Newfie mum and son do the double

TWO NEWFOUNDLANDS have made breed history by winning Veteran dog and bitch at the recent Newfoundland Championship Show… because the winning combo are, in fact, mother and son!

Jan Ballinger was delighted when her seven-year-old dog Ch.Swanpool Frankie Dettori JW; ShCM, won Best Veteran in Show at the Show last month - this being his first ever Veteran class. But her excitement was doubled (and probably quadrupled too) when Frankie’s mother, Merrybear Silkeborg for Swanpool, (Shankara), won Veteran bitch at the age of nine-and-a-half years - a rare occurrence in any breed.

Jan asked several Newfoundland Club officials and breeders whether this feat had ever been replicated previously in Newfies, but nobody could think of it happening – at least not in the UK.

Frankie was bred out of Shankara by Delia Sarson (Swanpool). Delia was also delighted to see mum and son ‘do the double’. Frankie has 9 CC’s to his name, 3 of which he won earlier this year, and he now looks set to carry on his illustrious career as a veteran of note.

Jan told OUR DOGS: ‘Of course I’m over the moon at seeing Frankie and his mum both win in veteran like this. I wondered anyone has any records or knowledge of this happening in past - or with any other breed, because I'd love to know!’