[ Jardine / The Naturalist's Library ]
Sir William Jardine (1800 - 1874) was a Scottish naturalist, best known as the editor of this very popular 40-volume work of natural history.
This illustrated multi-volume work of what in the 18th and 19th centuries was known as "natural history" was first published in 1840 (Edinburgh: William H. Lizars). (Lizars was an engraver as well as publisher, and the brother of William Jardine's wife.) This work was reprinted several times over the next few decades.
Several of the volumes of this work mention Newfoundland dogs. The first mention occurs in volume 10 of The Naturalist's Library, which was written by Lieut.-Colonel Chas. Hamilton Smith and is a survey of all the canids, with most of the book being devoted to the various breeds of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris). The two volumes of this multi-volume work which are devoted to dogs are also sometimes identified as The Natural History of Dogs by Charles Hamilton Smith.
The image of the Newf reproduced immediately below (Plate 3) is, in the original volume, to be found (as are all the other full-page illustrations in this edition), at the back of volume 10; in other editions the illustrations are to be found within the relevant discussion.
CREDITS: The name at the lower right side of the picture, where the engraver was customarily credited, is "Lizars SC" -- "sc" being the abbreviation for "sculpsit," Latin for "he engraved (or sculpted) it" (another common abbreviation used to credit engravers was "exc," for the Latin "excudit," which also means "he engraved it"). At lower left, where the creator of the original work is credited, is "Col H Smith delt" -- the standard abbreviation for "delineavit," Latin for "he drew it." Smith did not do all the illustrations for this volume, though it appears Lizars engraved most if not all.)
This volume's first mention of Newfoundlands occurs on pp. 117 - 118:
Of the hybrids proceeding from wolves, jackals and foxes, further details are likewise unnecessary;
but, before mention is made of several feral races of dogs now existing, it may be proper to allude to a hybrid species pretended to be derived from a bear and mastiff. Such an individual was lately exhibited in London ; and a curious account of one is
found in the Histoires prodigeuses, par P. Bouaisturau, Paris, 1582, quoted in the Penny Cyclopaedia, article Bear, to which we refer. But as no true mastiff is sufficiently rugged to be tricked by bearwards into the resemblance of even an hybrid,
and the engraving in the work shows also indications departing from that race, the difficulty may perhaps be solved, by presuming, that the Newfoundland breed of dogs, being then probably only first introduced, the pretended hybrid was either of that race, or a cross with a mastiff, having had the tail cut off, and the ears, if not then erect, set up, by scarifying their internal surface. As these animals did not at first bark, their howling was well calculated to deceive the unwary; and their wild and active manners are not even now entirely subdued in their native country.
The main entry on Newfoundlands is to be found on pp. 132 - 134, where Newfoundlands are identified, scientifically, as Canis Terra Novæ.
THE breed of these handsome and powerful dogs, now common in Great Britain, is partially crossed with others, and therefore differs somewhat from the original indigenous race of America; and is also, in several respects, unlike the Esquimaux
race, being longer in the back, more loosely made, with rather a fuller muzzle, partially drooping ears, and a long, not curly fur. The hound seems to have crossed in the breed; for, even in Newfoundland, there are individuals of such enormous bulk, that not even the Irish greyhound, though higher at the shoulder, is to be compared with it, in length and weight of body. We know of one that, when desired to show himself, would immediately stand up, and place his fore-feet against the lintel of any
room-door. But these very large dogs are, in general, of a white colour, spotted with black. In our north-eastern colonies of America, those that were considered to be of the original stock were smaller than the large breed now in England; the body was more slender, the forehead more arched, the muzzle not so blunt, their aspect wilder, less confident; and they were nearly all of a totally black colour, excepting a bright rust-coloured spot above each eye, some fulvous towards the nose, throat, and upon the joints; there was also a little white about the feet, and in the end of the tail. Their eyes were rather small, and of a light brown. This race is nothing inferior to the best sheep-dogs in natural powers of intellect; endless anecdotes of sagacity are related of them in their natural regions, as well as in Europe. The true breed of this race is almost semi-palmated; and, consequently, they
swim, dive, and endure the water, better and longer than any other dog in existence. We possessed, for a short time, one that had been picked up swimming in the Bay of Biscay, and was observed by a man at the mast head, the ship whence he must have come being out of sight; a boat was lowered, and the animal, when taken in, did not give signs of extreme fatigue. We lost him in a short time; being, no doubt, again enticed onboard of some vessel. No dog is better qualified to serve in harness, or fitter to watch and guard property on shore, or vessels in the coasting trade, rivers, or canals. As a water-dog, he can be taught to execute almost any command; and his kind disposition makes training easy, when used in the field.
A few years ago, the number about St. John's, in Newfoundland, was estimated at 2,000, or more; they were left to shift for themselves during the whole fishing season, and probably still are thus suffered to remain starving, diseased, and even dangerous to the rest of the population. After that period, they labour in drawing wood, fish, and merchandise; and one dog is estimated to be able to maintain his master during winter. True hydrophobia does not attack them there; but a kind of plague, originating in the neglect and misery they suffer, occasionally destroys great numbers.
Other mentions of Newfoundlands are as follows:
The sheep-dog is scarcely, if at all, inferior to the Newfoundland dog in natural powers of intellect, and superior to him in that long training to certain duties which require the utmost sagacity, vigilance, and patience, till it is contended by some that they are become innate. (137)
The Calbrian dog is a beautiful and sagacious animal, representing the Newfoundland dog in Europe. It is of smaller size, with long, rather curly hair; ears bent down, but not floccose; a fine bushy and curled tail, and often entirely of a white colour. Fine specimens of this race are, or were, in the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park. They are well described and figured in that delightful work, called the Gardens and Menagerie of the Zoological Society ; but we do not think it is strictly the Canis Pomeranus, but nearly allied to [a printer's error causes the rest of this entry to be lost]
The next mention occurs in the chapter devoted to St. Bernards:
So advantageously known for the great services rendered to mankind, by its activity, intelligence, and strength, in administering to the safety of travellers through the snowy passes of the mountains leading to Italy. This race is still more nearly allied to the Newfoundland dog, in form, stature, hair, and colours; but the head and ears are like that of a water-spaniel. We have made drawings of several, and they are all white, with black or fulvous spots the breed is not numerous. There is another race trained to the same service, with close short hair, and more or less marked with grey, liver-colour,
and black clouds, betraying an intermixture with the race of French Matin, or great Danish dogs.Both are trained in the winter time to carry a basket with some food and wine; and, thus equipped, they sally forth from the Hospice of St. Bernard, and other passes, in search of travellers who may have lost their way, or fallen beneath the snows of the preceding night. They are followed by the Monks devoted to that service of humanity, and every winter several lives are saved by their united means. (141)
The next mention occurs in the chapter on "The Pomeranian Dog" (Canis Pomeranus), repeating the assertion earlier in the book that there is some sort of link between Pomeranians and Newfoundlands. Yes, you read that correctly:
There is found in Southern China a large species of long-haired dogs, usually with a fine glossy black fur, a pointed nose, pendulous ears, and large paws. They are somewhat like the Newfoundland race, but intractable and sullen. It is most likely a race introduced from the north by the Tartars. (147)
In a section on "the black wolf-dog of Florida" (no, I'm not making that up):
Since the foregoing article was written, we have been enabled to examine a remarkably fine specimen of the Black Wolf-dog of North America, sent home a present from Canada to the Earl of Durham. The individual was most likely not quite full grown, but stood rather higher at the shoulder than a Newfoundland-dog, and was shorter in the body; in aspect exceedingly like a wolf, but that the eyes were comparatively nearer the muzzle, the nose rather sharp ; the forehead broad, somewhat arched; the ears erect, pointed, open ; the tail full, like that of a wolf, hanging down, not curled, but not much lower than the heel, no white hairs at the tip, the whole animal being glossy black, excepting a small spot on the breast and tips of the fore-toes, white; the length of the hair like that of a Newfoundland dog, but somewhat finer. The dog was not vicious, and extremely active. We did not hear him, but understood the voice was more like howling than barking. It is evidently intermediate between the original Newfoundland dog and the wolf. (158)
Finally, in the chapter on the "Patagonian dog":
The dog of Patagonia is strong, about the size of a large fox-hound; his coat is usually short but wiry, though in some instances it is soft and long like that of a Newfoundland dog. . . . (213)
There is a single reference to Newfoundlands in Volume 11 of this work, "Marsupialia or Pouched Mammals." The anecdote here concerns a kangaroo which was obtained by William Parry, the noted Arctic explorer (see the entries on Parry elsewhere in the "Non-Fiction" section of this website for references to the Newfoundlands Parry took with him to the Arctic). But later in his career (1829 - 1834) Parry served in a government position in Australia; while there, he acquired a kangaroo which he later presented to the Zoological Society in England. Parry relates of this kangaroo, while still in Australia, the following story (told in Parry's words):
"In the day time it [the kangaroo] would occasionally, but not often, venture out to a considerable distance from home, in which case it would sometimes be chased back by strange dogs, especially those belonging to the natives. From these, however, it had no difficulty in escaping, through its extreme swiftness, and it was curious to see it bounding up a hill and over the garden fence, until it had placed itself under the protection of the dogs belonging to the house, especially two of the Newfoundland breed to which it was attached, and which never failed to afford it their assistance by sallying forth in pursuit of its adversaries." (209
