Thank you for visiting our web site. We are Alphabear Newfoundlands, Robert and Cheryl Hobbs. We live in South Wales with our Newfies. We have always had dogs throughout our lives but in 2000 we were lucky enough to be owned by our first Newfy "Reef" (Mileoak Boadicea) who came to us from Pam Leach to who we owe our start in this wonderful breed. With such an adorable character we soon decided that we needed a companion for her and so in 2002 Finlay (Caslmor Astraeos of Alphabear) came into our lives and we owe a massive debt of thanks to Cliff and Lynsey Morris for this fantastic boy - our first showdog. Fin excelled in the showring with us as absolute beginners and gained his junior warrant and show certificate. His show career highlights were the reserve CC at Blackpool in 2004 and four open Best in Shows and one reserve.
Joe (Caslmor Bazooka Joe of Alphabear) was our next addition and quickly made his mark in Puppy and Junior but decided that showing was not really for him (far too intelligent we think!). Joe took early retirement from showing in 2006 and has since passed his level 1 draught test and is thinking about what to do next!
Our newest addition Gracie (Sheridel Nerissa of Alphabear) was born on 16 November 2005 from Ch Sheridel Kyo (Megan) and sired by Ch Am Ch and Dan Ch Pouch Cove's Onyx Bay Wizard (Imp USA) ( Webster). We are eternally grateful to Gracies breeders Hedd and Del Richards and Websters mum Julie Sheridan. Gracie gained her Junior warrant at 12 Months and won our first cc at 14 months under Judge Gill Barker at Manchester Championship show in January 2007. In November 2006, Gracie was the runner up in the Welsh Kennel Club 2006 Top Puppy competition - we are so proud of her! She repeated this success in 2007 when she went back to win the reserve Welsh Kennel Club Top Dog.
Gracie won her second cc at Border Union under Jennie Davie and her third under John Evans at Windsor. At 19 months she was a Champion!!! Currently she is on 19 CCs (10 with BOB) and 8 RCCs at 3 years old and and has also picked up a Group 3 and Group 4 at Bournemouth and Welsh Kennel Shows in 2007 and a Group 3 at Scottish Kennel and a Group 4 at National Working and Pastoral Breeds in 2008. In October 2008, Gracie was Best in Show at the UK Newfoundland Club Championship show. As 2008 came to an end, we were so proud that Grace had become Top Newfoundland in the UK, following in her Sires footsteps. An amazing achievement for an amazing Lady.
Grace has also travelled. In August 2008, we did the Irish circuit. The highlights being two green stars and two reserves but most of all, Best in Show at the Newfoundland Club of Ireland 50th Anniversary Championship show where the judge was Mrs Debra Thornton from Cypress Bay Newfoundlands in the USA.
Unfortunately, we have had sad times too. We lost Reef to illness at 2 years 11 months in 2003 and in December 2006 at just four, Finlay joined her at Rainbow Bridge and took a piece of us all with him. God bless you both.