Newfoundland

There's no more welcome sight to a drowning victim than a Newfoundland paddling through the waves to the rescue -- or to a weary fisherman with nets to haul up on the deck. But the so-called "Saint Bernard of the Sea" has worked on land for centuries, too: we hauled timbers for construction workers and milk for farmers. We powered the blacksmith's bellows, posed for Newfoundland's commemorative halfpenny stamp in 1894, and then went back to work delivering the mail. By then, we were already admitted to the AKC's Working Group (in 1886) and work is what we do. Then we play -- with kids, other dogs, kids and dogs together -- not bad work if you can get it.

• Affectionate, loyal family friend
• Agile and active
• Calm as a clam
• Courageous canine
• Easygoing

• Coat needs regular care
• Intelligent and ready to learn
• Lives to work
• Outdoors enthusiast
• Pleased to please
• Caters to country, tolerates town
• Socialization and training should start early
• Steadfast and strong

Please start my socialization (to all humans and animals I'll get to know and love) and my training (firm but gentle, patient and consistent) early and stick with me. Although I'm growing fast, I might not mature emotionally until age 2 or so. Please don't overdo my exercise as my bones and muscles are growing and don't overfeed me during my growth stages. Try to make swimming part of my workout routine -- I'll grow stronger in a healthy way, you'll be so impressed, and we'll all have fun! Oh, just one more thing: I don't tolerate heat so well, so please take precautions to prevent heatstroke.

Possible hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, eye and skin problems, heart conditions (aortic stenosis, and patent ductus arteriosus, heart murmurs).