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HISTORY OF THE NEWFOUNDLAND DOG
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 was selected to accompany the Lewis and Clark expedition, and Nana, the children's "nurse" in the original of "Peter Pan" was a Newfoundland.
 You can also find some further stories and pictures from the history of the Newfoundland on the
NEWF-L site AND
The History of the Newf in Australia can be found here
Back to Newfoundland Home Page
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