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“Seashore – Fishermen hauling in a boat” 33 5/8 x 46 ¼.”
 Signed & dated: 1791, on the rim of the boat.
 Oil on canvas
Victoria and Albert Museum no.1404-1869.

Possessing an instinct for water rescue, the Landseer is physically well-suited to swimming, with its webbed feet, thick rudder-like tail, water-resistant double coat and its powerful build, strength and stamina.

"The useful work of the Landseer for man at sea was so internationally recognized during the era of the sailing ship that reports of their enterprises come from many countries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. His powerful swimming ability plus his docility and intelligence were great assets to any ship's company, and it became customary to take at least one web-footed Landseer on voyages as a 'ship dog.' The specific service he rendered was to swim ashore with a line, thus establishing communication with help on land. Untold numbers of lives were saved because of the swimming help of the 'ship dog' and his ability to find footing on rough rocks in a heavy sea where the best of watermen might not survive. In less rough water he could also haul a small boat ashore by its painter."Out of:This is the Newfoundland, by Mrs. Maynard K. Drury

Leenert II de Koningh (Dutch, 1810-1887), On the way to market

"In Belgium, Holland, France, Italy,Germany, England and the United States are early records of the Landseer in his role of ship dog and rescue dog."

The Landseer was extensively featured in the art of the Victorian age, depicted by Edwin Landseer in many paintings and drawings, as well as by many other artists.