by Teddy Coleman

Having a Newfoundland in almost every water vessel in Canada almost seems a part of additional safety. People who know the characteristics of this giant breed would surely understand why. Those who aren’t so familiar with the breed, be ready to learn amazing facts.

The Newfoundland is a breed of dog that was developed in Canada’s Newfoundland territory. It is said that this breed is the descendant of another Canadian native, the St. John breed. The Newfoundland is said to have been established as a breed as early as 1400s and this is backed up by records that state the sightings of a superb swimmer and intelligent working dog in the Great Banks of Newfoundland.

When it comes to swimming, the Newfoundland is an unbeatable winner and this ability is often used for water rescue missions. In fact, there are many recorded events that prove of the Newfoundland’s supremacy in the waters. In the late 1800’s, a woman named Anne Harvey of Isle de Morts, her father and their Newfoundland named Hairyman, saved 180 Irish immigrants from a sinking ship.

In the early 1900s, another Newfoundland saved 92 people from a sinking ship during a blizzard. Furthermore, even famous figures are not spared from the benevolence of the Newfoundland as it is reported that Napoleon Bonaparte himself was saved by a fisherman’s Newfoundland when he attempted to escape the island of Elba in which he nearly drowned in the process.

The famous explorers Lewis and Clark also had a Newfoundland pet named Seaman which they kept as a company during their exploration of the Wild West. Sgt. Gander, a Newfoundland breed, was made a mascot of the Royal Rifles of Canada in commemoration of its heroic act during the Battle of Hong Kong. Sgt. Gander allegedly carried away a grenade that was hurled at some wounded Canadian soldiers.

Some see the Newfoundland to look like the St. Bernard but it is actually the other way around. What separates the Newfoundland, however, is the fact that its feet are webbed and this helps him swim accurately and with great speed in the waters. Its lung can also endure severe long distances of swimming and this has helped him be successful in many rescue missions.

The Newfoundland’s thick, oily and water-resistant coat protects its body from cold temperatures and this allows him to stay in freezing water for hours. Unlike most dogs “doggy paddle” style of swimming, the Newfoundland actually swims in a breast stroke-like fashion and it gives him more power and speed in the water. His lips and flews are droopy giving it a tendency to drool excessively; however, this allows him to breathe when his mouth is full of water that are brought on by waves during swimming.

The Newfoundland is famously known as the “gentle giant” because of its benevolent, gentle and kind disposition. It is very courageous and protective but it is never fierce. As quoted by Henry David Thoreau in Walden, “A man is not a good man to me because he will feed me if I should be starving, or warm me if I should be freezing, or pull me out of a ditch if I should ever fall into one. I can find you a Newfoundland dog that will do as much.

About the Author:
Author Teddy Coleman is an expert breeder and owner of the Newfoundland dog breed for years. Come and visit his online site now and read his blogs about various Newfoundland dog information.

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