Sunday, December 5, 2010
Newfoundland Dogs, the larger fluffier version of Labradors
What do Ulysses S. Grant, Lord Byron, Emily Dickinson, Robert F. Kennedy, and Meriwether Lewis have in common? Each of them owned and loved one of the giant Newfoundland Dogs. In fact, from 1804–1806, the beloved Newfoundland, Seaman, accompanied American explorers Lewis and Clark on their amazing expedition, casting his kindest doggy wisdom upon the exploration of the Pacific Northwest.
For those of us who love our Labradors, it's easy to see the similarities in these closely related breeds. To quote the AKC, "Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed.", from their, 'Meet The Breeds' site. The smaller version, St John's Dog, is the foundation bloodline of our beloved Labs. How appropriate, since John the beloved in scripture always referred to himself as, "the disciple whom Jesus loved", or simply, "Jesus' best friend!"
Newfoundlands, as well as Labs were used to haul heavy fishing nets out of the frigid seas. One of my favorite stories of this breed reveals that in 1815, Napoleon Boneparte, having fallen overboard off the coast of the Mediterranean island of Elba, was kept afloat by a nearby Fisherman's Newfie, saving his life. I'm sure Josephine was greatly relieved!
A stamp commemorating this noble breed:
For those of us who love our Labradors, it's easy to see the similarities in these closely related breeds. To quote the AKC, "Sweetness of temperament is the hallmark of the Newfoundland; this is the most important single characteristic of the breed.", from their, 'Meet The Breeds' site. The smaller version, St John's Dog, is the foundation bloodline of our beloved Labs. How appropriate, since John the beloved in scripture always referred to himself as, "the disciple whom Jesus loved", or simply, "Jesus' best friend!"
Newfoundlands, as well as Labs were used to haul heavy fishing nets out of the frigid seas. One of my favorite stories of this breed reveals that in 1815, Napoleon Boneparte, having fallen overboard off the coast of the Mediterranean island of Elba, was kept afloat by a nearby Fisherman's Newfie, saving his life. I'm sure Josephine was greatly relieved!
A stamp commemorating this noble breed:
For the 'Newfoundland' pronunciation of Newfoundland
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