FINNISH CHAMPION, NORDIC WINNER 2005, NORDIC JUNIOR WINNER 2005, FINNISH WINNER 2006, FINNISH WINNER 2007

LITTLE BROWNIES CURLY KID

I travelled to the USA in March 2005 to bring "Curly" an American Water Spaniel to Finland. Curly is a loved family member first and secondly my companion in many dog activities. I had hoped to get an American Water Spaniel male that might be used in breeding to a suitable female in the future. Curly has a very sweet and happy temperament combined with very good hunting instincts. He meets new people and dogs with a wagging tail. Hunting, retrieving, swimming and hunting tracking are all activities that he enjoys very much.

Dog shows

Curly has done very well in dog shows in Finland. He became a Finnish show champion in November 2006 at the age of two years and three weeks. In Finland a spaniel can became a champion after turning two years old. He got altogether 7 CC:s. In Finland spaniels need three CC:s from at least two different judges and the last CC has to be obtained after the age of two years. Curly has also 5 CACIB:s (a CACIB is an international FCI CC) from Finland. He needs one more from another country to became an international show champion. He has also FCI winner titles. Curly was BOB (best of breed) and best American Water Spaniel junior male at the Helsinki Nordic Winner Show in 2005 and he recieved the titles Nordic Winner 2005 and Nordic Junior Winner 2005. In 2006 he was BOS (best of opposite sex) at the Helsinki Finnish Winner Show and received the title Finnish Winner 2006. Curly repeated this in 2007 and recieved the title Finnish Winner 2007. We hope to travel to a show to Sweden later in the pursuit of a CACIB and Swedish CC.

Finnish Spaniel Working Test (= FCI Working Certificate)

American Water Spaniels need to pass the Finnish Spaniel Working Test if they want to become Finnish show champions. Curly passed with no difficulties the Finnish Spaniel Working test at the age of 9 months. He was also the best dog in the test and we had the honour to recieve the prize of Captain Edmund Natunen for one year.

Finnish hunting tracking test (MEJÄ)

The Finnish hunting tracking test is a test where the dog has in the open class to follow a 900-1000 m track made the previous day with bovine blood. The dog tracks the whole track independently and the owner follows the dog in a leash about 6 m behind. At the end of the track there is a dead rabbit or an elk foot waiting to be found by the dog.

Even though this is not a test that American water spaniels participate in their home country, it seems to be a dog activity also suitable for this breed, since they have a very good nose for hunting. Curly is very eager tracker to the point that I have to slow him down. So far the best result is second prize in winner class.

Hunting

He has a lot of hunting instincts and potential. I still need to learn more about hunting and hunting training.  In 2005 we attended an unofficial hunting test in winter time. Curly was the best dog that day. He flushed two pheasants, tracked a runner and retrieved them to my hand. I was very proud of him. Curly got two points out of three points at the Finnish spaniel water test 4 August. We have participated in the spaniel upland hunting tests to gather more experience in hunting.

Finnish character test

Curly was character tested 20th October 2007 and recieved a total of 160 points.

Character test results:

Capability to function +1 (coefficient 15) 15 p. moderate

Tendency to aggressive behaviour +3 (coefficient 1) 3 p. moderate without post-attack aggressiveness

Desire for defensive action +3 (coefficient 1) 3 p. moderate, controlled

Desire for fight +2 (coefficient 10) 20 p. moderate

Nerves +1 (coefficient 35) 35 p. tendency to nervouseness

Temperament +1 (coefficient 15) 15 p. extremely high

Mental hardness +3 (coefficient 8) 24 p. moderate

Accessability +3 (coefficient 15) 45 p. kind, accessible, open

Secure to shots +++

Health checks

In November 2005 we took Curly for his health checks. He has healthy hips (FCI B/A), elbows (0/0), knees (0/0) ja eyes. His thyroid results (TSH, T4, TGA) were also normal. His eyes were also healthy in July 2008.

Curly in the Finnish Kennel Club database (Koiranet)

His pedigree, test, show and health results can be found here: http://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmKoira.aspx?RekNo=FIN30221/05&R=301 The updating of show results is slow at times. 

Photos can be found in the photo album

28 July 2008