Crufts

CRUFTS - Retriever (Curly Coated) - Judge: Mr C Bexon

Can I start by thanking the Royal Kennel Club for giving me the opportunity to judge at this most wonderful canine event one more time.

Can I also thank my two very able and efficient stewards Shirley and Linda for keeping me on the straight and narrow.

I was honoured to judge this beautiful gundog breed at Crufts with 99 dogs making 122 entries, which I believe is one of the best entries for the breed for some time.

I want to thank all the exhibitors for your entry and audible support for my placings. I hope that I was able to do justice to such a wonderful entry.

I have to say that all the dogs here today were completely new to me and as I do not follow the achievements and successes it was a pleasant surprise to have placed twelve Sh Chs and Champions from Scandinavia, Europe as well as the UK, amongst my winners according to the catalogue given after judging.

The Curly Coated Retriever is a unique breed of considerable history and you just have to respect them and I feel that one eye must always be on their ability to be ‘fit for function’, with strength and speed being an essential element. Consequently I was disappointed that a few lacked strength in rear quarters on the move.

Type was very good with some super heads and expression, mouths were really good, size and proportions fell within a degree of acceptability, temperaments were excellent, but one or two males tried to squat down in hindquarters when you started to go over them and one or two exhibitors were not able to get them to recover quickly enough. You can’t conclude any comment on breed type in this breed without mentioning coats, which were a little varied but many were excellent, there was one or two that were a little short of quality and tight curls of a correct texture.

Clearly in my view competent handlers can make a real difference which of course requires training, dedication and perseverance on a sound plan, but it can make a real difference in delivering your exhibit in the best possible advantage.

Veteran Dog Entries: (3, 0 abs)

1st Stephens Sh Ch Brightmeadow Never Say Die JW ShCM, 7 year old, mature, smart black, with a very nice breed typical outline, flat skull, correct length of muzzle, minimal stop and well rounded end to his muzzle. His ears were a good shape and set correctly, I liked his good length of neck into good shoulders, some forechest, pleasing depth of chest and good ribs, short loin, and pleasing topline, minimal tuck up, with a pleasing angle to croup and a good tail set. His coat is really good with excellent tight curls of a good texture. I liked his moderate hind angulation with well let down hocks. On the move he delivered energy efficient movement and had decent angle to his pasterns and rounded feet, with very good dimensions in body. Later to be Reserve Dog CC winner and Best Veteran.

2nd Mistlin’s Maycourt Starman by Crookwood ShCM Elegant looking male very good shape althrough, everything just blends together. I liked his typical head and expression, balanced skull to muzzle, good ear shape, nicely wedge shaped muzzle, pleasing smooth head without exaggeration, good quality neck of medium length and strong, with a clean throat, very nice front angulation, good forechest, short coupled and with pleasing rounded bone and straight front, with good pasterns and tight feet. I liked his topline, with a level back, slight slope to croup and reasonably good set on of tail. His hindquarters had good width of second thigh, slightly better than moderate hind angulation, but with well let down hocks. Thought 1 had the slightly better coat. He moved really well, another one to be proud of.

3rd Sutton’s Kelsmere Kaddington Another 7 year old black male, of good size, a masculine dog, with quite a lot of good features. He has a good flattish skull, very good expression, good length of muzzle, thought his ears were a tad long. He has good straight forelegs, pleasing topline, slight tuck up, in flanks, decent strong topline, for me I just would like a little more hind angulation. His coat was a decent texture and covered well. On the move, he needed just a little more strength in rear quarters I thought. He is a really happy dog and that counts in his favour, especially on the move.

Puppy Dog (6 , 0 abs)

1st James’ Kahawei Sea The Stars Liked this liver boy of ten months of age, with a lot of good breed points and scope for further developments to his advantage, with pleasing height to length ratio. His head was masculine, with a balanced skull and muzzle, very gentle slope of stop, nice eye placement and shape, pleasing length of neck, clean throat into relatively good shoulders and upper arm, level topline, good angle to croup and tail set. He has a good depth of brisket, some forechest, with reasonable correct width of chest. He has straight forelegs, with rounded bone and good length of rib cage, short loin. I liked his under carriage with slight tuck up under his loins. He has good straight bone and rounded feet, also with strong hindquarters and strong hocks delivering positive movement with drive. He is developing a good puppy coat. Best Puppy and litter brother to the puppy bitch, not a bad representation from a decent litter.

2nd Boorman & Brown’s Kahawei Star Catcher Litter brother to the winner with lots to like although a bit nervous today, one with a good outline. I really liked his head, with good head plains decent shape to muzzle. His eye colour and the shape of his eye was good. His ear set and length was positive. He has a strong moderate length of neck, good shoulders, although he seemed to want to crouch down a bit at the back end. I liked his hind quarters though with correct angulation and short hocks. He has a straight front, strong pasterns and nicely rounded feet. He was short coupled and in very good puppy coat. He has a little more tuck up than 1 at the moment. Nice second thigh on his rear quarters. Moving quite well.

3rd Dick’s Firecurl Excalibur Another promising youngster a little more immature than 1 and 2 but with some really positive breed points. Liked his very good head plains and wedged shape head and muzzle, very good outline and coat. He has a dark eye. He also has a good reach of neck, decent body shape, again with quite a lot of tuck up, which will develop. I liked his moderate hind angulation which gave another positive mover.

Junior Dog (4, 0 abs)

1st James’ Kahawei Sea The Stars Repeat of Puppy winner.

2nd Barber’s Tonispada Vuori Vincent by Blanshard Another really pleasing black youngster, nicely presented showing such good balance all through. Everything just blends together giving a very smart impression, correct in length to height ratio, but I just preferred the head of 1. He has pleasing ear length and set on just above the corner of his eye. I liked his very good neck length with moderate arch, with pleasing shoulders and upper arm, very good topline and tail set, held well on the move. I thought he had good depth of chest, with a moderate tuck up. He was short coupled, has some forechest, straight forelegs of good bone, decent pasterns and well rounded feet. I liked his hindquarters with moderate angulation and second thigh, with well let down hocks. Shown today in reasonably good coat for his age. When moved he had a good deal of strength and drive, to clinch his place in this good class. He has quite a good deal of potential.

3rd Arnold & Dobson’s Roughyeds Regal George at Treecave A raw youngster whose body to height ratio was more of a tendency to square than 1 and 2 for me. However, he was quite upstanding and yet again here was another good mover, shown in good coat, He has a balanced typical head of good length and it is wedge shaped. His eyes were of correct shape and colour. He has a good shoulder placement and correct topline, pleasing body shape, short loin, some minor tuck up. His rear angulation was moderate with short hocks well let down. I liked his pleasing bone and feet which ticked the boxes.

Post Graduate Dog (12, 0 abs)

1st Sutton & Whitehead’s) Foxriever Grey Ghost Upstanding, liver male of good balance, pleasing height to length ratio, shown in a lovely coat of crisp curls, with a decent topline, I liked his head and expression from the correct shaped and coloured well placed eyes. He has a medium length of neck, decent shoulders, good spring of ribs, strong loin, moderate hind angulation, shortish strong hocks. He has a straight front of good bone, round feet. Covered the ground quite well on the move with reach and drive.

2nd Huckle’s Foxriever Storm Cloud Litter brother to 1 with many of the same comments applying, He is a good size and has breed features of good type, with a pleasing head and expression, good set of ears. He has correct angulation fore and aft, with a good outline, pleasing bone and feet, good spring of ribs and strong loin, with good movement fore and aft. Not quite the coat of I though.

3rd Valentine’s Ravenho Tallow Tango at Pattonia A good size male of excellent proportions, with a good head, pleasing flat skull and a well-shaped muzzle, He has a good length of neck running into good lay of shoulders. His topline is strong. He has a good spring of ribs, short loin, good angle to croup with more hind angulation than 1 & 2 though and short well let down hocks. He gave a good account on the move.

Limit Dog (12, 1 abs)

1st Hodson’s Rowancurl Gentle Gaelor, Upright black male, masculine but with a degree of elegance borne out by the length and slightly arched strong neck with clean throat, very good for breed type. in lovely coat of crisp curls with no bare patches, really nice outline, striking mover, liked his straight front and good feet, He has a good width of chest which was deep with a good spring of rib, short strong loin, a level back, good angle of croup. His head is balanced with a good dark eye of correct placement and shape and with ears well placed.

2nd Edwothy’s Maycourt Heartbreaker A really nice black male of good size, fractionally longer than 1 compared to height, with a very good head and muzzle, flat skull, good wedge shaped muzzle, but slightly more stop than 1 and not quite as clean in throat I thought. He has a strong neck into good shoulders. I liked his topline which was level, strong loin, with a decent angle to his loin. He has a good depth of brisket, with very little tuck up. His rear hindquarters have moderate angulation and on the move he gave a good account of himself, using his tail to advantage. Shown and presented in first class coat which is a credit to his owner.

3rd Stubbs’ Brightmeadow Take Your Time at Densdale A good size black male, with a fairly nice head with flat skull and wedge shaped muzzle, but which was not quite as rounded off at the end of the muzzle as 1 and 2. He has a good reach of neck, pleasing shoulders and good forechest, liked his strong topline, although I thought he was quite long from pro sternum to his buttock line compared to his height. From above his body shape and rib cage were really good all through. On the move he was not quite as strong in rear quarters as 1 and 2. Shown and presented in good coat though.

Open Dog (12, 1 abs)

1st Solomon’s Sh Ch Foxriever Mystic Marvel at Elkysar, Wow, what a super black specimen. His outline is typical he has a good height to length ratio to start with. His head was super, with a flat skull, equal length to muzzle, which was long and well rounded off at the mouth, with a very moderate stop. I liked his eye shape and good expression, his ears were relatively smallish and well placed. His neck was strong and arched and of a style, into well angled shoulders and upper arm. He has a good forechest, strong level topline, good spring of ribs, strong short loin, his brisket depth is good and he has a slight tuck up in flanks, his loin was short and strong, the angle of his croup was right and his tail was straight and the set was excellent. I liked his hindquarters, a picture of strength, with moderate hind angulation and good second thigh, his hocks were well let down and firm. His bone was good and straight, with decent pasterns and tight feet. The total package was complete with his super coat of the correct tight curls and appropriate texture covering all parts required in the standard. The sum total of his many parts all flow together and inevitably deliver first class movement with good forward reach and drive in rear quarters. On the move he holds his topline firm and carries his head and tail to advantage. A dog with elegance and fit for function. Dog CC and BOB.

2nd Tostmann’s Multi Ch Bling Bling Aatami Omena, Another super black quality male, of very good breed type and the high standard shown in beautiful coat and condition. He has a lovely outline, with a good head and expression with good ears, well set, a lovely length of neck, but not quite as clean in throat as 1. He has good width of chest, straight forelegs, decent pasterns but not as round in feet as 1. His topline was good, his depth of chest was good with a good undercarriage. Nit picking I know but his hind angulation was only slightly over moderate angulation compared to 1. He moved well using his tail very well.

3rd Brookes’ Infallibles Black Crusader at Kelsmere (Imp Nor) Another mature black boy, with lots to like. Smart in appearance. All round good shape, excellent dimensions of height to length ratios. I liked his head but I felt it was not quite as good as 1 & 2, although size wise it was balanced with his body size. He has a good length of neck, clean throat, into good shoulders and produced good forechest. He has a level topline, good spring of ribs and shortish loin. I liked his undercarriage with little tuck up. He has good bone and feet. I liked his hindquarters of good angulation but I would have liked a tad more 2nd thigh. His movement was also sound and positive, his head carriage was good.

Field Trial Dog (1, 1 abs)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (6, 0 abs)

1st Richards & Flaher’s Tessmene Top Notch by Kagemusha, Another pleasing black almost four year old male in a really good coat, placed in an earlier class. He has a strong pleasing wedge shaped head, decent length of muzzle to skull ratio, with a pleasing eye colour and expression, with a good length of neck, good front angulation, decent depth of chest and spring of rib, slight tuck up in under carriage. When stood he can relax a little too much and he leans back a fraction causing his topline to dip slightly. However his hind angulation was fair, he moved quite well.

2nd Baines & Hawley-Clarke’s Karnawalowy Drink Z Basisfory (Imp Pol) A six year old liver male, built with substance. in profile he looked a little more than a fraction longer in body than height at the withers. He had a strong muzzle, good mouth very nice eye and I found his ears were a little on the large size. His neck was a good length, slightly arched, into reasonably good shoulders. He had good bone which was straight into fairly good feet, his hindquarters had good width and his hocks were well let down. He moved quite well, shown in decent coat.

3rd Duff’s Overbore League of Their Own, A fairly balanced black male. His skull was flat and his muzzle was the same size, he had good ear size and set, his neck was medium in length, with decent shoulders and very good body and underline, He had straight forelegs and moderate hind angulation with well let down hocks. On the move he did very well. His coat was a little open for me.

Veteran Bitch (5, 1 abs)

1st Spraggins’ Sh Ch Maycourt Hot Love at Tusepo, I loved this seven and a half year old liver bitch, with such a lot of breed type, excellent quality. Shown in really good coat, crisp tight curls were the order of the day, with no gaps. She has a feminine head, flattish skull, good shape and length to muzzle, with a pleasing eye of a good size, position and colour. I thought her ears were good and well placed, her neck was medium length, very slightly arched. Her topline was strong and held well on the move. She had forechest and a good depth of brisket with a light rise in under carriage. Her rear angulation was moderate and she had good muscle tone and really short hocks. Her front was straight of rounded bone with tight feet. She looked the part on the move with good head and tail carriage and sound movement.

2nd Thygesen’s Int/multi Ch Zoete Regenboog V Elegast, Another super black veteran, at eight years of age, she was the epitomy of fitness and what a spirited mover she was, expertly handled. I thought her body length and height ratios were good with decent leg length to depth of chest. She possesses a pleasing head, with a flat skull, a limited stop and a narrow wedge shaped muzzle, which seemed a tad shorter than her back skull. Her neck was good in length and strength, Her topline was level and strong, with a good tail set straight off the back of the correct length straight and well covered in hair. She had good forechest, with a deep brisket and with a very good undercarriage and strong loin. She had a decent width of chest and round straight forelegs with super tight round feet. Not quite the rear hind angulation of the winner, but with really short strong hocks. She was well presented in good coat.

3rd Whitehead’s Sh Ch Kelsmere Kamana for Foxriever ShCM Quite impressive in type at eight and a half years of age, but not quite the coat of 1 and 2 today, coming in at the top end of the bitch height scale, everything is there and she is in good condition and carrying just the right amount of weight. She has a lovely head with correct head shape and good head plains and a lovely body shape, with good topline and under carriage. She has a straight front, whilst her hindquarters have decent bend of stifle, the hocks lacked a little in strength on the move compared to 1 and 2.

Puppy Bitch (5, 0 abs)

1st Mercer & Thomas’ Kahawei Catch The Stars over Stormacre, A good sized black youngster in a very good jacket. She has a lovely head, flat skull, very moderate stop and muzzle of equal distance to skull, comprising of two good wedge shapes. She has pleasing shape and size to ears, set well and a very nice eye and expression. She has decent shoulders, level topline, reasonable spring of rib developing nicely. Her loin is short, and her angle of croup is good, leading to a good set of tail. She has good bone and feet. I thought she had modest hind angulation and she was very good on the move, sound and energetic with good head carriage and use of tail. One with a promising future.

2nd Findlow’s Roughyeds Gold Stick Cellar, A closely run thing between 1 and 2. This black bitch, is quite smart with her pleasing head plains, of good proportions, with good ear set, strong neck, very nice forechest, good width of chest and decent round bone straight into good pasterns and round feet, nice and tight. Her topline was level with good set of tail borne out by a good angle to the croup. She has decent ribbing, a strong loin with some tuck up in the under carriage. I liked her hindquarters with moderate hind angulation decent short hocks. Not quite the movement of 1, another one with potential.

3rd Hemingway’s Overbore Towering Inferno, A liver bitch with a lot to like, Initially I thought she had a good chance of winning this class, but unfortunately on the stack the handler did mess about a bit. The size is good, the general body shape is all there. She has a good outline and coat, I liked her head, with a pleasing eye and expression. Her width of chest is good and her bone is round and straight, but her feet are not quite as round and tight as they could be. She moved really well and deserved this place. I liked her bend of stifle and well let down hocks.

Junior Bitch (3, 0 abs)

1st Driscoll’s Overbore Bombette for Hisriver This is a well made girl, with plenty of substance without losing a degree of elegance. She has a flat back skull, good shape and length of muzzle, along parallel lines. She has a strong medium length of neck which is slightly arched into good shoulders, her topline is good, strong and level, conformation is good fore and aft, with short well let down hocks. On the move she covers the ground well and was shown in decent coat.

2nd Perkins’ Maycourt Miss Sweetness at Tengore, Another nice bitch of good size, she has type and is very elegant overall. Her forelegs are straight with good pasterns and round feet. She has a good length of neck, deep chest with good ribbing and short loin. She has a fraction more bend of stifle than I would consider moderate. On the move her front movement is positive but she is not so good as 1 in rear movement, but she has plenty of time to develop more on this score. Shown in decent coat.

3rd Courtier’s Maycourt Take Me Top The Top, Another immature youngster and in common with dogs in their teens they are now in one of the developing stages. With a lot to like showing good potential. She is in good coat, with a decent head and ear set. Her neck is of a good length, into good shoulders, she has a good chest and deep brisket and good undercarriage with very little tuck up. She has a nice front assembly with well tucked in elbows and nice feet. Her topline is firm and level, and her hind quarters need a bit more strength on the move. Very promising.

Post Graduate Bitch (16, 3 abs)

1st Janks’ Tessmene Tea for Two at Beauport, Four years old, smart looking bitch, with a lovely head and expression, with a good ear set. She has a good length of neck, good forehand, pleasing forechest, with decent shoulders and upper arm, placing her front legs well under her body. Her topline is good and her ribbing and loin blends together with a good angle of croup. She has good feet, fore and aft with moderate hind angulation and that ever wagging tail which is a joy. Shown in reasonably good coat. On the move she went well and did not disappoint. Must have a bright future.

2nd Carrick’s Tessmene Tickety Boo, Another close run decision between one and two of a good size, slightly longer in body compared to height, but whilst she covers the ground well, she could be more steadier. I liked her head and eye presenting a very feminine look, of a decent shape and pleasing wedge, with flattish skull. I liked her length of neck, good level topline, she has a good spring of rib, shortish loin, her hindquarters have good width of second thigh, with slightly over moderate bend of stifle and well let down hocks. She was well presented with lovely bone and feet.

3rd Moskowitz’s Ravenho Mochara Cadeaux Looked a little immature compared to one and two but with some good breed type. She has a good wedge shaped head of flat skull and equal length of muzzle, from good head planes. Her ears are well placed and of a good size. I liked her length of neck, into good shoulders, I would like to see a bit better angle to her upper arm. Her topline was level and she has a reasonably short loin. Shown in beautiful coat, with decent spring of ribs. I would like to see a little more bend of stifle. She moved OK.

Limit Bitch (9, 4 abs)

1st Bain’s Crimblescurl Time to Tango at Wenichones JW This was a very nice black bitch with lots to like. She has good breed type throughout with very good construction fore and aft. Shown in super coat and what an excellent mover, with that touch of elegance/class. She has a typical wedge shaped head of good dimensions, with a nice eye and expression, good ear length and set, medium length of neck, into good shoulders, with a deep brisket, with good ribbing, short loin and a good strong level topline, she has an excellent angle to her croup which produces a good tail set, the tail being straight and well covered. Her forelegs were straight she has strong pasterns and rounded tight feet. Her hindquarters have good width of second thigh and moderate hind angulation and well let down hocks. I do not see any exaggeration and she was very well handled.

2nd Parker-Miles, Overbore's Ace of Hearts Another really good mature bitch, typy, somewhat heavier than 1, of the correct body proportions, everything just flows together. I liked her head and expression, good ear size and set, she has a good width of chest, lovely straight bone and decent feet. She has a strong neck, decent topline, good body shape and under carriage with slight tuck up. She has strong short loin and good hindquarters, with a good coat. She delivered steady sound movement.

3rd Carlin’s Celebrated Caramel from Tornado Beta (Imp Ltu) Taller liver bitch than 1 and 2 with quite a lot of positive breed type points. She has a pleasing head and expression, ears seemed a little on the large side, and her eyes appear a tad small. In appearance her legs seem to be quite long compared to the depth of her body. She has a medium length of neck, strong, with good shoulders, a good spring of rib and strong loin, giving a good topline. I thought she has a little more tuck up than 1 and perhaps not the quality of coat today. On the move she was very positive and deserved her placing.

Open Bitch (13, 4 abs)

1st Stephens’ Sh Ch Ravenho Up Town Girl for Brightmeadow JW, I really liked this typical feminine black bitch in good coat of a quality texture, of good dimensions, height to body length from pro sternum to buttock line. She has a very nice head, with flat skull, good length of muzzle, wedge shaped from the side and above. Her neck was moderately long with a slight arch, She has forechest and good shoulder angulation. She has a level topline, good depth of ribs, short loin and good angle to the croup, the tail set comes off the topline correctly and was straight and well covered in curls. She has a moderate bend of stifle and discernible second thigh with ultra short hocks. She has a good width of chest, straight forelegs, strong pasterns and good tight round feet. On the move she is quite splendid with good reach and drive, head carriage and tail action was positive. Bitch CC.

2nd Thygesen’s No/dk/se U(u)ch Skaringen's First Impression A really first rate bitch, superbly handled getting the best out of her. Only slightly heavier than 1, but full of breed type. I loved her body proportions to height ratio, she is short coupled with a good spring of rib, her topline is level and her tail set comes straight off the level. She has strength in her excellent construction fore and aft and is so well made. I thought her head was spot on and so lovely and she had a good expression, she was shown in good coat, Moved a dream with such style and positivity. A first class girl. Reserve CC.

3rd Kuisma’s Nord/fin/se/dk/no Ch Caballus Silver Dawn Fin Jch A quality bitch to complete this trio of top flight bitches. She is slightly longer from prosternum to buttock line compared to height ratios of 1 and 2. But she has a strong outline, with slightly more substance. I was impressed with her coat quality. I liked her wedge shaped head, strong neck, good forechest and good shoulders. Her topline was correct with a good shape to ribs, strong loin. Her undercarriage was first class with minimum tuck up. Her forelegs displayed straight bone with strong pasterns and good feet, She has superb hind angulation and strong hocks. Another good mover, Top flight.

Special Working Gundog Bitch (2, 1 abs)

1st Rindosova’s Cze Ch/cze Gch Bianca Inti Anka Jch A very smart liver bitch of about four and a half years of age, mature with lots to like, good size and proportions with the correct head shape and pleasing eye and expression, although with a little loose skin on her throat. She does have good construction fore and aft, excellent body shape, with a beautiful coat. On the move she gave a good account of herself covering the ground well. Well done.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (8, 1 abs)

1st Janks’ Tessmene Tea for Two at Beauport Repeat (1st in Post Graduate bitch)

2nd James’ Sh Ch Kahawei Teal JW (Miss T James) A close decision between 1 and 2, Six year old, beautifully built with a lot of style, top of the height standard though for me, she is full of breed type, in excellent coat, moving so well.

3rd Driscoll’s Overbore Bombette for Hisriver Repeat 1st in Junior Bitch.

Judge: Mr Chris Bexon