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A black Newfoundland in a wide blue hat with large feathers, a cream lace collar and a blue velvet gown. 13 / 20

The Newfoundland Duchess Wore a Plume as Big as a Wave

AI imagenewfoundlandnapoleonic portraitduchess

A huge hat with a sweeping blue and black ostrich plume sits above the soft face of this black Newfoundland, whose dark eyes look out with a gentle, patient expression. A lace collar of cream and white spreads around the neck, and a blue velvet gown with gold embroidery covers the shoulders. The dark background is a muted study of shadows. Duchess Velvet fills the frame with calm. The feather curves across the top of the picture like a wave, and she wears it with the confidence of a dog who has never been told that her hat is too big.

Newfoundlands are big, sweet dogs known for their calm and patient nature. They were developed as working dogs for fishermen in Newfoundland, with webbed paws and a thick water-resistant coat for swimming and pulling. They are very affectionate, though their size means they should be supervised around small children and guests who might get knocked over. Their thick coat sheds heavily and needs regular brushing, and drool is part of the package. They can overheat easily, so give them shade, cool floors and water on warm days. Your vet can advise on joint health and healthy weight for a large breed.

A hat this grand might topple on a smaller dog, but the duchess keeps it steady. Gentleness, after all, is the best kind of balance.

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