Thomas Bell (1792 - 1880) was a naturalist, surgeon, and professor of zoology.
This work was first published in 1837 (London: J. Van Voorst), and reprinted in 1874. The engraved illustrations (by George Vasey, William Dickes, and John Thompson) were considered to be of particularly high quality.
The first mention of Newfoundlands in this book is an incidental reference to them in the section on Spaniels. Discussing water spaniels, Bell writes that they "are highly intelligent and useful animals, uniting the fine hunting qualities of the Spaniel with the aquatic propensities of the Newfoundland Dog" (225). A subsequent incidental reference comes during the discussion of "the Sheep-Dog": "He has not, it is true, the noble port of the Newfoundland. . . . In size the Shepherd's Dog does not equal the smallest breed of the Newfoundland Dog, being generally about fifteen inches high." (234)
The section on the Newfoundland begins with this illustration:
Few of the varieties of the canine race have received, with more deserved profusion, the meed of universal praise and regard, than the Newfoundland Dog. Possessed of such limited powers of scent as unfit it for the exercise of the usual duties of the Hound or the Pointer, and, on the other hand, devoid of the fleetness of the Greyhound, its sagacity and faithful attachment, combined with great strength, hardihood, and patience, have yet rendered it one of the most extensively useful, as well as companionable, of the whole race. In the earlier works in which Dogs are treated of, it is not mentioned; and was therefore most probably unknown here, until imported from the island from which it takes its name. In Newfoundland it constitutes an important beast of draught, bringing loads of wood or of provision in sledges, over a rugged and difficult country, with the most indefatigable perseverance. As a Water-Dog it perhaps surpasses every other kind, and, both in this country and in its native island, becomes a most valuable assistant to the aquatic sportsman, in rescuing his birds from the water; in which office it evinces a degree of perseverance and sagacity equal at least to the best-bred Water-Dog. In temper it is dignified, sober, affectionate, and patient; bearing, with the greatest composure, the insults of more ignoble Dogs, and the incessant teasing of children, towards whom it always appears to entertain the most kindly feelings of regard. As the protector of its master's property it is scarcely second to the Mastiff; and the quiet fondness and attachment which it exhibits towards the inmates or friends of the household, is finely contrasted with the fierce faithfulness with which it flies at the nocturnal intruder upon the domain which is committed to its guardianship. Its memory is equally worthy of notice with the qualities which I have already detailed; it recognises at once the friend of the family though after a long absence, with perhaps but a brief previous acquaintance.
The power of Dogs to mark distinct periods of time cannot be denied; there are many instances on record in proof of it; but the following is detailed as having fallen under my own knowledge: — A fine Newfoundland Dog, which was kept at an inn in Dorsetshire, was accustomed every morning as the clock struck eight, to take in his mouth a certain basket, placed for the purpose, and containing a few pence, and to carry it across the street to a baker's, who took out the money, and replaced it by a certain number of rolls. With these Neptune hastened back to the kitchen, and safely deposited his trust; but, what was well worthy of remark, he never attempted to take the basket, or even to approach it, on Sunday mornings. On one occasion, when returning with the rolls, another Dog made an attack upon the basket for the purpose of stealing its contents; when the trusty fellow placed the basket on the ground, severely punished the intruder, and then bore off his charge in triumph.
With all the fine qualities of the Newfoundland Dog, however, it must in truth be confessed, that when kept in close confinement, it sometimes exhibits a degree of capricious fierceness, from the exercise of which even its best friends are not wholly secure. I have known more than one instance of the owner of a Dog of this kind, who had been accustomed to caress it without fear, and to receive from it the most unequivocal marks of affection, being suddenly, and without the least provocation, attacked and severely injured by his former favourite. This, however, is, I believe, a circumstance never to be feared when the Dog is at liberty; and it is not improbable that such examples of misdirected ferocity may arise from the sagacious animal's suspicion of the original cause of the loss of bis freedom.
The finest example I have seen of this race was a female in the possession of my friend Mr. Dell. I do not accurately recollect the height, but I remember that she used to lay her head horizontally upon the dinner-table, without raising it above its easy and natural position. There are several varieties of the Newfoundland Dog which differ in size, character of the fur, and marking. The old smooth breed, with a rather small head, white, with small black spots scattered over the body, appears now to be extinct. The largest Dogs now met with are of the breed which I have figured. The muzzle is broad; the head raised; the expression noble and majestic; the hair waved or curly; the tail very thick and bushy, pendulous for half its length, and then curled upwards. The colour is black and white; the latter generally equalling, if not predominating over the former. But the most common breed at present, is comparatively dwarf, not exceeding in height a large Water- Spaniel, almost wholly black, and deficient in the fine ex- pression which may be considered as characteristic of the older races. Such Dogs as these are now exceedingly common in those parts which are most intimately connected by commerce with the Island of Newfoundland. (243 - 246)
