This breed of Dogs was originally brought from the country of which they
bear the name, where their great strength and sagacity render them
extremely useful to the settlers on those coasts, who use them in
bringing down wood from the forests to the sea side. Three or four of
them yoked to a sledge, will draw two or three hundred weight of wood
piled upon it, for several miles, with great ease: they are not attended
by a driver, nor any person to guide them; but after having delivered
their loading, they return immediately to the woods, where they are
accustomed to be fed.
[Illustration:
THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG.
]
During a severe storm in the winter of 1789, a ship, belonging to
Newcastle, was lost near Yarmouth; and a Newfoundland Dog alone escaped
to the shore, bringing in his mouth the captain’s pocket-book. He landed
amidst a number of people, several of whom tried in vain to take it from
him. The sagacious animal, as if sensible of the importance of the
charge which in all probability was delivered to him by his perishing
master, at length leapt fawningly against the breast of a man, who had
attracted his notice among the crowd, and delivered the book to him. The
Dog immediately returned to the place where he had landed, and watched
with great attention every thing that came from the wrecked vessel, and
tried to bring it to shore.
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