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.
