The dogs which take their name from the island of Newfoundland appeal to all
lovers of animals.There are now two established varieties, the black and the
white and black. There are also bronze-coloured dogs, but they are rare. The
black variety of the Newfoundland is essentially black in colour; but this does
not mean that there may be no other colour, for most black Newfoundlands have
some white marks. In fact, a white marking on the chest is said to be typical of
the true breed.
Any white on the head or body would place the dog in the other than black
variety. The black colour should preferably be of a dull jet appearance which
approximates to brown. In the other than black class, there may be black and
tan, bronze, and white and black. The latter predominates, and in this colour,
beauty of marking is very important. The head should be black with a white
muzzle and blaze, and the body and legs should be white with large patches of
black on the saddle and quarters, with possibly other small black spots on the
body and legs.
Apart from colour, the varieties should conform to the
same standard. The head should be broad and massive, but in no sense heavy in
appearance. The muzzle should be short, square, and clean cut, eyes rather wide
apart, deep set, dark and small, not showing any haw; ears small, with close
side carriage, covered with fine short hair (there should be no fringe to the
ears), expression full of intelligence, dignity, and kindness.
The body
should be long, square, and massive, loins strong and well filled; chest deep
and broad; legs quite straight, somewhat short in proportion to the length of
the body, and powerful, with round bone well covered with muscle; feet large,
round, and close. The tail should be only long enough to reach just below the
hocks, free from kink, and never curled over the back. The quality of the coat
is very important; the coat should be very dense, with plenty of undercoat; the
outer coat somewhat harsh and quite straight.
The appearance generally should indicate a dog of great strength, and
very active for his build and size, moving freely with the body swung loosely
between the legs, which gives a slight roll in gait. As regards size, the
Newfoundland Club standard gives 140 lbs. to 120 lbs. weight for a dog, and 110
lbs. to 120 lbs. for a bitch, with an average height at the shoulder of 27
inches and 25 inches respectively; but it is doubtful whether dogs in proper
condition do conform to both requirements.
When rearing puppies give them
soft food, such as well-boiled rice and milk, as soon as they will lap, and,
shortly afterwards, scraped lean meat. Newfoundland puppies require plenty of
meat to induce proper growth. The puppies should increase in weight at the rate
of 3 lbs. a week, and this necessitates plenty of flesh, bone and muscle-forming
food, plenty of meat, both raw and cooked. Milk is also good, but it requires to
be strengthened with casein.
The secret of growing full-sized dogs with plenty
of bone and substance is to get a good start from birth, good feeding, warm, dry
quarters, and freedom for the puppies to move about and exercise themselves as
they wish. Forced exercise may make them go wrong on their legs. Medicine should
not be required except for worms, and the puppies should be physicked for these
soon after they are weaned, and again when three or four months old, or before
that if they are not thriving. If free from worms, Newfoundland puppies will be
found quite hardy, and, under proper conditions of food and quarters, they are
easy to rear.
