WHENEVER I sit down to write about any breed of dog I feel disposed to dash off with "Of all varieties of the dog none has created so much public interest, given rise to such wide and protracted discussion, and brought out such variety and divergence of opinion respecting it as the one under consideration." But a moment's reflection shows me that if I use such words at all, I ought to have them stereotyped as applicable to nearlyall and every breed.
The Newfoundland has undoubtedly had its full share of public attention, and long before dog shows were in existence, or the finely drawn distinctions respecting "points" called into being, he reigned paramount in the affections of the British public as a companion, ornament, and guard. .
But in those days, as I have said, every man had his own ideal standardof excellence, or borrowed a suitable one from a doggy friend, the suitability being ensured by alteration sufficient to make it applicable to his own pet, a process not yet entirely obsolete.
Many of these large so-called Newfoundland dogs of twenty-five to forty years ago had, undoubtedly, like the "Caesar" that Burns immortalised in his poem of "The Twa Dogs," been

whalpit some gate far abroad,
Whare sailors gang tae fish for cod, [note]

or were the immediate descendants of such, but they differed materially in colour, coat and in other minor points from each other, and still more from what is now held to be the Newfoundland proper, as he is bred and exhibited in this country.
I can speak personally to the decided difference between dogs imported from Newfoundland into Liverpool some twenty-five and thirty years ago, each believed to be the pure breed of the island by their owners; that difference, as it exists in a memory naturally tenacious of such things, was more in the sort of coat and the colour than in the other marked characteristics of the breed which they all had in common with the recognised dog of the day.
The marked difference then existing in this country was also common in the island of Newfoundland, and I understand on good authority continues, and this obscures the interesting question, What was the original breed of the island really like? and prepares us for the very wide difference and rather dogmatic expression of opinion on the subject by gentlemen who have had the advantage of a residence there, and who have afterwards joined in public discussion on the question.
I remember some years ago, after the pleasures and fatigue of a Wolverhampton Show, spending a most enjoyable evening with that eminent and excellent judge Mr. William Lort, a friend, and a churchwarden (one of Sothern's Broseleys), when the former gentleman, who is by no means a "talking machine," for once, opening the gateways of his memory, gave us reminiscences of his Newfoundland life, so graphic and brilliant in their delineations, as to hold us spellbound. Of course the dogs were not forgotten, and I believe I am repeating in effect his views that, although a variety of big mongrels were kept and used there, those that the natives of the island looked on as the true breed were the black or rusty black, with thick and shaggy coats, and corresponding in all other points, although, from want of proper culture, inferior to our best specimens of the day.
Against this testimony I will quote a few other opinions. "Index," who in the "Field," about nine years ago, wrote on this subject with great pertinence, and evidently from personal observation, declared the true breed to be of "an intense black colour," and "with a small streak of white, which is upon the breast of ninety-nine out of every hundred genuine dogs."
Per contra "Otterstone," in the "Country," 6th January, 1876, says: "The predominant colour of the 'Newfoundland proper' is white. His marks are nearly invariable, namely, a black head or face mark, a black saddle mark, and the tip of the stern also black." "Otterstone" also wrote from personal observation, I believe, of the dogs accepted as pure Newfoundlands in Canada, and I might go on quoting from others, not only about colour, but texture of coat, some holding it should be curly, others wavy, others shaggy, and the height of the original is variously stated as 24in. to 26in., up to 30in. to 32in.
This, however, would only, I think, occupy unnecessary space. I cannot, however, forego the pleasure of quotations from the "Sportsman's Cabinet," published 1802, which I feel sure cannot fail to interest readers who have not perused that now comparatively scarce book. The engraving of the Newfoundland therein given is from a drawing by Renaigle and engraved by J. Scott, and represents a dog like our modern one in most points, but not so big and square in head, and altogether lighter in build, and almost entirely white. It is to be regretted that the author of the accompanying letter-press did not give a minute description, which he was thoroughly competent to do. Here, however, is what he does say: "The dog passing under this description is so universally known in every part of the kingdom, and is so accurately delineated by the united efforts of the artists in the representation annexed, that a minute description of its size, shape, make, and formmay be considered unnecessary. . . . He is one of the most majestic of all the canine variety. Although at first sight he appears terrific from the immensity of his magnitude, the placid serenity of his countenance as instantly dispels the agitating vibrations of fear." The words of such an authority should be given due weight in considering what is and what is not a true Newfoundland. Whether there was a dog of marked characteristics from other recognised breeds found indigenous to the island on its discovery or not, we may accept the case as proved that they are now from various causes a mixed lot, as inferior to our English Newfoundlands as their Eastern progenitors are to our thorough-bred horse. There is, however, a very general agreement that as regards size we have imported two varieties – the one the Newfoundland as now recognised, the other the lesser Newfoundland, or Labrador dog, on which our wavy-coated retrievers are founded; and it is of the former we are now treating.
The contention of those who say the original breed did not stand more than about 25in. at the shoulder is greatly discounted by references to the size and dignified appearance of the dog by older writers; and although climate and good care do much, I cannot think their effects would be so immediate and so great as to make a 30in. dog out of a pup which, left at home, would only have grown to 25in., or that that result would follow except after a considerable number of years of careful breeding; but we have seen that by the extract from the "Sportsman's Cabinet," nearly seventy years before "Index " wrote in the "Field,” and his dictum as to height was accepted by "Stonehenge," the dog was valued for his great size.
There is certainly a dignity of demeanour, a noble bearing, and a sense of strength and power, though softened by the serenity of his countenance and deeply sagacious look which cannot be disassociated from great size, and no better illustration of this could be found than Mr. Howard Mapplebeck's Leo, and these were among the good qualities which have always commended him to public favour. The Newfoundland's good qualities, however, do not rest here; he is of a strongly emulative disposition, extremely sensitive to praise or censure, and should therefore, especially when young, be managed with great care and circumspection; he is never so well satisfied as when employed either for the pleasure or advantage of his master, and his strong propensity to fetch and carry develops itself naturally at an early age. One that I trained when a boy, and that afterwards became famous in the Postmaster General's service (although not on the pay list), by carrying the letter bags between a village office and the Carlisle and Glasgow Mail Coach, when quite a puppy would bring a small log from the woodhouse for the kitchen fire at the word of command, and indeed often without, for I have seen him, for his own amusement, bring quite a pile of them in, which he would take back one by one when told.
As a water dog he has no equal — he delights in it, will almost live in it and his high courage and great swimming powers enable him to face, and do service in such a sea as I believe no other land animal can successfully encounter.
Knowing and admiring the wonderful faculty he possesses, suggested to me, when viewing the sea from the site of Portsmouth Dog Show in 1875, the advisability of instituting water trials as a means of keeping up and developing this wonderful and useful natural power, that his great abilities as a life-saver might be made the best of for the benefit of man, for it cannot be denied that without such aids public or private dog shows may do serious harm, giving, as they properly do, prominence to the finest developed animal. But if prize winners, however grand in appearance, are uneducated, their instincts and natural powers undeveloped and indeed checked, are continuously bred from, we shall soon have lost sterling qualities and get, in return, mere good looks.
But the two things — fine physical development, with high cultivation of those instincts, and natural powers — are not incompatible, and should, I think, be simultaneously encouraged by dog show promoters, just as the Kennel Club does for pointers and setters by their field trials.
Chiefly at my instigation, water trials of Newfoundlands took place at Maidstone Show, May, 1876, and were repeated at Portsmouth later in the same year, and, although neither could be pronounced as a brilliant success, they were each of them in many respects interesting, and proved that with more experience, and well carried out, such competitive trials might become more than interesting — highly useful.
I would be the last to advocate again reducing this or any breed to a beast of burden, but I cannot but think and here repeat what I have so often written, that the Newfoundland's extraordinary natural power as a water dog, his wonderful sagacity and intense desire to serve should be systematically developed and utilised, and I can see no reason why one or more trained dogs should not be attached to every lifeboat station and at every popular bathing resort around our coasts.
I must here render praise to Mr. C. Marshall for the excellent rules he drew; up for the conduct of the first public water trial of dogs. As a basis for others who may wish to institute similar competitions, I append the tests adopted at Maidstone.



1st. Courage displayed in jumping into the water from a height to recover an object. The effigy of a man is the most suitable thing.
2nd. The quickness displayed in bringing the object ashore.
3rd. Intelligence and speed in bringing a boat to shore the boat must of course, be adrift, and the painter have a piece of white wood attached to keep it afloat, mark its position, and facilitate the dog's work.
4th. To carry a rope from shore to a boat with a stranger, not the master, in it.
5th. Swimming races, to show speed and power against stream or tide.
6th. Diving. A common flag basket, with a stone in the bottom of it to sink it, answers well, as it is white enough to be seen and soft enough to the dog's mouth.


In regard to the points of this dog I adopt without alteration those of "Stonehenge," because of their excellence, and also because I think, although one may differ in minor points, it is most undesirable to set up or attempt to set up a variety of standards scarcely differing from each other except in the language in which they are set forth. I therefore give the following verbatim, adding a few comments for the acceptance or not of readers, as they think fit.
"The head is very broad, and nearly flat on the top in each direction, exhibiting a well-marked occipital protuberance, and also a considerable brow over the eye, often rising three-quarters of an inch from the line of the nose, as is well shown in the case of my present illustration, Mr. Mapplebeck's Leo, in which it exists to a greater extent than usual. The Labrador shows the brow also, but not nearly in so marked a manner. There is a slight furrow down the middle of the top of the head, but nothing approaching to a stop. The skin on the forehead is slightly wrinkled, and the coat on the face and top of the head is short, but not so much so as in the curly retriever. Nose wide in all directions, but of average length, and moderately square at the end, with open nostrils; the whole of the jaws covered with short hair.
"Eyes and ears. The eyes of this dog are small, and rather deeply set; but there should be no display of the haw or third eyelid. They are generally brown, of various shades, but light rather than dark. The ears are small, clothed with short hair on all but the edges, which are fringed with longer hair.
"The neck is often short, making the dog look chumpy and inelegant. This defect should always be attended to, and a dog with a sufficiently lengthy neck should have the full allowance; but, on the other hand, a short chumpy one is so often met with that, even if present, the possessor of it should not be penalised with negative points. The throat is clean, without any development of frill, though thickly clothed with hair.
"The chest is capacious, and rather round than flat; back ribs generally short.
"The back is often slack and weak, but in some specimens, and notably in Leo, there is a fine development of muscle; accompanying this weak back there is often a rolling and weak walk.
"The legs should be very bony and straight, well clothed with muscle on the arms and lower thighs. Elbows well let down, and neither in nor out. Both the fore and hind legs are thickly feathered, but not to any great length. There is also often a double dew claw.
"The feet are large and wide, with thin soles. The toes are generally flat, and consequently this dog soon becomes foot-sore in road work, and cannot accompany a horse or carriage at a fast pace.
"In size the Newfoundland should be at least 25in. in height, and if he is beyond this it is a merit rather than a defect, as explained in the above remarks. Many very fine and purely-bred specimens reared in this country have been from 30in. to 32in. high.
"The symmetry of this dog is often defective, owing to the tendency of a short neck and weak loin. As a consequence, a symmetrical dog like Leo is highly to be approved of.
"The colour should be black, the richer the better; but a rusty stain in it is so common in the native breed that it should by no means be penalised. Still the jet black is so handsome in comparison with it that I think, other points being equal, it should count above the rusty stain in judging two dogs. A white star on the breast is often met with. The white and black colour exhibited in the Landseer type never occurs in the true Newfoundland.
"The coat of the Newfoundland is shaggy, without much undercoat, and at first sight it would appear unfit for much exposure to wet. It is, however, so thick and oily that it takes some time for the water to reach the skin through it. There is often a natural parting down the back, and the surface is very glossy.
"The tail is long and gently curled on one side, but not carried high. It is clothed thickly with long hair, which is quite bushy, but often naturally parted down the middle."
I prefer in judging to take general appearance and symmetry first. It is impossible to dissent from "Stonehenge's" remarks in regard to the head, and it will be observed that we have also selected for our engraving that incomparable dog Mr. Howard Mapplebeck's Leo. The illustrations, however, are from the drawings of different artists, viz., Mr. Baker and Mr. Moore.
As to the ears, I may here remark on the authority of Meyrick — for I have not met with the original work that — Justice Haliburton, who was a connoisseur in the breed, describes this feature as "a small and delicate mouse-like ear."
Haliburton also refers to the dew claws; it is usual to remove them, and this should I think be done in all breeds, for they are a useless incumbrance, and make the leg look clumsy.
Although a 25in. dog may be a pure Newfoundland, one that size would stand little chance in competition at our large shows.
With the conflicting evidence before us, I am not prepared to endorse the statement that the white and black colour never occurs in the true Newfoundland, but this question has been practically settled in the best possible way by making a distinct class for the picturesque black and white under the name of Landseer Newfoundland.
Mr. Howard Mapplebeck's Leo, now Mr. S. W. Wildman's, is a fine model of the breed; he is of great size, most symmetrical in build, with an elegant carriage; has a fine broad intellectual looking head, and the dignified appearance so remarkable in all good specimens of the breed; and is without doubt the finest living specimen that has been exhibited, and this is high praise when we consider the number of good ones our shows have brought out.

Weights and measurements of celebrated dogs:
Mr. T. Worthy's Help: Age, 2¼ years; weight, 1541b.; height at shoulder, 30in.; length of nose to set on of tail, 51in.; length of tail, 25in.; girth of chest, 41in.; girth of loin, 31in.; girth of head, 24in.; girth of forearm, 12in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, 12in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12½in.
Mrs. Cunliffe Lee's Nep: Age, 5 years; height at shoulder, 31in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 48in.; length of tail, 16in.; girth of chest, 36in.; girth of loin, 32in.; girth of head, 21in.; girth of fore arm, lO½in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, 9in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12in.
Mr. S. W. Wildman's champion Gipsy: Age, 3 years; weight, 981b.; height at shoulder, 28in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 42in.; length of tail, 18in.; girth of chest, 35in.; girth of loin, 30in.; girth of head, 21½in.; girth of forearm, lO½in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, ll½in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12in.
Mr. S. W. Wildman's champion Brunette: Age, 4 years; weight, 1041b.; height at shoulder, 29in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 43½in.; length of tail, 18½in.; girth of chest, 36in.; girth of loin, 33in.; girth of head, 22in.; girth of forearm, llin.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, ll¾in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12in.
Mr. S. W. Wildman's Lady in Black: Age, 4 years; weight, 1061b.; height at shoulder, 28in.; length of nose to set on of tail, 44in.; length of tail, 18½in.; girth of chest, 36in.; girth of loin, 31in.; girth of head, 22in.; girth of forearm, 10½in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, llin.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12in.
Mr. S. W. Wildman's Flora, dam of Gipsy: Age, 7 years; weight, 89½lb.; height at shoulder, 28in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 42in.; length of tail, 18in.; girth of chest, 35in.; girth of loin, 29in.; girth of head, 21in.: girth of forearm, lOin.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, ll¼in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose 12½in.
Mr. S. W. Wildman's champion Leo: Age, 6 years; weight, 1351b.; height at shoulder, 31½in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 50in.; length of tail, 20in.; girth of chest, 38in.; girth of loin, 34in.; girth of head, 22in.; girth of forearm, 9in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, llin.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12in.
Mr. S. W. Wildman's champion Lion: Age, 2½ years; weight, 1291b.; height at shoulder, 29½in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 52in.; length of tail, 20½in.; girth of chest, 39in.; girth of loin, 32in.; girth of head, 24in.; girth of forearm, lO½in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, 12½in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 13in.
Mr. S. W. Wildman's Mayor of Bingley: Age 2 years 4 months; weight, 1421b.; height at shoulder, 32¼in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 50in.; length of tail, 21in.; girth of chest, 41½in.; girth of loin, 33in.; girth of head, 24½in.; girth of forearm, llin.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, 12¾in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 13in.
Mr. S. W. Wildman's Black Prince: Age, 2½ years; weight, 1331b.; height at shoulder, 31in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 51in.; length of tail, 20in.; girth of chest, 39½in.; girth of loin, 34in.; girth of head, 23½in.; girth of forearm, lO½in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, 13in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12½in.

THAT great artist, Sir Edwin Landseer, having immortalised a black and white dog, of Newfoundland type, in his painting, "A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society," made this variety too popular to be ignored by fashion, which is most arbitrary in such cases, and had determined that all black should be the colour of Newfoundland dogs. Fashion, therefore, finding itself opposed by genius which was popular, very wisely entered into a compromise by setting up two classes of Newfoundlands, and in honour of genius calling the black and white sort the Landseer Newfoundland.
Although I think it is doubtful whether the black has a claim to the exclusive title given him, I cannot but agree that we are happy in having such an excellent reason for christening the bi-colour dog the Landseer, and there is every reason to increase the number of classes, if by so doing we can increase the number of good dogs kept, and diminish the number of mongrels. Since a class was established for Landseers the numbers exhibited have increased.
The Landseer differs but little from the black except in colour, and a tendency in the coat to curl. Some specimens are very curly, and I do not know that that is a fault. It should perhaps rather be made a point of difference between them and the black.
Mr. Lord's Moldau, however, has a straight dense coat, and this German bred dog, so perfect in symmetry, should be most valuable as a sire. He has not so much white on him as is generally desired in a Landseer where the white and black are liked best in about equal proportions, but a dog of his beautiful formation, and with his white points, should with lightish coloured bitches get grand stock. Moldau I gave second prize to at the International Show, Hanover, 1879, in the best class I have ever seen. Mr. Evans' Dick has proved the greatest prize winner of this variety, he is a noble specimen and as clever as he is handsome, and from personal knowledge of him I can add perfect as a companion dog.
The points by which the class should be judged are the same as in the black, with the exception of coat and colour.
Weights and measurements of Landseer Newfoundlands:
Mr. E. Evans's Dick: Age, 7 years; weight, 1391b.; height at shoulder, 30in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 4ft. 3in.; length of tail, 21in.; girth of chest, 40in; girth of loin, 32in.; girth of head, 24½in.; girth of forearm, lO¼in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, llin.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12½in.
Mr. Walter J. Sherringham's bitch Lill: Age, 21 months; weight, 1121bs.; height at shoulder, 28½in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 56in.; length of tail, 22in.; girth of chest, 35in.; girth of loin, 30in.; girth of head, 21in.; girth of forearm, lOin.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, 11½in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12in.
Mr. W. H. Harper's Bruno: Age, 3 years; weight, 1641b.; height at shoulder, 30in.; length from nose to set on of tail, 49in.; length of tail, 21in.; girth of ohest, 41in.; girth of loin, 35in.; girth of head, 23½in.; girth of forearm, 12in.; length of head from occiput to tip of nose, 11½in.; girth of muzzle midway between eyes and tip of nose, 12½in. -->