Landseer (dog)

Landseer European Continental Type

Landseer European Continental Type
Country of origin	Newfoundland (now part of Canada)
Traits Weight Male 65–80 kg (143-176 lb) Female 50–70 kg (110–154 lb) Height Male 72-80 cm (28,5-31,5 in) Female 67-72 cm (26,5-28,5 in) Color white with black patches, white around the nose, white tail with little black
Classification and standards FCI Group 2 Section 2 #226 standard
Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Landseer is a dog breed. Many kennel clubs consider the Landseer to be simply a black-and-white variant of the Newfoundland, but the Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes it as a separate breed. This separate breed is called Landseer European Continental Type (E.C.T.).

The breed was named after the British painter Sir Edwin Henry Landseer,^[1] because in 1838 he created the painting A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society, which shows a dog of this breed.

Temperament

The Landseer Newfoundland dog is known for its sweet disposition, gentleness, and serenity. They enjoy swimming, and tend to drool, though not as much as some other giant breeds. While the Landseer European Continental Type is also sweet, affectionate and enjoys swimming he is quite different to the Landseer Newfoundland in regard to response, agility and speed.

In popular culture

The dog Nana in Peter Pan, although often portrayed as a St. Bernard, was intended to be a Landseer. The 2004 movie Finding Neverland featured a Great Pyrenees as J. M. Barrie's pet, on whom Nana was based. J. M. Barrie owned a Landseer Newfoundland called Luath.

The Landseer Continental Type (CT) is a European dog breed that comes from a type of giant dog discovered in the north-east of North America during colonial times.

History

Because of their good swimming skills these dogs were utilized by fishermen to tow nets to the shore. They were also noted for their ability to help drowning people. Therefore these dogs were bought and sold mainly by European fishermen. It is believed that, by and large, the exportation of these dogs occurred during the late 18th century. However, paintings show us that these dogs must have already existed in England in the early 18th century.

Because of their impressive appearance they were the subject of numerous books and paintings. The most famous painting of this large white and black dog is a portrait called "A Distinguished Member of Humane Society" done by the renowned English animal painter Sir Edwin Landseer in 1838. In fact the subject matter of many of Sir Edwin’s paintings focused on these dogs. The dog portrayed in one of the most famous paintings is believed to have saved more than 20 people from drowning. It therefore was adopted as a member of the humane society. The breed was eventually named in honor of Sir Edwin.

Unfortunately by the end of the 19th century the Landseer Continental Type were not recognizable. Some breeders attempted to build the breed back up in the beginning of the 1900 but their efforts were thwarted during World War I when most of the dogs were killed. After World War I some enthusiastic breeders in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland began breeding these dogs again. Between 1945 and 1960 the Landseer Continental Type was bred as a part of the Newfoundland Clubs in Europe.

As the dogs had many differences to the Newfoundland and the popularity of the Landseer CT grew the breed was recognized as a separate breed by the FCI in 1960. The breed was registered and its popularity continues to soar. The breed spread and can now be seen all over Europe.

Body

The Landseer ECT is in many ways different from the Newfoundland. In general the Landseers ECT are taller, do not have a deep breast, have shorter hair, no under wool and their long legs make them fast, untiring runners. All in all the Landseer ECT is quicker and more responsive than the Newfoundland which makes him easier to train and teach. As their coat is not as dense they dry off quickly and their fur is easier to clean and take care of.

References

1. ^ Kosloff, Joanna; Tana Hakanson (1996). Newfoundlands: Everything about Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, Behavior, and Training. Barron's Educational Series. pp. 11. ISBN 9780812094893. http://books.google.ca/books?id=QeNauB5kUAsC&pg=PA11. Retrieved 2009-01-07. 

2. Knott, Thomas-Christian(Pacific Coast Landseers), based on Landseer Breed books 1-4 by the German Landseer Club (Deutscher Landseer Club)