Newfoundland

A native breed of Canada, the Newfoundland is an intelligent, gentle and traditionally children’s protector and playmate. He is large and strong both in water and on land, and possesses natural life-saving instincts. He has been bred for pulling fishermen’s nets and carts but above all his devotion to his family is legendary.

History Origins:

The history of Newfoundland is somewhat draped in haziness. There are a number of theories that tell its origin. Some credit Lief Ericson brought a black “bear dog” named Oolum to the Newfoundland Island in 1000 A.D (Newfoundland Island is part of Canada and lies east of Quebec).

William Hickey, an English diarist wrote that about 1774, he went sailing with M. Cane and his immense Newfoundland dog, Tyger. Hickey gives no other details. It is factual that the English, French and Portuguese fishermen brought dogs with them. There is no written or concrete evidence that which bred or type existed in Newfoundland Island before the Europeans set ashore. George Catright is responsible for naming the breed in 1775, when he applied the name of island to his own dog. In 1780, Governor Edwards rationaling the promotion of sheep raising, limited legal ownership of Newfoundland Dog to one per family. Remaining numbers must be shipped outside or destroyed. This legislation had no effect on the sheep population but the numbers of Newfoundland dogs were almost wiped out in Canada. During the 1830s, the Saint Bernard breed breed was in danger of extinction from disastrous epidemics , and was saved by cross breeding it with Newfoundlands, who were imported in Europe for this special purpose.

The first visible entry in the dog show world was in 1860, when 6 Newfoundlands were entered in Birmingham dog show. The registry was established later in 1878, and the first breed club was formed in 1886. The American Kennel Club granted official breed status in 1914. World War I almost annexed the breed n Britain as food scarcity prevented reproduction. In 1919, an issue of National Geographic magazine mentioned:

” It is a real pity that this noble, useful and typically American dog should have lost popularuty to such an extent that he isnow almost never seen“.

The Newfoundland will always remain thankful to a small sphere of dedicated breeders that reversed the threat of disappearance.

Essentials of the Breed:

The Newfoundland’s head is massive with a squared muzzle and fre of wrinkles or folds. His cat like feet are well webbed from the centrepad to the base of each toe pad. Incomplete webbing is disqualification. Average height for dogs is 71 cm weighing around 64-69kg whereas for bitches the average height is 66 cm with a weight of 50-54kg. The coat is double with the external hairs giving water resistance and the hair lie very straight and flat. The accepted colours are dull black, black and darkest sghade of brown. Landseers are now acceoted and judged separately from Newfoundland, named after Sir Edwin Landseer’s painting in which he depicted the Newfoundlands with black markings on a white base.

Character:

The Newfoundland is bred for water. He loves water more than any other breed known to man. His role as a carter, a fishnet puller and a beast of burden, have almost concealed infront of his companionship, guarding abilities and gentleness. He is reliable in company of children as any protector would be. A sweet dispositoned dog that acts neither dull or ill tempered. A Newfoundland is not a one man dog but sometime will pick his favourite member of the family. They are a very adaptable breed and thrive n children’s companionship.

Choosing Newfoundland Puppies:

1. Pick a puppy that has a balanced stance and overall frame. Do not try to chose a certain pupy that has a more apealing head than his other siblings but lack in overall quality.
2. Check the bite. The standard ask for a scissor bite (upper incisors marginally touching he edge of lower incisors and are slightly in front)
3.The muzzle should be broad. Snipey or pointed muzzles do not improve with age.
4.Its normal for a Newfoundland puppy to have a dusty appearance near his skin, so dont be alarmed by that.
5. Newfoundland puppies should have dark eyes. If the eye colour is light when the pup is around 8-10 weeks, it is unlikely that they will darken as he matures. Go for darker eye pigmentation.

Tags: dog breeds, Newfoundland