Representatives of this noble breed are not particularly numerous, although it is one of those varieties which some people have a particular fancy for, and this, probably, for two reasons: first, because they are noble-looking dogs, and secondly, on account of the repute that these animals have obtained for saving life from drowning. The Newfoundland has always been recognised as pre-eminently a water-loving dog, and children who have accidentally fallen into the water have occasionally been saved by these dogs.
In point of size they resemble the Saint Bernard, and are not dissimilar in general conformation, but possess certain distinctive features, which at once render them readily recognisable even by a novice. Being large dogs, they are rather expensive to keep, and, in the writer's opinion, quite unsuitable for living in the family circle. To do justice to a Newfoundland one must devote a good deal of time to the animal, pay a good price for a fairly representative specimen, and be prepared to train the animal in such a manner as will render it most useful for the protection of property.
The Newfoundland has no special qualifications for guardianship, but its large size and stentorian bark go a long way towards making it useful in this manner. The ordinary colour of the Newfoundland is black, but not raven black, as a rusty tinge on the coat is regarded orthodox, but why this should be so the writer is at a loss to know. Some Newfoundlands are black-and-white (Landseer, Newfoundlands), and first-class specimens look particularly handsome, especially if the markings are evenly distributed.
The Newfoundland classes, at even the largest shows, have never been particularly well filled; still, there are other classes which contain considerably less entries. The classes are usually for black, also white-and- black, or other than black, but colour is not of much importance. Many all-black dogs have some white hair on either the brisket or toes, but white on the breast is much less objectionable than that on the toes. Sir Edwin Landseer, R.A., usually painted his dogs black-and-white, hence the epithet applied to the breed. His well-known picture, "A Distinguished Member of the Royal Humane Society," has a world-wide reputation, and has been extensively reproduced in the form of engravings, lithographs, etc.
As to where the variety came from, there is nothing of an authoritative nature, although there is a popular idea that it has been derived from the country of which it bears the name. Many stories have been told of the wonderful sagacity of these animals, some perfectly true, others greatly magnified, exactly as has happened in the case of the Saint Bernard. The average temperament of the Newfoundland is that of a docile, affectionate and tractable dog, gifted with the average amount of intelligence, and which, taken advantage of, can be utilised in the training of it.
For the companionship of children or ladies when a large breed is required it would be impossible to find a more suitable breed. A good Newfoundland dog should weigh about one hundred and forty or one hundred and fifty pounds, be well grown, and when it is eighteen months old, stand not less than twenty-eight or twenty-nine inches at the shoulder. The bitches are usually less than this, about twenty-five inches, and in weight about twenty-eight pounds less than the dog.
A Newfoundland must be massive in all proportions, and perfectly straight on both fore and hind limbs. Cow hocks, splay feet, and out-at-elbows are common faults, but when the elbows are turned in too much, splay feet are particularly liable to result. The carriage of the tail is important, as inferior Newfoundlands have a kink in it, or carry the tail too gaily. The writer regards this as one of the worst faults the dog can possess. To be correct the tail should hang down just like a rudder. There are many other points of great importance, such as a flat and dense coat, rather coarse in texture, body long rather than cobby, the back broad and straight. The ears should be small, the skull slightly domed, the muzzle deep and the neck short and thick.
A Newfoundland should not show the so-called "haw" within the eyelids, so commonly seen in the Bloodhound and Saint Bernard, neither should it have dew claws either upon the fore or hind limbs. If these are present, they should be removed a few days after birth. A good Newfoundland should display plenty of bone and substance, and not give one the opinion of being "leggy," or too short on the legs, light in the body, or weedy in any respect. What is required is a nicely proportioned, well-grown type of dog, active, yet a strong swimmer, hence there must be no sign of the racer about the Newfoundland. (149 - 153)