Page 238 - ShowSight, March 2020

The Curly-Coated Retriever is dual purpose dog. For the most part CCRs are a companion, however, there are CCRs that enjoy most, if not all, actives such as Obedience, dock diving, lure cours- ing, Fast Cat, rally, barn hunt, field competition as well as a hunt- ing companion. The CCR is a loyal and confident companion. As owners, we want to make our dogs as comfortable as possible so we provide them with the same amenities that we enjoy.
On a whole, I believe Sporting dog fanciers are faced with find- ing appropriate hunting grounds and various restrictions and local changes to laws and regulations. Even though hunting is a very old sport, today there are many groups that oppose hunting. This some- times makes it difficult for those who enjoy the sport.
A CCR makes a perfect companion for people that lead an active lifestyle. It is important to keep our dogs active in sports they like. A CCR is a loyal and confident companion.
For newcomers to the sport, I would highly recommend seeking a mentor in your breed. A person’s breeder should be your first go- to for any questions. If an individual wants to start in any activity, observation is one of the best ways to learn. An individual should ask questions, take advice, and be willing to accept criticism as they go. My outlook is that I am always learning and practicing what I have learned. This is very important. For those with a CCR and want to get involved with field work, they should try to attend Curlyville, which is held annually in Tennessee. This activity is committed to newbies and bringing out the natural hunting instinct in the CCR. It is several days of fun training activities and it culminates in hold- ing the CCRCA Field tests. This offers new people the opportunity to learn about field events as well as the opportunity to be successful enough to earn a CCRCA Field title. Lots of fun for everyone.
For the most part CCRs are healthy dogs. As breeders, we strive to produce dogs that are healthy by ensuring that our breeding stock has the recommended health clearances recommended by our parent club. There are two health issues that worry me—cancer and epilepsy. There is a breed specific database that is kept where people can report a dog that has experienced a seizure. Unfortunately, epi- lepsy is a disease that has a lot of mystery to it in the canine.
As stated in the CCRCA Breed standard, the tight, crisp curl is the hallmark of the breed. A dog that exhibits patterning (mainly on the throat and rear legs) should be penalized. The dog should be upstanding and able to cover ground. Remember, the CCR is to retrieve birds on land and in water. One of the biggest pitfalls for new judges, is the opportunity to have a CCR entry. As breeders, we try very hard to give provisional judges an entry. As the CCR breed standard states, the curly coat is the hallmark of the breed. This should not be overlooked when a judge examines a CCR.
We owe a lot to the mentors whom we have been fortunate to engage with over the years. It is imperative that knowledge be
passed along to new owners. We wish that we would have had more time to spend with some of the early breeders to learn their wisdom as well as having that knowledge to pass along. Remember, a men- tor does not have to be specifically in your breed. We have found that sharing experiences with other breed owners/breeders has been beneficial to us.
The most amusing thing at a dog show? In Brooksville this year, Scott had a judge who said, “If I have to send you around one more time, I will have to excuse you as a lame.”
JILL WARREN
I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have 30 years in dogs. I was a col- lege professor of English and then a technical writer for a major national laboratory before retiring. I love the arts—literature, art, and music.
The current quality of the Group is outstanding. There are many, many great examples of their breeds competing in the Group that I judge (Sporting).
How do I think Sporting Dogs have adapted to indoor living? Most Sporting breeds easily fall into whatever the owner wants to do. All that’s required to make them happy is an opportunity for vigorous exercise and lots of love and companionship.
Because it’s harder to have lots of land along with your house these days, I think Sporting dog breeders have a harder time placing our active dogs into a situation where they can get the exercise and activity that allow them to thrive.
Most Sporting breeds adore people, so if you want a dog that will dote on you and love to be with you, most Sporting breeds will fill that bill.
Advice for a newcomer: For Sporting breeds, I would say do your best to give hunting with your breed a try. They love it and take to it so naturally. It’s hardwired into their DNA to be good at it. It will be a great experience for you and our dog and will help you under- stand how form follows function.
My breed is English Setters, and we have relatively few genetic problems compared to some other breeds. The greatest difficulty is finding a way to give these active breeds adequate exercise for opti- mal health and well being.
A trend I would like to see continue is owners who try many different venues with their dogs. Doing lots of different activities with your Sporting dog, from conformation to hunting to agility to obedience to rally to nose work to therapy to Fast CAT to barn
SPORTING GROUP Q&A
“A TREND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE CONTINUE IS OWN- ERS WHO TRY MANY DIFFERENT VENUES WITH THEIR DOGS. DOING LOTS OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR SPORTING DOG, FROM CONFORMATION TO HUNTING TO AGILITY TO OBEDIENCE TO RALLY TO NOSE WORK TO THERAPY TO FAST CAT TO BARN HUNT (IN OTHER WORDS WHATEVER YOU ENJOY) IS SO GOOD FOR THE DOG.”
236 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2020