Newfoundland dogs are built for rescues in icy water
Webbed paws, an oily water-shedding coat and males that can top 80 kilograms make the Newfoundland a natural lifeguard. Bred to work alongside fishermen, one untrained Newfoundland dove into a California river and hauled a drowning gold dredger to shore. Another, in Victorian London, played cards and spelled out the Queen's name.
The breed began as a working partner for Newfoundland's fishermen, and the phrase Newfoundland dog appears as early as 1766 in the journal of Joseph Banks. Genomic work links it to the Irish Water Spaniel, the Labrador and the Curly-Coated Retriever. Males usually weigh 65 to 80 kg and females 55 to 65 kg, with some exceeding 90 kg, and a double coat of soft underfur beneath coarse guard hairs keeps them warm in cold seas. The black-and-white Landseer pattern takes its name from the painter Sir Edwin Landseer, who often portrayed them.
Their strength made them useful to other breeders. Newfoundlands were crossed into St. Bernards in the 18th century when distemper threatened that population, and they formed part of the foundation of the Leonberger. A Russian state kennel's attempt, the Moscow Water Dog, mixed them with Caucasian Shepherds and produced an animal better at biting than rescuing. Today they still train at Italy's water rescue school, founded by Ferruccio Pilenga, and one named Bilbo guarded Sennen beach in Cornwall, credited with saving three lives.
The most celebrated was Napoleon the Wonder Dog, star of Van Hare's Magic Circus, who debuted at London's Pavilion Theatre on April 4, 1862. He leapt over horses from a springboard, danced, performed the three-card trick and spelled out God save the Queen. His death at twelve was reported in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on May 5, 1868.
Giant size carries costs. A 2024 UK study put life expectancy at 11 years against 12.7 for purebreds generally. A North American review of over a million veterinary cases found the highest hip dysplasia rate among breeds, 17.16% against 3.52% overall, and the highest rate of cranial cruciate ligament deficiency.
Source: Newfoundland dog
