Dog show judging is the life for Dudley Zoo man
By day he helps to ensure all the animals at Dudley Zoo have the food and bedding they need.
But away from the Castle Hill attraction Bill Newton has earned a reputation judging dogs for the Kennel Club.
The 72-year-old specialises in Bullmastiffs and has been on the show circuit for almost five decades.
During that time, Mr Newton, who is the zoo's oldest employee, has been both showing and judging dogs.
He has also bred and raised dozens of Bullmastiffs over the year, praising the breed for its nice temperament.
"I've always had dogs growing up and started showing in 1968 and then it was just a natural progression into judging.
"I started to judge at low level competitions, before working my way up the ladder which led me to become a judge for The Kennel Club."
The role has taken Mr Newton around the UK and overseas, judging Bullmastiffs in prestigious shows and championships in Brussels, Ireland and Dortmund as well as on home soil at Crufts and as recently as August last year he adjudicated at the Welsh Kennel Club Dog Show.
Mr Newton and his wife, Janet, from Hinksford, Staffordshire, have raised Bullmastiffs, including five champions – one of which, called Toby, also known by his Kennel Club name, Craigylea, won best of breed for three consecutive years from 1977.
He is also the Honorary Life President of the Welsh and West of England Bullmastiff Society.
"We were never interested in breeding our dogs to sell, in fact we kept most of them ourselves or family members had them and at one time we had four adult Bullmastiffs living with us as pets.
"I love the breed, it does sometimes get bad press, although I have no idea why as they have absolutely brilliant temperaments, especially with children.
"These days I do occasionally show other dogs for friends, but don't show for myself anymore.
"I still enjoy judging though and already have dates booked in my diary three years in advance.
"The Kennel Club has been part of my life for so long that I've never known any different. I love it."
And it's his meticulous judging critiques have made him the perfect storeman at Dudley Zoo for the last 14 years, joining the team after retiring as an industrial works manager.
His role involves thorough stock-keeping and ordering of the freshest fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and specialised dry food and bedding, which has to be accurately weighed and recorded before being distributed out across the 40-acre site every day of the year.
