Photo Postcard circa 1920, "Cordoba, Tipo Populares"

Comte. de Buffon, "Le Grand Barbet", Historie Natural, 1766

Edward Donavan, "Great Water Dog, Canis Aquaticus", The Natural History of English Quadrapeds, 1820

Oil, Anonymous, 1640

Burgkmair, wood cut 136, "The Triumph of Maimilian I", circa 1500

Diguet, wood cut of a Barbet, published 1899.

"Falconers", oil, circa 1830

Gesner, woodcut of water dog, Historiae Animalium, 1561

Markham, woodcut, Hunger's Lament, 1621

Rembrandt, "Self Portrait in Oriental Attire", 1631

Bas-relief Roman stele, circa 4 BC

Sketch of a Roman stele. Sketch circa 1910 by Strebel.

Lesser and Greater Water Dogs (Canis aquaticus), colored engraving, Cynographia Britannica, 1800

Youatt, engraving, "Toy Poodle", 1845

This is the oldest photograph I have seen of a Spanish Water Dog (did you spot it yet? Behind the woman!). A delightful representation of our breed in its element. Additionally, the breed type appears to have remained true: our modern dogs look just the same.

From Buffon's master work originally printed in French, and printed opposite "Le Petit Barbet" In the English verions, these engravings are entitled "Great" and "Lesser Water Dog".

Buffon's prints were engraved with black ink. Some were then hand-colorized according to a master copy.

A rare print from Donavan's master work, this print refers to the ancestor of the English Water Dog (now extinct).

According to Donavan's description, the dog was found almost exclusively in coastal regions. The prefered color was black, but pied and brown dogs existed. It was helpful to mariners in shipwrecks, hunting puffins and other seabirds on the rocky shoreline, and as a smuggler's assistant:

"It need be scarcely added that this kind of dog is the smuggler’s faithful servant: he, who under the protection of the midnight darkness seeks the vessel’s side, and towing the floating booty of kegs and half ankers which his master has committed purposely to the waves, conveys them through the beating surf and delivers them in silence to the accomplice in waiting to receive the cargo upon the shore."

Young girl with small water dog.

A falconing hunting party. Depicted are several breeds of dog, including a water dog in a lion cut (probably a Poodle).

Water dog in a lion trim holding a bird in its mouth.

A stele is a Roman gravestone. This stele depicts a man with a bird in hand and a corded dog at his feet.

A bas-relief in the Augustan style, this Roman stele depicts a seated man with an adoring water dog in lion trim at his feet.

This engraving is attributed to many creators, but is clearly a more modern depiction of Buffon's "Petit" and "Grand Barbet", including color patterns and hair styles.

Again, a more modern version of Buffon's "Grand Barbet".