Judge’s Critique

I would like to thank everyone that supported my appointment at one of our fewer “Northern” Championship Shows, understanding the challenges we all face at the moment I appreciated the efforts that had been made to enter. Darlington Dog Show has been an event that I have enjoyed as both an exhibitor and steward for many years and I was honoured to be asked to judge the breed at this show.

Breed type with sound construction and effective movement in addition to a personality that displayed strength and stamina was at the forefront of my mind when making decisions. I am pleased to say that the majority of the exhibits displayed those traits. My one concern was a potential loss of the traditional and immediately recognisable Curly head, care needs to be taken that exaggeration of the ears and length of muzzle does not start to dominate the breed.

PD – 1 Hodson’s Rowancurl Gentle Gaelor – 11 month old black dog with a masculine head, dark eye and pleasing expression. Even at this young age he presents a balanced outline with plenty of substance, an excellent coat with crisp, black curls finishes his overall look, on the move he showed strength of drive once settled, front movement on return to me a little more difficult to assess due to juvenile exuberance but side gait correct and it was nice to see a happy puppy. Pleased to award Best Puppy. BP

PGD – 1 Stubb’s Brightmeadow Take Your Time at Densdale – Upstanding black dog with plenty of substance. Masculine head with dark eye and kind expression, showing a hint of mischief. Presented in excellent coat with tight, neat curls of correct texture. Flowing neckline into good lay of shoulder, with correct front angulation and moderate bend of stifle. This boy was shown in good hard condition with excellent muscle definition, he moved freely around the ring with purpose, covering the ground well, holding his topline.

LD – 1 Clayton’s Lizallwood Mr Bojangles – Lovely liver dog with a kind expression and more traditional head type, correct ear size, set close to skull. Good front angulation and correct moderate bend of stifle create a balanced and agile outline. Excellent tight, crisp curls of even, dark liver. Little adjustment is required for this boy to stand himself true. Movement is strong and bold, with plenty of rear drive, front movement OK and will benefit from tightening in maturity.

2 Tarelli’s Firecurl Some Like It Hot at Tarockwood – Much larger young liver dog with plenty of substance. Wider in back skull than 1 but still a wedge shaped and masculine head. Excellent liver coat with tight and crisp curls. Strong neck flowing into laid back shoulders with correct angulation both in front and behind with a moderate bend of stifle and excellent muscle. This boy displays a beautifully balanced outline. Movement is true driving from the rear maintaining a strong topline with front end movement as expected for a dog of this size and age, as with 1 will benefit from maturity.

OD – 1 Stephen’s Sh Ch Brightmeadow Never Say Die Jw Sh.cm – A dog of true breed type without any sign of exaggeration. A dark eye with a classic kind expression. His clean wedge shaped skull with correct ear set and size create a traditional Curly head in front and side profile. A strong neck, and perfect shoulder placement form part of a super front angulation matched by his moderate bend of stifle, excellent width of thigh and well-muscled quarters completing the picture. Crisp black curls in hard condition along with good bone and compact feet all add to the quality and elegance of the dog. On the move he covered the ground effortlessly with a precise and sound action both front and rear maintaining excellent tail carriage throughout. His workmanship attitude shines through on each lap of the ring. As an example of a Curly “fit for function” it would give me great pleasure to see this dog gain Ch status in the future. DCC and BOB

2 Barber’s Foxriever Picture Perfect for Blanshard – Another large and upstanding liver dog of super quality. Correct colour eye blending with a full coat of curls, marred only by a narrower and less wedge shaped head than 1. A strong neck flows into well laid back shoulders resulting in correct angulation at front, a moderate bend of stifle with excellent width of thigh and muscle definition create the picture of a powerful gundog. On the move he demonstrated strength and agility, driving from the rear with an accurate front action. RDCC.

PGB – 1 Bain’s Crimblescurl Time to Tango JW – A lovely black bitch with feminine head and dark eye, complemented with a full coat of beautiful black and crisp curls. Front angulation OK slightly short in upper arm with correct moderate bend of stifle. Good depth of chest and strength of loin all creating a good recognisable Curly outline. On the move her rear action was more precise than in front but she still moved with purpose maintaining correct tail carriage.

2 Dick’s Crimblescurl Beech – Correctly sized and very pretty bitch with dark eye and good curly coat. Front angulation OK with moderate bend of stifle, shorter in body than 1. Movement was OK when settled.

LB – 1 Findlow’s Roughyeds Audrey Roberts – A confident and feminine compact black bitch with excellent coat of crisp tight curls. Pleasing expression with dark eye. Wedge shaped head with perfect ear size and set close to head. Good length of neck into shoulders with perfect spring of rib and strong loin. Front angulation good with excellent moderate bend of stifle, presenting a classic, strong and agile feminine Curly outline. Superbly muscled throughout. Moved out well with enthusiasm and stamina, driving from the rear with an equally accurate front action, maintaining a strong topline. RBCC.

2 Dick’s Crimblescurl Beech.

OB – 1 Spraggin’s Sh Ch Maycourt Hot Love at Tusepo – A liver bitch of superb quality, true to breed type. She has a dense, dark liver coat with clean, crisp curls. Correct head proportions with correct ear size set close to the head. Tight feet, width of thigh and outstanding muscle definition all contribute to this bitch’s ability to catch the eye. A good reach of neck flowing into well laid back shoulders, with excellent front and rear angulations create a clean and elegant outline. Correct angulation, well sprung ribs and a short, strong loin are all proven on the move with a precise and driven, ground covering action, fortunately as a naturally sound mover she was able to overcome her handler’s missteps. A level topline and correct tail carriage were maintained when stood and on the move. BCC.

2 Stephen’s Brightmeadow Who’s That Girl. Well presented liver bitch with a beautiful crisp and even coat. Feminine head with good reach of neck flowing into correct shoulder placement. Moderate angulation to the rear creates a balanced outline when stood. Moved freely around the ring making use of her excellent muscle tone.

Caron Chattwood