Newfoundland - The Aristocrat Among Dogs

The dogs, which are named after the island of Newfoundland, appeal to all animal lovers. There are now two established varieties: black and white and black. There are also bronze-colored dogs, but they are rare. The black variety of the Newfoundland is essentially black in color. However, this does not mean that there may be no other colors, as most black Newfoundlands have some white marks. In fact, a white marking on the chest is said to be typical of the true breed. Any white on the head or body would place the dog in the other than black variety. The black color should preferably be of a dull jet appearance, which approximates to brown. In the other than black class, there may be black and tan, bronze, and white and black. The latter predominates, and in this color, beauty of marking is very important. The head should be black with a white muzzle and blaze, and the body and legs should be white with large patches of black on the saddle and quarters, with possibly other small black spots on the body and legs.

Apart from color, the varieties should conform to the same standard. The head should be broad and massive, but not heavy in appearance. The muzzle should be short, square, and clean-cut. The eyes should be rather wide apart, deep-set, dark, and small, without showing any haw. The ears should be small, with close side carriage, covered with fine short hair (there should be no fringe to the ears). The expression should be full of intelligence, dignity, and kindness.

The body should be long, square, and massive. The loins should be strong and well-filled. The chest should be deep and broad. The legs should be quite straight, somewhat short in proportion to the length of the body, and powerful, with round bone well-covered with muscle. The feet should be large, round, and close. The tail should be only long enough to reach just below the hocks, free from kink, and never curled over the back. The quality of the coat is very important. The coat should be very dense, with plenty of undercoat. The outer coat should be somewhat harsh and quite straight.

The overall appearance should indicate a dog of great strength and very active for its build and size. It should move freely with the body swung loosely between the legs, which gives a slight roll in gait. Regarding size, the Newfoundland Club standard gives a weight of 140 lbs. to 120 lbs. for a dog and 110 lbs. to 120 lbs. for a bitch, with an average height at the shoulder of 27 inches and 25 inches respectively. However, it is doubtful whether dogs in proper condition conform to both requirements.

When rearing puppies, give them soft food, such as well-boiled rice and milk, as soon as they can lap, and shortly afterwards, scraped lean meat. Newfoundland puppies require plenty of meat to encourage proper growth. The puppies should increase in weight at a rate of 3 lbs. a week, and this necessitates plenty of flesh, bone, and muscle-forming food, including plenty of raw and cooked meat. Milk is also good, but it needs to be strengthened with casein. The secret to growing full-sized dogs with plenty of bone and substance is to get a good start from birth, provide good feeding, warm and dry quarters, and allow the puppies to move about and exercise themselves as they wish. Forced exercise may cause leg problems. Medicine should not be required except for worms, and the puppies should be treated for worms soon after they are weaned, and again when they are three or four months old, or earlier if they are not thriving. If free from worms, Newfoundland puppies will be found to be quite hardy and, under proper conditions of food and quarters, they are easy to rear.