FAQ

Why should you buy Maggie and Hero?

• Because your family loves dogs, especially Newfoundland or Labrador retrievers.
• Because you appreciate and enjoy cats, of all shapes and sizes.
• Because you want to teach the junior members of your family some life lessons through stories and tales which are fun.
• Because the colouring pages in our book and the information about these two very popular breeds of dog will entertain and educate.
• Because at $13.95, this colourful, well written, and exceptionally well illustrated book is a perfect classic, one to be treasured and handed on.

How was Maggie and Hero written?

Maggie (Margaret O'Brien) is an Irish citizen who came to Canada in the 1970's. She lived in the Battery, St, John's, Newfoundland, where the cats in this story live. Maggie has always said that one day she will have a great bear of a dog and a calico cat.

The Labrador puppy Maggie is based on Maggie's childhood pup, Bucky - an optimistic, curious and unsinkable dog - who lived on her family's farm in Mitchelstown, County Cork and who was constantly into or causing trouble. He frequently ran away from home bouncing back when everyone had calmed down.

Hero is based on a Newfoundland dog, whom Maggie met in Virginia early one hot day. Wearing a purple scarf around his neck, and positioning himself between Maggie and the traffic, the dog walked her along the road in a dignified manner from time to time pulling on her skirt when he felt that she was too close to passing vehicles. The gentle giant escorted her to her gate and disappeared, never to be forgotten.

Where can I find more information on Newfoundland dogs?

Read more here!

What color are Newfoundland dogs?

Newfoundlands can be black, brown, grey, or white and black. Black is the dominant colour. Their eyes are dark brown. Newfoundlandpuppies of any colour can be born with some white fur, especially on thechest.

How big are Newfoundland dogs?

Newfoundland males range from 59-68 kg and stand about 71 cm high at the shoulder; females range from 45-54 kg and stand about 61-66 cm high. Puppies gain nearly their full adult weight and height in 18 months.

Where do Newfoundland dogs come from?

The Newfoundland dog comes from Newfoundland. The breed was recognized here around 1775 and is one of the oldest breeds of dogs in existence. It descended from many dogs probably brought to the island by North American Aboriginals, Viking explorers, and European whalers and fishermen. Dogs which are many-many-times great grandparents of the Newfoundland are the Norse bear dog, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Great Pyrenees, Basques water spaniels, various sheep dogs, retrievers, and other working dogs brought from England, France, Spain, and Portugal.