590 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



the eighteenth century, and is referred to by many 

 English writers of that day as a well-known breed. It was 

 especially valued because of the many instances recorded 

 of Newfoundlands saving people from drowning. In Eng- 

 land, long before dog shows were in existence, the New- 

 foundland was the trusted companion and guard of 

 people of both high and low decree, and everyone had his 

 own standard of excellence for his pet. He is still popular 

 there, and there are more so-called Newfoundlands kept 

 in England, as guards and pets, than any casual observer 

 is aware of. Many of the early Newfoundlands differed 

 widely, in color and in other points, from those now held 

 to be of the proper type. 



In early times, there were many large dogs in New- 

 foundland that were called Newfoundlands, but the in- 

 habitants of the island looked only on such as were 

 black, or rusty black, with thick, shaggy coats, as being 

 of the true type. Some of the early writers declare the 

 true breed to be only of an intense black, with a small 

 streak of white on the breast. This white marking, how- 

 ever, is found on nearly all specimens of this breed. Other 

 authorities claim that the predominant color is white, with 

 black head or face mark, a black saddle- mark, and other 

 black markings; and still others claim the dog should be 

 of a rusty-dun shade. No doubt there are many dogs of 

 the latter color in Newfoundland, the faults arising from 

 the improper selection of the breeding stock, as they vary 

 greatly in color, size, and coat. Some claim the dog should 

 be curly, others that he should be wavy, and still others 

 that he should be shaggy. The coat of a Newfoundland 

 should be of a glossy jet-black color, rather close, flat, and 

 dense, and of a coarse texture. 



In the Sportsman's Cabinet, published in 1802, there is 

 an engraving of a Newfoundland, representing a dog very 

 similar to our modern one, except that he is not so large 

 in head, is of smaller stature, and nearly white. The author 

 gives no accurate description, but says: " The dog passing 

 under this description is so universally known in every 



