264 British Dogs. 



I think, be simultaneously encouraged by dog show promoters, just as 

 the Kennel Club does for pointers and setters by their field trials. 



Chiefly at my instigation, water trials of Newfoundlands took place at 

 Maidstone Show, May, 1876, and were repeated at Portsmouth later in 

 the same year, and, although neither could be pronounced as a brilliant 

 success, they were each of them in many respects interesting, and proved 

 that with more experience, and well carried out, such competitive trials 

 might become more than interesting highly useful. 



I would be the last to advocate again reducing this or any breed to a 

 beast of burden, but I cannot but think and here repeat what I have so 

 often written, that the Newfoundland's extraordinary natural power as a 

 water dog, his wonderful sagacity and intense desire to serve should be 

 systematically developed and utilised, and I can see no reason why one 

 or more trained dogs should not be attached to every lifeboat station 

 and at every popular bathing resort around our coasts. 



I must here render praise to Mr. C. Marshall for the excellent rules he 

 drew; up for the conduct of the first public water trial of dogs. As a 

 basis for others who may wish to institute similar competitions, I append 

 the tests adopted at Maidstone. 



Tests for Water Dogs. 



1st. Courage displayed in jumping into the water from a height to 

 recover an object. The effigy of a man is the most suitable thing. 



2nd. The quickness displayed in bringing the object ashore. 



3rd. Intelligence and speed in bringing a boat to shore the boat must 

 of course, be adrift, and the painter have a piece of white wood attached 

 to keep it afloat, mark its position, and facilitate the dog's work. 



4th. To carry a rope from shore to a boat with a stranger, not the 

 master, in it. 



5th. Swimming races, to show speed and power against stream or tide. 



6th. Diving. A common flag basket, with a stone in the bottom of it 

 to sink it, answers well, as it is white enough to be seen and soft enough 

 to the dog's mouth. 



In regard to the points of this dog I adopt without alteration those of 

 " Stonehenge," because of their excellence, and also because I think, 

 although one may differ in minor points, it is most undesirable to set up 

 or attempt to set up a variety of standards scarcely differing from each 

 other except in the language in which they are set forth. I therefore give 



