There are three theories that exist in effort to explain the existence and origination of the large, black dogs on their native island of Newfoundland (a province in eastern Canada).  The three theories are:

1. They evolved from the American Black Wolf (now extinct) or from the Tibetan Mastiff believed to have entered into North America from Asia.
2. They developed from dogs transported to the New World and left by Vikings in 1000 A.D. with speculation that these dogs may have interbred and crossbred with the native wolves.
3. They were a mixture between fifteenth and sixteenth century European explorer's dogs.  Perhaps the crossbreeding between Mastiffs, Pyrenean Sheep Dogs and Portuguese Water Dogs resulted in the Newfoundland.

Because theories are only speculative, the true origin of the breed will always remain a mystery.  No matter what the true origin, these big black dogs have always impressed man with their great strength, size, natural swimming abilities, instincts and gentle dispositions. 

The breed itself was not formally named until the latter half of the eighteenth century, when George Cartwright appropriately applied the name of the breed's native island to his own dog in 1775.  In 1780 Governor Edwards limited the legal ownership of the dog to one per household in order to promote sheep raising.  Even though the decree had no positive effect on sheep raising, it did drastically affect the Newfoundland population almost into extinction.  Many dogs were shipped out or destroyed but some Newfoundlander's, such as Harold MacPherson (1884-1963), were loyal to their love for the breed and chose to ignore the degree.  Thus, the breed survived in Newfoundland.

During the eighteenth century, the breed began to increase both in number and in popularity.  A number of Newfoundland's had made their way to the southern colonies.  Stories were found written in journals from this century, like that of "Scannon", the Newfoundland that accompanied Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition to the Pacific Northwest coast during the first decade of the 18th century.

The first record of official showing of the breed was held at a dog show in Birmingham, England in 1860, where six Newfoundlands were entered in the show.  The first Newfoundland was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1879, and in 1883, a Newfoundland named "Sam" was the first American champion of the breed. 

Most of today's Newfoundland's can be traced back to a English show dog named "Siki" from the 1920's. "Siki" was an outstanding example of the breed, but more importantly, he was a very prepotent sire that produced outstanding progeny.  "Siki" and three of his sons were imported into the United States and when crossed with the American Newfoundland, began the definition of the Newfoundland standards as we know them today.  Almost all Newfoundland's can trace their pedigrees back to "Siki".