Judge’s Critique:
Thank you to the society for inviting me to judge at this very special show, Thank you also to my two wonderful stewards on the day who were both extremely efficient. I was very pleased with the quality entry. If the Curlies present today are representative of the breed, then the breed is in a good place and is in good hands.
VD (2.1)
1st. Multi Ch Bling Bling Aatami Omena (Mrs A & Miss A Tostmann)
Upstanding 9 year old black dog with a typical soft expression and dark eyes. Strong bone. Slightly arched neck, correct shoulders, level topline, strong in loin, correct tailset. Deep black coat of crisp curls. On the move, he just flowed.Pleased to award him Best Veteran.

PD (4)
1st. Foxriever Infinite Spirit (AI) (Mr AJ & Dr AM Kear & Morrey)
At just 8 months old this liver boy is showing a lot of promise. The best of heads with an eye colour to compliment his coat colour. Perfect scissor bite. Correct shoulders. He dropped his topline very slightly when stacked but held it well on the move. Displaying decent forechest. Coat in good order, moved very well. Super temperament. Best Puppy
2nd. Foxriever Fire Cracker (AI) (Mr D & Mrs S Pavitt & Mr AM & Mrs DJ Whitehead)
Black boy, another 8 month old, litter brother to 1st. Not as forward as his brother in the maturity stakes but at this age they all develop differently. He has the most beautiful head and expression, good reach of neck into well laid back shoulders. Ribs developing well. Firm topline, correct tailset. Coat showed a good covering of the deepest black curls. He moved well and with purpose.
3rd. Foxriever Fire Fly (AI) (Mrs E Sutton & Mr AM & Mrs DJ Whitehead)
Res. Foxriever Sea Shadow (Mr P Miller, Ms BJ Millichamp & Mrs AM & Mrs DJ Whitehead)

JD (3)
1st. Foxriever Infinite Spirit (AI) (Mr AJ & Dr AM Kear & Morrey)
2nd. Foxriever Immortal Spirit (Mrs E Sutton & Mr AM & Mrs DJ Whitehead)
Almost 12 month black dog with a beautiful expression and a kind dark eye. Liked him for size. Scissor bite. Good length of neck, shoulders well laid back. Level topline, firm loin. Coat coming through well with a good curl. Second thigh developing soundly giving him a strong back end. Moved well with drive and enthusiasm.
3rd. Foxriever Fire Cracker (AI) (Mr D & Mrs S Pavitt & Mr AM & Mrs DJ Whitehead)

PGD (5.2)
1st. Kahawei Star Catcher (Miss G & Mr A Boorman & Brown)
A young liver dog who is maturing well. Strong in stature, he is one I have been keen on since a young puppy. Well arched neck, correct shoulders, level topline and correct tailset. His spring of rib is developing well and he has a coat of small tight curls. He played up a wee bit on the move initially but settled into his stride, displaying reach & drive with every step. RDCC
2nd. Roughyeds Regal George (Miss R & Mr J Arnold & Dobson)
Smaller black dog who appealed for overall balance and substance. Shoulders well laid back, good spring of rib, kind expression, coat not as tight as 1st. Moved well, lovely, happy temperament.
3rd. Foxriever Storm Cloud (Miss E Huckle)

LD (1)
1st. Tessmene Top Notch By Kagemusha (Mrs R & Ms G Richards & Flaher)
Another boy I have admired for some time. Black dog with a melting expression. Slightly arched neck into well laid back shoulders. Ribs well sprung, level topline, strong in loin. He displays a good thigh and second thigh. Coat of crisp curls. When moved at the correct speed he could trouble the best.

OD. (6) A class full of quality.
1st. Sh Ch Foxriever Mystic Marvel At Elkysar (Mr K & Mrs M Solomon)
Imposing and substantial black dog who at 5 years old is coming into his prime. Wedge shaped head, beautiful dark eye and small ears. Visible forechest, strong in bone. Shoulders well laid back. Ribs well sprung, strong and level topline with a strong loin. In beautiful coat and condition. Very strong on rear displaying a decent second thigh which he used to his advantage on the move. DCC
2nd. Foxriever Solent Sensation At Wightcurls (Mr P Miller & Ms B Millichamp)
6 year old liver dog who I liked for type and substance. Lovely expression with good eye colour. Correct wedge shaped head with a very slight stop. Mature in body displaying forechest and a good spring of rib. Level top line with a strong loin. Moved well in the large ring.
3rd. Sh Ch Infallibles Black Crusader At Kelsmere (Imp Nor) (Mrs S Brookes)
Res. Foxriever Grey Ghost (Sutton & Whitehead & Whitehead Mrs E & Mrs DJ & Mr AM)
VHC. Caballus The Black Stallion (Mrs G J Toeters-Riethoff)

SBeg (1)
1st Foxriever Infinite Spirit (Kear & Morrey Mr AJ & Dr AM) BEST SPECIAL BEGINNER

PB (3)
1st Foxriever Sea Fyre (Whitehead, Mr AM & Mrs DJ) 
Mature black bitch of almost 12 months. Liked her for size and classic body shape. Wedge shaped head in both side and front profiles with a very slight stop. Strong neck with the required slight arch. Deep in chest, spring of rib evident. Strong topline which she held on the move. Moved well once settled. In the challenge for BP I felt the dog puppy was more settled into his stride.
2nd. Foxriever Phoenix Rising (Whitehead, Mr AM & Mrs DJ)
At 8 months old, this liver bitch was giving away a lot in age compared to her kennel mate. Nevertheless, I fell for her beautiful expression with the darkest pigment. Neck of medium length, shoulders well laid back. Topline level, short in loin, tail well set on. Movement was difficult to assess largely due to her lack of confidence but there were moments of poetry.
3rd Foxriever Sacred Spirit At Elkysar (Mr & Mrs K & M Solomon)

JB (2)
1st. Foxriever Sea Fyre (Whitehead, Mr AM & Mrs DJ)
2nd. Foxriever Phoenix Rising (Whitehead, Mr AM & Mrs DJ)

PGB (4.1)
1st. Fleetpaw My Fair Lady (Mr B & Mrs E Lacey) 
Quality black bitch who I last saw as a very young puppy and she has certainly fulfilled her earlier promise. Prettiest of heads with a dark almond-shaped eye. Small close-fitting ears which framed her expression perfectly. Shoulders well laid back, strong topline. Well developed rear, showing a good thigh and second thigh. Correct tail carriage on the move which she used to her advantage. Close to top honours.
2nd. Foxriever Sea Fyre (Whitehead, Mr AM & Mrs DJ)
3rd. Foxriever Phoenix Rising (Whitehead, Mr AM & Mrs DJ)

LB (3.3)

OB (4.1)
1st. Nor/Dk/Se Sh Ch Skaringen’s First Impression (Mr J S Thygesen)
This black bitch took my eye the moment she entered the ring. She had elegance enough to cover the whole entry. Kind dark eye, scissor bite, strong jaw. She has strength in neck with a slight arch, well laid back shoulders. She is deep in chest as one would expect from her mature 5 year old frame and displays a visible forechest. She has the best of feet. On the move, she holds her topline well and carries her tail straight. The elegance did it for me, she didn’t put a foot wrong. Her coat was of the tightest black curl and was well covered. I was delighted to award her the BCC and BOB. I was of course thrilled when she later won the Gundog group and on the Sunday she took RBIS. A stunning example of the breed.
2nd. Sh Ch Tessmene Tickety Boo (Mrs F & Miss C Carrick)
Mature black bitch with a beautiful head and expression. Scissor bite with a strong jaw. Neck possesses a slight arch and leads into well laid back shoulders. Deep chest, well sprung ribs, slight tuck up. Coat well curled, Level topline which she held on the move. Tidy and efficient mover. RBCC
3rd. Gypsy’s Soul First Lady For Foxriever (Imp Est)

Gill May