How To Raise & Train a Newfoundland / Drury

[NoahsCove]

I'd like to preface this post with the following:
It's my understanding that since we are using this section to "comment/critique" given works that it *is* legal to copy a small amount of the given work for such purposes as comment/criticism/teaching/research and is not in any violation of copyright laws to include Fair Use Provision Acts. See the following for further information regarding copyright law:
Copyright Law Website

Now, with that said....

I think it's really interesting to compare older Newfie books with more recent works and see how things have changed regarding conformation ideals etc.... The book "How to Raise a Newfoundland" by Kitty Drury & Bill Linn is no exception. This book was written in 1973.

See the example on page 21 which states:

Ch Dryad's Brown Betty....Betty is the only brown champion in the history of the Newfoundland breed".

My how things have changed!! Plus, and perhaps it's just the photo, Betty resembles a Leonberger (to me anyway).

I did/do enjoy this book, particularly for historical information and comparison.

 

[NoahsCove]

Originally posted by mistymtn.newfs:
I believe that the following, taken from the same book, epitomizes the breed and is something I strive for every time I breed these dogs...

"The Newfoundland is a massive, strong, docile, gentle dog. Nothing is more fun than to be owned by one. As a guardian, companion, or working dog, he displays those qualities that make him loved the world over.

The Newfoundland's impressive size, intelligence, and gentle disposition make him an excellent guardian for children. He is particularly happy in this role, for it satisfies his unlimited capacity for devoted companionship. His size and amiability render him immune to the unintended roughness of small children. Babies tumble over and about him secure in the knowledge that no snap or growl will mar their play. When he becomes tired, he simply moves away, though his watchful eyes remain alert to their safety. Should danger threaten-a busy highway, a deep pool, a suspicious stranger- he is there, shielding his charges with his great strength, nudging them to safety. Gentle though he is, such is his size that few strangers would dare to challenge his devotion."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These words, though older, should still define today's Newfoundland. A long time breeder once told me many years ago that "if it doesn't act like a Newf- it isn't a Newf!"

Karen

So True!! The personality of a Newf is indeed the hallmark of the breed!! There's a video I have from Animal Planet (Breed All About It Ref: Newfoundlands) and there was a breeder in Newfoundland that was hired to "bring back" the hallmark of the breed to Newfoundland...and she said exactly that, that "if it doesn't act like a Newf it isn't a Newf".

However, Newfie physical type has changed over the years....if you look at older paintings, etchings and old photographs etc...it seems what's considered to "look like a Newf" has changed over time. I do think it's important to value the conformation that's accepted at a particular time (i.e. the standard as adopted by AKC or CKC or FCI etc..). For example, I think the current AKC standard was approved/adopted in 1990 ...and FCI's Newfie standard was approved/adopted a few years earlier than that.

Older books are interesting and valuable for many reasons...

[ 12-22-2002, 02:48 AM: Message edited by: NoahsCove ]