hepoccas/affiliation
NEWFOUNDLAND - THE ARISTOCRAT AMONG DOGS.
The dogs which take their name from the island of Newfoundland appeal to all lovers of animals.There are now two established
varieties, the black and the white and black. There are also bronze-coloured dogs, but they are rare. The black variety of the
Newfoundland is essentially black in colour; but this does not mean that there may be no other colour, for 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 colour 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 colour, 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 colour, the varieties should conform to the same standard. The head should be broad and massive, but in no sense
heavy in appearance. The muzzle should be short, square, and clean cut, eyes rather wide apart, deep set, dark and small, not
showing any haw; ears small, with close side carriage, covered with fine short hair (there should be no fringe to the ears),
expression full of intelligence, dignity, and kindness.
The body should be long, square, and massive, loins strong and well filled; chest deep and broad; legs quite straight, somewhat
short in proportion to the length of the body, and powerful, with round bone well covered with muscle; feet 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 somewhat harsh and quite
straight.
The appearance generally should indicate a dog of great strength, and very active for his build and size, moving freely with the
body swung loosely between the legs, which gives a slight roll in gait. As regards size, the Newfoundland Club standard gives 140
lbs. to 120 lbs. weight 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; but it is doubtful whether dogs in proper condition do conform to both requirements.
When rearing puppies give them soft food, such as well-boiled rice and milk, as soon as they will lap, and, shortly afterwards,
scraped lean meat. Newfoundland puppies require plenty of meat to induce proper growth. The puppies should increase in weight
at the rate of 3 lbs. a week, and this necessitates plenty of flesh, bone and muscle-forming food, plenty of meat, both raw and
cooked. Milk is also good, but it requires to be strengthened with casein. The secret of growing full-sized dogs with plenty of bone
and substance is to get a good start from birth, good feeding, warm, dry quarters, and freedom for the puppies to move about
and exercise themselves as they wish. Forced exercise may make them go wrong on their legs. Medicine should not be required
except for worms, and the puppies should be physicked for these soon after they are weaned, and again when three or four
months old, or before that if they are not thriving. If free from worms, Newfoundland puppies will be found quite hardy, and, under
proper conditions of food and quarters, they are easy to rear.