of our new edition of the dog. (405 - 406)

"When Mungo [a pug, owned by Sir Patrick Walker; Brown has been discussing this dog] attacked a cat, he was very careful of his face, but he would attack a dog of any size. The forbearance of a very large Newfoundland dog of Sir Edmund Nagle's was remarkable. Mungo ran at him with fury and seized him by the throat; but Neptune did not deign to chastise him; he only raised his head as high as he could, and trotted towards his kennel with the little puny cur dangling at his neck, until his jaws tired, and he dropped.
"This brings to my recollection a circumstance of that kind which occurred to a large Newfoundland dog that attended me one day. He was attacked in the same way by a small dog, which he looked down upon very contemptuously, holding his head high to prevent its biting his face, and at length, without losing temper, raised his fore-paw, and struck the creature such a blow as quite upset it, when it fled away yelling with terror." (455 - 456)

RETRIEVERS. Gentlemen who have large establishments of sporting dogs generally keep one or two for the express purpose of finding lost and wounded game, and these are termed Retrievers. These consist of the Newfoundland dog, the great water-dog, and the large water spaniel; but this last is decidedly the best adapted for general use. . . . (511)