Landseer (dog)

The Landseer is a dog that originated in Canada, it is a black and white variety of the Newfoundland that is recognised as an independent breed in continental Europe.

Landseer
Other names	Landseer Newfoundland
Origin	Canada
Foundation stock	Newfoundland
Traits Weight 100–150 lb (45–68 kg) Height 26–28 in (66–71 cm) Coat Long Color Black & white Life span ≈ 11 yrs
Dog (domestic dog)

Landseer ECT
Other names	European Continental Type
Traits Weight Male Average 68 kg (150 lb) Female Average 54 kg (119 lb) Height 67–80 cm (26–31 in)
Kennel club standards FCI standard
Dog (domestic dog)

History

The Newfoundland (and Landseer) are descended from dogs used by fishermen in the Newfoundland and Labrador region of Canada, it is believed these dogs are descended form water dogs and livestock guardian dogs imported by Portuguese and Basque fishing vessels with possible crosses to indigenous dogs.[1][2] In the Victorian era black and white Newfoundland dogs were more popular than the solid black coloration, and they were the subject of a number of 19th century artists including Sydenham Edwards, Philip Reinagle, Samuel Jones and most famously Edwin Landseer, the name Landseer was used to describe black and white Newfoundlands as early as 1896.[1][2][3]

In the 20th century the solid black coloration became more popular and supplanted the bi-colored animals, so much so that in the 1930s a concerted effort was made to recreate the dogs seen in the paintings of Landseer, the efforts of these breeders resulting in the Landseer breed.[1][2] In Great Britain and North America Landseer colored dogs are considered a variety of the Newfoundland breed, but in 1976 a separate breed club for Landseer colored dogs was created in Germany, similar clubs soon followed in Belgium and Holland and now they are considered a separate breed in continental Europe with separate Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognition.[1][2][4]

Genetics

The Landseer's black and white coloration arises from the recessive piebald color allele found in Newfoundlands, the piebald coloration is a recessive trait so a single litter can have both Landseer and solid-colored puppies, depending on the genotype of the parents.[5] With this split in recognition gradual differences in appearance began to appear between the two forms, the European form is taller with longer legs and less bulk, and a longer more tapered head, its coat is said to be curlier whilst the Newfoundland's is said to be wavier.[2]

A study in 2015 found a special gene in Landseers with muscle dystrophy called COL6A1 that could provide researchers with important information that can lead to a vaccine for the disease overall.[6]

Paintings of Newfoundlands by Sir Edwin Landseer

Lion, a Newfoundland dog, 1824

A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society, 1838

Saved, 1856

References

1. Fogle, Bruce (2009). The encyclopedia of the dog. New York: DK Publishing. p. 345. ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8.
2. Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs:the ultimate guide to over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing. p. 669. ISBN 1-57076-219-8.
3. Walsh, John Henry "Stonehenge" (1896). The dog: it’s varieties and management in health. London & North York: Frederick Warne & Co. p. 57.
4. Cunliffe, Juliette (2003). The encyclopedia of dog breeds. New York: Barnes & Noble Books. pp. 284 & 368. ISBN 0-7607-3458-5.
5. Schmutz, S. M.; Berryere, T. G. (December 2007). "Genes affecting coat color and pattern in domestic dogs: a review". Animal Genetics. 38 (6): 539–549. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2052.2007.01664.x. PMID 18052939. S2CID 28968274.
6. Steffen, F.; Bilzer, T.; Brands, J.; Golini, L.; Jagannathan, V.; Wiedmer, M. (4 October 2015). "A Nonsense Variant in COL6A1 in Landseer Dogs with Muscular Dystrophy". NCBI. Retrieved 6 July 2020.