Sweetness
of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most
important single characteristic of the breed. This gentle giant is
famous for rescuing drowning people.
The
Newfoundland is a sweet-dispositioned dog that acts neither dull nor
ill-tempered. He is a devoted companion and very good with children. A
multipurpose dog, at home on land and in water, the Newfoundland is
capable of draft work and possesses natural lifesaving abilities.
The
Newfoundland is a large, heavily coated, well balanced dog that is
deep-bodied, heavily boned, muscular, and strong. A good specimen of the
breed has dignity and proud head carriage.
There is much uncertainty about the origin of the Newfoundland. Some say
that his ancestors are the white Great Pyrenees, dogs brought to the coast
of Newfoundland by the Basque fishermen; others that he descended from a
"French hound" (probably the Boarhound); but all agree that he
originated in Newfoundland and that his ancestors were undoubtedly brought
there by fishermen from the European continent.
At the present time, the Newfoundland is admired and bred in many
different countries including, besides his native land, Canada, England,
France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States.
Although he is a superior water dog, the Newfoundland has been used and is
still used in Newfoundland and Labrador as a true working dog, dragging
carts, or more often carrying burdens as a pack horse.
In 1919, a gold medal was awarded to a Newfoundland that pulled to safety
in a lifeboat some twenty shipwrecked people.
History describes the Newfoundland to be a brave loyal companion.
The Newfoundland loves the great outdoors, especially the water and needs
plenty of exercise.
As
Lord Byron said of his beloved Newfy Boatswain in 1808, "so think all
of us who are owned by a Newfoundland".
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