The Newfoundland
An adaptable, gentle giant
The Newfoundland, a gentle giant among
canines, is a striking dog bound to elicit admiring comments wherever he
accompanies his owner. A sweet, devoted companion, the Newf will protect
children, haul leaves and firewood, save drowning people, and compete
successfully in obedience and tracking trials.
Born as a canine seaman, the Newf was a
standard piece of equipment on every fishing boat in Canada's maritime province
that gave the breed its name. Fishing has always been Newfoundland's chief
industry; the dogs hauled fishing nets out to sea and back to the boat and
retrieved objects or people who fell into the sea. Equally at home in water or
on land, the Newfoundland was large enough to pull in a drowning man or to
break the ice as he dove into the frigid northern ocean. His lung capacity
allowed him to swim great distances and fight ocean currents.
At the end of a day's fishing, the
day's catch was loaded into a cart, and the dog was hitched up to haul the load
into town. Other Newfoundlands pulled wagons to deliver milk and mail
throughout the island.
The origin of this working breed is
disputed. Vikings and Basque fishermen visited Newfoundland as early as 1000 AD
and wrote accounts of the natives working side by side with these retrieving
dogs. The breed as we know it today was developed in England, while the island
of Newfoundland nearly legislated the native breed to extinction in 1780. Then,
shortly after World War I, a magnificent dog named Siki became not only the
most famous show Newf in history, but the most famous stud dog of the breed.
Most Newfoundlands in the conformation ring today can trace their pedigrees to
Siki.
There are many legends of Newfoundlands
saving drowning victims by carrying lifelines to sinking ships. The dogs were
kept in the "dog walk" on early sailing ships. If the sea was too
choppy when land was sighted, the dog carried a line to land. A Newfoundland
named Seaman accompanied the Lewis and Clark expedition, and Nana, the
children's "nurse" in the original Peter Pan, was a Newfoundland.
A bumper sticker sold by the
Newfoundland Club of America reads, "No, I'm not a black St. Bernard!"
Actually, it is the St. Bernard that
looks like a Newfoundland. Around 1860, the St. Bernards at the hospice in
Switzerland were almost wiped out by an epidemic of distemper. Since the breeds
look similar, the Monks imported some Newfoundlands to regenerate their famous
rescue dogs. These crosses led to the birth of the first long haired St.
Bernards, a variety that proved unsuited to snow rescue when ice balls formed
and clung to the hair, weighing the dog down. To this day, at the hospice, when
a long haired St. Bernard is born, it is rejected as a throwback to the
Newfoundland.
Saints and Newfs are similar since they
were bred for similar jobs. Both breeds are large enough to pull a man to
safety. Male Newfoundlands average 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh around
150 pounds. Females average 25-26 inches tall, and weigh around 115 pounds.
Individuals vary in size, and symmetry takes precedence over size. The
Newfoundland differs from the St. Bernard by many features adapted to the
water. A Newf's eyes should be tight to keep out water and infection with no
haw, the third eyelid seen in the St. Bernard.
A Newf's drop ears also keep out water,
and very loose flews (droopy upper lips) allow him to breath while carrying
something as he swims. While most Newfs are black, recessive colors brown or
bronze (the color of an Irish Setter) are acceptable. Black and brown combine
with a recessive dilution gene to produce gray and cream-colored dogs. Solid
colors may have splashes of white on the chest, toes, and tail.
Another color combination is the
Landseer, named for artist Sir Edwin Landseer, who featured this striking white
and black dog in many of his paintings. The Landseer Newf is a white dog, with
a black head, black on the rump extending onto the tail, and an evenly marked
black saddle over the back. Solid-color dogs with markings other than white are
disqualified in the conformation ring.
The Newfoundland has a stiff, oily
outer coat of moderate length and afleecy undercoat to adapt to the harsh
climate of its home island. The oil repels water. A Newfoundland can swim for
hours, yet remain completely dry and warm at the skin. The breed has completely
webbed feet and swims with a breast stroke instead of a dog paddle.
The hallmark of the breed is his sweet
and gentle temperament. This combined with his devotion and eagerness to please
his owner make the Newfoundland the best of the giant breeds in the obedience
ring. In 2003, two Newfs – one of them a breed champion – earned the coveted
American Kennel Club Versatile Companion Dog (VCD1) award by completing titles
in obedience, agility, and tracking competitions. (Obedience and agility titles
require that the dog achieve three qualifying scores in the novice level of competition;
the tracking title is awarded after a single successful completion of a
tracking test.)
In 2004, a Newf named Josh defied the
odds and won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Josh beat
many of the country's top dogs for the honor, including CoCo, the Norfolk
Terrier who won the AKC/Eukanuba Invitational in December 2003.
Today, the Newfoundland Club of America
encourages Newf owners to maintain the breed's working instincts by awarding
working titles in both water and draft work.
The junior title, Water Dog (WD), and
the senior title, Water Rescue Dog (WRD), put the Newfs through a difficult
series of life saving water rescue exercises. Dogs earn the Draft Dog (DD)
title by maneuvering and hauling various draft apparatus. A team of two or more
Newfs performing the same set of exercises required for DD can earn the Team
Draft Dog (TDD) title. The NCA draft test is being adopted by many other breed
clubs.
Finally, to encourage well-rounded
Newfoundlands, the NCA bestows the ultimate honorary certification of Versatile
Newf (VN) on any Newf who earns the titles of AKC breed Champion, obedience
Companion Dog, and the NCA WRD and DD.
A Newfoundland puppy should never be
bought on impulse. Like pups of many breeds, they are irresistible.
Unfortunately, however, too many Newfoundlands end up in dog pounds or
abandoned when that "cute little teddy bear" grows into a 150 pound dog
who won't stay out of the swimming pool. Newfs are heavy seasonal shedders,
and, due to their loose lip flews, they drool *a lot* and can sling slobber up
to 20 feet. While they can be kept out doors in the coldest weather, they
prefer to be in the house, close to their family, so they are not the breed for
someone who is house proud. If you really want to buy a Newfoundland puppy, try
to visit a kennel or breeder first to meet one of these giant dogs in person.
Spend some time with adult Newfs, then decide if this is still the right breed
for you.
A responsible Newfoundland breeder will welcome your visit, and will guarantee, in writing, against hip dysplasia and other congenital defects, including a heart defect known as
subaortic stenosis, a condition that is a problem for the breed. If a breeder
does not offer information about health screenings and clearance certificates
for these diseases, walk away.
A Newfoundland requires thorough combing once a week (more during shedding season), and requires a fair amount of
brisk exercise with you; otherwise he will probably be just as happy to lie
around becoming unhealthy, fat, and lazy.
If you cannot deal with huge volumes of
hair and are grossed out by dog drool, look for another breed.
Once your puppy is old enough to
receive his rabies shot, it is time to enroll him in a basic obedience class. He will
love learning to please you. Within months, he will grow into a large draft
animal, capable of moving 2000 pounds, but through obedience training, he'll
learn to adjust his great strength and to be careful not to injure his human
companions. Even though he'll grow quickly and can weigh 100 pounds or more in
less than a year, he'll still be a puppy, with puppy bones, muscles, and brain
that need time to mature. Like most large breeds, he'll not be truly grown up
until he's at least two or three years old.
If you don't have the time or
inclination to take your dog to obedience classes, opt for a breed that doesn't
weigh more than many adult women when full grown. Newfie rescue groups are
inundated with dogs, some with poor temperament and ill-health because
unscrupulous breeders failed to screen for genetic diseases, assess the
temperament of their breeding dogs, and socialize their puppies and some
because owners weren't prepared for a very big dog that shed, drooled, and took
up too much space.
The Newfoundland is a wonderful
addition to a family that can deal with hair, slobber, and hugeness and is
willing and able to teach the dog good manners before it weighs 100or more
pounds.
The best description of the character
of the Newfoundland dog is the epitaph written by Lord Byron inscribed on the
grave of his Newfoundland:
Near this spot
are deposited the remains of one
who possessed beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices.
This praise which would be
unmeaning flattery
if inscribed over human ashes
is but a just tribute to the memory of
Boatswain, a dog
who was born at Newfoundland, May 1803,
and died at Newstead Abbey,
November 18, 1808.
are deposited the remains of one
who possessed beauty without vanity
strength without insolence
courage without ferocity
and all the virtues of man without his vices.
This praise which would be
unmeaning flattery
if inscribed over human ashes
is but a just tribute to the memory of
Boatswain, a dog
who was born at Newfoundland, May 1803,
and died at Newstead Abbey,
November 18, 1808.
For more information about the Newf,
visit the Newfoundland Club of America and check out the books below.
(Be sure and also see Ozzie Foreman's
article "Newfoundlands can go home: The
great Newfoundland Dog trek of 1997," her account of an exciting and
rewarding trip across Canada to participate in the 500th anniversary
celebration of the voyage of John Cabot from Britain to Newfoundland. The
Foremans took Redi and Spirit, their two Newfs, and Kitty, their American
Staffordshire Terrier, and headed for the wilds of Canada to join the trek that
began in British Columbia on June 1, 1997. The trek reached Newfoundland in
plenty of time for the June 24, 1997, ceremonies – 130 Newfs strong!)
Ozzie Foreman
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Giant Newfoundland dog demands to see Peter Pan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyxApGH4XCo
Newfoundland dogs water rescue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6s-FEAETj8
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Sergeant Gander, the Newfoundland
Reader Tasha McGee has kindly sent along a story related to one we did in our brand new Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Plunges Into Canda, Eh, and also related to her own family history:I was just reading “Plunges Into Canada” (love it, but the way), and I came accross the story about Gander the dog. Well, I was in Ottawa in August ’09 for the Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Wall unveiling (my grandpa was a P.O.W) and there was a bunch of… memorabilia, I guess you’d call it, about the war time. I took the following pictures that I thought I would share.Really appreciate it, Tasha, must have been quite a trip. Here’s that photo of Sergeant Gander:
One more photo, from Tasha:DARK DOG DAYSAfter a brutal defeat during World War II, Canadian survivorsA HEROIC TAIL
and prisoners of war took some cheer in telling tales about
Gander the dog, a mascot that saved their lives.
Locked for four years in a squalid Japanese prison camp, sick, ankle deep in mud, without enough to eat—that was the state of the Canadian survivors of the 1941 Battle of Hong Kong. They were ostensibly the lucky ones (they survived); more than 500 Canadians did not.
With the horrors the inmates had seen in battle and the tortures they experienced daily behind the barbed wire, there wasn’t a lot to comfort them. So it’s not surprising that they held on to small pleasures…like recounting the legendary exploits of a black dog named Gander who protected his companion soldiers and bested the Japanese army, even when it cost him his life.
THE DOG BEHIND THE MYTH
Gander started out as Pal. The dog was a Newfoundland, a breed that’s known for its sweet disposition, strength, loyalty, and size (up to 68 kilograms/150 pounds when fully grown). Pal was living with a family in the town of Gander in the early days of World War II. As he grew ever larger, the family started wondering if they’d chosen the right breed of dog, considering that they had children. When he exuberantly jumped on one of the kids’ friends and accidentally scratched the little girl’s face, the family started looking for a new home for Pal.
At the time, the Gander airport had been turned into an air base and was teeming with soldiers. Like most dogs in the town, Pal roamed freely. Plus, he was friendly, so he was well known by the townsfolk and soldiers. Hearing that he needed a home, members of a Quebec rifle regiment offered to take Pal on as a mascot. They changed his name to Gander and “promoted” him to sergeant, even affixing sergeant stripes to his collar. And when, in October 1941, they shipped out to Hong Kong, the soldiers took their now-beloved dog with them.
Initially, life was good. Their military paychecks were enoughfor the men to live like kings in Hong Kong, and although there were reports of fighting elsewhere, the city was peaceful. There was no evidence of impending invasion, and the Canadian forces settled into the routine of garrison duty. They visited the sights, and Gander spent warm afternoons sleeping on a veranda in the sun.
PARADISE LOST
The Japanese military, though, had other plans for Hong Kong, and in the first week of December, they attacked. The Canadians and their allies were outnumbered three to one, and the Quebec soldiers ended up on the front lines, trying to save the British colony from becoming a Japanese one. Japanese ships shelled the island, and its troops started landing. Fighting got intense along the beaches, and Gander was right there, unafraid (the stories would say). The earsplitting sounds of rifles and explosions didn’t make him flinch. All he wanted to do was take care of his men, like any good sergeant would.
As Japanese troops began landing on the beach, Gander ran at them, barking, snarling, and snapping at their legs, sending them back into the water and diverting them away from his men’s position. Somehow, he didn’t get shot.
One often-told story had Gander looking after wounded Canadian soldiers who were lying near a road. Japanese troops appeared and began walking toward where the men were partially hidden in the brush. Gander charged at the Japanese, barking and growling. They decided to change direction, giving Gander wide berth and saving the Canadians from discovery.
The most significant incident, though, sealed Gander’s legendary status, and, in 2000, also won him the animals-only Dickin Medal for “acts of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in wartime.” During close fighting, Gander’s soldiers were pinned down. When a Japanese soldier threw a grenade into their midst, Gander didn’t hesitate. He swooped up the grenade with his mouth and ran toward the man who threw it. Some people say he knew what he was doing and deliberately risked his own life for his men. But others argue it’s likely he was just playing a game of fetch. Either way, it saved the soldiers’ lives. Gander didn’t make it, though. The grenade exploded as he ran, killing him instantly.
THE BLACK BEAST
Hong Kong fell to the Japanese just 18 days after the battle began, and all the surviving Canadian soldiers were sent to prison camps. And that bred one last, posthumous story about Gander triumphing over the enemy. According to the anecdotes, Canadian prisoners were interrogated about a special “weapon” that clearly concerned the Japanese: the fearless “black devils” or “black beasts” that had accompanied them to battle. The soldiers said nothing, simply allowing the Japanese to believe that Canada had bred some kind of super animal to fight in its army.
In 1945, the war ended, and the surviving soldiers went home. But they never forgot about Gander. In 2009, when a Hong Kong Veterans Memorial Wall went up in Ottawa, listing the 1,977 Canadians who served in the battle, survivors insisted that Gander’s name be added.
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Gander: Canadian War Hero
 |
Gander, formerly
named Pal, was acquired as mascot, by the Royal Rifles of
Canada, who were stationed in Gander, Newfoundland during WW2.
('Pal' had accidentally scratched a child and his owners, upset by
the incident, offered him to the Royal Rifles.)
In 1941,
during the Second World War, The Royal Rifles of Canada were sent, along with Gander, to Hong Kong Island to
defend the island against Japanese attacks.
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On one occasion,
Gander charged Japanese soldiers as they were approaching some
wounded Canadian soldiers; most likely saving the soldiers' lives.
Gander's final act of
bravery cost him his own
life, but saved the lives of the men he was with. It occurred on Dec 19, 1941, during the Battle of Lye Mun
on Hong Kong Island. During a Japanese attack, Gander picked
up a grenade that had landed next to a group of soldiers and carried
it away. The grenade exploded, instantly killing Gander.
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The Dickin Award, instituted in 1943 by Maria Dicken
founder of People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, is an award
for any animal 'displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty whilst serving with British Commonwealth armed forces or civil
emergency services.' It is recognized as
the animal's Victoria Cross.
Gander was posthumously awarded
the Dickin Medal on October 27, 2000.
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The citation on the medal reads as follows:
For saving the lives of Canadian Infantrymen
during the Battle of Lye Mun on Hong Kong Island in December 1941.
On three documented occasions “Gander” the Newfoundland mascot
of the Royal Rifles of Canada engaged the enemy as his regiment
joined the Winnipeg Grenadiers, members of Battalion Headquarters
“C” Force and other Commonwealth troops in their courageous
defence of the Island. Twice “Gander’s” attacks halted the
enemy’s advance and protected groups of wounded soldiers. In a
final act of bravery the war dog was killed in action gathering a
grenade. Without “Gander’s” intervention many more lives would
have been lost in the assault.
Gander's medal is on permanent
display in the Hong Kong section of the Canadian War Museum.
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| http://www.newfoundlanddog.ca/gander-canadian-war-hero.htm ------------------- Newfoundland Dog Club of Canada Brief History Of The Breed | The origin of the Newfoundland will always remain a matter of speculation. There are several theories to explain the appearance of the large, black dog on their native island of Newfoundland. It is interesting to note, however, that they are one of the few breeds indigenous to North America. No matter what the origin, English settlers on the island of Newfoundland were impressed with the native dogs' great size and strength, their natural swimming ability and their gentle dispositions. Traders brought the dogs back to England where they were bred with the large estate dogs. The breed was first given its name about 1775. At first the breed evolved by natural selection and later by selective breeding. In the mid 19th century, the white and black Newfoundland became very popular as a result of a painting by Sir Edwin Landseer and these white and black newfs took their name from him. Newfs were used for draft purposes and as ship dogs. Few ships in the 18th and 19th centuries set sail without a Newf on board. Their reputation for heroic water rescues was unparalleled. Legends abound of Newfoundlands saving drowning victims by carrying lifelines to sinking ships. The dogs were kept in the "dog walk' on early sailing ships. If the sea was too choppy when land was sighted, the dog carried a line to land. In 1919, a Newf was credited with saving the entire crew of the "Ethie" which was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia. The ship's dog carried a line through the treacherous sea and rocks to shore and the line, secured by those on shore, enabled the crew to make its way to safety. This is but one of countless stories of heroism performed by the Newfoundland Dog. In the late 1800's, breeding kennels were active in England but the breed was near extinction in its native land due to a law passed in 1780 in Newfoundland forbidding the ownership of more than one dog. Due largely to the efforts of the Honourable Harold MacPherson (Westerland Kennels), the breed survived in Newfoundland. The hallmark of the breed is his sweet and gentle temperament. This combined with his devotion and eagerness to please his owner make the Newfoundland the best of the giant breeds. http://www.newfoundlanddogclub.ca/index.php/brief-history-of-the-breed ------------- Dog Dog (Canis familiaris) is a carnivorous mammal, and probably the first domesticated animal. In Canada, dogs were first kept by Aboriginal people. The Canadian Kennel Club recognizes 175 breeds, five of which are uniquely Canadian: the Tahltan bear dog, the Canadian Inuit Dog, the Nova Scotia duck-trolling retriever, and the Newfoundland and Labrador retrievers.  History Dogs became domesticated in several different places beginning 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. The main progenitor was the wolf, though the jackal may also have contributed, as well as the coyote in North America. These wild species can interbreed with dogs and produce fertile progeny. Despite persistent folk stories, hybridization between dogs and foxes is not successful and foxes cannot be considered ancestral to any dog breed. Dogs were kept by Aboriginal peoples throughout Canada in the centuries before European exploration and settlement. They had various uses: transportation and draft work, hunting, clothing materials and sometimes human food. Inuit dogs are still used to pull sleds and carry backpacks; they are also used in sealing and provide protection from polar bears. Plains peoples relied on dogs for transportation (e.g., by dog travois) until they acquired horses in the early 1700s. These breeds of dogs are now extinct. On the West Coast, the Salish kept a small, woolly type of dog, using the hair for weaving — it became extinct by about 1860. Dogs were also important in religion. For example, the White Dog Festival, observed by some eastern tribes, required the sacrifice of dogs of a special breed. Dogs have been an important domestic animal wherever people have settled. Hundreds of distinctive breeds developed over the centuries, partly through regional isolation and partly through conscious selection by humans. Several hundred breeds are currently named and recognized by various kennel clubs; some, for example, poodles, German Shepherd dogs and Irish setters, have worldwide distribution. Canadian Breeds The Canadian Kennel Club, which maintains registration records for Canadian purebred dogs, officially recognizes 175 breeds. Several other breeds are present but are not formally registered. The recognized breeds are classified into groups generally indicating the purpose for which they were developed: sporting dogs, hounds, working dogs, terriers, toys, non-sporting dogs and herding dogs. A miscellaneous category exists for breeds in the process of achieving full recognition. Five of the breeds recognized by the Kennel Club can be claimed to be uniquely Canadian: the Tahltan bear dog, the Canadian Inuit dog, the Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever, and the Newfoundland and Labrador retrievers. The last two have Canadian names but owe most of their development to breeders in Great Britain and Europe. Tahltan Bear Dog  Kept by the Tahltan First Nation of northwestern British Columbia, this dog was small, probably of the Spitz family, with a foxy head and erect bat ears. Its distinctive, medium-length tail was carried erect and ended in a wide brush. Most were white with black patches. They were used for hunting bear and lynx. The breed was recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1940, but only nine dogs were ever registered. There are none left in Tahltan country, and those that were registered have long since died. Breeders continue to search for survivors, without much hope of success. Canadian Inuit Dog  While the Canadian Kennel Club refers to this breed as the “Canadian Eskimo Dog,” the Government of Nunavut calls it the Canadian Inuit Dog and made it the territory’s official animal. In Inuktitut the dog is called Qimmiq. Though used historically, the word Eskimo is considered offensive. (See also Eskimo.) When snowmobiles were introduced to the Arctic, the need for sled dogs rapidly diminished. It soon became evident that the Inuit dogs which had been kept by the Thule for 1,100-2,000 years were facing extinction. The breed had been recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club, but registered stock had not persisted. The Eskimo Dog Research Foundation was formed to re-establish the breed. A few dogs of the original type were obtained from remote Inuit camps in Boothia Peninsula, Melville Peninsula and Baffin Island. They were taken to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to form the nucleus of a breeding colony. This stock has now been accepted for registration by the Canadian Kennel Club. Many of the dogs have been returned to the Inuit. They are intermediate in speed and strength compared to the Siberian husky and Alaskan Malamute. They are sled and backpack dogs and are useful in hunting.  Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever A small breed familiar to Canadians, this retriever is almost unknown in other countries. To "toll" means to entice game to approach by arousing curiosity. A tolling dog is trained to play along the shoreline, attracting inquisitive ducks to swim within gunshot range; the dog is then sent into the water to retrieve the birds. In the late 19th century, a breed with these characteristics was developed in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. Several breeds and crosses were used in its development.The dogs are rather foxlike in colour and activity and are intermediate in size and conformation to spaniels and retrievers.  Newfoundlands Newfoundlands may have originated in dogs kept by Aboriginal peoples, or may be traced to dogs brought by the Vikings about 1,000 AD. There probably was later mixture with dogs brought to the island by Basque and Portuguese fishing fleets. British visitors were attracted to the big black dogs and took some of them back to England, where they became very popular. The heavy, long-coated dogs are excellent swimmers and are renowned as family companions and guardians. A black and white variety was depicted by Sir Edwin Landseer in his famous painting A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society, and the variety has since become known as the Landseer. Labrador Retriever These dogs, probably from the same stock as the Newfoundland, were shaped into a distinctive breed by the English nobility, who selected them for smaller size, finer bone and a short coat. Other sporting breeds were crossed into the stock. The breed is one of the best gundogs in existence and is used as a "seeing-eye" dog. Most are black but other colours (yellow, chocolate and cream) have become popular. Dogs in Canada Most dogs in Canada are kept as pets. Many purebred dogs provide recreation and employment for people participating in competitive events governed by the Canadian Kennel Club. Such competitions include breed shows, obedience trials, field trials for hounds and sporting breeds, tracking tests, and spectator sports such as lure coursing and scent hurdle racing. Sportsmen use various specially bred and trained breeds for hunting upland game birds, waterfowl and small mammals. Greyhounds and wolfhounds are used in western Canada to hunt coyotes and wolves. Many kinds of dogs actively work for man. Sled dogs are useful in the North. Border collies retain their superiority for sheepherding, and the Komondor breed is being used experimentally in western Canada to guard flocks. Australian cattle dogs, formerly known as Queensland heelers, are gaining popularity with Canadian cattlemen for driving livestock. The German shepherd dog, Doberman pinscher and Bouvier des Flandres are widely used in police and military work and as guard dogs. Schutzhund (protection dog) training is increasing in Canada. It involves intensive schooling in obedience, tracking and defence. The most remarkable dogs are those trained to guide the blind; several hundred, many from training schools in Ontario and Edmonton, are at work in Canada helping their blind owners to lead more normal lives. Several breeds are used, including German shepherd dogs, Labrador retrievers, boxers and collies. Suggested Reading Canadian Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club Book of Dogs (1982). http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/dog/ ------------------ One big, happy dog story Campbell's life turned around after he met a rescue dog named George that learned to surf PATRICIA BROOKS ARENBURG STAFF REPORTER pbrooks@herald.ca @CH_PBA The Newfoundland dog, tired and droopy-eyed from the long drive from the South Shore, nudges and kisses curious strangers as his owner strolls into the surf shop overlooking Lawrencetown Beach. A breeze blows salt air up the hill and across the parking lot and the dog raises his massive head, his eyes shining bright. The 140-pound pup breathes in the heavy scent and follows it, determined to get down to the water where he and pal Colin Campbell splash, play and eventually, albeit briefly, hop on a board. It's a far cry from the magnificent waves off California, where rescue dog George truly surprised Campbell - not only with his natural ability for the board, but how this four-legged friend transformed them both. ‟It's a crazy story," admits Campbell. It's a tale the Bridgewater native sets out easily in his book Free Days With George: Learning Life's Little Lessons From One Very Big Dog launched in May. ‟It's not just a simple book about a dog," Campbell says. ‟It's about forgiveness andabout second chances and about overcoming adversity." A long-time marketing executive, Campbell was ‟happily married" in early 2008 when his life began to fall apart. His wife moved out, leaving him alone in their big Toronto home. At first, he threw himself into his work but ‟over time, it wasn't enough," he said. He shrank from friends, slept a lot and sank deeper into what he would later learn was depression. While undergoing therapy, a concerned co-worker directed him to Petfinder.com, a popular website for rescues and shelter dogs, in hopes of finding a furry friend to share his life. That's where Campbell stumbled upon George, a huge black and white Newf about a year old that had been abandoned, neglected and possibly abused. ‟His eyes looked sad and I thought, you know, this poor dog needs a home and I had a big house," Campbell says.  Colin Campbell enjoys the surf with his 7-year-old Newfoundlander George at Lawrencetown Beach on Monday. INGRID BULMER Staff Author was at a low point when he met Newf He met George through Newf Friends, a rescue for Newfoundland dogs, in January 2009 and brought him home that very day. ‟I'd been in the house for some time by myself and all the sudden, this big, timid, gentle giant was sharing my space," Campbell says. ‟Even though we sort of had to find our way and he wasn't too trusting of anyone, including me, it was still nice to have him there." Campbell quickly learned his large friend had needs he had to fullfill: daily walks, socializing with other dogs at the park and obedience classes to boost his confidence. All this ‟helped me a lot on my bad days" to get up and get moving, Campbell says. The dog's large size and gentle ways often attracted attention from other dog owners and passersby, and George became ‟an ice-breaker." ‟I didn't talk to my own friends but I could make small talk about George," the owner says. ‟That was just enough to keep me from slipping down the slippery slope." To help George overcome his fears, particularly of men, Campbell discovered he had to be more open with his affection to show the dog he loved him. The more he hugged George, the more he saw this big dog ‟warming up to me and starting to trust me. It just made me feel a thousand times better and it gave me a really good focus." But it wasn't until the pair made a big move to California for Campbell's work that they truly blossomed. The big dog had never before seen the ocean, but it was in his DNA, Campbell says. The first chance he got, George bolted for the water and tried to ‟rescue" a confused surfer as Newfoundlands were bred to do. The author, who learned to surf as a young lifeguard at Rissers Beach, soon took up the pastime again and thought his water dog would paddle beside him. But that wasn't good enough for George. The dog pulled himself up onto the board with Campbell and that was it. ‟He just stood there like a statue. The bigger the wave, the more determined he was to stay on that board," Campbell says. ‟And so he was never taught. He just had this energy and desire to do it." With each day he pair hit the water, the more George seemed to come out of his shell. This once shy, timid dog, became ‟outgoing and gregarious," accepting hugs, offering kisses and posing for photos. Some local surfers suggested Campbell enter George in the Huntington Beach Surf City Surf Dog. The event raises money for homeless dogs, and Campbell signed them up. ‟We just went in to have fun and have a laugh,"says Campbell. It was the first time George had to surf alone - and do it in front of a much bigger crowd than expected - but he ‟did really well and he stayed on his board." The dog placed third in a category for extra-large dogs and, after basking in the attention from the crowd and media, earned a sort of people's choice award. ‟Here was this dog that was tied to a pole in Canada and six months later he's the most popular surfing dog," Campbell said. The big dog went on to compete in 2010, again placing third and again earning the crowdpleaser award. George's remarkable transformation inspired Campbell to take a good look at his life. He thought back to summers spent swimming, building sandcastles and sailing with his grandfather at his beachfront cottage near Tatamagouche. The Second World War veteran often told Campbell and his brother a day spent doing things you love with people who love you were called ‟a free day" and ‟you don't get old on a free day," Campbell recalls. ‟You don't really appreciate the significance of it when you're that young butI started remembering those days and you wish you had them back," Campbell said. ‟() The nice thing is when I got George, we started spending time on the beach and surfing and those simpler things. That's when I realized I was starting to get those free days back." And he was happy. Happier than he'd been in a long time, something he didn't think was possible at his lowest points following the breakup of his marriage. The pair moved back to Toronto in 2011 but returned to California for the surf competition last fall. A much older George (now seven) had ‟lost his step" and pulled out to watch from the beach Campbell says. He still loves the water and surfing, but for the dog that ‟marches to his own drummer," it has to be on his own terms, says Campbell. Since the launch, a couple of film production firms have been in contact about possible film rights for the book, which Campbell calls a ‟tribute" to George and their friendship. ‟As much as I thought I'd helped him, saved him when he was homelesshe returned the favour a thousand times," Campbell says. As much as I thought I'd helped him, saved him when he was homelesshe returned the favour a thousand times. Colin Campbell Author  Colin Campbell gets a lot of affection from George. INGRID BULMER Staff  ---------- ARE NEWFIE DOGS STRONG... hilarious https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDe8Z94HUXI ----------------
https://books.google.ca/books?isbn=1447491750
Various - 2013 - 164 pages
PIRATE KING. CH. IQNG STUART. CH. BOODLES ESQUIRE. Many Newfoundlands have been “plain in head,” yet, if not “coarse,”
many have been found to ...
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