42 DOGS AND ALL ABOUT THEM 



150 Ibs. and measuring 29 inches in height at the shoulder 

 would necessarily be long in body to be in proportion, and 

 would probably much nearer approach the ideal form of a 

 Newfoundland than a taller dog. 



In that respect Newfoundlands have very much improved 

 during the past quarter of a century. Twenty-five years ago, 

 the most noted dogs were stated as a rule to be well over 

 30 inches in height, but their weight for height would indicate 

 legginess, which is an abomination in a Newfoundland. A 

 29-inch Newfoundland is quite tall enough, and even that height 

 should not be gained at the expense of type and symmetry. 



The white and black variety are, as a rule, slightly taller, 

 smaller in loin and longer in head, but these differences in the 

 two varieties are being rapidly removed, and at no distant 

 date the white and black variety will probably be as correct 

 in type and symmetry as the black variety now is. 



For very many years the black variety has been the better in 

 type ; and in breeding, if blacks are desired, it will be safer 

 as a general rule to insist upon the absence of white and black 

 blood in any of the immediate ancestors of the sire and dam. 

 But if, on the contrary, white and black dogs are required, 

 the proper course is to make judicious crosses between the 

 black and white, and black varieties, and destroy any black 

 puppies, unless they are required for further crosses with 

 white and black blood. In any case the first cross is likely 

 to produce both black and mis-marked white and black 

 puppies ; but the latter, if bred back to the white and black 

 blood, would generally produce well-marked white and black 

 Newfoundlands. 



In mating, never be guided solely by the good points of the 

 dog and bitch. It is very desirable that they should both 

 have good points, the more good ones the better, but it is 

 more important to ensure that they are dissimilar in their 

 defects, and, if possible, that in neither case is there a very 

 objectionable defect, especially if such defect was also apparent 

 in the animal's sire or dam. 



