newfoundland anecdotes

Some improving tidbits upon the fine character of the Newfoundland dog, taken from
ANECDOTES OF DOGS. BY EDWARD JESSE, ESQ. MDCCCLVIII (1858 -- I had to look that up. Curator) Courtesy of Project Gutenberg.

* * *
When we reflect on the docility of the Newfoundland dog, his affectionate disposition, his aptitude in receiving instruction, andhis instantaneous sense of impending danger, we shall no longer wonder at his being called the friend of his master, whom he is at all times ready to defend at the risk of his own life. How noble is his appearance, and at the same time how serene is his countenance!

A Newfoundland dog, which was frequently to be seen in a tavern in the High Street of Glasgow, lay generally at the door. When any person came to the house, he trotted before them into an apartment, rang the bell, and then resumed his station at the door.

On Thursday evening, January 28, 1858, as the play of "Jessie Vere"was being performed at Woolwich Theatre, and when a scene in the third act had been reached, in which a "terrific struggle" for the possession of a child takes place between the fond mother and two"hired ruffians," a large Newfoundland dog, which had by some means gained admittance with its owner into the pit, leaped over the headsof the musicians in the orchestra, and flew to the rescue, seizing oneof the assassins, and almost dragging him to the ground. It was with difficulty removed, and dragged off the stage. The dog, which is theproperty of the chief engineer of Her Majesty's ship Buffalo, has been habitually accustomed to the society of children, for whom he has on many occasions evinced strong proofs of affection.

The Romans appear to have had a dog, which seems to have been very similar in character to our Newfoundland. In the Museum at Naples there is an antique bronze, discovered amongst the ruins of Herculaneum, which represents two large dogs dragging from the sea some apparently drowned persons.

* * * Goodness, we could go on and on - the book listing in Project Gutenberg is here.