206 THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 



In truth, the Italian Greyhound is but a dwarfed example of the true smooth Greyhound, 

 dwarfed after the same manner that delights our Celestial friends, when tried on vegetable 

 instead of animal life. The weight of a really good Italian Greyhound ought not to exceed 

 eight or ten pounds ; and there are animals of good shape which only weigh six or seven 

 pounds. One of the most perfect Dogs of the present day weighs eight and three-quarter 

 pounds, and is fourteen and a quarter inches in height. His color is uniformly black. 



Attempts have been made to employ the Italian Greyhound in the chase of rabbits, but its 

 power of jaw and endurance of character are so disproportioned to its speed, that all such 

 endeavors have failed. A mixed breed, between the Italian Greyhound and the terrier, is 

 useful enough, combining endurance with speed, and perfectly capable of chasing and holding 

 a rabbit. 



In this country, it is only used as a petted companion, and takes rank among the " toy- 

 dogs," being subject to certain arbitrary rules of color and form, which may render a Dog 

 worthless for one year through the very same qualities which would make it a paragon of 

 perfection in another. The Dutch tulip-mania afforded no more capricious versatility of 

 criterion than is found in the "points " of toy Dogs of the present day. If the creature be of 

 a uniform color, it must be free from the least spot of white ; and even a white stain on the 

 breast is held to deteriorate from its perfection. The color which is most in vogue is a golden 

 fawn ; and the white and red Dog takes the last place in the valuation of color. 



It is a pretty little creature, active and graceful to a degree, and affectionate to those who 

 know how to win its affections. Even in the breed of the British smooth Greyhounds, this 

 little animal has been successfully employed, and by a careful admixture with the larger Dog, 

 takes away the heavy, clumsy aspect of the head which is caused by the bull-dog allliance, 

 and restores to the offspring the elastic grace of the original Greyhound. It is generally bred 

 in Spain and Italy, and from thence imported into this country, where the change of climate 

 is so apt to affect its lungs, that its owners are forced to keep it closely swathed in warm 

 clothing during the changeable months of the year. 



THE large and handsome animal which is called from its native country the NEWFOUND- 

 LAND DOG, belongs to the group of spaniels, all of which appear to be possessed of considera- 

 ble mental powers, and to be capable of instruction to a degree that is rarely seen in animals. 



In its native land the Newfoundland Dog is shamefully treated, being converted into a 

 beast of burden, and forced to suffer even greater hardsliips than those which generally fall to 

 the lot of animals which are used for the carriage of goods or the traction of vehicles. The 

 life of a hewer of wood is proverbially one of privation, but the existence of the native New- 

 foundland Dog is still less to be envied, being that of a servant of the wood-hewer. In the 

 winter, the chief employment of the inhabitants is to cut fuel, and the occupation of the Dogs 

 is to draw it in carts. The poor animals are not only urged beyond their strength, but are 

 meagrely fed with putrid salt fish, the produce of some preceding slimmer. Many of these 

 noble Dogs sink under the joint effects of fatigue and starvation, and many of the survivors 

 commit sad depredations on the neighboring flocks as soon as the summer commences, and 

 they are freed from their daily toils. 



In this country, however, the Newfoundland Dog is raised to its proper position, and 

 made the friend and companion of man. Many a time has it more than repaid its master for 

 his friendship, by rescuing him from mortal peril. 



Astrologically speaking, the Newfoundland Dog must have been originated under the 

 influence of Aquarius, for it is never so happy as when dabbling in water, whether salt or 

 fresh, and is marvellously endurant of long immersion. There are innumerable instances on 

 record of human beings rescued from drowning by the timely succor brought by a Newfound- 

 land Dog, which seems fully to comprehend the dire necessity of the sufferer, and the best 

 mode of affording help. A Dog has been known to support a drowning man in a manner so 

 admirably perfect, that if it had thoroughly studied the subject, it could not have applied its 

 aiding powers in a more correct manner. The Dog seemed to be perfectly aware that the head 

 of the drowning man ought to be kept above the water, and possibly for that purpose shifted 



