Newfoundland

Native to the island of Newfoundland in Canada, this breed is descended from the cross-breeding of native dogs to the large island bear hounds that were introduced in 1001 A.D. by the Vikings. The Newfoundland breed was greatly improved after the arrival of European fishermen on the island of Newfoundland.

Although cross-breeding with other breeds improved, the original Newfoundland characteristics were still retained. The behaviour and physical traits of the animal were already well established in 1610, at the very beginning of colonization, and it was around the 18th century that the Newfoundlanders began to be used to pull logged tree trunks.

The fishing boats' crews of the time considered their dogs as separate members. They were used to retrieve certain objects, to pull up the fishing nets on board and to rescue men who had fallen overboard.

Some people believe that the ancestor of the Newfoundland is the Tibetan Mastiff who arrived through the Bering Strait with the Native Americans ancestors. This ancestor of all mastiffs could basically be the ancestor of the Newfoundland as well. It is likely that both versions are true. There is no evidence to the contrary.

It is also likely that Indian dogs were crossed with a Tibetan Mastiff to get to the magnificent specimen that is today's Newfoundland. This ancestor would then, as Otis Mason tells in his "Handbook of American Indian", have been used for guarding, pulling sleds, fishing, hunting and also for watching and keeping children company. All of these activities are very similar to those carried out in today's Newfoundland.

Regardless of the actual origins of the Newfoundland and regardless of the dogs used to do this, the dog as we know it today is one of the greatest dogs on the planet.