Newfoundland dogs have been living in Newfoundland for centuries. They've been there so long no one's entirely sure where they came from. Some say their ancestors were domesticated by the local First Nations, or came across the ocean with the Vikings a thousand years ago. More likely, they were bred by the European fishermen and whalers who came to Canada in the 1500s. The dogs were perfect for life on the frontier: big, brave, and fantastic swimmers. When the first European explorers headed west toward the Pacific, Newfoundlands were at their side: one with the famous map-maker David Thompson; another with John Graves Simcoe, founder of Toronto; a third with the explorer Alexander Mackenzie as he became the first European to cross the continent; and another named Gander acted as the mascot for the Royal Rifles of Canada. His heroic act in Hong Kong saved 7 soldiers. These hardy dogs became a familiar sight for Canadian settlers, a breed that helped build our country.