- Newfoundland
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/nooh"feuhn leuhnd, -land', -feuhnd-, nyooh"-; nooh fownd"leuhnd, nyooh-/, n.1. a large island in E Canada. 42,734 sq. mi. (110,680 sq. km).2. a province in E Canada, composed of Newfoundland island and Labrador. 557,725; 155,364 sq. mi. (402,390 sq. km). Cap.: St. John's.3. one of a breed of large, powerful dogs having a dense, oily, usually black coat, raised originally in Newfoundland.
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Dog breed developed in Newfoundland, possibly from crosses between native dogs and the Great Pyrenees dogs that Basque fishermen introduced into North America in the 17th century.Noted for sea rescues, the gentle, patient Newfoundland stands 26–28 in. (66–71 cm) and weighs 110–150 lbs (50–68 kg). Powerful hindquarters, a large lung capacity, large webbed feet, and a heavy, oily coat enable it to swim in cold waters. It has also been used as a watchdog and draft animal. The typical Newfoundland is solid black; the Landseer Newfoundland is usually black and white.* * *
▪ breed of dogbreed of working dog developed in Newfoundland, possibly from crosses between native dogs and the Great Pyrenees dogs taken to North America by Basque fishermen in the 17th century. Noted for rescuing persons from the sea, the Newfoundland is a huge, characteristically gentle and patient dog standing 26 to 28 inches (66 to 71 cm) and weighing 100 to 150 pounds (45 to 68 kg). Powerful hindquarters, a large lung capacity, large webbed feet, and a heavy, oily coat contribute to the dog's ability to swim and to withstand cold waters. In addition to performing rescue work, the Newfoundland has served as a watchdog and companion and as a draft animal. The typical Newfoundland is solid black, brown, or gray; the Landseer Newfoundland, named for Sir Edwin Landseer (Landseer, Sir Edwin), the artist who painted it, is usually black and white.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
