Curly Comms
CCRC Chairman at Royal Kennel Club, 4 September 2025
Nigel Spraggins attended the RKC, in London on Thursday, he told us,
‘I attended a fascinating presentation at the Royal Kennel Club by Heidi Hudson, Curator of Photographic Collections launching the exhibition “Show Prizes: Going for Guns, Gold, Silver and Spoons.” Fascinating highlights of the Victorian and Edwardian eras in particular. Back then you could win significant prizes including kennel and run as well as a cooker for dog food. A surprising fact was that the first dog show in 1859 was put on by a gunmaker to market his guns and the first prize was a rather special shotgun. It was for pointers and setters only and held in Newcastle Upon Tyne primarily so those on the large shooting estates in Northern England and Scotland could access.
Bit more on the history of the breed…
As far as development of retrievers is concerned the chronological order is Curly, Flatcoat, Golden, Labrador. The Lab Retriever was developed in the UK! Some have said that the Labrador is somewhere in the development of the Curly. Where the confusion arises is that there was a Labrador Dog which is different from the Lab Retriever. The Labrador Dog was similar to the Lesser Newfoundland which is thought to be part of the Curly history.‘
Nigel said, ‘Maybe one day I’ll get this close to the Crufts BIS trophy again!….‘
Curly Coated Retriever Club Championship Show, 21 September 2025
Entries for our Champ Show are now closed, and we’ll update you with details of the entries once they are confirmed….
We have lots to look forward to on the day…
-The Champ Show itself of course, with Breed Specialist Judge, Nina Parker-Miles.
Nina Parker- Miles – Khanastra Curly Coated Retrievers
An introduction – I have owned CCR’s for the past 44 years, my first dog a male liver was rescued from Bath Dogs Home in 1981. Jasper – Coffee Companion, came to us at 10 months old and after tracing his pedigree papers I began showing him at small shows with limited success, he wasn’t a great example of the breed, but I enjoyed the shows and had great success in the Junior Handling classes at Championship Shows. In was in those early days that I was lucky enough to meet Lynn Hull of the Cobrizo kennels who took me under her wing.
My greatest successes have been obtained handling for others, making up champions in both dogs and bitches. In 2008 I set a breed record when I successfully handled Pepperiever Galangal at Pendlecurl, the first liver curly to win a Gundog group at a General Championship Show in the UK. I have bred a limited number of litters, successfully exporting bitches to Sweden and Belgium back in the 90’s, Dutch & German Vdh Ch. Khanastra Bijou D’inde and SE TCH SE(u) & FI UCH Khanastra Generous.
At home on my sofa I have Sh Ch Tengore Mr Moonlight (3 cc’s 12 rcc’s), Overbore’s Ace of Hearts (2cc’s 3 rcc’s) and Bumble, an ageing rescue staffie cross.
I have been judging Curly Coated Retrievers since the 90’s, judging other gundog breeds at open show level, and awarding CC’s in the breed since 2014. I’m really looking forward to my appointment at the breed championship show, having judged the breed open show way back in 2006.
I’m looking forward to judging some quality dogs and enjoying my day out within this friendly community of breed enthusiasts.
As usual we will have rosettes for class placings 1st to VHC, and special rosettes along with extra special prizes donated this year for the main winners.
Also…
– The Curly Coated Retriever Club Shop where Heather Driscoll will help you with your purchases.
– Our Raffle and Tombola where there are always great prizes kindly donated by those who attend. Donations will be greatly received.
– Our Curly Coated Retriever Club Rescue Stand, where sales will raise money for Curly Rescue.
– Anne Russell & Marie Gill with their stunning handmade greetings cards.
– This year we have a Blind Auction, with fabulous lots.
– ‘Marnie Rose Collections’, amazing AI inspired greetings cards, canvases and keyrings created by Gill May.
– Neil Harris Crystal with his beautiful designs.
– And our Breed Appreciation Day and A3 Assessment will also be taking place so this is a unique opportunity for our learning judges to see lots of Curlies in action.
Let’s face it, we’re going to have a great day and we look forward to seeing you all there…
Richmond Championship Show, 7 September 2025
Judge: Mr Nigel Spraggins (Tusepo)
29 Dogs, making 28 Entries, made the journey to Loseley Park, Nr Guildford in Surrey, for Breed Specialist Judge, Nigel Spraggins. Nigel’s main winners were:
Best Special Beginner: ARNOLD, Miss Rachel & DOBSON, Mr James Roughyeds Regal George At Treecave, & shortlisted in the Gundog Group – Specbeg under group judge Mr Espen Engh.
The full results can be found here on the Show Results Page.
Darlington Championship Show, 14 September 2025
The entries have been announced for Darlington Champ Show at Ripon Racecourse, North Yorkshire – 37 Dogs, making 41 Entries for Judge, Mr E Engh, from Norway.
Liskeard & District Canine Association, 6 September 2025
Breed and Group Judge: Karen Stirk (Grakar)
Post Graduate (1/0)
1 Ms D Courtier, Maycourt Cover Shot BOB
Open (3/1)
1 Mrs M Edworthy, Maycourt Heartbreaker
2 Ms D Courtier, Maycourt Take Me To The Top JW
Newton Abbot & South Devon Canine Society, 30 August 2025
Breed Judge: Jak Titchener (Driftzu)
I would like to thank Newton Abbot and South Devon Canine Society for the kind invitation to judge. This was my first time officiating for the breeds scheduled as well as the handling classes, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. My thanks also go to the committee for their warm hospitality, the venue for an excellent lunch, and to my two efficient stewards who kept the ring running smoothly. I was extremely pleased with the overall quality of both my dog and handling entries and would like to thank all exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me. I did not find any major faults in the dogs on the day and was delighted with the standard presented.
Retriever (Curly Coated):
SY (2,0)
1 Edworthy’s BRIGHTMEADOW MAN OF STEEL. 22-month-old D of good type. Pleasing head, acceptable topline. A little unsettled on the move today, but showed plenty to like. Coat of nice quality with the desired small, tight curls.
2 Jack’s MAYCOURT I’M STILL STANDING. 9-month-old D with very good head and skull and correct mouth. Beaten here by maturity, as movement was still very puppy-like, but showing plenty of promise. Super coat developing well, should finish nicely with time. BPIB.
PG (1,0)
1 Courtier’s MAYCOURT COVER SHOT. 2-year-old B of pleasing overall appearance. Feminine in outline with good temperament and breed characteristics. Smaller in frame, as expected for a bitch, but could be a touch stronger behind to complete the picture. Moved well with confidence. Quality coat. BOB.
O (2,0)
1 Courtier’s MAYCOURT TAKE ME TO THE TOP JW. 2-year-old B of excellent quality. Lovely head and skull with correct mouth. Strong neck leading into a good body. Sound on the move with plenty of drive. Well presented in good coat.
2 WITHDREW
Ladies Kennel Association Of Scotland Open Show, 6 July 2025
Judge: Robin Pollock (Pollham)
AV Gundog Minor Puppy
2 Maycourt Island Girl For Breichside (Mrs J Cummings) – Lovely puppy, growing up well, nice head, soft expression, front and rear moved ok.
