This depiction of a Newfoundland appears on page 168 of Edward Jesse’s Anecdotes of Dogs (1858).
It says “The Newfoundland Dog (Original Breed),” and the author claims that from this dog that both the St.John’s breed and the common dogs called Newfoundlands in England are derived.
The identity of the “original” Newfoundland is one big debate that can consume hours and hours of time and energy. The debate usually goes nowhere.
And it has ever since Newfoundlands became a fancy pet breed.
This illustration looks like an English Shepherd to me and reminds me of a quote:
“the Scotch colly… is more hairy, and with a sharper and more fox-like nose than the English sheep-dog, or than the drover’s dog, both of which resemble the setter or Newfoundland dog more than the Scotch shepherd’s dog”
Manual of British rural sports – 1856
More evidence that points to the Welsh bobtail as a relative of the OES.
The “original Newfoundland” dog was no doubt an amalgam of many various sorts brought to the area by fishermen and others. The end result(s) were pretty much “basic dog” with a weather-resistant coat, the ability to survive in less than optimal conditions and minimal food including a lot of fish. Abilities as a retriever, hauling dog, swimming, etc, all helped. Those most useful survived. The remainder didn’t.
Of course they varied; and trying to specify any one sort as “the original” dog of Newfoundland, is probably pointless. The dog called ‘Newfoundland’ today, is a British development, just as the Labrador Retriever is.
It’s fun to speculate, but unless/until DNA testing can tell us far more, it’s pretty much a guessing game. What we really need, is DNA material from canines on Newfoundland in the 1500-1800 timeframe to compare with modern ones.