BREAKING NEWS: WE ARE EXPECTING PUPPIES!!!!!!!

ODE TO JOY EXPECTED

CHRISTMAS CURLS 2024- the trip to Wales was not in vain!

Inquiries are welcome!

18.11.2024: in a few days we will know whether the trip to Wales was successful!

After 27 hours of driving and 1,899.6 KM and 4 hours on the ferry, we are back from Wales!

October 2024: Welsh impressions!

The first test results for HD/ED are here:

Bö and Jonne are A2 and ED free, we are very happy with these great results! One more reason for our decision to travel to Wales!

On August 24/25, 2024 we were at the nationwide German Curly Coated Retriever meeting organized by the DRC in Stadtoldendorf.

It was a wonderful and varied weekend with many Curlys and friends from Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark.

There was a lot on offer and we tried an unofficial working test.

In the end, Momo took second place among 8 retrievers of all retriever breeds. Bö also had a go and solved a few tricky tasks. It was particularly nice that we were represented by 3 Ode to Joy siblings.

On Sunday, Duke (Ode to Joy, To Lightness) and Jonne (Ode to Joy, To the Best) completed the DRC temperament test with ease.

The highlight and conclusion of the weekend was the show, where Jonne and Duke in particular were awarded excellent marks. But we were particularly pleased that we, led by Momo, followed by Duke, Jonne and Bö, were able to win the offspring group at the show and took first place in the best offspring group.

UPDATE 7.7.2024: We are overwhelmed by the interest in little Elli and are very happy that, despite the many inquiries, we have found a beautiful new forever home for Elli, which she moved into today.

For all those who dream of a Curly like Elli, our puppy list is open and inquiries are welcome!

Club Diploma Dag 2024 De Waltakke- Lochem

After the training day, we felt very well prepared and set off for Lochem in a good mood. The registration of the dogs began at 7:45 a.m. and we were treated to coffee, tea and cake. 61 retrievers were registered, including 12 Curlys, 6 of which had travelled from Germany - it was a big hello and it was a pleasure to meet so many familiar and unfamiliar faces. Bö started for the C Diploma, Momo for the B Diploma.

Equipped with our starting numbers and a program booklet, we set off onto the course.
We were awaited at the respective tasks by very patient, friendly and attentive judges Nelli Stevens, Ria de Jong, Sytze des Jong and Henk Toonk with their assistants Dinie Vermeer, Hans Pardijs, Stefan te Veldhuis and Cees Vermeer.
Clever organization ensured that the different groups did not get in each other's way and that there were hardly any waiting times. Because even if teams start for the B Diploma or A Diploma - all of the tasks from the C Diploma always have to be completed!
My start in the diploma was first of all parts from the B-test. After the great lost retrieve (F) 9 points, we then went on to the full blind over deep water (H), here the dog had to go to the small island opposite swim there to look for a dummy and retrieve it back.

Oh dear, how was I supposed to get Momo to do that? After my command: Forward! Momo ran excitedly back and forth along the bank and kept looking at me questioningly: What should I do and why? Nothing seemed to be happening. to tell me, unfortunately I didn't have a convincing answer for them either, so we only got 0 points here and it was already clear that we could no longer achieve the B diploma - because all components have to be rated with at least 6 points .

But no matter – the aim was to get the C diploma! Next came the test part: on leash and free follow (A) and sending ahead and recall (B) – both Momo completed satisfactorily, 17 points. Then it was time for the 2 minute lay down (C) and the Retrieve on land (D) 19 points. This was followed by the marking retrieval on land with shot (G). I decided to go for 8 points, as I was not 100% sure whether Momo would jump in at the shot - but she was so confident that it was actually not necessary 8 points. Finally, the retrieve from deep water (E), now my heart was pounding again – would Momo go into the water now? Yes, she did it and was a little silly 7 points - but that meant the C diploma with 43 points!!!

And what did little Bö do? - she did brilliantly at 14 months old and fought bravely through all parts of the exam and passed the C diploma with a nice 35 points!!!

Then we quickly went to watch the A test – only one participant managed to direct his dog as instructed (I) and then also passed the last part of the test J.

Momo and Bö were already fast asleep in the motorhome!

We humans then celebrated the awarding of the various diplomas with great applause! What particularly struck me was the incredibly beautiful atmosphere; all participants were very relaxed, in a good mood and, above all, friendly and attentive to their dogs - just as it should be.

Our thanks go to the Curly Coated Retriever Club Netherlands and all its hard-working volunteers who make such a day possible!

An appeal to the Curly people: show your dogs – dare to take part in the Club Diploma Dag –
The Curly deserves to be shown! It is such a great breed - of course they work differently than the other retriever breeds but no less successfully! We will definitely be back! Happy and proud with two C diplomas we went home on Sunday !

Despite all the joy over the successes at the exhibitions, working together is the most fun. Momo loves the dummy work and her daughter Bö is highly concentrated during training.

The Curly Coated Retriever Club Netherlands organized a great training day with the sensitive trainer Nellie Stevens. It was so much fun - many thanks to the photographer Aad Witteveen!

The training day

On Saturday, June 1st, we met on the grounds of Camping `t Meulenbrugge near Vorden. The training began with a convivial welcome coffee before we set off into the beautiful grounds around the campsite. Six Curlys and their owners were fully focused and listened attentively to trainer Nellie Stevens. Each task in the CDD test catalogue was explained in detail and each team was given valuable tips. We were all made aware in particular that dogs need clarity and unambiguousness from their owners and not questions. It is very amusing when you think about the way we address our dogs, and the sentence of the day was quickly found: "Don't ask, tell!" So we worked through every single task in part C and sometimes our hearts were beating pretty fast as we asked ourselves, will my dog do that? One particular challenge for us was - will Momo and Bö let themselves be sent ahead - without any stimulus being set? The answer was yes – and it is such a nice feeling when your own dog is so trusting.

2024 is off to a wonderful start! We are delighted with the great exhibition results and the next champion title for our Momo (Fiere Ysaud van Elegast).

We are especially happy about the great first successes of our little Bö. At 9 months old she received her first candidacies for the Youth Champion title.

And another piece of news: We are planning our B litter with our Momo! Everything else can be found under Litter Planning!

What a year 2023:

First the wonderful A-litter and then we return to the show ring and Momo will be in

2023 German Champion VDH!!!

She also becomes Alpine Winner, Baden-Württemberg Winner and Belgian Winner.

She is named Best Bitch and Best of Breed in Karlsruhe and Brussels and also has the qualifications for the International Beauty Champion.

CRUFTS 2023 Brightmeadow Never Say Die will be Best of Breed! We are happy for Maggie and Jerry Stephens, what a dog!

March 1st: Visit to the gynecological veterinarian:

The ultrasound confirms what we were hoping for: Momo is pregnant! We are so happy and excited! You can find out more under Litters/Litter Planning!

February 2023 "our wedding couple":

Finally, finally Momo came into heat in January 2023!

On January 28th we set off for Wales. An exciting trip in every respect - we had never been to Great Britain by car before and driving on the left takes some getting used to :)!

On Sunday, the two met for the first time and Momo clearly put Tarzan (Brightmeadow Never Say Die) in his place.

Over the next few days we met up to go for a walk together and it was immediately clear that the two liked each other. They played together, chased each other and encouraged each other.

On February 1st the time had come and the first mating between the two took place and on February 2nd they had another mating.

Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed!

At the beginning of March we will know whether it worked.

November 2022

We've had a lovely summer. Momo worked hard with me and we've grown together as a team. Now we're waiting for her to come into heat so we can set off on the long journey to Wales. Everyone is excited and we're very excited about the near future. Now we just have to be patient and keep our fingers crossed!

July 2022

For the first time in over 7 months, I went to a show with Momo.

The route took us to Luxembourg for the 31st Retriever Club Show Luxembourg. In the beautiful Mertert park, the trees gave us the shade we needed to get through the day in temperatures of over 32 degrees.

After many hours of waiting, the time had finally come and Momo and I were allowed into the ring in the greatest heat. Momo was simply wonderful, she moved confidently and concentrated in the ring as if the last show was only yesterday and so we were both rewarded:

1 place Excellent, CACL, Best Female, BOS (Best opposite of sex)

In the photo: Gera Toeters with the male NILO (BOB), the judge Claudia Berchtold, MOMO (BOS)

(Photographer: Horst Balter)

Thank you to judge Claudia Berchtold!

June 2022

In June, Momo and I were lucky enough to get a place in the Dummy A test at the Aachen district group of the German Retriever Club.

It was a long, exciting day in a beautiful area near Blankenheim.

Under the judge Thorsten Helmrath and the organization of the special director Silvia Bieder, the examination tasks were carried out in accordance with the examination regulations of the DRC. Momo had my nervousness well under control and showed me how happy, good, calm and determined she is at working. The training sessions with Momo over the past few months have been rewarded with a very good result! A very special thank you goes to Elga - without her support, loving advice and training sessions we would have got to this point so quickly!

A dream has come true for us! After the first written contact, we finally got to meet at Crufts in Birmingham. And what can we say: Brightmeadow Never Say Die aka Tarzan is not only a beautiful dog in terms of appearance, but his character is also a dream. He is gentle, friendly, funny and always focused on the point. We are impressed by the team Tarzan and Maggie, as soon as the two are in the ring he gives 100 percent. He runs so happily as if there was nothing more beautiful in the world. His collection of titles is unique and he absolutely deserves them. We are very happy that Maggie and Jerry agree to the pairing and can hardly wait!

Brightmeadow Never Say Die

Great Britain Show Champion

born August 28, 2016

Breeding facility: Brightmeadow

Breeder: Maggie & Jerry Stephens

32 CCs, 31 BOB. UK top CCR 2018 and Top Retriever 2019, winner of 3 all breed champion stakes classes, group place 8 times, BIS UK CCR Club 2018/ 2019 BPIS 2017. RBIS United Retriever Club 2018,2019 and Runner up Vulnerable Breeds Crufts 2019. The list is incomplete, there are more top placings and successes!