THE ST. JOHN'S NEWFOUNDLAND DOG. 193 



with the water-spaniel. Many of these retrievers are imported 

 direct from Newfoundland to Hull and other ports trading with that 

 island ; others are bred in this country from imported parents, 

 but most breeders prefer to cross them for the sake of improving 

 the nose. There is not the same grand size and nobility of 

 deportment as in the large breed, very few standing more than 2 2 

 or 23 inches high, nor is there the same mental development, as 

 indicated by the head, which is not so massive in proportion to 

 the body. The colour is always black without white, and Mr. Bond 

 Moore, who is considered to be the highest authority on the breed, 

 would disqualify a dog for a white toe or white spot of the 

 smallest kind on the breast or forehead. This is very absurd in 

 a dog intended for use. Fancy dogs may be measured by any 

 rule, however artificial, but a shooting dog should only be judged 

 by points which are relevant to his work. 



The following are the points of the Labrador dog : — 





VALUE 





Skull,. 



■ is 



Feet, . 



Nose and jaws, . 



• 5 



Tail, . 



Ears and eyes, 



S 



Coat, . 



Neck. . 



5 



Colour, 



Shoulders and chest, . 



. 10 



Symmetry . 



Loins and back, . 



. 10 



Temperament 



Quarters and stifles, . 



. 10 





Legs, knees, and hocks, 



. io 





Total, . 100 

 The skull is wide, but not so much so as in the larger variety ; flat 



at the top, but with a slight furrow down the middle ; moderately 



long, with a brow only just rising from the straight line ; a very 



slight occipital protuberance. 



Nose and jaws. — These must be long enough to carry a hare, 



and wide enough for the development of the nasal organ of scent, 



with open nostrils. Teeth level. 



Ears and eyes. — The ears are small and pendant close to the 



