Custom Silver & Gold Newfoundland Dog Necklace

Jasper was one of the very first custom pieces of jewellery I ever made, and I have a particularly soft spot for this big, brawny Newfoundland.

Jasper lived in America, while his friend Ditte lived in Ireland. They had a rather lovely long-distance relationship, and Ditte affectionately described Jasper as her doggy pen pal. In fact, she called him her Newfoundland "boyfriend"!

When Jasper sadly passed away the previous autumn, aged just eight, Ditte was devastated. She wanted something special to remember him by and contacted me to ask if I could make a personalised necklace that looked like him.

Ditte was absolutely delighted with the result. Her review still makes me smile:

“Stunning, amazing quality, so much detail and so lifelike.

I came across this jewellery maker on Facebook and after checking out their products I was very impressed. They already have a lot of dog breeds as jewellery, but I wanted a Newfoundland. I wrote to the shop owner and she replied immediately and offered to make a personalized version of the Newfoundland if I would send her a picture.

You see, I had a grey Newfie 'boyfriend' in America for many years but he passed away last autumn at only 8 years old. I loved the idea of a personalized necklace and after sending a picture I got a quote immediately. I received my 'Jasper' 2 weeks after ordering! He is stunning, so Newfie-like, even the color of his hair and the brown tinges are reflected. Love, love, love it and will be back.”

And she certainly did come back!

Ditte has become one of my lovely regular customers over the years, commissioning more pieces featuring the dogs she has loved and lost. Each time, she has trusted me to recreate another special character in silver.

I wish I had more photographs of Jasper and the original commission. He was one of my first custom pieces, and back then I had absolutely no idea just how much Fresh Fleeces would grow or how many wonderful animals I would eventually have the privilege of making.

Looking back, Jasper was a little piece of the beginning of something much bigger.

I love that a necklace made all those years ago has led to such a long-standing relationship with Ditte. And I particularly love the thought of this big grey Newfoundland having a girlfriend all the way over in Ireland!

Thank you, Ditte, for trusting me with Jasper and for coming back time and time again. 

If you would like to have your own dog recreated in silver, even from older photographs, I would love to see them. You can read more about my process here: Custom Pet Jewellery.

Who knows? Your precious friend might just be the next one I’m smiling about at my workbench.