I need some help

[Steve]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "stardancerofas"
<glcherry at b...> wrote:
> ... I'm putting together a MWPP charm bracelet. ...
> 
> ...What kind of dog is Padfoot? 
> 
> 
> My Dad thinks Newfoundland, but it could be an Irish Wolfhound, ...
> 
> Thanks for any and all help
> Lorrie 

bboy_mn:

I've always assumed a Newfoundland. Sirius is described as a black dog
as big as a bear, and that is very close to a Newfoundland. The are
big, thick chested, somewhat shaggy, and usually dark in color.
Newfounland can weight 100 to 150 pounds. They are a native breed to
Canada, but the breed originated from dogs brought by French and
British explorers. Also, Newfoundlands are rescue dogs. They are
exceptionally strong swimmers, and can tow a man through strong
current and heavy surf even in frigid waters. So even a weakened
Sirius would have been able to swim to shore from Azkaban. 

I looked up the Irish Wolfhound on the net and they are big dogs,
somewhat shaggy but are much leaner in appearance. If equal in height,
a Newfoundland would weigh significantly more than a Irish Wolfhound.
 Although, Irish Wolfhound can achieve weights similar to a
Newfoundland, for a given weight, the Wolfhound would be taller and
thinner.

Mastif is also a breed of 'giant' dog but they are more like 'hound',
and are similar to Fang. Mastif, of which there are several breeds,
can also weigh 100 to 150 pound, but again are 'hound' like in
apperance which doesn't fit the description.

Another very bear-like dog is the Great Pyrenees but the photos I
found showed light colored coats and they only weigh 85 to 110 pounds.

In this size and appearance of dog are also the similar Anatolian
Shepherd and St. Bernard, but they both tend to be brown and spotted.

Here is a link to photos and info about various dog breeds.

http://breederweb.com/breeds/default2.asp?group=1

You will find many heavy bear-like breeds, but the Newfoundland seems
to come the closest to the description of Sirius.

Just a thought.

bboy_mn