CHAPTER XL 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND 



IT is curious how early associations cling to one 

 through life. Most of us in childhood saw Land- 

 seer's well-known picture, " A Distinguished Member 

 of the Royal Humane Soc.iety," and from that period 

 on we regarded the Newfoundland primarily as a 

 saviour ,of human life. This character is well 

 deserved, for many are the authentic stories of 

 people rescued from sea or river by his agency. 

 The form of the dog is peculiarly adapted to enable 

 him to perform the duties expected from him. His 

 powerful body, not too- cobby, the rudder-like tail, 

 the comparatively short, heavily-boned legs, with big 

 webbed feet, all mark him out as suited for the 

 water or for moving heavy weights. In his native 

 land he was much used for draught purposes, and 

 so we see in him strongly-marked utility points. He 

 is no " fancy " fellow, although so handsome, and 

 his expression conveys a sense of dignity and intel- 

 ligence compatible with close and intimate associa- 

 tion with mankind. Miss Goodall says of her 

 champion, " Gipsy Duke," whose portrait is repro- 

 duced : " He is a nice-tempered dog, very affec- 

 tionate, a splendid guard and water dog, as are all 



