"I would like to thank all the exhibitors who entrusted me with the privilege of going over their dogs in an excellent entry and for making the day so enjoyable. The atmosphere was terrific, friendly, sporting and a credit to all exhibitors. It made me proud that there are so many people in the Newfoundland show ring who obviously care deeply for their dogs - I had a wonderful day and thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to assess so many quality dogs, many of which were unfamiliar to me since I am currently not involved directly in exhibiting or breeding Newfoundlands. However this actually made my job easier since I had very few preconceptions about the dogs entered and was in a position to be completely impartial in my choices. I thoroughly enjoyed examining my catalogue at the end, wondering which dogs I had placed well.

Some decisions were very close and placings could change on another day. But I was really delighted with my winners, and indeed within most classes I was spoilt for choice - there was real depth of quality. Some good dogs went unplaced in really strong Junior, Yearling, Post Grad., Limit and Open classes. I was impressed with some of the young dogs and bitches, which augurs well for the future. Dogs were generally turned out superbly and temperament was excellent. Their gentle nature, dignity and sweetness shone through. This is the hallmark of the breed and we must preserve it at all costs.

What was I looking for in the dogs I was privileged to judge? The function of the breed is always foremost in my mind when judging. The Newfoundland is an active working water breed which should impress with the sense of the strength and power necessary to function as a multipurpose dog at home on land and in the water. It's working heritage must be protected and treasured. If we lose sight of the purpose and role of the original Newfoundland we will lose the essence and soul of the breed.

I looked for excellence and tried to be positive, looking at the whole dog. I do not believe in fault judging and regard faults as part of the overall picture of a dog. No dog is perfect. Good features should outweigh bad. Some faults I consider minor, and these I forgave, instead concentrating on size, substance, type, quality, overall balance (especially of the head), correct conformation and sound movement. I did not penalise excellent dogs with a slightly imperfect bite or cosmetic colour fault since these faults have no bearing on a dog's ability to function as a draught and swimming animal, but I did penalise major faults like loose eyes, lack of size especially in males, weak bone, incorrect open coats, lack of overall balance and poor movement. It should never be forgotten that the large size, strong bone, heavy double coat and strength were essential originally to withstand the extreme climate of Newfoundland and to survive the privations these dogs endured during their hard working lives, pulling heavy loads on land and swimming in stormy icy seas. That is the essence of the breed, and we change this at our peril. Correctly built Newfoundlands should move with power, stamina and drive. The Breed standard states 'noble, majestic and powerful'. There is an emphasis on 'strength and great activity' and I was looking for dogs which were 'fit for function' (KC wording) i.e. They could work as draught and water rescue dogs which was the original function of the Newfoundland. Developed musculature and strong hindquarters were vitally important in a dog which was developed originally on the island of Newfoundland as a workhorse in bleak terrain and a sub-arctic climate. Newfoundlands were never bred to be flashy light footed dogs zooming round a show ring. It was interesting that some of the strongest best movers in the entry were working dogs who swim and cart regularly, e.g. Both the Bitch CC and Res Bitch CC participate in both water and draught and had the strong hind musculature to prove it. Both the Best of Breed and Reserve Dog CC similarly covered the ground with effortless strides from powerful hindquarters. I believe it is essential to ensure that show dogs are sufficiently exercised so that the ability to act as a dual purpose show and working dog is not lost. Some exhibitors are afraid of letting their dog swim, in case the coat is damaged. Please read the Standard!! And celebrate the reason for the breed!! Scissor less and swim more!!

In terms of presentation, I do not agree with judges or exhibitors who believe that super trimming, sculpting (used to disguise faults like dippy backlines) and flashiness is the be all and end all when presenting a Newfoundland in the ring. Excessive trimming can actually accentuate faults eg. over enthusiastic removal of chest hair makes an A frame chest even more obvious. Please exhibitors, never cut a dog's whiskers in order to make the muzzle appear cleaner. Whiskers are an essential part of the dog's sensory system and should never be touched for purely cosmetic purposes.

Size and strength with balance are absolutely vital in both dogs and bitches. Judges should not be awarding top honours to undersized males or leggy giraffes. My choices had to give an overall impression of great power and strength. This is a giant draught breed, not a Labrador or Flat coated retriever, and it is essential that both judges and exhibitors take a long hard look at the dogs which are currently being shown and placed. Height of course is not the only factor to consider. It is possible for a tall dog to be totally unbalanced and overall symmetry is vital. In less competition I would place a well made, smaller balanced dog of good type over a poor sizable dog but in an entry as large as Crufts I found some excellent dogs which had all the features essential in a good Newfoundland.

I looked for well proportioned dogs and bitches of square appearance in body profile (though it is acceptable for bitches to be longer coupled) whose height came from depth of body not length of leg. A good full chest width and depth at brisket and well sprung ribs are essential for a working dog in order to allow ample heart and lung capacity. I looked for a strong broad back with level topline, deep body with no discernible tuck up, and strong well muscled loins. Some dogs were too fine boned and lacked strength particularly in fore and rear angulation. My winners excelled in size of bone and great substance. I also set great store on strong hindquarters since driving power for swimming, pulling loads and covering ground efficiently depends on a powerful rear assembly. I penalised straight stifles, weak underdeveloped thighs and cow hocks .

However, no matter how outstanding an exhibit appears in relation to the Breed Standard in other ways, there is no question that the breed currently has a problem with exaggerated head shape which has led to conformation defects of the eyes, and jowly muzzles. The Kennel Club has stated that 'judges must penalise any features or exaggerations which they would consider to be detrimental to the soundness, health or well being of the dog.' Particular points of concern have been specifically highlighted by the KC for certain breeds including Newfoundlands in Category 2 under the K.C. Breed Watch scheme. All Newfoundland judges are required to provide feedback after judging on numbers of dogs affected by 'Conformational defects of the upper and lower eye lids (loose eye lids)'. This fault must now be penalised by every judge when deciding awards. In the past I have sometimes overlooked a loose eye if the dog is otherwise good quality, but now this fault cannot be ignored. I can state unequivocally that there is a good reason for the Kennel Club to be concerned - a significant number of dogs eyes showed haw, either below the eye owing to sagging bottom eye lids or in the corners owing to incorrect eye shape. The Breed Standard states 'Eyes should be relatively small, dark brown, not showing haw, set rather wide apart. Free from obvious eye problems.' One of the issues that troubles me most (which is linked with correct eye shape) is the enormous change that has taken place in the head balance of the breed in recent years. There was a wide range of head types, many incorrect. We are in grave danger of losing that soft melting expression which comes from the correct balance of small, dark brown, almond shaped eyes, gently curving crown, square, deep short muzzle and gentle stop. Some heads were overdone, too coarse with abrupt stops, large ears , wrinkled muzzles and jowls too massive, too deep, what I call a St. Bernard/Mastiff type head. Yet some of these dogs are winning. Breeders and Judges should always remember that a Mastiff type head is totally incorrect in the Newfoundland. It is a health risk, leading to respiratory problems, snoring, panting, drooling and excessive wrinkling of the skin which in turn leads to loose eyes. Deep set eyes can also lead to ingrowing eyelashes as well as loose eyelids. There were a number of light or round staring eyes which spoil the expression. Some dogs have really long narrow muzzles which sweep back into narrow skulls with minimal stop. I find it so depressing that Facebook is awash with photos of often imported Newfoundland dogs and puppies with hugely overdone heads and there are comments praising the dog's gorgeous head! I noticed a photo today on Facebook of an imported puppy with such large jowls and incorrect skull shape that he would make an excellent Neopolitan Mastiff, complete with diamond shaped eye! Any puppy with a very massive strong head is extremely undesirable since the exaggeration will be even more pronounced as the puppy matures. I suggest ALL breeders, importers and exhibitors look again at the Breed Standard which states that the head should be broad and relatively large, occipital bone well developed, no decided stop, muzzle short, clean cut and rather square. Then please choose and act accordingly. I think we need to be very careful that head type complies with the UK Breed Standard.

With eyes at the forefront of my mind, I looked for dark well set almond shaped eyes with close fitting eyelids and minimal haw. There were a few light eyes which spoil expression, but in an overall good dog I made allowances as long as the eye and brow ridges were correctly shaped and the balance between muzzle, stop and crown of head was correct. All my top winners had gentle, curving, well balanced, unexaggerated heads but in a couple of classes I made awards to dogs who were excellent in other respects, moved well but their heads were too strong for me to ultimately take a top award. I think it is important for exhibitors to recognise that judging is a balancing act, one feature against another, positive and negative and the final result is very personal to the judge concerned. But I honestly believe that good health is a fundamental right of every dog and over exaggeration leading to defects should be penalised by a judge.

Mouths in general were good. There were no incorrect jaws and no wry bites. Movement was varied - from excellent, smooth, rhythmic, ground covering action in the best dogs which excelled in driving from a strong, muscular, well angulated hind assembly with good forward reach and extension, to weaving, plaiting and crabbing with incorrect pastern and hock action in less well constructed dogs. I (and the spectators) particularly enjoyed the Kangaroo bouncing and hopping by an otherwise sound well made Landseer girl who I am sure can move well when she wants to - very frustrating for the owner who took it in good part!

I was delighted with my two final line ups which were full of top quality Newfoundlands. I could happily have given a ticket to many of these dogs, but in the end the Dog CC and BOB went to a cracking black male from Italy, Int. Ch. Blu Emperor of Newfoundland Hills, who shone on the day and was outstanding in all respects. My Bitch CC was the ultra feminine Bearhugs Anya who filled my eye and demanded the top award. I was delighted to learn later that this made her up to a Champion - very well deserved! Congratulations to all concerned, she looked simply stunning. My Res CC winners were excellent examples of the breed, Joalta Storm Warning from Junior and Ch. Alphabear Dancing Queen at Sealake, ShCM."