Guest Column by GeoT
Dateline: 06/21/00
New-Found-Land - yes it was, several times! The first "Europeans" to find it were the Vikings in 986 and again when Lief Ericson named it Vinland for all the grapes he found growing there. The Portuguese even bumped into it in their quest to find a Northwest Passage to the Far East in 1472. But not until John Cabot in 1497, did it truly become known as Newfoundland.
Cabot noted the huge abundance of cod swimming "so thick he could scoop them up with a basket from the sides of the ship." This news spread across Europe, and soon several nations had their fishing fleets in the Grand Banks, off the east and south coast of Newfoundland. No one paid a great deal of attention to the land, it was the fish they were after. While officially claimed by Spain, other fleets from England, Portugal and France fished the Grand Banks as well. England eventually wrested control of Newfoundland from Spain by destroying the Spanish fishing fleet. England and France continued to shuffle ownership until the Treaty of Paris assigned the land to England. France continues to control two small islands, St. Pierre and Miquelon, south of Newfoundland, for fishing purposes.
Newfoundland is a rugged chunk of northeastern North America situated on both the island of Newfoundland and the continental section called Labrador. It is windswept and rugged with a subarctic climate for the most part, with forests of needle leaf evergreens, and tundra-like lichens on rocky outcrops in the higher elevations. Heavy glaciation during the Pleistocene left it with many lakes and swamps plus a fjorded coastline, friendly to the fishing vessels as ports, but with little good soil. So combining the climate and the soil conditions, most atlases show land use in Newfoundland as "nonagricultural."
Parts of the Appalachian System of the eastern North America and the Laurentian Shields of eastern Canada give Newfoundland abundant mineral wealth. Especially iron. But there are also smaller deposits of other minerals such as zinc, copper, asbestos, and gold. And, quite likely, immense deposits of oil and gas - the Hibernia Field southeast of St. John's. Newfoundland also has wood and wood products industry, paper manufacturing, and a giant hydro installation at Churchill Falls. Aviators are acquainted with Newfoundland and Labrador as re-fueling stops (Gander and Goose Bay) on the great circle routes to and from European and North African destinations.
But we are here to discuss another curious aspect of Newfoundland, the giant, and loving canine of the same name! The Newfoundland, or 'Newfie', as he is affectionately known. These fellas may reach 100 to 150 pounds and stand nearly 30 inches high at the shoulder. These are not lap dogs! But, they would like to be. (I once saw a small station wagon with 2 Newfies in the cargo area - talk about a car-full of dog!)
The Newfoundland is a true working dog, used for pulling carts and sleds, and carrying loads on his back.
Lord Byron said of the Newfoundland: "One who possesses beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, and all the virtues of man without his vices". Words like: devoted companion, sweet disposition, kind and loving, dignified, trustworthy, patient and gentle, fill the literature about Newfoundlands. Most Newfoundlands are black, some are black and white (Landseer), and others are bronze in color.
The Newfoundland is said to be as much at home in the water as on the land. With webbed feet, a water resistant coat, and using his tail as a rudder, the Newfie is a great swimmer. He is able to dive and swim underwater! And, has a natural ability to rescue without being given directions. Deeds of heroism prove that. Hundreds of rescue stories are part of the legend and lore of the breed. One Newfie was awarded a gold medal for swimming out to a lifeboat (under severe weather conditions) and towing a rope to shore so the boat could be pulled in to safety! We have all seen the famous painting of the Landseer Newfoundland on the dock with the little girl lying at his feet; he had just saved her from drowning.
The origin of the Newfoundland is, of course, a subject of debate. Most agree that the breed originated in Newfoundland. (One source states the breed originated in England and that Newfoundland nearly legislated the breed out of existence!) Whether a descendant of a dog of the original inhabitants, or of the Great Pyrenees brought by Basque fishermen, or the French Boarhound, the Newfoundland is a distinct and recognized breed. Dog lovers everywhere know and appreciate the Newfoundland - even if owning one may be a little difficult for those living in tiny apartments!
His mainland companion, the Labrador Retriever - that is a subject for another time.
