262 British Dogs. 



readers who have not perused that now comparatively scarce book. The 

 engraving of the Newfoundland therein given is from a drawing by 

 Eenaigle and engraved by J. Scott, and represents a dog like our modern 

 one in most points, but not so big and square in head, and altogethei 

 lighter in build, and almost entirely white. It is to be regretted thai 

 the author of the accompanying letter-press did not give a minute 

 description, which he was thoroughly competent to do. Here, however, 

 is what he does say : " The dog passing under this description is sc 

 universally known in every part of the kingdom, and is so accuratelj 

 delineated by the united efforts of the artists in the representatior 

 annexed, that a minute description of its size, shape, make, and forn 

 may be considered unnecessary. . . . He is one of the most majestic 

 of all the canine variety. Although at first sight he appears terrific fron: 

 the immensity of his magnitude, the placid serenity of his countenance 

 as instantly dispels the agitating vibrations of fear." The words oi 

 such an authority should be given due weight in considering what is 

 and what is not a true Newfoundland. Whether there was a dog oi 

 marked characteristics from other recognised breeds found indigenous tc 

 the island on its discovery or not, we may accept the case as provec 

 that they are now from various causes a mixed lot, as inferior to oui 

 English Newfoundlands as their Eastern progenitors are to our thorough 

 bred horse. There is, however, a very general agreement that as regards 

 size we have imported two varieties the one the Newfoundland as no\N 

 recognised, the other the lesser Newfoundland, or Labrador dog, or 

 which our wavy-coated retrievers are founded ; and it is of the formei 

 we are now treating. 



The contention of those who say the original breed did not stand mor( 

 than about 25in. at the shoulder is greatly discounted by references tc 

 the size and dignified appearance of the dog by older writers ; anc 

 although climate and good care do much, I cannot think their effects 

 would be so immediate and so great as to make a 30in. dog out of a puj 

 which, left at home, would only have grown to 25in., or that that resull 

 would follow except after a considerable number of years of carefu 

 breeding; but we have seen that by the extract from the " Sportsman's 

 Cabinet," nearly seventy years before " Index " wrote in the "Field,' 

 and his dictum as to height was accepted by " Stonehenge," the dog was 

 valued for his great size. 



