"Many thanks for the lovely entry and the Committee for the invitation to Judge at your show which was run parallel with the Newfoundland Club and the Judge was David Cavill, later a Supreme Show was judged by Audrey Howells.

I have long had an interest in Newfoundlands back to the very early eighties when I first started out to show, 1981 to be exact, when going to training for the first time I met this large heavy boned white and black newfie, later a Champion and being inquisitive I then had a very good teacher explain the finer points of a good Newfoundland.

Also later had the chance to be from the side lines involved with them from a well- known kennel and handler today, doubling up to shows, so often helped groom and handle too, when numbers were high so within that time I was lucky to be around several quality breed Champions owned by an array of top kennels.

Most of the exhibits were presented in clean and knot free conditions. A few sadly, a point I do not particularly favour or like, is over sculpturing. Newfoundlands do not need it, by all means tidy but not sculpt. Another concern I found was mouths and bites, there were few and far between correct bites which were set square to jaw, very often they were lacking in underjaw and seemed to be giving loose flews too. There was a considerable bone and size variance too within the head ratios and shapes (without the blow drying part), also on some top lines which became evident on the move, and tail sets and in turn their actual carriage, which is one main tool of the job they were bred for, rescue etc. as a strong rudder so loins should be firm, broad and strongly muscled back ends for swimming and not weak in thighs or hocks. This said there were some very good representatives of the breed today and thank you for some super natured dogs and bitches."