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SoftMaple Curly Coated Retrievers

Before and After...

What we do to prepare our pups

We start our puppies out with a puppy play room. Full of teeters, ramps, swings, tunnels ....
Here some 4 week old puppies climb on ramps, low steps and other obstacles.
Soft Maple Wind on Water ADC takes the A-Frame at an Agility Trial
Read about the Versatile Curly
Home of the First Curly AKC NA, OA and AX.
Home of the First curly USDAA AD.

Those First Weeks
Here's the age old question: Is temperament the result of heredity or of environment? You have already done your homework into the backgrounds of the sire and dam; you've checked on temperament, trainability and stability. The job does not stop here. do you want to take a chance that the greatest factor is not environment? In a litter, you are lucky to get one or two good show dogs. You may get a couple of good field prospects, maybe even a future top obedience or agility dog. Every pup should have a super temperament because 90 percent of the litter will end up in pet homes. Their owners will not care about how many titles the parents won, at what age they got their first major, or how many tries it took them to get their SH or CDX titles. These people care that their dogs will be wonderful additions to their family.
When I plan a breeding, I take time off from my full time job to start another full-time job-- the one of raising a litter. It does not matter how wonderful and independent a mom your brood bitch is, you still have a full-time commitment with each litter.
I start working with the pups when they are 3 days old. I take each one and put it through a series of five exercises known as the Bio-Sensor method. (see the May 1995 AKC Gazette for an article on this) In brief, this is a series of exercises that stimulates pups in a way they would not otherwise experience at this early age.
Once the pups have their eyes open and start to venture out of the whelping box, the fun begins! Over the years, I have developed a "puppy playground." This is designed to introduce the pups to sound, texture, movement, vibration and music. It includes "swings" made from carpeted milk crates that hangs from the ceiling. The pups quickly find these and they are not bothered by the swinging movement when they are in them. Often I will find the swing jam-packed with pups sleeping and gently rocking! I also have low, padded and carpeted seesaws. The pups first reaction to these is usually to be startled when they walk up the low ramp and it moves under their weight. however, the puppy urge for exploration gets the best of them and soon you see 6-week old pups trying out their "sea legs" and balancing on the middle of the sea saw like expert agility dogs.
The playground also includes a variety of tunnels made of tall kitchen trash containers with the bottoms cut out. The pups race through these, roll them around, and then all pile in for a nap. There are also ramps of various materials and textures, milk jugs, hanging fleece toys and short steps made by stacking large wooden blocks. One object that the pups love is a fleece octopus with four squeaky arms. It hangs about five inches from the ground, from a rope that has a long line of sleigh bells attached to the top. The noise it makes! There are also low mirrors on the walls and an assortment of balls, toys and chews in the puppy room.
At about 6 weeks, the pups are introduced to water, under supervision. I take an extra large Vari-Kennel bottom, line it with rubber bath mats, and fill it with three inches of warm water. I place this in the puppy room, with a couple of rubber balls floating in it. The boldest pups are soon in there! There is no pushing or forcing; I just let them go at their own pace.
Each puppy also gets individual attention every day during which they experience a variety of activities. They may drag around a short leash, be introduced to wings and birds, go for a ride in the car, or have their toenails trimmed.
The playroom setup enables me to sit and watch the puppies for hours to see which are the most adventuresome which have the quickest recovery time, and which are more hesitant. This helps me decide on the homes that will be best for each one.

Information on our next litter
Article written by Cathy Lewandowski for the Curly Coated Retriever breed column in the AKC Gazette

At SoftMaple we introduce all of our puppies to feather and wing before they leave for their new homes.
Breeder of the first AKC Master Hunter with an AKC Championship
Breeder of the first Master Hunter with an obedience title
Winner of the 2003 CCRCA annual Field Trophy (The Sarona Jacob of Marvadel & Sarona Sam of Marvadel Memorial Field Trophy) And was co-winner of the CCRCA annual Field Trophy for 2002

At SoftMaple we start stacking pups at 5 weeks old. Evaluating pups for structure at 6 weeks old.
Shown above is Moxie (CH SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams CGC, WC, RN, RA, JH, ROM) stacked at 8 weeks, and in the ring on her way to a Group second at a CCRCA Supported event
2001 CCRCA National Specialty WB/BOW CH Softmaple Boyerie Int'l Dateline
2004 CCRCA National Specialty WB/BOW CH SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams WC CGC
Multiple group placing CH SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams CGC, WC, RN, RA, JH, ROM
2004 CCRCA National RWB CH SoftMaple's Comin To America CD CGC
2006 CCRCA National Specialty Best In Sweeps CH SoftMaple's Dark Star JH, WC, CGC, CD
Multiple group placing CH SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty CGC

2007 CCRCA National Specialty Best in Veteran Sweepstakes CH SoftMaple's O'Dark Thirty JH, SH, MH, WC, WCX, WCQ, CD, CGC TT, HOF, ROM
2008 CCRCA National Specialty JAM CH SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams CGC, WC, RN, RA, JH, ROM

CCRCA National Specialty

One of the pups at 4 weeks checking out the tunnel in the puppy room

U-AG2 Softmaple Frolic In The Wind RN, NAJ, NF, OJC, TN-O, NCC, NA,C TG-N racing thrugh the tunnel at an agility trial

Breeding without boundaries.

Help! My bitch just came into season, who do I breed her to!

Fortunately this question does not come up frequently in curlies. (Or I hope not!) Most breeders have thought long and hard about whom they want to use as a stud over their bitch. Some breeders have thought breedings out generations ahead of time, while the prospective brood bitches are still young pups in the whelping boxes themselves!

With the improvements in storing frozen semen, collecting and shipping fresh chilled semen, your breeding choices donï¿½t have to be confined to a geographic area. With quarantines newly lifted, the options for stud dogs may broaden considerably.

I have tried not to let my geographic location have any bearing on whom I choose for a stud dog. I have shipped bitches for breeding in the US and Canada. I have had fresh chilled semen sent from across the US for a breeding. I have sent one bitch over seas for a breeding to a foreign stud. And my latest litter was a result of fresh chilled semen sent from overseas.

With the use of fresh chilled and frozen semen, you do have the potential for higher breeding costs, and the potential for decreased litter size in some cases. Finding and using the right stud for your bitch isn't about producing a huge litter. Its about producing a few quality dogs that fulfil the goals you have for the breeding and the resulting offspring.

When using an overseas stud, you must often rely on pictures, video and the word of mouth of people who have met the dogs in person. But this is the case with many US breedings where you may not have had the opportunity to meet the dog in person, or you met the dog when he was just a puppy, and you do not know how he matured. I was very fortunate to deal with breeders and owners who were very helpful in supplying whatever I wanted to do my research on these potential studs. This included pictures of the dog, his parents, siblings, and any offspring he may have had on the ground. Videotapes of the dog and relatives. Talking with other breeders overseas who have used the particular dog, or close relatives of his. Surprisingly, I did not run into the language barrier that I thought would have been the biggest hindrance to the breeding.

The registration process for both litters was straightforward. Obtain DNA on the stud and the bitch. Supply an official copy of his pedigree from his country of birth. Fill out an AKC Special litter registration application that can be downloaded from the AKC site. For the case of the fresh chilled overseas breeding, I sent along the collection form filled out by the Veterinarian who collected the semen, which was also signed, by the Veterinarian who inseminated on this end.

Dogs are living creatures. In life there is no guarantee. Any breeding has its pros, its cons, and its risks. The dog in your own backyard may be the best choice for your bitch. But if he is not, its nice to know we have more options open every year for choosing a stud.

Article written by Cathy Lewandowski for the Curly Coated Retriever Club of America's publication The Curly Commentator

A seven week old pup takes his first swim at SoftMaple
An older dog takes the plunge and shows love of the water

Breeding beyond boundaries.

How many times have your gone to the National or a large regional dog show to check out prospective studs and been disappointed in the lack of choices? Sometimes nothing you see complements the bitch you have. With today's shrinking world, there are more options open to breeders. One of those options is using an over seas stud. With the improvements in storing frozen semen, collecting and shipping fresh chilled semen, and newly lifted quarantines; your breeding choices don't have to be confined to your geographic area.

When using an overseas stud, you must often rely on pictures, video and word of mouth of people who have met the dogs in person. But this is the case with many US studs where you may not have had the opportunity to meet the dog in person. Or even the case of having only seen the dog as an adolescent and you do not know how he has matured. I was fortunate to deal with breeders and owners who were very helpful in supplying whatever I wanted to do my research on potential overseas studs. This included pictures of the dog, his parents, siblings, and any offspring he may have had on the ground. Videotapes of the dog and relatives. Talking with other breeders overseas who have used the particular dog, or close relatives of his in their breeding programs.

I have had experience sending a bitch overseas for a natural breeding. This can't always be done if the country still has quarantine laws in effect. My latest litter was a result of fresh chilled semen sent from overseas. You can still run into problems with customs and language barriers resulting in delays. Timing is everything when using fresh chilled semen. Even a dayï¿½s delay can mean the difference between having a litter and not. It did take a bit more planning to make sure it all came off smoothly. With fresh chilled, you should decide before hand on what kind of extender you will use, and what type of shipping container it will be transported in. A test collection and storage of the stud is a great idea. That way you know how many days his semen will live. Not all dogs are alike, and not all dogs semen react to the extender and chilling the same.

Everything you need to register such a litter is clearly explained on the AKC website. I am currently bringing in frozen semen from overseas to store in the US. This has its pros and cons. With Frozen semen you donï¿½t have to worry about the timing of shipping, as you can have it on hand months or years in advance of the breeding. One of the drawbacks of frozen semen is with the shorter life span, either surgical or transcervical insemination is recommended over vaginal insemination.

With the use of fresh chilled and frozen semen, you do have the potential for higher breeding costs with the addition of progesterone testing, collection, storage and insemination fees. You also have the potential for decreased litter size in some cases. Finding and using the right stud for your bitch isn't about producing a huge litter. Its about producing a few quality dogs that fulfil the goals you have for the breeding and the resulting offspring.

Article written by Cathy Lewandowski for the Curly Coated Retriever breed column in the AKC Gazette

Accomplishments of bred or owned dogs
Thanks go out to all the dedicated owners and trainers
who have put titles on SoftMaple dogs.
Even if the title is CPE (Couch Potato Excellent!)

Champions of Record (CH-AKC)
Karakul Blazing Autumn
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Avanti's Best Bet
Soft Maple's Warrior Princess
Soft Maple Black Teddy
Soft Maple Natural Finish
Avanti SM Fair Trade
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Soft Maple Crossing Delancy
Soft Maple Water Works
Soft Maple's Turning Leaf
Fariway's Softmaple Finnheir
Ptarmigan Huron's Soft Echo co-owned/bred
SoftMaple Dese's Int'l D'Lite
SoftMaple N HunterBay NY Wknd
SoftMaple International Fling
SoftMaple Boyerie Int'l Dateline
SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
SoftMaple Avanti Mileage Plus
SoftMaple Fairway Explorer
Fairway Pizzazz Rendezvous
Softmaple Paramount All That
Softmaple Sziok Seven Stars
SoftMaple's Dr Kananga
SoftMaple Comin' To America
SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
Softmaple Boot Scoot'N Dese
SoftMaple's Ma Belle Bouclee
SoftMaple's Dark Star
HntrBay's O'Dark Justic

UKC Champions
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Ptarmigan Huron's Soft Echo co-owned/bred

CKC Champion
Karakul Blazing Autumn

FIN Champion

Softmaple Cimramin Jorneyman

NOR Champion

Softmaple Cimramin Jorneyman

SWE SH CH Champion

Softmaple Cimramin Jorneyman

Companion dogs ( CD-AKC)
Karakul Blazing Autumn
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Avanti's Best Bet
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Soft Maple Darcy
Fariway's Softmaple Finnheir
SoftMaple's Comin' To America
SoftMaple's American Dreamer
Gunflint's Highland Hunter
SoftMaple's Dark Star

UKC Companion dogs (U-CD)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen

Companion Dog Excellent (CDX-AKC)
Karakul Blazing Autumn

CKC Companion Dog (CKC CD)
Karakul Blazing Autumn

CKC Companion Dog Excellent (CKC CDX)
Karakul Blazing Autumn

FIN TK2 Obedience

Softmaple Cimramin Jorneyman

Rally Novice (AKC RN)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Fairway SoftMaple Finnheir
SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
Softmaple Frolic In The Wind
SoftMaple's O'Dark Thirty
SoftMaple Z Rues The Day

Rally Advanced (AKC RA)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Fariway's Softmaple Finnheir
Softmaple's Pheasant Dreams

Rally Excellent (AKC RE)
Fariway's Softmaple Finnheir

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

Working Certificate Excellent (WCX)
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
SoftMaple's MaBelle Bouclee
Gunflint's Highland Hunter

Working Certificate Qualified (WCQ)
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
SoftMaple's MaBelle Bouclee

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
SoftMapl's Dark Star
SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams

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

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

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

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

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

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

CGC AKC Canine Good Citizens
Karakul Blazing Autumn
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Avanti's Best Bet
Avanti SM Fair Trade
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Soft Maple Darcy
Soft Maple Water Works
Fariway's Softmaple Finnheir
Ptarmigan Huron's Soft Echo co-owned/bred
SoftMaple Dese's Int'l D'Lite
SoftMaple N HunterBay NY Wknd
SoftMaple International Fling
SoftMaple's MoonShadow
SoftMaple's Pheasant Dreams
SoftMaple Gunflint's Beauty
SoftMaple Fairway Explorer
Softmaple Paramount All That
SoftMaple's Comin' To America
SoftMaple's MaBelle Boucle
SoftMaple's American Dreamer
Soft Maple's Beachcomber
Gunflint's Highland Hunter
SoftMaple's Dark Star
Softmaple TransAtlantic Affair
Softmaple Boot Scoot'N Dese

CKC CGN Canine Good Neighbour
Soft Maple Wind on Water

TT - Temperament Test
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
SoftMaple N HunterBay NY Wknd

TDI, Registered Therapy Dogs
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Avanti SM Fair Trade
Soft Maple Darcy
SoftMaple's American Dreamer

Stability Test (ST)
Karakul Blazing Autumn
Soft Maple's Warrior Princess

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

ROM
Avanti's Best Bet
Soft Maple Natural Finish
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty

ROMX
Avanti's Best Bet
Soft Maple Natural Finish

HOF (CCRCA Hall Of Fame)
Soft Maple's O' Dark Thirty
Soft Maple Kyrabean Queen

CAC Finland
SoftMaple Cimramin Journeyman
SoftMaple Cimramin Journeyman
SoftMaple Cimramin Journeyman

CACIB Finland
SoftMaple Cimramin Journeyman

CAC Sweden
SoftMaple Cimramin Journeyman

CAC & CACIB Norway
SoftMaple Cimramin Journeyman

Salute! To our real stars!

At SoftMaple, we aren't breeding for letters to put in front of or behind a dogs name. We aren't breeding for ribbons, trophies or egos. We are breeding to preserve this wonderful breed. To produce stable tempered, intelligent, healthy cherished family companions. A companion you can take for a hike, you can take hunting, you can take into your home. A Curly you can take into your heart. Titles, ribbons and trophies are nice, but the dog doesn't care. As a breeder, I would rather see one of my pups go into a home where he will be loved forever, living beside the hearth of his family, than a dog that will have a short brilliant career in the show ring, then spend the rest of his life in a kennel. So here is to all you wonderful curly owners, and the title of Couch Potato Excellent! (CPE)

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