The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-25
A CANINE SWIMMING CONTEST
Exciting Match Between n NewfOuntl
land and n Hooded bulldog.
tFrom the 81. Louis Disp:

Urom the 81. louis Dispatcl.
A few persons who happened to be on
| the landing at Canarsie jamaica Ray,
early one morning n few days ago, wit
messed an Unmatched swimming race The
| contestants We're two dogs. a Newfound-
land and bulldog. Tie result was unex-
| pected. The bull, By the strength and
! pluck characteristic of his race, won from
| the Newfoundland by nearly 100 yards in
| spite of his rivals natural swimming adj
| vantages.
Mr.. Kennedy. the owner of Badger, the
victor. and a neighbor OF his who owns the
big Newfoundland, had arranged some time
ago to have this race come off Last Tues
day morning they went out in a rowboat,
taking both of the dogs with them. After
they had roMed some distance across the
Flats" the Newfoundland, at a signal
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 could the
Newfoundland Immediately following the
boat with the long. powerful, sweeping
stroke usual TO these natural swimmers
But Badger lost time by turning round
and round couple of times when he
reached the surface after his unexpected
plunge. AS soon as he espied 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 over
hand which looked as if he were 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
skillfuI opponent went ahead quickly. and
easily through the water. IL was interest
ing TO note that the Newfoundland swan
with only the top of his head showing
above the surface OF the water while the
bulldog kept his entire head and the
greater part of his neck above the surface.
Though less skillful the latter's smaller
body and greater strength soon told. He
quickly overhauled his antagonist and soon
passed him, constantly increasing the
lead to the finish, when it was nearly 1G0
yards.
Both dogs were pretty well winded when
pulled out. Badger less than the other,
and he recovered sooner than the New
toundland. They are both fine, well grown
specimens Of their breeds. The Newfound-
land won a second prize at the dog show
a few years ago.
The race was the result of an argument
between the masters of the two dogs, in
which Mr.. Kennedy maintained that the
strength and endurance of the bull would
overcome the skill of the other dog and
lactS showed that MI. kennedy was cor
rect in his view. He based it upon an
event which happened within the personal
knowledge Of one of his ancestors. MIR.
nennedy's grandfather was an English
man and served as first mate on mer-
chairman plying between London and
Halifax This vessel was wrecked
couple of miles off shore in dense fog.
On board were three prize dogs of thu
Newfoundland variety. which were being
exported 10 a sporting club in London.
The captain 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
broken spar against him. More care
was taken with the other two dogs, but
each was overcome by the terrific sea rum
ming and was drowned before half the dis
lance had been covered.
As a last resort Mr.. Kennedy's grand
father suggested making a trial with the
captains b.indle bulldog and his suggest
ion 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. That bulldog saved The
lives OF all the men on board that ship by
his pluck and endurance.