2025 NDCC National Specialty

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Denise Castonguay

CastaNewf Newfoundlands

Denise has been involved with dogs all her life and fell in love with the

Newfoundland at the tender age of 4. It was 24 years later that she finally obtained her first Newfoundland. That was the beginning of a long and continuing love affair with the breed. Under the kennel prefix, CastaNewf, Denise and her husband, Marc bred their first litter in 1989.

Since then, CastaNewf has garnered over 100 championship titles in several countries, and over 300 working titles. Their kennel has produced multiple Best in Show, Best in Specialty Show and Group Winners along with Best Puppy in Show and Puppy Group winners and Bred by Exhibitor group winners. Their kennel also has several Newfoundland Club of America Register of Merit Newfoundlands and has had the Top Producing Dam in 2005 and 2021. CastaNewf was the breeder of Canada’s #1 Newfoundland and #3 Working Dog in 1999 and 2000 and received

the Canadian Kennel Club’s Pedigree Newfoundland Top Breeder Award.

CastaNewf is an American Kennel Club Gold level Breeder of Merit and a

Canadian Kennel Club Master Breeder. CastaNewf has also earned 25

Newfoundland Club of America Versatile Newfoundland awards. CastaNewf’s philosophy – to produce Newfoundlands who not only are superb specimens of the breed but also solid working dogs.

Denise loves the versatility of this breed and strives to produce dogs that can do it all – conformation champions, obedience, water rescue and draft work titlists. She is an AKC judge of Newfoundlands and is a Water and Draft Dog judge in the U.S. and Canada. Denise has judged in the United States at national and regional specialties as well as in Europe. Denise is a member of the NCA, is the chairperson of its Judges Education Committee and is a life member of the Canadian Kennel Club.

Denise believes that a breed’s standard is the blueprint of a sound breeding program. Along with the understanding of breed type must go the knowledge of structure and movement. The dog must be capable of performing the tasks the breed is intended for. Without those, a dog cannot exemplify the breed. After many years of breeding, showing, and working her Newfoundlands, Denise’s love is now judging this magnificent breed!

Dona Baker-Austin

Dona Baker-Austin’s love for the Newfoundland breed started at a young age. The realization of her dream to share her life with a Newfoundland began as an adult when she brought home her first Newfoundland, Macy. The start of the journey.

Dona is a member of the Newfoundland Club of America and has served on the NCA Recognition Committee. She’s also a member of the River King Newfoundland Club and North Central Newfoundland Club where she has served on the Board of Directors as President, Treasurer and Director. She has been the Chair, Secretary and Committee member for the NCNC’s Water Test. Dona is active in many events hosted by the NCA, NCNC and other Regional Clubs. This deep passion for the Newfoundland Breed has taken her on quite an adventure achieving a Versatile Newfoundland (VN) and a variety of working and conformation titles along the way. Dona’s most recent achievement is Sammie earning NCA’s Top Producing Dam in 2021 and her Register Of Merit in 2023.

Dona shares her life in Southern Wisconsin with her husband Mike and five Newfoundlands. She enjoys gardening, outdoor activities, time with family & friends and any activity with her dogs. Along with Mike, she started Shorepath Newfoundlands and has achieved the honor of AKC Breeder of Merit. Under the Shorepath Kennel, Dona has bred multiple NCA Best in Specialty winners, AKC Champions and many NCA Working Titled Newfoundlands.

Dona looks forward to sharing her love and passion of the Newfoundland

breed with others through her knowledge of conformation, water work, draft work, obedience and therapy.

Enjoy each moment you share with your Newfoundland.