The Newfoundland Dog

The Newfoundland Dog is a very unique and special breed. This huge, affectionate bundle of fur is loved around the world. While the choice of a family pet is a personal one, you can not help but admire the noble Newfoundland Dog. It has been described as intelligent, courageous, brave, powerful, loyal, trustworthy, gentle and a host of other terms.

Physically, a male is about 28 inches high and weighing 140-150 pounds, while a female averages about 26 inches in height and 110-120 pounds in weight. They are broad across the back, muscular, have webbed feet, small ears and a short, clean-cut muzzle. Some may be black and white, but the usual colour of a Newfoundland Dog's coat is a dull, jet-black and may be straight or curly. Their dark brown eyes are small, deeply set and wide apart.

The most important thing about the Newfoundland Dog (and other dogs, as well) is its personality and character. Dogs, after all, are "a human's best friend." The Newfoundland Dog is well known for its kindly disposition, trustworthy nature, hard-working abilities and its many life-saving heroic deeds. Though kept mainly as working dogs in the early days, today they are mostly family pets or show dogs.

Although there are several different legends, the dog's true origin is not known. One story states that Pyrenean sheep dogs may have been brought to Newfoundland back in the 1500's, as ship's dogs, by the Basque fishermen. These dogs crossbred with others, brought in by the English, Portuguese, Spanish and French and finally evolved into the handsome, Newfoundland dog of today.

Another story claims it to be a descendant of Tibetan and Malaysian dogs, which was brought here long ago, but with no explanation of how or why it was introduced. The dog apparently adapted to its surroundings until it developed slowly into the large, black, web-footed dog we now have.

Still another fascinating legend, however, begins with Leif Eirikson in 1000 A.D., who supposedly brought with him a very large black "Bear Dog," possibly a descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff. Some of these dogs were thought to have been left behind by the Vikings. The species somehow survived and crossbred with the European dogs brought in 500 years later, to become the Newfoundland Dog.

While these are all fascinating stories, they are just speculation and guesswork. The dog's true origin may always be a mystery. But is it really that important? What matters is that we have a truly wonderful dog, outstanding in so many ways, which is immediately recognized as a symbol of Newfoundland. They have been honoured with awards of bravery and service, and been immortalized in paintings, literary works and songs.