Page 240 - ShowSight - February 2020

SUE DAVIS
I have been involved in Curly-Coated Retrievers since 2007 and have had success in the breed ring, obedi- ence and hunt tests with my dogs. I also steward in the ring on a regular basis. I love this breed and I think they are the unknown gems of the Retriever breeds.
I work in college admissions. I have a number of hobbies such as visiting amuse- ment parks, drawing and painting.
Do I hope my breed will change in popularity? I would like to see the Curly increase in numbers but as breeders we have to be aware of increasing diversity in order to produce healthy dogs in the future.
Does the average person on the street recognize my breed? Very few people know what a Curly is. We usually are asked, “Is that a Doodle?” which is really frustrating.
What qualities in the field also come in handy around the house? I can always ask my dogs to fetch up items. Like most Retrievers, they like to carry things around the house in their mouths.
What about my breed makes them an ideal companion? Curl- ies are very loving dogs and typically get along well with other dogs and people. They need regular exercise to keep them out of trouble. They do tend to be escape artists. At times they can be heavy shedders. The hair is easy to pick up as it clumps together like tumbleweeds.
Are there any misconceptions about my breed? Curlies have a had a reputation as being hard to train. I have found that they are willing to train for a variety of events but do not like constant repu- tation. I think that they get rather bored of doing the same thing over and over again. You have to keep training fun and sessions shorter. They tend to catch on fast.
What special challenges do CCR breeders face? I think breeding has become difficult for all of us. We study pedigrees, do genet- ic testing, and mentor new owners only to see people hop on the designer dog bandwagon. Breeding in most cases is not a money making enterprise. We breed to preserve Curlies and because we love them. The current social climate is not kind to breeders because of AR activists. We all need to be more vocal to stand up to these groups and allow people choice without shaming.
What age do I start to see definite signs of show-worthiness? Curlies go through several stages of awkwardness. Typically I like to see what they look like at eight weeks to get an idea on how they will look later. Usually at six months I can tell whether or not they have the personality and structure to be a good show prospect.
Is there a good market for my breed? Yes, most of us have wait- ing lists because it is a rarer breed.
The most important thing about my breed for a new judge to keep in mind? In the past year I have seen several judges awarding Curlies with obvious hair patterning. The standard states this is to be highly penalized. I would like judges to really study the breed standard and judge accordingly.
The best way to attract newcomers to my breed? I think we all need to talk about our breed and really welcome new people by serving as mentors. We also attract future newcomers by showing
what our dogs can do in a variety of venues and not just in the show ring.
What is my ultimate goal for the breed? To preserve and breed Curly-Coated Retrievers.
What is my favorite dog show memory? Winning the breed at Westminster in 2018. It was a dream come true.
Is there anything else I’d like to share about my breed? What I really like about Curlies is that they are such a multi-purpose breed. There are so many things we can do with our dogs. It is not unusual to see Curlies with many different titles. They are just fun dogs!
MARY MEEK
I have been a Curly owner since the early 80’s. My first show dogs were Afghan Hounds but when my husband Gary decided he wanted a field dog the Curly ended up on his short list. At that time they were hard to find and when I met my first Curly I was smitten and I have never looked back. I have been breed- ing since the late 80’s and have bred the top winning dog and bitch, always owner handled,
in the United States. I am a member of The Curly Coated Retriever Club of America, am presently its president, serve on the Judges Education Committee, show plans committee and on other com- mittees over the years. I am nearing the end of my ring career and look forward to watching all my Curly kids and grandkids and their owners as they compete in their various venues.
I live in Holland, Michigan. I have a grooming shop which I have owned with my partner and friend for over 30 years. I have four grown children, ten grandchildren, and five great grandchil- dren. I grew up loving the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and have enjoyed all of them for most of my life. I am now a bit slower and like my comfort so not as active as I used to be.
Do I hope the breed’s ranking will change? I believe many of us would like to see the Curly become not so rare a breed but at the same time I don’t want to see our numbers grow at the expense of health, genetic diversity, or quality and type. If you go back to pictures of Curlies in the late 1800s and early 1900s the breed hasn’t changed much in overall looks to this day and we are proud of that. This breed has a lot to offer families, and those who love to train in different areas and having people discover this would be something I would like to see.
Does the average person on the street recognize my breed? No, the average person on the street thinks the Curly is a Doodle, we even wear shirts that say “they ain’t no Doodle” and they still don’t believe us.
The qualities in the field also come in handy around the house? In order for a Curly to work well in the field they must have man- ners, listen, do what they are asked to do and have a good time finding and retrieving those birds. A pet Curly needs to have manners, be obedient, enjoy its family and the things they are interested in.
What about my breed makes them an ideal companion? The Curly is a more laid back personality than the other Retrievers, he is devoted to his family, loves children and welcomes their friends to
Curly-Coated Retriever Q & A
238 • ShowSight Magazine, February 2020