COUNTRY: Scandinavian countries
HEIGHT: 26-3 P/2 inches
COAT: Moderate length, soft, fairly dense, fine to the touch; short on head and fronts of legs
COLOR: Clear white, with large distinct black spots on back and rump; head should be black with a symmetrical white blaze
GROUP: Mastiff
The original "Newfoundland" imports from Canada were much different from our present breed. Sir Edwin Landseer created several famous paintings of "Newfoundland dogs" in the early part of the 19th century, and these gave the type its name. The painting Off to the Rescue, (1827) of "Bashaw," a black-and-white variety belonging to the Right Honorable Earl of Dudley, and A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society, (1838) of "Paul Pry" owned by Mrs. Newman Smith, were notable. The dogs were portrayed as spotted, having a tapering head, longer legs and a more "open" coat, with a tendency to curl.
As the century progressed, two quite different types of Newfles developed in Europe, not just in color but in other characteristics. In the 1881 edition of the official German stud books, two varieties of Newfoundland dogs were clearly described . The "wavy-haired'' was solid black (white not desired), with a shorter nose, overhanging lips and more massive build. The "curly-haired" Newfoundland (i.e., Landseer) had the described spotted pattern and the longer, dryer and more tapering head. The latter type also stood higher on leg with a slightly lighter frame.
Fanciers on the Continent continued to breed this variety of the black and white Landseer Newfoundland. Although the First World War took its toll on giant breeds, efforts were made in the 1930s to re-establish the Landseer as a separate breed. Brothers Otto and Alfred Walt-erspiel spearheaded efforts in 1933 to bring the Landseer back to prominence. The breed base was so small that some crossing to the black Newfoundland occurred in the early days. At this time, the Landseer has been bred pure for many years.
FCI recognizes the two breeds and, in 1976, the German Landseer Club was born as the first organization promoting the Landseer separately from the Newfoundland. Holland and Belgium have joined in that premise.