[ Dickens / Pickwick Papers ]
Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) is of course one of the giants of British Literature, a hugely popular novelist and short-story writer in his day, now probably best known for "A Christmas Carol" and novels such as Bleak House, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, and others. Dickens was also editor and owner of two popular magazines at different points.
Dickens was also a great lover of dogs, and owned at least two Newfoundlands in his lifetime.
This work's lone reference to Newfoundlands occurs late, in Chapter 51. It's a common metaphoric use of Newfoundland behavior, although one that Dickens would have been personally familiar with, having owned a couple of Newfoundlands himself:
"I am rather wet," said Bob, giving himself a shake and casting a little hydraulic shower around, like a Newfoundland dog just emerged from the water.
See also this brief note regarding Dickens and Newfies here at The Cultured Newf.