Curly Coated Retriever Club

Curly Coated Retriever Club Championship Show September 21st, 2025

Judge: Nina Parker-Miles

I just want to say a big thank you to the members for selecting me as their judge for the Curly Coated Retriever Club Championship Show, having owned the breed for over 40 years I was honoured to secure my appointment at the breed speciality show in the breed’s country of origin. There was a lovely atmosphere around the ring and thank you must go to the committee for organising such a well-run show, and my two stewards, Karen and Ethan who did an excellent job. I would also like to extend my thanks to all the exhibitors for accepting my decisions sportingly.

I received a great entry and there were some very worthy winners, and some results could easily be reversed given a different day, as some dogs were either not in peak condition or carrying a little too much weight.

I do worry where the breed is going in terms of correct rear movement, some dogs were too close behind when moving, the breed standard allows for convergence at speed but not to the extent that the rear legs cross over when at a normal gait. Lack of extension and drive within the rear movement has been a problem in our breed for several years now and unfortunately seems to be becoming acceptable, a few specimens were also exhibiting wide front movement, with the appearance of a ‘paddling’ action on return to the judge.

On a positive, most of the mouths had the perfect regular and complete scissor bite and many of the specimens were in excellent coat exhibiting the correct crisp curl that the breed standard requires.

Class 1 – Baby Puppy Dog, Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Myndtown Herschels Star (Mrs I Makrova)

Super 4-month-old liver, he possesses a lovely wedge-shaped head with ears held close to the head, with correct bite and soft expression. He has a good reach of neck, depth of chest and correct topline and once settled he moved out, exhibiting good parallel movement, with extension and drive. The coat was a rich dark liver of correct curl, not too open and crisp all through. Should have a bright future. Best Baby Puppy.

Class 2 – Baby Puppy Bitch, Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st 68 – Tusepo Miss Scarlett (Mr N & Mrs S D Spraggins)

Black 5-month-old bitch. Well grown on for her age, feminine head, with lovely soft expression, with correct bite and ear small and close to the head. She is very elegant in profile, with a good length of foreleg. Nice reach of neck, going into well laid shoulders, good depth of chest and strong body with good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Correct tail set, she moved well for one so young, carrying her tail correctly. She is very much a baby and looks quite raw at this age, but I look forward to seeing her in full maturity.

2nd 11 – Tusepo Mrs Peacock (Miss C & Mr S & Mrs S & Mr N Chattwood & Allmark & Spraggins & Spraggins)

Litter sister to the first and a nice liver bitch with very similar attributes to her sister. Unfortunately, she was slightly out of coat today and took a while to settle on the move, but the two sisters will swap places many times in the future, I’m sure.

Class 3 – Veteran Dog, Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st 75 – Hunters Pride Jurajska Gwiazda at Tarockwood (Imp Pol) (Mr R M & Mrs W Tarelli)

Strong upstanding black dog who never disappoints, 7 years old and he belies his age, in super coat today. He is masculine all through, with excellent bone, nice tight feet good reach of neck and depth of chest. He is well coupled but would just prefer a little more length of loin, he has good rear angulation that is not overdone in any way. Shown in good hard condition he moved freely with good extension. Best Veteran Dog

Class 4 – Minor Puppy Dog, Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st 63 – Tessmene Red Rum by Kagemusha (Mr R & Ms G Richards & Flaher)

Strong masculine 6-month-old liver dog. Strong head, correct bite, plenty of bone, good reach of neck and lay of shoulder, and depth of chest, strong loin, and well balanced in profile, not over exaggerated in any way with correct rear angulation. Moved well for one so young.

Class 5 – Puppy Dog, Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st 49 – Maycourt I’m Still Standing (Miss R C Jack)

Solid 10-month-old liver dog. Masculine head with correct scissor bite He possesses good bone, excellent forechest, spring of rib and correct rear angulation. He was slightly loose when moving out but that will improve with age, and once he settled his drive was evident. Given his size and substance, he will take a while to come into full maturity, as the breed standard dictates. He just lost out on the challenge for Best Puppy, but he is certainly one to watch for the future. Best Puppy Dog

2nd 72 – Foxriever Fire Fly (ai) (Mrs E & Mrs D J & Mr A M Sutton & Whitehead & Whitehead)

Larger liver dog, elegant all through. Correct head proportions and correct scissor bite, good reach of neck going into good front assembly with good spring of rib and correct tight feet with moderate rear angulation, not overdone in any way. His size dictates that he will take a while until he is the finished article, but i look forward to seeing him in full maturity. He is standing a little ‘bum high’ at the moment which will be due to where he is in his stage of development. Moved ok.

3rd 51 – Foxriever Infinite Spirit (ai) (Mr AJ & Dr AM Kear & Morrey)

Liver dog, litter brother to the second and possesses many of the positive attributes. Unfortunately, he was just exhibiting a slight lameness on the rear when moving out.

Class 6 – Junior Dog, Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st 17 – Violeta Borboleta Jacques Du Moulin Du Paulu (Imp Fra) (Miss Clayton)

Lovely, elegant 13-month black dog of a good size, correct bite, nice, elegant head with soft eye and correct balance of head. He has a strong free flowing neck going into correct set of shoulders, and nice round feet, good depth of chest, and he is well ribbed up with strong rear angulation. A lovely topline which he maintained on the move, best mover of the class.

2nd 73 – Foxriever Immortal Spirit (Mrs E & Mrs D J & Mr A M Sutton & Whitehead & Whitehead)

Large black dog, presented in good hard condition with a lovely crisp coat. He stands tall and will take a while to grow into his frame. He presents with an elegant head, with correct proportions and correct scissor bite. He has a good forechest with plenty of bone, good length of loin, and well angulated rear end. On the move his front movement was not as positive as the winner, however this will improve with age.

3rd 30 – Violeta Mariposa Horace Du Moulin Du Paulu (Imp Fra) (Mrs V Dooley)

Another elegant black dog shown in excellent coat and condition, litter mate to my winner, and similar qualities exist, however I preferred his brother’s lay of shoulder. Moved out well but slightly loose on the return towards me, but this should improve with age.

Class 7 – Yearling Dog, Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st 73 – Foxriever Immortal Spirit (Mrs E & Mrs D J & Mr A M Sutton & Whitehead & Whitehead)

2nd 32 – Brightmeadow Man of Steel (Mr M & Mrs M Edworthy)

Large liver dog, very masculine all through, yet has a kind expression. Correct head and mouth, well-built throughout with good tight feet and plenty of substance. I felt he really didn’t do himself justice on the move and could have done with being extended out more to evidence his drive.

Class 8 – Maiden Dog, Entries: 0 Absentees: 0

Class 9 – Novice Dog, Entries: 1 Absentees: 0 Transfer: 1

Class 10 – Graduate Dog, Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st 73 – Foxriever Immortal Spirit (Mrs E & Mrs D J & Mr A M Sutton & Whitehead & Whitehead)

2nd 1 – Roughyeds Regal George at Treecave (Miss R & Mr J Arnold & Dobson)

Smaller size dog, one of the best heads, he has such a soft expression yet still retains his masculinity, correct wedge-shaped head, with correct bite, however he I would prefer a little more length in neck. Well ribbed throughout and correct rear angulation although I would prefer more second thigh, but this should come with maturity. He moved out with drive and maintained his topline beautifully on the move.

Class 11 – Post Graduate Dog, Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st 4 – Tonispada Vuori Vincent by Blanshard (Mrs H.S.M & Miss B.E. & Miss H.A. Barber)

Best mover in the class Three-year-old black, of a good size with correct head and expression with scissor bite, correct bone and feet and well ribbed up. He is not overdone in the rear angulation, but I would just prefer a little more second thigh, which would enhance his overall profile. Excellent coat and was moved out a dream by his capable handler.

2nd – 26 – Elgar’s Enigma Tornado Beta Con Redanimo (Imp Ltu) (Ms R & Mr L Davies & Bradstock)

Powerful large four-year-old black dog, correct head, eye and well-set ears with a good scissor bite. He is well off for bone and substance and exhibits strength all through with a good reach of neck, good forechest, lay of shoulder and length of loin and is well ribbed up. If I was to be critical, I would prefer a slightly lower tail set which would improve his profile. Moved out well once settled.

3rd 31 – Rowancurl Pullman Porter (Mrs VC & Mr KM Dooley)

An elegant three-year-old black dog, he has a lovely soft expression, yet he is masculine all through. Good size with correct bone and nice legs and feet, presented in excellent coat and condition, well let done hocks and good rear angulation. His movement just lacked the rear drive of the first two dogs today.

Class 12 – Limit Dog, Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

I was splitting hairs between the first and second dog and I’m sure they will swap places many times in the future but for me the class was won out by the reach and drive of the first dog.

1st 69 – Brightmeadow Rumour Has It JW (Mr J & Mrs M B Stephens)

Young black dog he won this class on front movement, nice head, with correct eye, excellent neck and shoulders, good bone and nice tight feet, good forechest and spring of rib, and correct depth of chest, correct tail set and moderate rear angulation, moved out with drive around the ring which won him the class. Presented in lovely condition.

2nd 5 – Kahawei Star Catcher (Miss G & Mr A Boorman & Brown)

Quality liver dog, nice head and eye, correct dentition, good forechest and ribs, nice bone with good feet, excellent ribs and top-line, moderate quarters, just slightly lacking in second thigh at this young age which cost him the class. Moved out well with full extension. Nice crisp coat of liver curls.

3rd 64 – Tessmene Top Notch by Kagemusha (Mr R & Ms G Richards & Flaher)

Five-year-old black dog, correct head and bite, slightly arched neck going into well let back shoulders and good depth of chest. He is of stockier type, and I would prefer a little more length of loin, but his rear quarters are well angulated, and he was shown in good hard condition. He moved well when settled but felt his confidence let him down on the move. Shown in good coat.

Class 13 – Open Dog, Entries: 9 Absentees: 0

Some lovely examples of the breed, I was splitting hairs with my places for the first two dogs and ultimately it was the maturity of the first dog that won him the day.

1st 3 – Sh Ch Foxriever Picture Perfect for Blanshard (Mrs H.S.M & Miss B.E. & Miss H.A. Barber)

Outstanding liver dog, Correct head and bite, strong well arched neck going into muscular free flowing shoulders. Good length of upper arm with strong pasterns and correct tight well arched toes. He is well ribbed all through and at five years of age is at the peak of maturity which was evident in his spring of rib, with good depth of chest and powerful loin. Well-muscled all through with a good bend of stifle, not over exaggerated, and with correct well let down hocks. This dog was shown in good hard condition, and this conditioning was evident on the move. He moved out with drive and purpose and was clean and flowing on his gait both on the front and rear which won him the class, he didn’t put a foot wrong. Pleased to award him the class against strong competition, Dog CC and Best in Show.

2nd 48 – Rowancurl Gentle Gaelor (Mrs H M Hodson)

I have long admired this dog, for me he exudes the elegance that a male curly should possess, with correct wedge-shaped head and parallel lines and nice soft expression. He has a good reach of neck, ample forechest with good lay of shoulder with legs of correct bone and tight feet. He is well balanced throughout and with his excellent rear hindquarters, bend of stifle and well let down hocks is the complete picture when stacked. Just lacked the complete maturity of the first dog, and I expect next year he will be in peak form. Today he was just not as free flowing on the move as the first dog, which cost him the class. Reserve CC

3rd 28 – Firecurl Excalibur (Mrs N Dick)

Liver dog, well matured for one so young, at only just over two years old. Nice head, good reach of neck and he has excellent front assembly with a lovely forechest , well laid back shoulders and correct tight feet and good level topline which was maintained on the move.

He is well muscled all through, if I was to be critical I would prefer a slightly darker eye but this may darken slightly as he matures. Moved with drive, which secured him his spot in this class line up.

Class 14 – Special Working Dog, Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st 4 – Tonispada Vuori Vincent by Blanshard (Mrs H.S.M & Miss B.E. & Miss H.A. Barber)

Previous

2nd 1 – Roughyeds Regal George at Treecave (Miss R & Mr J Arnold & Dobson)

Previous

Class 15 – Veteran Bitch, Entries: 4 Absentees: 2

1st 39 – Ch All I Ever Wanted Golightly with Roughyeds (Imp Lva) (Mr A & Mrs J Findlow)

Nine-year-old black bitch of correct size and proportions. A lovely bitch that I have long admired, she is not showing any signs of letting up, shown in super hard condition today and she powered around the ring. Correct head with soft expression framed by neat, well-set ears. Lovely forefront, reach of neck, spring of rib and well balanced throughout. Moved around the ring so soundly. She enjoyed her day out today and I was happy to award her Best Veteran in Show.

2nd 24 – Sh Ch Maycourt Crimson Moon (Miss D M Courtier)

Another top-quality nine-year-old bitch just not in her best jacket today unfortunately which cost her the class. Lovely feminine head and nice slightly arched neck, with good forechest, correct depth of chest that reaches the elbow, going into a well coupled loin, well balanced throughout with well let down hocks. Moved well for her age.

Class 16 – Minor Puppy Bitch, Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st 43 – Tessmene Chantilly Lace (Mr E H Gadd)

Super 6-month-old black bitch, very much a baby still. Sweet head and expression correct bite and with nice ears set close to the head, good reach of neck, depth of chest and lay of shoulder, good topline which was evident when she settled, correct rear angulation and not overdone in any way, moved well for one so young, plenty of promise. Pleased to award her Best Puppy in Show

Class 17 – Puppy Bitch, Entries: 1 Absentees: 1

Class 18 – Junior Bitch, Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st 78 – Foxriever Sea Fyre (Mr A M & Mrs D J Whitehead)

Correct head and lovely expression and lovely neck and lay of shoulder. In profile she is impressive with a good depth of chest and mild tuck up with correct rear angulation and nice level topline with correct tail set. She had a good side gait, her front and rear movement was not as positive as I would have liked, but hopefully this will strengthen with age.

Class 19 – Yearling Bitch, Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st 78 – Foxriever Sea Fyre (Mr A M & Mrs D J Whitehead)

Previous

Class 20 – Maiden Bitch, Entries: 2 Absentees: 2

Class 21 – Novice Bitch, Entries: 3 Absentees: 2

1st 10 – Tusepo Love Me Like You Do at Pendlecurl (Miss C & Mr S Chattwood & Allmark)

Five-year-old mature black bitch, she has a nice head and expression with strong neck and good lay of shoulder and depth of chest, she is well ribbed up and has excellent rear angulation without any weakness in the rear assembly. Good level topline. Unsettled on the move but once settled moved ok.

Class 22 – Graduate Bitch, Entries: 8 Absentees: 2

1st 8 – Ethereal Glaze from Tornado Beta for Haneslau (Imp Ltu) (Ms S M Carlin)

Super feminine four-year-old bitch. Lovely head of correct profile and sweet expression, correct height and bone, well balanced throughout with good front and rear assembly, with a covering of crisp curls good level topline and correct tail set and carriage. Lovely tight feet. She is not exaggerated in any way, and I was impressed with her front and rear movement that flowed freely.

2nd 10 – Tusepo Love Me Like You Do at Pendlecurl (Miss C & Mr S Chattwood & Allmark)

Repeat

3rd 18 – Firecurl Ace (Mrs J Clayton)

Sound liver bitch, correct size and bone. Well balanced throughout with correct head, correct bite and nice, neat ears. Good reach of neck, depth of chest, moderate tuck up and well angulated rear quarters with good second thigh, shown in good hard condition with nice tight feet. Unfortunately, just slightly out of coat today but a nice bitch who moved out well.

Class 23 – Post Graduate Bitch, Entries: 8 Absentees: 4

1st 8 – Ethereal Glaze from Tornado Beta for Haneslau (Imp Ltu) (Ms S M Carlin)

Repeat

2nd 54 – Ravenho Toulouse Latresco at Beddgelert (Mrs J L Mckenzie)

Nice black bitch of correct size and with correct bone, she has a super head, with soft expression, correct neck and good forechest going into a lovely deep chest and correct lay of shoulder. She is well balanced throughout, with correct length of loin and correct rear angulation with moderate turn of stifle. Moved out well with a lovely topline and correct tail carriage, pushed the winner hard today

3rd 41 – Roughyeds Gold Stick Cellar (Mr A & Mrs J Findlow)

I love this bitch’s head and expression, to me she exudes femininity, with the correct parallel lines and neat ears that are held close to her head. Good length of neck and correct forechest into a nice lay of shoulder and deep chest with moderate bend of stifle. Moved nicely exhibiting reach and drive maintaining a lovely level topline whilst moving out. Unfortunately, she was not in her best coat today which cost her a higher place.

Class 24 – Limit Bitch, Entries: 9 Absentees: 1

1st 25 – Maycourt Take Me to The Top JW (Miss D M Courtier)

Nice mature black bitch, lovely head and expression, she has an excellent forechest, good depth of chest and spring of rib, well balanced throughout, and not over done in the rear angulation with moderate bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Shown in super tight curl, moved with drive.

2nd 45 – Brightmeadow Never Can Say for Glenbrows (Mr T D & Mrs H L Harrison)

Lovely black bitch who pushed the winner in this class, ultimately it was just the maturity of the first bitch which clinched it. Very feminine bitch, with correct head and dentition, soft melting expression, her head exhibits the parallel lines that the standard asks for. Good reach of neck into good lay of shoulder, correct feet and legs well set under. Good spring of rib, correct loin, and well angulated rear quarters. She strode out on the move, maintaining a good level topline with correct tail carriage. Lovely tight crisp curl.

3rd 47 – Gorchest’s Pendlecurl’s Rising Star at Pepperiever (Imp Usa) (Miss V & Mrs N & Mrs L & Ms C Hayes & Biglin & Walton & Chattwood)

Sweet black bitch, slightly smaller in stature but exhibiting true type. She has a correct head and scissor bite, with neat well-set ears going into a nice reach of neck and well laid-back shoulders. Feet are correct and ‘cat like’. She exhibits a well-balanced outline with good depth of chest strength in loin and well angulated rear quarters with hocks well let down. She was shown in excellent condition with a lovely coat. Moved out correctly, I just preferred the rear drive of the first two bitches but a sound example of the breed.

Class 25 – Open Bitch, Entries: 9 Absentees: 0

This was a super class of quality bitches, many exhibiting true type.

1st 37 – Kukkasen Keita by Caballus (Mr G & Mrs J Evans)

Super 6-year-old liver bitch. This bitch is everything you would wish for, she is not overdone in any way, she stands as a sound example of the breed standard.

Head wedge shaped in both side and front profiles, with the correct scissor bite and correct oval-shaped, brown tone to her eyes, with small ears set close to her head. A strong slightly arched neck which flows freely into her lovely lay of shoulder, and she presents with good forechest. She has the correct length of leg with the forelegs set straight and well under the body, with tight ‘cat’ feet. She has good depth of chest going into a deep powerful loin with nice level topline. She was presented in good hard condition with muscular hindquarters that with a moderate bend of stifle are not over exaggerated in any way. Her movement was effortless with good extension and drive and front movement straight and true. Pleased to award her the CC and Reserve Best in Show.

2nd 9 – Sh Ch Tessmene Tickety Boo (Mrs F & Miss C Carrick)

Another quality black bitch who rivalled my winner, I judged her as a puppy, and she has certainly lived up to her promise. She has a soft melting expression and is feminine all through, lovely reach of neck, good lay of shoulder, good forechest, depth of chest and well coupled and nicely balanced throughout. She moved out with drive, if I was to be slightly critical, I would like a little more length in leg, but her quality is undeniable. Reserve CC

3rd 70 – Sh Ch Ravenho Up Town Girl for Brightmeadow JW (Mr J & Mrs M B Stephens)

Another that I judged as a youngster who has gone on to do fulfil her potential. She is of correct size and correct bone, with a nice wedge-shaped head, correct bite and exhibits a lovely soft expression. Her neck is of medium length and flows freely into her shoulders, with correct forechest, straight forelegs and nice well arched feet. She stands correct in profile, well balanced overall with a level topline and good rear angulation that is not overdone. Shown in good condition, covered in small tight crisp curls and moved out freely.

Class 26 – Special Working Bitch, Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st 39 – Ch All I Ever Wanted Golightly with Roughyeds (Imp Lva) (Mr A & Mrs J Findlow)

Repeat

Class 27 – Brace, Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st Mr J & Mrs M B Stephens

A lovely brace of similar black bitches, exhibiting the type and soundness we have come to expect from this kennel. Moved in co-ordination with each other around the ring.

2nd Mrs J Clayton

Class 28 – Progeny, Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st 37 – Kukkasen Keita by Caballus (Mr G & Mrs J Evans)

A nice mixed group of male and female offspring with their dam, who was my top bitch selection today, all exhibiting the type and soundness one would expect from this quality bitch.