POINTS OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND. 69 



straight, the elbows well let down ; the hind ones short from the hock, the height being got 

 by the length from there to hip, which is more than in most other breeds. Both legs are 

 feathered to the foot, although the hair is not long. 



The Feet are of great importance, as they are his paddles, and consequently must 

 be broad and flat. The vulgar opinion that this dog is web-footed, it may be as well to 

 observe here, has no other foundation in fact than that the toes of all dogs are connected 

 by a skinny membrane, but it does not extend to the point of the toes, as in web-footed 

 birds. The broad, flat, and rather thin foot is of the greatest use in swimming, worked 

 as they are by powerful legs, but for travel on hard roads they are decidedly against 

 him, and he is apt to get footsore, although he is, from his immense bulk, but a slow 

 traveller. 



Coat and Colour. The coat is long, shaggy, and very thick and flat, naturally coarse 

 looking, harsh, and dry, an appearance partly due to his frequent sea-baths ; but those that 

 are carefully tended and constantly groomed are glossy and softer. The coat is very wet- 

 resisting, which enables him to remain long in water without harm. 



The colour, as we have already observed, is often of a rusty hue, which, although not 

 so fashionable as the jet-black, is the natural colour of the pure race, and therefore should 

 be no whit against the dog in competition, but on the contrary, in his favour. 



The Tail should be of good length and very powerful, as he uses it as a rudder ; 

 it should be carried with a sweep downwards, ending in an upward curl similar to that of 

 the Sheepdog, but much more thickly covered with hair, which is quite bushy. 



Symmetry and General Appearance. The general appearance of a good specimen impresses 

 the observer with the dog's size, strength, and activity ; a weak loin, cow-hocks, or elbows out 

 of the straight line with the body, give an awkward appearance, a shuffling gait, and destroy 

 all symmetry. 



Leo, whom we have chosen for our illustration, is without exception the most superb speci- 

 men of the breed we have seen. It is objected to him that his coat is of a brownish tinge, which 

 it unquestionably is, and no doubt a jet glossy black is more pleasing to the eye, but this 

 rustiness of coat is a characteristic frequently seen in dogs native to the island. In this opinion 

 we are supported by the valuable and weighty evidence of no less an authority than Mr. William 

 Lort, the experienced and justly-esteemed judge, who lived some years in Newfoundland, and 

 assures us that a rusty coat is quite a common feature of these dogs, especially those of the purest 

 race. Leo was bred by Mr. William Coats in 1872, and is by Windle's Don out of Meg of Maldon, 

 by Bruno out of Robinson's Meg by Carlo, by Nero out of Bella, by Nero out of Gipsy. The 

 following are his chief performances: First, Darlington; first, Nottingham; first, Hull 1875. 

 Darlington, champion prize; Birmingham, first prize 1876. Edinburgh, first prize; Wolverhamp- 

 ton, first prize ; Bath, first prize and cup ; Agricultural Hall, first prize ; Manchester, first prize ; 

 Birmingham, first prize; Alexandra Palace, first prize 1877. First, Alexandra Palace; first, 

 Birmingham ; first, Bristol ; first, Crystal Palace ; first, Oxford ; first, Wolverhampton 1878. 

 He weighs 149 Ibs., and his measurements are From nose to stop, 5 inches ; from stop to 

 occipital bone, 7 J inches ; length of back, 34 inches ; girth of muzzle in front of eyes, 14^ 

 inches ; girth of skull, 26| inches ; girth of neck, 30 inches ; girth of brisket in front of fore- 

 legs, 45 inches ; girth of chest behind fore-legs, 42 inches ; girth round loins, 38 inches ; girth 

 rdund hind-leg at stifle, 22 inches ; girth of arm three inches below elbow, 1 1 inches ; girth 

 of fore-arm, 9 inches; girth of pasterns, 8 inches; height at shoulders, 32 inches; height at elbow, 



