St. John's water dog
Also known as: Lesser Newfoundland
The St. The St. John's water dog comes from Newfoundland, and typically weighs Males. Individual St. John's water dogs vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- Newfoundland
- Weight
- Males
- Height
- Males
- Colour
- Black with white tuxedo markings
- Other names
- Lesser Newfoundland
About the St. John's water dog
The St. John's Water Dog is a breed originating from Newfoundland, known for its distinctive physical characteristics. Males typically weigh 50-70 pounds and stand 18-22 inches tall.
Overview
The St. John''s water dog , also known as the St. John''s dog or the lesser Newfoundland , is an extinct landrace of domestic dog from Newfoundland . Little is known of the types that went into its genetic makeup , although it was probably a random-bred mix of old English, Irish and Portuguese working dogs . They were favourite dogs of fishermen because they had extraordinary qualities like good temperament and working behaviour. The number of St. John''s water dogs started declining by the beginning of the 20th century. By the early 1980s, the landrace was extinct. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, St. John''s water dogs were exported from Newfoundland to England. These dogs were crossbred with other dogs to create the retrievers. It was the ancestor of the modern retrievers , including the Flat-Coated Retriever , Curly-Coated Retriever , the Chesapeake Bay Retriever , the Golden Retriever , and the Labrador Retriever . The St. John''s water dog was also an ancestor to the large and gentle Newfoundland , probably through breeding with Rafeiro do Alentejos brought to the island by the generations of Portuguese fishermen who had been fishing offshore since the 15th century.
History
Thomas Bewick , a woodcarver, creates the earliest depiction of a “Newfoundland dog” (possibly not a modern-day Newfoundland). If the dog is indeed from Newfoundland, it indicates that the St. John''s breed had formed by this point (as Newfoundlands are thought to be descendants of the St. John’s dog) . The description reads: "The drawing of this dog was taken for a very fine one at Eslington, in the county of Northumberland. Its dimensions were as follow: From its nose to the end of its tail, it measured six feet two inches; the length of its tail, one foot ten inches; girt behind the shoulder, three feet two inches; round its head over its ears, two feet; round the upper part of his fore leg, nine inches and a half. It was web-footed, could swim extremely fast, dive with great ease, and bring up any thing from the bottom of the water. It was naturally fond of fish and ate raw trouts, or other small fish, out of the nets. This breed of dogs was originally brought from the country of which they bear the name, where their great strength and docility render them extremely useful to the settlers on those coasts, who use them in bringing down wood from the interior parts of the country to the sea side. Three or four of them, yoked to a sledge, will draw two or three hundred weight of wood piled upon it, for several miles, with great ease. They are not attended with a driver, nor any person to guide them; but after having delivered their loading, they return immediately to the woods, where they are accustomed to be fed with dried fish, &c.” "We have seen first-class dogs smooth-coated, wavy-coated, and curly. One smooth dog, two flat-coated or small Labrador, two curly-coated dogs and one bitch, all belonging to personal friends, we have never seen excelled; and a dog by a Clumber spaniel out of a Labrador bitch is one of the very best dogs to find and bring game or wildfowl that we have ever seen (pg. 91)." "THE ST. JOHN’S, SMALL LABRADOR, OR LESSER NEWFOUNDLAND. This dog is known by his smooth, though slightly wavy and glossy coat, being the foundation of the wavy-coated retriever already alluded to (page 89). He is much smaller than the Newfoundland proper, seldom exceeding 25in. or 26in. in height. In other respects there is little difference (pg 171)".
Appearance
The St. John''s breed were called "water dogs" because of their love for water and their coat, which was water-resistant. St. John''s water dogs were medium-sized, strong, and stocky – more closely resembling modern Show Labradors than Field Labradors. They had characteristic white patches on the chest, chin, feet, and muzzle. This colouration occasionally manifests in modern Labs as a small white chest patch – known as a "medallion" – or as a few stray white hairs on the feet. The classic tuxedo markings of the St. John''s water dog commonly manifest in Labrador Retriever mixes. Writings as early as the 17th century mention hardy medium-sized black dogs that accompanied Newfoundland fishermen in their boats, and retrieved distant lines or nets of fish, hauling them back to the boat. The dogs were described as having a short thick coat, rudder-like tail, high endurance, and a great love of swimming.
Extinction
The St. John''s water dog was made extinct in its homeland by a combination of two factors. In an attempt to encourage sheep raising, heavy restrictions and taxes were placed on dog ownership during the 19th century. Their main overseas destination, the UK, imposed a rigorous long-term quarantine on all imported animals, especially dogs (1885) as part of the eradication of rabies . However, in both Newfoundland and the Maritime provinces, there are still large black mixed-breed dogs with many characteristics of the original St. John''s water dog. The last two known St. John''s water dogs were photographed in the early 1980s (in old age) having survived in a "very remote area", but both were male, bringing the era of the St. John''s water dog to an end. In the 1970s, Canadian author Farley Mowat had tried to save them by crossing his St. John''s water dog, named "Albert", with a Labrador Retriever. Four puppies resulted, and all had the distinctive white markings of their sire. Two puppies died; the other two were given away, one to Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau and the other to Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin . In 1970, Mowat and Albert appeared in an episode of the CBC series Telescope . The episode includes Mowat telling a bedtime story to his dog.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the St. John's water dog?
The St. John's water dog is an extinct breed, but based on its history, it is believed to have had a sturdy build, webbed feet, and a water-resistant coat. They were known for their intelligence, loyalty, and strong work ethic, making them ideal working dogs for fishermen.
Is the St. John's water dog a good family dog?
As a breed known for their gentle and even-tempered nature, St. John's water dogs would likely make good family dogs. However, due to their extinction, there is limited information available on their suitability as family pets. Generally, breeds with similar characteristics, such as Newfoundlands, are often gentle and patient with children.
What health problems do St. John's water dogs have?
As an extinct breed, there is limited information available on the specific health problems of St. John's water dogs. However, breeds with similar characteristics, such as hip dysplasia and eye problems, are common in large breeds. Regular veterinary care and genetic testing can help identify potential health issues in related breeds.
How much does a St. John's water dog puppy cost?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to purchase a St. John's water dog puppy as the breed is extinct. However, if you are interested in a similar breed, such as a Newfoundland, prices can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on factors such as bloodlines, health clearances, and breeder reputation.
Where do St. John's water dogs come from?
The St. John's water dog comes from Newfoundland. The breed developed there before spreading to dog fanciers worldwide.
Related breeds
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the St. John's water dog, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.