‘Matthew,’ A Pouch Cove Newfoundland, Is No. 1 All-Breed

An easygoing 3 ½-year-old black male named “Matthew” charmed his way to the No. 2 spot in the Working Group and No. 1 all-breed Newfoundland in just five weeks on the circuit in 2021 with handler Karen Mammano of Webster, New York. BIS GCHS Pouch Cove’s Alright Alright Alright is the first top special for owner Keith Mallinson of Bethany, Connecticut, a mentor level water and draft test judge for the Newfoundland Club of America (NCA). “Every show has been so exciting,” says Mallinson, who competes with his wife, Sheila, a longtime Newfoundland breeder and show exhibitor under the Kodiak Acres prefix. An early standout, Matthew won Best in Sweepstakes at the 2019 NCA National Specialty shortly after turning 1 year old and then was shown sparingly in 2020 due to COVID-19. Breeder and co-owner Peggy Helming, of Flemington, New Jersey, named the dog after Matthew McConaughey and his famous line, “All right, all right, all right,” from “Dazed and Confused.” With his stunning head, proud carriage and smooth movement, Matthew is reminiscent of another Pouch Cove male, his great-great-grandsire MBIS/MBISS CH Darbydale’s All Rise Pouch Cove ROM, the Best in Show winner at the 2004 Westminster Kennel Club and the top-winning Newfie in breed history. “The hallmark of the breed is its sweet temperament, and Matthew loves everyone,” Mammano says. The handsome, 160-pound male is fed a 50-50 mixture of Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula and Purina Pro Plan SPORT Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula.