Although he is a superior water dog, the Newfoundland has been, and is still, used in Newfoundland as a true working dog, dragging carts, or more often carrying burdens as a packmule. The history of the Newfoundland not only reflects the courage and stamina exhibited in rescuing people from the water, but also shows the draft work abilities of the dogs. They were indispensable to local residents of Newfoundland, particularly fishermen, as the dogs helped them haul in the heavy fishing nets. The dogs were then hitched to carts or wagons to take the day’s catch to market and make other deliveries. They were also used to haul loads of firewood from the forests to their owner’s homes.
