A love for Newfoundland dogs since childhood led to TV fame for a family in Hexham.

Mark and Emma Bone are the proud owners of eight Newfoundland dogs – as well parents of three children.

The couple first found fame on Channel 4's Big Dog Britain before their story was covered by the national media

They moved to Hexham to allow more space for the dogs, but also for a "country upbringing for the kids."

Emma said: “I have always loved Newfies since I was a little girl and met two behind a huge gate while out with a friend when I was around 14. They always stuck with me and I vowed I’d own one some day. I actually got my first Newfie as soon as I got my first home when my eldest son was just a baby.”

Luckily, when se met Mark he accepted the "obsession".

“I had three of our eight Newfies when Mark and I first met – Granny Bay, 7, Moonie, 6 and Dom, 5. They came as part of the package along with my eldest son Wade, 10. We got married and had two sons together Tate, 3, and Zach, 1, before moving to Northumberland."

After the move to Hexham, it didn't take long for the Newfoundland family to expand.

"We bred a litter and kept a puppy Tuppence, 3, and later had two girls returned to us by their original families when they could no longer take care of them who are Flute and Roo who are four-year -old litter sisters. We also imported Monroe from Russia, 3, and our youngest, Kit when his first home didn’t work out."

Mark works as a construction worker and the couple also run a dog breeding business together.

Emma said: “It’s a good job. I am the groomer or else I would be bankrupted! Our daily routine involves lots of cleaning and grooming! Newfies carry a lot of dust and mud in their coats.

"It is great to save some money as insurance is the most costly part of giant breed ownership with their policies costing around £80 per dog per month. However with any giant, the vet fees can be astronomical so insurance is a must. The food bill is around £400 per month!”

Emma’s advice for others thinking about getting the breed, is to research as much as you can, not only the breed and the workload that comes with owning a Newfoundland dogs but also to research potential breeders very well.

The couple have a Youtube channel called ‘Newfangled Newfoundland’s’ where they share snippets and educational videos about the breed.