It seems as if that every maritime vessel in Canada feels the imperative need to include a Newfoundland in their crew. To those who know the Newfoundland, this fact is undisputable. For those who does not know this wonderful breed that well, be ready to get to know the greatest dog breed of the waters, the Newfoundland.
The Newfoundland breed is a native of Canada and it came from the northern place of the same name. The descendant of the Newfoundland is said to be the St. John dog, another local breed which is, up to this day, famous for admirable characteristics. In the 1400's, accounts that told the existence of a superb water dog in the Great Banks of Newfoundland have been recorded so it means that the breed had been in existence for centuries now.
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 1900's, it is said that a Newfoundland dog rescued 92 people from a shipwreck during a blizzard by means of helping bring the survivor's buoyancy device to the shore. Even the great figures of history are known to have been helped by the Newfoundland and this includes Napoleon Bonaparte when he almost drowned from escaping the island Elba if not for a fisherman's Newfoundland who kept him afloat until he reached safety.
Lewis and Clark, the explorers of the then un-chartered West, brought with them a Newfoundland named Seaman during this exploration. The Royal Rifles of Canada also have the Newfoundland as a mascot in memory of Sgt. Gander, a Newfoundland dog that saved many Canadian soldiers. It is said that during the Battle of Hong Kong, Sgt. Gander saved the wounded soldiers by means of carrying away the grenade that's meant to kill them.
For some, Newfoundland looks like a St. Bernard but actually, it is the other way around. They may be of the same size and color at times but what separate the Newfoundland are its webbed feet that allows him to swim efficiently in the water. Its lung capacity is also outstanding as it can stand swimming extremely long distances.
Its coat is dense, oily and resistant to water that's why he is able to stay in the freezing water even for hours on end. Other dogs swim in a "doggy paddle" but the Newfoundland swims in a breast stroke motion and this gives his swim more power and speed. Its lips and flews are droopy and it gives him the tendency to drool overly during hot days but in swimming, it allows him to breathe even if his mouth is full of water.
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 a breeder and owner of the Newfoundland dog breed for years. Visit his online site today and read his blogs about various Newfoundland dog information.
Get all the information and photos:: http://coringa.info/pets/the-newfoundland-as-a-gentle-giant-and-water-hero
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