Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-12-06
BULLDOG AS A SWIMMER.
The Fighter Easily Beats a NewfOund
land, Despite the Latter's
Aquatic Instincts.

A few persons who happened to be
on the landing at Canarsie. Jamaica
bay, early one morning a few days
ago, witnessed an Unmatched swim
ming race. The contestants were
two dogs, a Newfoundland and bull
dog. The result was unexpected. The
bull, by the strength and pluck char
acteristic of his race, won from the
Newfoundland by nearly 100 yards, in
spite of his rivals natural swimming
advantages, says the New York Sun.
Mr.. Kennedy, the owner of Badger,
the victor. and a neighbor of his who
owns the big Newfoundland had ar
ranged some time ago to have this
race come off. On a recent morning
they went out in a rowboat. taking
both dogs with them. After they had
rowed some distance across the
FLATS" the Newfoundland, at a sig
nal from his master, jumped into the
water, but the bull had to be thrown
overheard. Mr.. Kennedy, who was
at the oars, pulled away for shore as
fast as he you'd, the Newfoundland
Immediately followed the boat with
the long, sweeping, powerful stroke
usual to these natural swimmers. But
Badger lost time by turning round
and round a couple of times when
he reached the surface after his UNI
expected plunge. AS soon as he es-
pied the boat, however, and heard
his master calling him, he literally
walked through the water to the
boat.
Badger swan with quick, strong
strokes of his powerful forelegs, sort
of overland" which looked as il he
was trying to pull himself out of the
water. He, of course, wasted much
of his strength in this attempt to
lift himself out, while his more skill
full opponent went ahead quickly and
easily through the water. 1t was in
teresting to note that the Newfound-
land swan with only the top OF his
head showing above the surface OF
the water while the bulldog kept his
entire head and greater part Of his
neck above the surface. Though less
skillful the latters smaller body and
greater strength soon told. He quick
ly overhauled his antagonist and soon
passed him, constantly increasing the
lead to the finish when it was nearly
100 yards.
Both dogs were pretty well windec
when pulled out, Badger less than the
other and he recovered sooner thar
the Newfoundland. They are both
fine, well-grown specimens Of theiI
breeds. The Newfoundland won a sec
ond prize at the dog show few years
ago.
The race was the result of an argu
ment between the masters of the two
dogs, in which Mr.. Kennedy main
tanned that the strength and endur
ance of the bull would overcome the
skill of the other dog and fact;
showed that Mr. Kennedy was correct
in his view. He based il upon al
event which happened within the per
sonal knowledge of one of his an
cestors. Mr.. Kennedy's grandfather
was an Englshman and served as first
mate on a merchantmen plying be
tween London and Halifax. This yes
sci was wrecked a couple OF miles Oh
shore in a dense fog. On board were
three prize dogs of the Newfoundland
variety, which were being exported to
sporting club in London. The cap
tain tried to send line to shore by
means of these dogs and thus open
communication with land. One of the
dogs was put overheard with a strong
thin line fastened to his collar. He
was killed almost instantly by wave
driving a broken spar against him
More care was taken with the other
two dogs, but each was overcome by
the terrific sea running and was
drowned before half the distance hao
been covered.
As a last resort Mr.. Kennedy's
grandfather suggested making tria
with the captains brindled bulldog
and his suggestion was acted upon
After almost five hours of terrific
struggling with the raging sea, the
brave dog was tenderly lifted out Of
the water, barely alive, and saved
from the rocks upon which he would
have been dashed to death. Thai
bulldog saved the lives of all the mel
on board that ship by his pluck anc
endurance. 1t is quite natural for Mr.
Kennedy to set store by bulldogs anc
Badger in particular, for he is de
scendant of the brindled bull that die
for his grandfather what three prize
Newfoundlands could not do.
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