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Experience |
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ASSOCIATED MEMBER CLUBS: Curly Coated Retriever Club of America: Members of the Curly Coalition have held positions as President, Past President, Division Director and Curly Commentator publisher/editor (official publication of the national club). In addition, Kim Kiernan currently holds position on Health Education Committee. Northern California Curly Coated Retriever Club: Members of the Curly Coalition currently hold board positions as President, Vice President and Secretary. Additionally all three were involved in the incorporation of the club as it stands today. Marin Retriever Club: As past Treasurer of the Marin Retriever club, Iris Andre has gained a wealth of knowledge of how other types of retriever clubs operate. In addition, she has gained respect from other breeders, trainers and field dog owners. This relationship is invaluable for educating other retriever enthusiasts of our rarer Curly Coated Retriever. All Breed Clubs: Two of our members have or are currently involved in all breed clubs. This experience provides a wealth of knowledge in the promotion of the purebred dog. Recently, seminars in health education have proved invaluable in assisting us to make informed breeding decisions. Additional Experience: Two of our members have worked in the veterinary field. This experience provides a wealth of knowledge of all aspects of related health issues, current techniques and an ongoing direct relationship with these veterinarians. Biographical Information: Leslie Puppo (Avanti Kennels) avanticcr@yahoo.com I began my involvement in purebred dogs in 1978, I was working as an Animal Health Technician and two of my co-workers bred and showed dogs. They suggested I get a puppy and go to shows with them. I got a red & white Cocker Spaniel and went to a dog show. I found that I really enjoyed showing dogs and have been doing it ever since. I bred and showed Cockers exclusively until I got my first Curly-Coated Retriever, "Ivan", in 1987. I owned two Cockers, which were Winners Dog at National Specialties. I also bred the first chocolate American Cocker to win an All Breed Best in Show in Australia, he went on to win several, as did is kids and grandkids. I had decided to look for another breed to show, one which had less grooming than the Cockers. I became involved in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for a short period of time. I experienced numerous hereditary problems, to the extent that I moved away from the breed. So I continued by search for a breed with less grooming than the cockers and fewer health problems. I had experienced my share of hereditary problems in cockers, too. I fell in love with "Sig", Ivan's grandfather while waiting in line for the showers at a dog show. This was my first experience with a Curly-Coated Retriever. I purchased Ivan from Sheila Anderson when he was 5 months old, he was proof that you don't need to get a dog as a baby puppy for them to bond to you. He was my best friend. Ivan was my first "special" and his wins included 2 Group Firsts and many other group placements. After I started specialing Ivan I began showing dogs for other people. I went on to handle professionally full time for several years. I have shown dogs in all seven groups and finished dogs in five of the seven. Iris Andre (Pizzazz Retrievers) Pizcurly@aol.com Like most families, we were never without a dog when growing up. And when that moment came that I moved to my own house in 1985, I went out and found a rescued Golden Retriever for our new house. Within a year, I found that my Golden needed a friend, which brought me to the purchase of a Curly-Coated Retriever from a local breeder. The fact that it was a "rare retriever" was what sold me on the breed at that time. Within my first six months of owning this puppy, I found a neighbor who owned several of these "rare breeds". It didn't feel so rare anymore. She got me involved in show and obedience and I never looked back. Within two years, I became the California Division Director for the Curly-Coated Retriever Club of America and then four years later became the President of the National Breed Club, Curly-Coated Retriever Club of America. I was President for four years and recently left the post of Past President. I had worked to place measures to educate the public and our new enthusiast about the breed, create a health committee and strengthened the alliances within the United States. During my tenure in this breed, I slowly moved away from obedience to the field but continued my show career. One of my closest friends owned and trained her Labradors for the field. I soon followed, as this was extremely exciting to work the dogs at something they truly enjoyed. My family has kept me from pursuing this interest to the level that I would prefer, having two children in the last four years. With this said, I have trained my dogs to the Senior Level of Hunting Titles, obtained my field judging license and hunt with my dogs. I believe this breed, although still somewhat rare, is one of the most family oriented, dual purposed, healthy dogs that I have enjoyed being around. I have enjoyed the breed immensely and have devoted my life to supporting and improving the breed. Kim Kiernan (Fairway Retrievers) FairwayCurlies@msn.com My husband Jim and I started with our first purebred dog, a Golden retriever named Rowdy, back in 1984. We both competed in obedience and field work and soon added another golden to the family. After a couple of years I decided that I wanted to show in conformation. I went to my first fun match and competed with our oldest golden, Rowdy. The judge informed me that even though my golden was a nice dog, he was not good enough to show in conformation. My heart was broken, but this gave me the passion to find another breed that I could show. After researching several breeds, I decided on the Curly-Coated Retriever. The first Curly I ever saw was CH Karakul Keno, the top Curly-Coated Retriever at that time. I was very excited, I loved the look of this dog and was happy that I could obtain a breed that I could show in conformation and still do my field and obedience work. I purchased my first Curly, Opal (Kelmark Black Opal) a New Zealand import, from Kathy (Tucker) Kail. Soon realizing that she coat patterned after her first heat, we placed her in a pet home and received, Glory (Avvier Distinction) as her replacement. Glory became our first champion and the mother of our first litter. Now Fairway Retrievers was born! (Fairway was chosen because we lived on a golf course at the time). We joined the Curly Coated Retriever Club of America in 1986. Our first homebred champion was Abbey, CH Fairways Against All Odds. We soon out grew our home on the golf course and moved to a rural location with acreage. After much correspondence with some wonderful people in Finland, we imported two Curly puppies, Dex (Haamorin Indeksi) and Cooler, (Emris Aton). Dex went on to become the foundation stud of our kennel. He received his ROM, and currently his get are producing quality puppies with wonderful breed type and sound temperaments. Today, Fairway Retrievers continues to produce quality puppies. We believe in selective breeding, which is why we do not produce large numbers of dogs. Are goal is preserving breed type while maintaining healthy happy temperaments. |
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