QUALITIES EULOGY. 



133 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG is of the largest Arctic breed, that is to say, of that 

 of the Northern frozen Climes. In the head, countenance, and pendulous ears, he re- 

 sembles both the hound and the spaniel, and in his nature, partakes of the qualities 

 of both. He has the long shaggy hair and web feet of the water dog, and may 

 indeed be almost pronounced amphibious, no other of the canine race being able to 

 endure the water so long', or swim with so great facility and power. His tail is 

 curled or fringed, and his fore legs and hinder thighs are also fringed. The 

 Portrait here given, we understand to have been taken from the life, the dog being- 

 a real native of Newfoundland, imported for a Gentleman, by the late Mr. Brooks, 

 of the New Road, London. This dog, although not so tall as the Irish Greyhound, 

 is, in respect to the size of his bones, and weight of his carcase, perhaps the largest 

 of the whole race. He is not at all remarkable for symmetry in his form, or in the 

 setting on of his legs, whence his progression is somewhat awkward and loose, 

 and by consequence, he is not distinguished for speed ; a defect which might be 

 remedied in breeding, were an improvement, in that particular, desirable. 



No risk is incurred by pronouncing this dog the most useful of the whole canine 

 race, as far as hitherto known, upon the face of the earth. His powers, both of body 

 and of intellect, are unequalled, and he seems to have been created with an uncon- 

 querable disposition to make the most benevolent use of those powers. His services 

 are voluntary, ardent, incessant, and his attachment and obedience to man, natural 

 and without bounds. The benignity of his countenance is a true index of his dis- 

 position, and nature has been so partial to this paragon of dogs, that while he seems 

 to be free from their usual enmities and quarrelsomeness, he is endowed with most 

 heroic degree of courage, whether to resent an insult, or to defend, to his last gasp, 

 his master or companion when in danger. His sagacity likewise, surpasses belief, 

 as do the numerous and important services rendered to society, by this invaluable 

 race, in lives saved, persons defended, and goods recovered, which by no other pos- 

 sible means could have been recovered. The list of his qualifications is extensive 

 indeed : he is one of the ablest, hardiest, and most useful of draught dogs ; as a 

 keeper or defender of the house, he is far more intelligent, more powerful, and more 

 depended upon, than the Mastiff, and has been frequently of late years substituted 

 for him, in England, indeed, may with much propriety, entirely supersede that 

 breed, the old Ban Dog being now nearly or entirely worn out. Asa Water Dog^ 

 and for his services upon navigable Rivers, none can come in competition with the 

 Newfoundland; and various Sportsmen have introduced him into the field, and 



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