Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club

My sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee of The Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club for affording me the honour to Judge at their annual breed open show. I had a lovely day and the hospitality extended to me throughout my time spent at this show was second to none.

I must also thank my 2 hard-working and very efficient stewards, Becky and Nigel who gave up their time on a Saturday to steward all day at this show.

A couple of observations, fronts in this breed leave much room for improvement and I would respectfully suggest that if a little time was spent at a ringcraft club and a more professional approach was taken to showing this wonderful breed there are many exhibits that could find themselves doing very well – after all, showing a dog is an expensive hobby so maximise your chances by getting the handling right.

Puppy Dog (3):

1ST Mahon, Hunns & Newton, Miss M V, Mr J & Mr J, Arnac Bay Huron At Bergelle: Dog of just 11 months of age, extremely well balanced. Masculine head with strong muzzle and correct, clean and full dentition. Strong neck leading to well placed shoulders and deep chest, with good width. Correct ribcage and strong loin leading to well muscled hindquarters with good width of second thigh. Excellent bone and feet. Moved out well with drive. His coat was of good texture. My pleasure to award this dog Reserve Best In Show and Best Opposite Sex in Show.

2ND Driver, Miss J, Arnac Bay Huntsman: Another quality young dog again of 11 months of age, not quite showing the overall balance of my first placed exhibit but I believe that this will come in time. Pleasing head with strong muzzle, correct, clean and complete dentition, clean neck into good forehand assembly, deep chest, moderately angulated hindquarters, neat feet, moved well

3RD Hoare, Mr R, Petsalls Convertor

Junior Dog (1):

1ST Mahon, Hunns & Newton, Miss M V, Mr J & Mr J, Arnac Bay Huron At Bergelle

Post Graduate Dog (5, 1abs):

1ST Baxandall, Mrs S, Sharbae Starman: Upstanding dog of 2 years of age and of pleasing overall type, good head that is broad with correct stop, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into well muscled forequarters, his elbows were a little out on the move, quality bone all through, neat feet. Coat of good texture. The best mover in this class showing strong movement from hindquarters.

2ND Murray, Miss L, Dakota Nathan: Dog of 26 months of age, a little light in bone for me and could have a slightly more masculine head but this I believe will develop as he matures. Correct, clean and complete dentition, well placed ears, clean neck, deep chest, coat of good texture, moved well.

3RD Worrall, Ms S, Arnac Bay Esk

Limit Dog (2, 1abs):

1ST Griffin-Woods, Mrs C J, Migwell Soloman’s Puzzle (Ai): Very nice dog of 2½ years of age and up to size, not coarse in any way, well proportioned with very good head, which is broad with ears set well on, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into well placed shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm, deep chest of good width with well sprung ribs, good bone all through, strong hindquarters, coat of good quality, moved very well, accurately both fore, aft and in profile. Very pleased to be able to award him Reserve Best Dog.

Open Dog (1):

1ST Milner, Mr P H, Polotter Warrior Of Rhyl: Dog of 5 years of age, of pleasing overall type, with good head, correct, clean and complete dentition, medium size eye, strong neck of medium length, leading to well muscled forequarters, deep chest of good width, strong loin, moderately angulated hindquarters, unfortunately he was shedding his coat. Moved soundly.

Veteran Dog (1):

1ST Milner, Mr P H, Polotter Pickled Piper: Pleasing type of dog at just over 7 years of age. Presented an a balanced outline, with good head and neat well placed ears, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into good forehand assembly, with chest of good depth and width, strong loin leading into muscular and moderately angulated hindquarters, strong bone, moved well. My absolute pleasure to award this dog Best Veteran In Show – a well deserved accolade.

Good Citizens Dog Scheme (Dog) (2):

1ST Murray, Miss L, Dakota Nathan

2ND Smith, Miss, H, Oakmarsh Elkton: A dog of just 2 years who still needs to mature. Pleasing head of correct proportions, medium eye and well placed close carried ears, correct, clean and complete dentition, clean neck into strong forequarters, deep chest well ribbed, moderate hind angulation, appeared to slightly favour one hind leg on the move.

Special Beginners Dog (2):

1ST Baxandall, Mrs S, Sharbae Starman

2ND Smith, Miss, H, Oakmarsh Elkton

Puppy Bitch (3):

1ST Thompson, Mr D & Mrs T, Arnac Bay Harvest: This young lady of 11 months of age is a very special Chesapeake Bay Retriever at this point in her development and in my opinion. Beautifully presented, feminine but correct head with strong muzzle, correct, clean and complete dentition, clean, medium length strong neck into very good layback of shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm, deep chest of good width, muscular hindquarters, quality bone all through, tight, neat feet. Moved accurately and effortlessly with drive both fore, aft and in profile. My absolute pleasure to award her Best Bitch, Best Of Breed and Best In Show. 

2ND Madden, Mrs R J, Arnac Bay Hawthorn: Litter sister to my class winner, similar comments apply to this bitch but I would add that she is not as mature at this stage and the use of an experienced handler also gave my class winner the edge. This bitch for me will develop into a very nice example of the breed.

3RD Dennis, Mr T & Mrs C, Oakmarsh Florence

Junior Bitch (2):

1ST Thompson, Mr D & Mrs T, Arnac Bay Harvest

2ND Hewitson, Mr C, Melseed Skys The Limit: Pleasing type of bitch standing at 16 months of age. Feminine head with medium eye, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into good forehand assembly, deep chest of good width, well ribbed, moderate hindquarters, moved steadily.

Novice Bitch (2):

1ST Dennis, Mr T & Mrs C, Oakmarsh Florence: Good overall type, of 11 months of age, good head and well placed ears, correct, clean and complete dentition, medium length neck, strong forequarters, good width to chest good bone and feet, moved steadily

2ND MCCall, Dr M A, Oakmarsh Elm Of Brumborder: Pleasing overall type, of 2 years of age good head and well placed ears, correct, clean and complete dentition, medium length neck, deep chest strong loin, moderate hindquarters, I did not like her tailset and movement was difficult to assess and she did not settle on the move

Post Graduate Bitch (6):

1ST Thompson, Mr D & Mrs T, Arnac Bay Gamble: Good quality bitch of 3½ years of age, who on the day for me was carrying just a little too much weight over the shoulders. Very good head with correct, clean and complete dentition, strong medium neck into well placed shoulders, chest of good width and depth, strong moderately angulated hindquarters, moved well.

2ND Playle & Thomas, Mr R & Mrs S, Arnac Bay Grebe: Balanced and well made bitch of 3½ years of age, typical head with medium eye and well placed ears, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong clean neck, correct forehand angulation, deep chest well ribbed strong loin, well muscled moderately angulated hindquarters, good bone and feet, moved out well.

3RD Acheson, Mr V & Mrs F G J, Arnac Bay Grouse Of Eastering:

Limit Bitch (4):

1ST Watts, K L, Zara Angels Of Baranya At Oakmarsh (IMP HRV): Pleasing bitch of good overall type, good head and medium size ear well set on, correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into good forehand assembly, good depth and width to chest, quality bone and neat feet, moved and handled well. Very pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch.

2ND Thompson, Mr D & Mrs T, Arnac Bay Gamble

3RD Broomfield, Mr S A & Mrs C L, Petsalls Pride Beech At Glaneils

Open Bitch (2):

1ST Pont, Miss C A, Penrose Hash Brown: She is well balanced with a good head and medium eye. Correct, clean and complete dentition. Well-laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Correct depth of brisket and well sprung rib cage. Coat of good texture. Moved well.

2ND Watts, K L, Oakmarsh Chestnut: Pleasing bitch of good overall proportions and type. Good head with strong muzzle and correct, clean and complete dentition. Chest of good width and depth, strong loin, well muscled hindquarters, moved out well.

Veteran Bitch (3):

1ST Mayhew, Mrs C S, Arnac Bay Curlew: Bitch of 9 years of age still demonstrating good overall balance and type. Good head and eye, strong neck into well placed shoulders and return of upper arm, chest of good width and depth, strong loin with muscular hindquarters. Moved well.

2ND Watts, K L, Oakmarsh Acorn: Another 9 year old of good type. Excellent bone all through and neat feet. Good head, strong neck, muscular forehand assembly,, deep chest well ribbed, good coat, moved well.

3RD Playle & Thomas, Mr R & Mrs S, SH CH Riptide Beaver

Good Citizens Dog Scheme (Bitch) (2):

1ST Watts, K L, Oakmarsh Acorn

2ND Pont, Miss C A, Oakmarsh Dancing Diva: Nice bitch of 2½ years, feminine head and expression, medium eye, correct, clean and complete dentition, muscular forehand assembly, strong body, moderate hand angulation good bone and feet, moved well.

Special Beginners Bitch (3):

1ST Baxandall, Mrs S, Sharbae Prettiest Star: Her name depicts her looks. Pleasing bitch, good head and eye, well placed ears, medium neck into muscular forequarters, deep chest, which could have been more ribbed, moderate hindquarters angulation, moved steadily and soundly to win the class.

2ND Dennis, Mr T & Mrs C, Oakmarsh Florence

3RD Murray, Miss L, Luisaidha Eva

Martyn J Rees (Judge)