VARIETIES OF THE DOG. 



53 



their companions, prowl about preying on the neighbouring- flocks, or 

 absolutely starving. 



Mr. Macgregor, however, states that "in almost every other part of 

 British America they are valuable and useful. They are remarkably do- 

 cile and obedient to their masters, serviceable in all the fishing countries, 

 and yoked in pairs to draw the winter's fuel home. They are faithful, 

 good-natured, and ever friendly to man. They will defend their master 

 and their master's property, and suffer no person to injure either the one 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 



or the other ; and, however extreme may be the danger, they will not 

 leave them for a minute. They seem only to want the faculty of speech, 

 in order to make their good wishes and feelings understood, and they are 

 capable of being trained for all the purposes for which every other variety 

 of the canine species is used." a 



That which most recommends the Newfoundland dog is his fearlessness 

 of water, and particularly as connected with the preservation of human 

 life. The writer of the present work .knows one of these animals that 

 has preserved from drowning four human beings. 



Historical and Descriptive Sketches of British America, by J. Macgregor. 



