The origin of the Newfoundland dog will always remain a matter of speculation. There are several theories to explain the appearance of the large black dogs on their native island of Newfoundland, off the eastern shore of Canada. One theory holds that the Boethuck Indians' dogs evolved from the American black wolf, now extinct, or from the Tibetan Mastiff which could have entered North America from Asia. Another theory maintains that the breed developed from dogs brought to the New World and left by the Vikings in 1000 AD. If this were true, these Viking dogs could have been left to interbreed with each other and with the native canines. Yet another theory holds that a mixture of European explorers dogs of the 15th and 16th centuries, perhaps including Mastiffs, Pyrenean Sheep Dogs, and Portuguese Water Dogs left behind resulted in the Newfoundland.
No matter what the origin, the 17th and 18th century English settlers on the island of Newfoundland were impressed with the native dogs' great size and strength, their natural swimming ability, and their gentle dispositions. Traders brought the dogs back to England where they were bred with the large estate dogs. Thus the North American Newfoundland evolved gradually, first by natural selection, and later by selective breeding in Britain. The breed was first given its name around 1775.
The Newfoundland was present in Colonial America. Samuel Adams had a Newf he called Que Que. In the journals of Lewis and Clark, are stories of the dog, Scannon, who accompanied their expedition through the Louisiana Territory in 1804-1809. He was credited with saving the life of the explorers when he headed off a buffalo charging through the camp toward their tent.
Newfoundlands were used for draft purposes in their native land, and in England, they became popular as ships' dogs. In the 18th and 19th centuries, few ships sailed the oceans of the Western Hemisphere without a Newfoundland on board as a lifesaver.
A Newfoundland was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1870, and in 1883, a Newf named Sam became the first American champion of the breed.
In general, it can be said that, in the past thirty years, type has been stabilized and the breed has become a structurally sounder dog. The Newfoundland is still as capable of hauling loads, and of water rescue, as were his ancestors. This is demonstrated by the many water and working competitions sponsored by the Newfoundland Club of America.