THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG, 133 



body was more slender, the forehead more arched, 

 the muzzle not so blunt, their aspect Avilder, less 

 confident; and they were nearly all of a totally 

 black colour, excepting a bright rust-coloured spot 

 above each eye, some fulvous towards the nose, 

 throat, and upon the joints ; there was also a little 

 white about the feet, and in the end of the tail. 

 Their eyes were rather small, and of a light brown. 

 This race is nothing inferior to the best sheep-dogs 

 in natural powers of intellect ; endless anecdotes of 

 sagacity are related of them in their natural regions, 

 as well as in Europe. The true breed of this race 

 is almost semi-palmated ; and, congequently, they 

 swim, dive, and endure the water, better and longer 

 than any other dog in existence. We possessed, 

 for a short time, one that had been picked up 

 swimming in the Bay of Biscay, and Avas observed 

 by a man at the mast head, the ship whence he 

 must have come being out of sight; a boat was 

 lowered, and the animal, when taken in, did not 

 give signs of extreme fatigue. We lost him in a 

 short time ; being, no doubt, again enticed on board 

 of some vessel. No dog is better qualified to serve 

 in harness, or fitter to watch and guard property on 

 shore, or vessels in the coasting trade, rivers, or 

 canals. As a water-dog, he can be taught to exe- 

 cute almost any command ; and his kind disposi- 

 tion makes training easy, when used in the field. 



A few years ago, the number about St. John's, in 

 Newfoundland, was estimated at 2,000, or more ; 

 they were left to shift for themselves during the 



