NEWFOUNDLAND – THE ARISTOCRAT AMONG DOGS
The dogs which take their name from the island of Newfoundland appeal to all lovers of animals.You will find now two established varieties, the black and also the white and black. You will find also bronze-coloured dogs, but they are rare. The black variety from 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 around the chest is said to become typical from the true breed. Any white around the head or entire body would place the dog in the other than black variety. The black colour must preferably be of a dull jet appearance which approximates to brown. Inside 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 crucial. The head ought to be black with a white muzzle and blaze, and the body and legs ought to be white with big patches of black around the saddle and quarters, with possibly other small black spots on the body and legs.
Apart from colour, the varieties must conform for the same standard. The head ought to be broad and massive, but in no sense heavy in appearance. The muzzle ought to 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 ought to be no fringe for the ears), expression full of intelligence, dignity, and kindness.
The body ought to be extended, square, and massive, loins strong and properly filled; chest deep and broad; legs really straight, somewhat short in proportion for the length of the body, and powerful, with round bone properly covered with muscle; feet big, round, and close. The tail ought to be only extended enough to reach just below the hocks, free of charge from kink, and never curled over the back. The high quality from the coat is very crucial; the coat ought to be very dense, with lots of undercoat; the outer coat somewhat harsh and really straight.
The appearance generally must 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 offers a slight roll in gait. As regards size, the Newfoundland Club standard offers 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 correct condition do conform to both requirements.
When rearing puppies give them soft food, for instance well-boiled rice and milk, as soon as they will lap, and, shortly afterwards, scraped lean meat. Newfoundland puppies require lots of meat to induce correct growth. The puppies must increase in weight at the rate of 3 lbs. a week, and this necessitates lots of flesh, bone and muscle-forming food, lots of meat, both raw and cooked. Milk is also good, but it requires to become strengthened with casein. The secret of growing full-sized dogs with lots of bone and substance would be to get a good begin 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 must not be required except for worms, and also the puppies ought to 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 of charge from worms, Newfoundland puppies will be found really hardy, and, under correct conditions of food and quarters, they are easy to rear.
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