Ch. Darkpeak Mystified running through the shallows

  • About Us

    Alan & Kirsteen Farrar

    Kirsteen

    Contact Info

    Scheme Member

    Our History

    The Derbyshire Peak District
    The beautiful Peak District

    The Early Days

    The Darkpeak kennel was founded in the 1980’s. The name 'Darkpeak' comes from the area in the Peak District where we used to live and walk our first Newfoundland 'Bilbo' (Polar Bear of Darkpeak).

    We purchased our first Newfoundland as a pet but quickly became 'hooked' on the breed, developing a keen interest in working activities.

    Bilbo was joined by 'Layla' a White & Black bitch (Liskarn Lotus Blossom of Darkpeak) and then by 'Rani' (Bouderee Julenisser of Darkpeak) who was to become our foundation bitch.

    Thoughtful breeding using both UK and International bloodlines has resulted in Challenge Certificate winners in all three colours and several Darkpeak dogs gaining their Champion titles. Key achievements include Ch. Darkpeak Mystified who was top winning Newfoundland in 2005 winning a total of 15 Challenge Certificates.

    More recently

    Litter sister and brother Ch. Darkpeak A Perfect Storm and Ch. Darkpeak Raging Storm from Millthorpe each gained their Junior Warrants and went on to become the first White & Black siblings to achieve their UK titles since the 1970s.

    Ch. Darkpeak Fallen Angel became top winning bitch in the UK in 2014 with a total of 12 Challenge Certificates and also in 2014 Darkpeak Diamond Dust became the first Newfoundland in the UK to gain a Rally Title achieving both Level 1 and Level 2.

    Our Import male Ch. Cape Lewisporte Nirvana at Darkpeak JW was Top Puppy in 2015 and gained his title in 2016 at the age of just 21 months.

    Health & Happiness

    Darkpeak have a keen interest in health and all dogs, whether they are to be used for breeding or not, are Hip and Elbow scored under the KC/BVA scheme, have their hearts tested by a Vet with a Diploma in Veterinary Cardiology and are screened for Cystinuria. We have also recently started testing for Thrombopathia and Degenerative Myelopathy.

    Despite the showing and working successes, all the Darkpeak Newfoundlands are 'house dogs' and can be found curled up in front of the TV or fire in the evening.