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About Newfoundland and Labrador
The Newfoundland Dog
A Newfoundland Dog
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The Newfoundland dog is an important symbol of the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador where it was known as a working dog in earlier years. In later years it is prized by its owners throughout the world as pets because of its very gentle temperament. As a result the word Newfoundland is better known as a reference to the dog than to the one time country of Newfoundland or to the Province of Canada known as Newfoundland and Labrador.
While the origin of the Newfoundland dog is still debated, the current breed was started in England in 1886 when the Newfoundland Club began a breeding registration process. Since then the purebred Newfoundland dog known throughout the world descended from those bred in England.
Whatever its origins the breed has some unique characteristics that make it well suited to the Newfoundland environment where earlier populations worked close to the land and the sea in a challenging climate. The dog worked as a partner to fishermen and settlers. On land it pulled loaded carts or sleds and on the sea it helped fishermen with their nets. Endowed with a heavy double coat of water resistant long fur and large powerful legs with paws that have webbed toes it proved to be a hard worker and a powerful swimmer that proved itself in many rescues at sea. Yet this large powerful animal (males weighing up to 150 lb and the females about 30 lb less) is so gentle that it has proven to be a reliable companion and protector of children.
However, the Newfoundland dog is not for everyone. Because of their size they would not be suitable for a large apartment. They have a ravenous appetite so are expensive to keep. In addition these large dogs tend to drool a lot which would make many homemakers very unhappy.
Many books have been written about the Newfoundland dog. Two of those books which deal with incidents when a Newfoundland helped save human live from ship wrecks are listed below. Click on the title to get more information on the book:
Heroes of Isle Aux Morts by Alice Walsh
SS Ethie and the Hero Dog by Bruce Ricketts
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