Background

We are Paul and Alison Dodd and we live near Harwich in Essex with our four cats. Paul is an Internet Services Provider with a background in programming, database and computer systems management. Before we decided that Newfoundlands were the right breed for us we did a lot of research (as any prospective new owner should!) and n the process we collected a large amount of data from publicly available sources on bloodlines, health and show results. This web site started as our way of sharing that data and our love of the breed with other newfie owners, breeders, exhibitors and enthusiasts. Over the years it has expanded hugely and continues to grow with new data and show results being added all the time.

Photography

In addition to his Internet Services, Paul is also a semi-professional photographer specialising in photographing dog shows and other canine activities in all breeds. His photography web site is at https://pauldodd.photography. He is a member of the team of show photographers for the Our Dogs newspaper and many of the exclusive photographs on this site are his work.

Thanks & Acknowledgements

We are eternally grateful to Suzanne Blake of Sandbears who entrusted us with our first Newfoundland, our beautiful Flo and later our sweet-natured monster Beatrice, both of whom who sadly passed away in 2019. In 2020, knowing how much we missed our girls, with great kindness to us Suzanne let Winslow join our family for his retirement. Winslow had enjoyed a stellar career in the show ring and with a wonderful easy-going temperament everyone who met him fell for him - we were no exception, he quickly captured our hearts and was devoted to Paul. We lost Winslow in January 2023 but he graced the front cover of The World Of Newfoundlands 2019-2022 book and has his place in history and in our hearts.

In July 2023, the day that Floyd won his 16^th CC, we were once again indebted to the kindness of Suzanne Blake in letting him come to us for his retirement by the seaside. Floyd has the most wonderful temperment and is hugely popular with the children and dog walkers around our local park and the beaches where he has a reputation for mugging dog walkers (in the nicest possible way) for treats.

A word of thanks to the many newfie owners, exhibitors and judges we have met and who have been so friendly and encouraging and to those people who have taken the time and trouble to email us with kind remarks and constructive suggestions which have helped us to develop this web site.

Working

We are grateful to the members of Grangewaters Working Newfoundlands, in Essex where we got started in water training with Flo as a pup. Without a newfie to work we are now 'lapsed' but the love of seeing this breed working remains. Paul is a Senior Section D judge for water tests.

Judging & Stewarding

We have thoroughly enjoyed both showing and working our dogs and recognise that without the judges, stewards and helpers those shows and events could not take place. Because of that, Paul regularly stewards at local open shows and water tests and is an occasional trainer at a local ringcraft group. In July 2024 he awarded his first Royal Kennel Club Challenge Certificates in Newfoundlands.

If you see us at a show or working event, come up and say "hello" and let us know you have visited our site. We are always happy to have comments (good ones hopefully!) and suggestions.