In Jane Eyre, Mr. Rochester owns a Newfoundland named Piolet. Newfoundland dogs originated in Canada as aids for hunters and fishermen. There are a multitude of stories from the Newfoundland and Labrador placing their origin roughly around the 11^th century. There are accounts of Viking Leif Erikson being accompanied by a large black dog that resembled a Newfoundland. The dog breed became popular in Europe around the 17^th century as working dogs in the harbors and on ships. Newf’s are most commonly associated with having black fur, but they can have white and black fur. When Jane first sees Piolet, she refers to him as a Gytrash. A gytrash is a mythological creature from Welsh mythology and is thought to be an omen of doom. Gytrash are notorious shapeshifters that can take the form of a multitude of creature such as horses, mules, cranes, cows, and most often canines. The description of these creatures is a black, large, and furry which quite similar to the characteristics of Newfoundland. During the 1800s, Newfoundlands were a very common sight in England as both seamen and nobles adored the dog breed. Not only are they good working dogs as they can pull nets, carts, and drowning people, but nobles found the legends of the breed irresistible. The breed has a heroic history of saving people and going on adventures, notably Lewis and Clark took a Newf with them on their expedition through the American wilderness. Seeing as the breed has a noble, distinguished, and mysterious air to them, it is not a surprise they made an appearance in notable Victorian literature.  

https://www.hanc.net/breed-history.html#:~:text=During%20the%2019th%20century%2C%20the,passengers%20and%20crews%20from%20drowning.

https://lewis-clark.org/people/seaman/newfoundland-dogs/

https://www.thenewfoundland.org/mellencamp2.html