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Home of the First Curly
AKC NA, OA and AX.
Home of the First curly USDAA AD.
Breeder of the first AKC Master Hunter with an AKC Championship
 
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We
have bred dogs that compete in agility, obedience, tracking, dock jumping, rally, conformation and field. We have been active
with our curlies at Therapy dogs. We participate in 4-H, school and scouting demonstrations.
I
personally have shown several dogs to the CD level, a couple to the CDX level, and one to the UD level. I have won an all
breed High in Trial. Multiple Match HIT's. Match Group wins. I have shown many dogs to their CGC title before I became a
CGC evaluator for the AKC. Now I don't do as many of my own dogs to the CGC, since I tend to always be doing the tests for
others! I have shown 7 dogs to their Championships. (and helped put points and majors on many others) Put a CKC Ch on one
of my dogs, as well as 2 CKC CDs and 2 CKC CDX titles. I have done tracking, been a Track layer for the NECC. I put the
first AKC agility title on a CCR. The First NA, the first OA, and the first AX. As well as the first curly to earn a USDAA
agility title. I have put TDI's on a couple of my dogs, as well as ST (Stability Test title) Mark does personal hunting
with our dogs, but does not do any field trials. (although he did put a CD on his Curly gal before she was a year old!)
I don't show as much as I did, due to job and time constraints. And usually when I go to a national specialty, I don't take
any of my own dogs, since as a fancier of the breed, I like to be free to observe what other breeders have been producing
over the last year. Bringing a string of dogs to show... you just don't have the time to do that all important research.
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I started in the dog
world with Irish Setters. I had an All Breed High In Trial winning Utility Dog when I was a teenager. I was always looking
for a breed that was more versatile than my Irish. A dog who would be a constant companion, a partner in obedience and agility.
A dog I could take from the field to the show ring. I found a true gem in the dog world. The Curly Coated Retriever.
I waited a long time for my first Curly, Am And Can CH Karakul Blazing Autumn CD, CDX, NA, OA, AX, CGC, USDAA AD, Can CD,
CDX. From the moment she entered our lives I was hooked on the breed!
Some recent SoftMaple Show, Field, Obedience and Agility news
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Originally bred to retrieve ducks on English seaboard
marshes, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a black or liver-colored dog easily recognized by his coat, which is one mass of crisp
curls that covers his entire body. The coat is easy to care for, as the curls stay in place with little or no attention. The
Curly-Coated Retriever is a strong, smart, active dog who exhibits intelligence and endurance. He will practically live in
the water. Temperamentally easy to train, he is a charming and faithful companion, and an excellent guard dog. His curious
nature may lead him into many amusing escapades that call for an owner with a sense of humor.
The Curly is a hunting
dog for the person who likes variety: ducks, pheasant, grouse and a dog who can also be a companion to children and a family
friend. Though he is designated as a retriever, the Curly is also an outstanding upland game dog on pheasant, grouse, quail,
etc. Curlies are currently being hunted throughout North America, and are used extensively for hunting in New Zealand (where
they are the hunting dog of choice) and Australia. Many, if not most, of the people hunting Curlies are family oriented who
just want a dog that hunts and can be a companion so hunting Curlies is rather a silent revolution.
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I enjoy having fun with my dogs. I also enjoy letting them just
lay around doing nothing. Laying around doing nothing, often leads to a dog occupying himself. Sometimes they become destructive!
Curlies
are an active, intelligent breed. Giving them a "job" to do makes them better members of the family. Having a dog sport you
and your curly can do together strengthens the bond between you. The Curly Coated Retriever is a dog that can excel at many
jobs.
A Curly that lives in the house, has regular exercise and work, including any type of work that takes
advantage of the breed's innate intelligence, and is a part of the family, is a happy Curly. The most important care and training
of a Curly is involving him in the family's day to day activities. Include your Curly in your every day life and he will repay
you with years of friendship. The AKC Standard states that "outline, carriage and attitude all combine for a grace and elegance
somewhat uncommon among the other retriever breeds." The grace and elegance is combined with a sturdy structure and hardworking,
persevering temperament to create an excellent working retriever.
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Curlies and agility go hand in hand. I have trained
the first AKC agility titled CCR, with many others close on my heels! These dogs love the sport. Basic obstacles comprising
an agility course might include: high jumps, bar jumps, broad jumps, tire and hoop jumps, water, platform, sway bridge, A-frame,
teeter-totter and dogwalk. Other obstacles are weave poles, weave hoops, open and pipe tunnels, collapsed tunnel, crawl tunnel,
tables and boxes. Dogs must, of course, clear the jumps on the course, and they must touch the "contact zones" on obstacles
that include that requirement. In competition, the dog must touch at least one foot in the contact zone or faults are accumulated.
The reason for this is to ensure that dogs negotiate certain obstacles safely. The natural agility of the curly makes them
super at this sport. They can be clowns in the obedience ring, but their speed, intelligence and natural athleticism gives
them and edge in Agility competition. Its great fun for both you and your curly. There have been several very successful curly
and owner teams in the US and Canada.
Training can improve your relationship with your Curly. While obedience
is a competitive sport there is also practical obedience which is not much different than teaching basic manners and communication.
If you are uncomfortable with the formality and, yes, rigidity, of formal obedience you can still become a happy team in practical
obedience. I recommend obedience to any Curly owner. It will make your dog a better member of your family.
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The Curly Coat is possessed of an imperturbable temperament. Even tempered, this dog
is intensely loyal and will be protective of the family while maintaining unfailingly good manners to humans likewise mannered.
Curlies tend to be reserved rather than extroverted with strangers. However, this reserve can be shed rather dramatically
when someone the dog knows and loves approaches! Curly Coats are very slow to mature and this should be taken into account
when training them. They are always quick and intelligent, however, so tailoring your training into multiple, short, and interesting
sessions will yield the best results over time. Of course, not all Curlies are paragons of virtue.
Most
Curlies cannot be kept out of the water and are great natural swimmers. You should exercise due sensibility when introducing
a puppy to water. Never throw the pup into the water: allow him to approach the water himself on a gently sloping entry with
plenty of shallow water with little or no current. As he gains confidence, he will be splashing about in no time. If an adult
dog is around to encourage the pup, he will probably be swimming before you (or he) know it!
Some
Field Titled SoftMaple Dogs:
CCRCA Working Titles (WC)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Soft Maple Velvet Elvis
Soft Maple Black Teddy
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Soft Maple Crossing
Delancy
Soft Maple Fosters Lager
SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
SoftMaple's MaBelle Bouclee
Gunflint's
Highland Hunter
SoftMapl's Dark Star
SoftMaple's Gunflint Skywatcher
Working Certificate
Excellent (WCX)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
SoftMaple's MaBelle Bouclee
Gunflint's Highland Hunter
SoftMaple's Dark Star
Working Certificate Qualified
(WCQ)
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
SoftMaple's MaBelle Bouclee
CCRCA Upland
Working Titles (UWC)
Softmaple's Pheasant Dreams
Junior Hunters (JH-AKC)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Soft Maple Velvet Elvis
Soft Maple Black Teddy
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Soft Maple Crossing Delancy
SoftMaple's MaBelle Bouclee
SoftMaple's Dark Star
SoftMaple's Pheasant
Dreams
SoftMaple's Gunflint Skywatcher
Senior Hunters (SH-AKC)
Soft Maple's
O' Dark Thirty
SoftMaple's Ma Belle Bouclee
Master Hunters (MH-AKC)
Breeder
of the first Master Hunter with an AKC CH
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
CKC JH
Soft Maples Northern Star
Started Certificates from NAHRA
Soft Maple Kyrabean
Queen
Gunflint Highland Hunter
Started Hunting Retriever SHR
Soft Maple's Ma
Belle Bouclee
UKC Seasoned title HR
Soft Maple's Ma Belle Bouclee
(The
Sarona Jacob of Marvadel & Sarona Sam of Marvadel Memorial Field Trophy)
2003 Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
2001 (co-winner) Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Group Placements
Group
1 SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
Group 2 SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
Group 4
SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
Group 1 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 2 SoftMaple
Gunflint's Beauty
Group 2 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 2 SoftMaple
Gunflint's Beauty
Group 3 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 3 SoftMaple
Gunflint's Beauty
Group 3 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 3 SoftMaple
Gunflint's Beauty
Group 3 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 3 SoftMaple
Gunflint's Beauty
Group 3 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 4 SoftMaple
Gunflint's Beauty
Group 4 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 4 SoftMaple Gunflint's
Beauty
Group 4 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 4 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 4 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 4 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Group 4 SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
National Specialty BOW
SoftMaple
Boyerie Int'l Dateline
SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
National Specialty Best in Sweeps
SoftMaple's Dark Star
CCRCA Best in Veteran Sweepstakes
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
CCRCA National Specialty JAM
SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
Softmaple's Pheasant
Dreams
ROM
Avanti's Best Bet
Soft Maple Natural Finish
Soft Maple
Kyrabean Queen
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Softmaple's Pheasant Dreams
ROMX
Avanti's Best Bet
Soft Maple Natural Finish
HOF (CCRCA Hall Of Fame)
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Softmaple's Pheasant Dreams
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Shown is Jet CH SoftMaple's O'Dark Thirty JH, SH, MH, RN, WCQ CD CGC TT HOF CHIC , who is the third curly in history to earn an AKC Master Hunter title. He is the first CCR with an AKC Championship to earn
a MH hunting title.
The Curly is A large, hardy, athletic retriever with a distinctive crisp curly coat.
The thick, black or liver-colored coat of tight curls protects the dog from brambles and icy water. Even the small ears, back
of the head, neck and tapering tail are covered with little curls. Only the face, hocks and front of the legs are smooth.
The ideal Curly should be agile and graceful, strong yet elegant. Curlies are intelligent and smart. They are easily trained,
but do not generally tolerate repetitious training well. Their streak of independence can make some types of training a little
more difficult, as the dog will start making his own decisions. Because they mature slowly, training frequently takes longer
than in some of the more popular retrievers.
Curly is an erect, alert, self-confident dog. In motion, all parts
blend into a smooth, powerful, harmonious symmetry. A correctly built and tempered Curly will work as long as there is work
to be done, retrieving both fur and feather in the heaviest of cover and the iciest of waters. To work all day a Curly must
be balanced and sound, strong and robust, and quick and agile.
SoftMaple Owned or bred Champions:
SR U-CH CH Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen CD, JH, OA, OAJ, NA, NAJ, WCX, WC, (WCI, WC), TDI, CGC, TT, RN HOF ROM, Sep 23
1996 CR-556 CR-622G60F-PI
CH SoftMaple's O'Dark Thirty JH, SH, MH WCQ CD CGC, TT HOF, CHIC (2 legs CDX)
CH Softmaple
Paramount All That CGC
CH SoftMaple Fairway Explorer CGC
U- CH CH Ptarmigan Huron's Soft Echo CGC
CH SoftMaple
Dese's Int'l D'Lite CGC CR-624G24F-PI
CH Soft Maple Water Works CGC CHIC
CH SoftMaple N HunterBay NY Wknd CGC TT
CHIC
CH SoftMaple International Fling CGC CHIC
Ch Avanti's Best Bet CGC CD ROM ROMX
CH Avanti SM Fair Trade
CGC TDI
Ch Fairway's Softmaple Finnheir, CGC, CD, NA, NAJ, RN, RA
Am/Can CH Karakul Blazing Autumn CDX, AX, CGC,
ST, USDAA AD, Can CDX
CH Soft Maple Crossing Delancy WC JH
CH Soft Maple Black Teddy WC JH
CH SoftMaple
Boyerie Int'l Affair
CH Soft Maple Natural Finish ROM ROMX
CH Fairway Pizzazz Rendezvous
CH SoftMaple Avanti
Mileage Plus
CH Soft Maple's Turning Leaf
CH Soft Maple's Warrior Princess ST
CH SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
CGC WC, RN (1 leg JH, 1 leg RA)
CH SoftMaple's Dr Kananga
CH SoftMaple's Comin' To America CGC, CD, CHIC
CH
Softmaple Sziok Seven Stars
CH SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty CGC, CHIC
Ch Softmaple Boot Scoot'N Dese
SHR CH
SoftMaple's Ma Belle Bouclee CGC, WCX, JH, SH
CH SoftMaple's Dark Star WC, JH, CGC
CH HntrBay's O'Dark Justic
CH Softmaple TransAtlantic Affair
CH Softmaple Stand and Be Liver to Flyway NAP
CH Softmaple Windsong IB Splendid
CH SoftMaple's Yankee Pudel
SHR CH SoftMaple's Gunflint Skywatcher CD JH WC, WCX
CH, UKC CH, Int CH Softmaple
Lighting Up Dark Skies from Gunflint
Agility Titles AKC
Home
of the First Curly AKC NA, OA and AX.
Home of the First curly USDAA AD.
Novice Agility (AKC
NA)
Karakul Blazing Autumn
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Fariway's Softmaple Finnheir
Beltane's
Bodacious Blue Co-bred
Open Agility (AKC OA)
Karakul Blazing Autumn
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Agility Excellent (AKC AX)
Karakul Blazing Autumn
Novice Agility Jumper (AKC NAJ)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Fairway SoftMaple
Finnheir
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind
Beltane's Bodacious Blue Co-bred
Novice
Agility Preferred (AKC NAP)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Open Agility Jumper (AKC OAJ)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
p> Open Agility Preferred (AKC OAP)
Soft
Maple Kyrabean Queen
Open Jumpers With Weaves Preferred (AKC OJP)
Soft Maple Kyrabean
Queen
Novice FAST (AKC NF)
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind
Fairway's Softmaple
Finnheir
AKC Novice Agility Preferred (NAP)
Fairway's Softmaple Finnheir
AKC Novice Jumpers Preferred (NJP)
Fairway's Softmaple Finnheir
USDAA
Agility Dog (USDAA AD)
Karakul Blazing Autumn
UKC UAGI
Ptarmigan
Huron's Soft Echo co-owned/bred
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind
UKC
UAG2
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind
Agility Dog of Canada (ADC)
Soft
Maple Wind on Water
Softcast Sweet Rosemarie
Advanced Agility Dog of Canada (AADC)
Softcast Sweet Rosemarie
Starters Games Dog of Canada (SGDC)
Softcast Sweet
Rosemarie
Advanced Games Dog of Canada (AGDC)
Softcast Sweet Rosemarie
Master's
Agility Dog of Canada (MADC)
Softcast Sweet Rosemarie
NADAC Novice Jumpers NJC
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind NADAC Novice Tunnelers TN-N
Softmaple Frolic
In The Wind NADAC Novice Touch N Go TG-N
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind NADAC
Open level Tunnelers TN-O
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind NADAC Novice Regular (NAC)
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind NADAC her Novice Chances title (NCC)
Softmaple Frolic
In The Wind NADAC Open Jumpers (OJC)
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind Agility
Dog of Canada VAADC
Soft Maple Wind on Water Agility Dog of Canada VMGDC
Soft Maple Wind on
Water
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