Newfoundland Regional Specialty Show 2008

To everything turn... turn... turn...

There is a season... turn.. turn... turn...

And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to groom

A time to crate

A time to stack

A time to bait

A time to seal the letter of fate

A time to show all great Newfies

I swear, it's not too late....   or is it?       

 The Newfoundland Regional Specialty Show is set for  Friday October 24th at the Dixon May Fairgrounds in Dixon, California. Hosted by the Newfoundland Club of Northern California, it promises to be a fashionable array of some of the most beautiful Newfoundland dogs from the Northwestern Region of the United States. Best in Specialty Show 

shares the top shelf with other coveted titles such as Winner's Dog, Winner's Bitch, Best Veteran, and Best Puppy in show.  Sweepstakes winners receive cash awards and there is always a nice raffle with a bounty of Newfoundland Dog-related prizes. Rain or shine, the dogs all look their best from hours of grooming and training. The judging is intense and the handlers do their best to show that their dog deserves the win. It is a time to cheer and laugh and share a day with friends and some of the most wonderful dogs on the planet. So sharpen those scissors, gather your brushes and buckets, drool rags, bibs, crates, tables, secret shampoo and conditioners, and possible raincoat.... it's Show Time!

 

(All of the photos in this article are for the purpose of showing examples of the dog show world and beautiful Newfoundlands and are not for the promotion or endorsement of any particular dog, handler, judge, or breeder.) 

Phoebe Takes the Points

Congratulations to Phoebe for taking the points at the Roseville Donner Trail Kennel Club show on Sunday October 5th. Working hard in the warm autumn sun, Phoebe became a Winner in the bitch classes with Judge Judy Harrington amongst a very nice line of competition including Bella in the Bred-by class. She had a great weekend with her friends Sophie and Bella who obviously gave her good pointers on how to be a show dog! Phoebe will try her luck again at the Newfoundland Specialty in Dixon, California, on Friday October 26th and the following Sunday at the Sacramento Kennel Club show with Peggy Helming of Pouch Cove Newfoundlands as Judge. 

Fish - A Dog Friendly Restaurant

With miles and miles of waterfront and some of the best restaurants in the world, the San Francisco Bay offers the very best in dining-by-the-sea, unless you want to take your dog with you for lunch, then where do you go? I recommend the most fabulous indoor/ outdoor restaurant called Fish located dockside in Sausalito with large picnic tables, fresh ocean breezes and views of the bay from the boat harbor, not to mention excellent seafood and friendly waiters who will happily sidestep your dogs while serving very fresh fare from the sea and a great selection of beer and wine. All dogs are welcome in the picnic area just like the other day after the dog show when we shared a fabulous lunch with our 5 well-behaved  Newfoundlands who relaxed with us by the picnic tables and enjoyed a nice sunny afternoon. It's always fun when the dogs can come along. 

Karazan Phoebe Buffay

Phoebe did very well for her first show this weekend in San Rafael, the Sir Francis Drake Kennel Club show.  Very sweet and well-behaved, she was somewhat timid on Saturday taking in all of the new sights and smells of the dog show with all of the new demands and having to stand for a strange judge who evaluated her from head to toe. With lots of positive reinforcement and treats, she learned well and was happier on Sunday winning Reserve Winner's Bitch. We look forward to our next show in Roseville on October 4th and 5th. She enjoyed the company of her friends Sophie, Bella, Satchel, Bruin, and Paris and she hopes they will all be there at the next show!! 

Gentle Giants by Bruce Weber

Gentle Giants... A Book of Newfoundlands, by Bruce Weber

An American fashion photographer known for his ad campaigns for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Abercrombie and Fitch, Bruce Weber works in black and white to give us a photo essay of the Newfoundland Dog with images and narration expounding the reverence and love for this beautiful and magnificent animal. Seeming at times like a bear in the woods or the shoreline of a lake, this book depicts the true character of the Newfoundland as a companion, a water dog, a child's best friend, and a dog who enjoys the company of other Newfoundlands. There are photos of the large rounded Newfoundland head with their expressive eyes and soft square muzzles that are just asking to be petted or allowed to rest in a lap or crook of an arm. One can't help but fall in love with every dog on every page, especially the puppy who decided to stand with his two front legs in a bucket, probably filled with water, which is a typical activity of Newfy puppies. Beaute Noir, or Black Beauty, a section of very black photographs of this great dog, a very difficult photograph to take with any results, shows the dog's sweetness with incredible artistry.  A section interviewing Margaret Willmott, a renowned Newfoundland breeder in Saskatchewan, Canada, quotes her as saying "People nowadays are getting too far from agriculture, having horses, and so on. They think that because they're computer whizzes, raising a Newfoundland will be simple, but it isn't." Large with lots of hair and personality, and of course, lots of love, the Newfoundland draws you in with his beauty and strength of character. This book makes you want to go hug your own Newfoundland, or at least someone else's. 

Hummer On The Move

 

Too hot?

Can't wait for winter? Here are some nice photos of Newfoundlands enjoying the snow, not minding that it is probably at least 32* F if not below zero in parts of the world like Scandinavia where it is fun to take your dog out with you on a cross country ski trip or hiking in the quiet snowy woods. Pictured top is Gizmo, an up and coming Canadian Champion, who enjoys relaxing in his front yard on a chilly Canadian afternoon. The Newfoundland's double coat insulates him from the cold and damp and will keep his body temperature at a normal 101* even while resting on a cozy snow bank. California Newfs enjoy the coastline in summer where the cool breezes and marine fog keep him comfortable, not to mention a dip in the ocean. Until then we are looking forward to the next forecast of snow and will plan on a trip to the Sierras this winter! 

    In the heat of summer most Newfoundland owners experience what is known as "blowing coat" where their dog will shed his inner layer of insulation. Brushing often and regular bathing keep your dog free of mats and clumps of dead hair and will keep him cooler. Fans and lots of shade also help. Until then.....

Let it Snow!!!