Useful Companions of Man. 87 
Royal Humane Society,” will bear out. Formerly his 
colours were red, brown, brown and ‘white, bronze, red 
and white, or black and white, but thanks to the interest 
developed by periodical shows, and the earnest care of 
the fanciers, the too common degeneration of breed by 
indiscriminate crossing has been greatly avoided. The 
true Newfoundland dog is very large, certainly larger 
than many now commonly called after him. His coat is 
jet black, long, and straight, and the tail bushy. His 
countenance is especially expressive, and the eyes 
indicate deep intelligence. The Landseer dog is black 
and white as already referred to, but he is the animal of 
the same mould, the markings being somewhat prettily 
dispersed. Like all dogs of his class, he is apt to become 
leggy, with increase of size, and probably cow-hocked, 
which militates against beauty and action alike. 
In all three varieties the head is remarkable, grand, 
and full of character, with an expression of mildness and 
benevolence which is shared with this breed by the St. 
Bernard. Across the eyes the breadth is great, with a 
flatness behind them, before which the skin is wrinkled, 
but without any perceptible forehead. Eyes small, bright, 
and intelligent, deeply set, but not showing the haws, 
which gives the appearance of being bloodshot, so re. 
markable in the bloodhound. Ears small and set low, 
hanging close to the face, and with little hair on them. 
Nose large, muzzle long and smooth ; mouth capacious, 
with level teeth. Neck shorter than in most breeds. 
Foints : head, 30; temper, 20; neck, ro. 
Back often weak and slack in the loin, but this is a 
fault which, though common, is not universal. There is 
also very often a want of depth in the back ribs which 
ought not to be passed over. Back and loin, ro. 
Feet and legs large and muscular; the former being 
too flat for much work over hard ground, and are more 
adapted for the snow of his native land, or for swimming. 
Feet and legs, 10. 
Colour black, or black and white, the former greatly 
for choice, with as little white as possible. Sometimes 
the black has brindled legs, or of a rufous dun-colour, 
