Newfoundland Dogs. the Dogs for Aristocrats

The dogs which take their name from the island ofcurled over the back. The quality of the coat is very
Newfoundland appeal to all lovers of animals.Thereimportant; the coat should be very dense, with
are now two established varieties, the black and theplenty of undercoat; the outer coat somewhat harsh
white and black. There are also bronze-coloured dogs,and quite straight.
but they are rare. The black variety of theThe appearance generally should indicate a dog of
Newfoundland is essentially black in colour; but thisgreat strength, and very active for his build and size,
does not mean that there may be no other colour,moving freely with the body swung loosely between
for most black Newfoundlands have some whitethe legs, which gives a slight roll in gait. As regards
marks. In fact, a white marking on the chest is saidsize, the Newfoundland Club standard gives 140 lbs.
to be typical of the true breed. Any white on theto 120 lbs. weight for a dog, and 110 lbs. to 120 lbs.
head or body would place the dog in the other thanfor a bitch, with an average height at the shoulder of
black variety. The black colour should preferably be27 inches and 25 inches respectively; but it is doubtful
of a dull jet appearance which approximates towhether dogs in proper condition do conform to both
brown. In the other than black class, there may berequirements.
black and tan, bronze, and white and black. The latterWhen rearing puppies give them soft food, such as
predominates, and in this colour, beauty of marking iswell-boiled rice and milk, as soon as they will lap, and,
very important. The head should be black with ashortly afterwards, scraped lean meat. Newfoundland
white muzzle and blaze, and the body and legs shouldpuppies require plenty of meat to induce proper
be white with large patches of black on the saddlegrowth. The puppies should increase in weight at the
and quarters, with possibly other small black spots onrate of 3 lbs. a week, and this necessitates plenty of
the body and legs.flesh, bone and muscle-forming food, plenty of meat,
Apart from colour, the varieties should conform toboth raw and cooked. Milk is also good, but it requires
the same standard. The head should be broad andto be strengthened with casein. The secret of
massive, but in no sense heavy in appearance. Thegrowing full-sized dogs with plenty of bone and
muzzle should be short, square, and clean cut, eyessubstance is to get a good start from birth, good
rather wide apart, deep set, dark and small, notfeeding, warm, dry quarters, and freedom for the
showing any haw; ears small, with close side carriage,puppies to move about and exercise themselves as
covered with fine short hair (there should be nothey wish. Forced exercise may make them go
fringe to the ears), expression full of intelligence,wrong on their legs. Medicine should not be required
dignity, and kindness.except for worms, and the puppies should be
The body should be long, square, and massive, loinsphysicked for these soon after they are weaned,
strong and well filled; chest deep and broad; legsand again when three or four months old, or before
quite straight, somewhat short in proportion to thethat if they are not thriving. If free from worms,
length of the body, and powerful, with round boneNewfoundland puppies will be found quite hardy, and,
well covered with muscle; feet large, round, andunder proper conditions of food and quarters, they
close. The tail should be only long enough to reachare easy to rear.
just below the hocks, free from kink, and never