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Best-in-show curly is a Gisborne first
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 • Marino Harker-Smith
A CURLY-coated retriever owned by Gisborne man Chris McFadyen made history by winning best in show on the second day of the Poverty Bay Kennel Association’s annual dog show on Sunday.

It was the first time a local dog had won the top award, said kennel association secretary Cheryl Clarke.

NZ CH Miamba Tecoma (Orac) had won best of the gundog group on the previous day of the show, held at Showgrounds Park under judge Nigel Trainor, but the choice of best in show for that day went to a doberman owned by seasoned exhibitor Martyn Slade.

Orac won best of the gun dog group again on Sunday under judge Robynne Trainor but this time was also picked for the highly- contended best-in-show line-up judged by Mr Trainor.

The retriever was judged best of the 316 dogs on display from throughout New Zealand.

Orac was handled on the day by Fiona Scott from Hawke’s Bay.

Mr McFadyen said curly-coated retrievers were still a relatively rare breed in New Zealand although he was aware of a small number of breeders around. Orac was imported from Australia.

“They’re a very intelligent breed and they keep you thinking, but that’s what I like about them,” he said.

Curly-coated retrievers (also known as curlies) are an old breed established in England in the mid-1800s for upland bird and waterfowl hunting.

The tallest of the retrievers, they are easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering the body.

Mr McFadyen, who is also a Poverty Bay Kennel Association committee member, was introduced to pedigree breeds about 15 years ago when he picked up his first curly.

“I have had dogs my whole life and got interested in this breed through luck more than anything,” he said.

After the family German Shepherd died, he went to the SPCA and ended up adopting a curly-Labrador cross.

It was not long after that his sister gave him his first pedigree retriever as a birthday present and the rest is history, he said.

Other Gisborne exhibitors to have success with their dogs at group level over the show weekend were Donna Scragg, Lee Askew, Jenny Kent, and Karen and Kelsie Hollis.
TOP GUN: Gisborne man Chris McFadyen’s dog Miamba Tecoma (Orac) was the first Gisborne entrant to win best in show at the Poverty Bay Kennel Association dog show on Sunday, after he was named best of the gun dog group. Orac also won the best in group section. Picture by Paul Rickard
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