Napoleon, a large black Newfoundland, belonged to G. Van Hare, the ultimate showman of the 1800s. He was handsome, smart and talented.
G. Van Hare bought Napoleon in 1857 when the dog was a year old. The two formed a deep bond, and a few years later, Napoleon was the star attraction in Van Hare's Magic Circus. Supposedly, Napoleon was so smart, he only had to be shown how to do a trick once before learning it. His tricks varied, from spelling names and playing cards to jumping through balloon hoops and dancing to music. His first performance was at London's Pavilion Theatre in 1862. Napoleon quickly became popular, and his circus acts continued throughout Europe until his death in 1868 from an accident during a performance. Van Hare was heartbroken, later stating "This was the greatest bereavement I had ever experienced through life, he having been my constant and inseparable companion... He was the most noble, sagacious and affectionate of animals, and a universal favourite in every country he visited."