Newfoundland Dog Traits
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.
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