South Of England Gundog Club

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

Big thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge and rearranging my appointment after the Covid cancellation in 2020. Thanks also to those that entered and it was lovely to see a good number there. It was lovely to have totally different dogs since the last time I judged. Well done to the committee on a well run show even in the face of a snowy venue and having to bring everyone inside but it only led to an even better atmosphere. Merry Christmas everyone.

Puppy

2 Entries, 1 Absent

1st Tideflight Floki 

6 month old, dark brown male on his first outing. Absolute credit to his handler/breeder and definitely a young dog I will watch with anticipation. His masculine puppy head has lots of time to mature but already has it all there, well set ears, good muzzle to skull proportions and kind, well set amber eyes. Nice size ears, set well up on his head. Correct teeth. Lovely height and length proportions, with good depth of chest already. Well muscled for one so young, with good substance to his bone but would like some more weight on him. Correct lay of shoulder, together with correct front angulation made for front legs placed well under his body. Rear angulation correctly reflects that on the front giving good drive on the move. Thick oily coat. Missed out on BOB on his immaturity but as he matures I’m sure his day will come. Reserve Best of Breed, Best Puppy

Special Yearling

4 Entries, 1 Absent

1st Tideflight Floki (as Puppy)

2nd Oakleaf Manor Bay of Oakmarsh (IMP Deu) 

18 month old, deadgrass female. Pretty wedge shaped head, lighter eyes to tone with her coat. Nice length of neck. Preferred the front assembly of 1. Longer cast in body and would like more depth of chest, which may come as she matures. Nicely sized with a level topline which held on the move, moved ok. Well muscled throughout. Correct coat.

Post graduate

3 Entries, 2 Absent

1st Oakmarsh Freedom 

4 year old, brown female. Feminine head which is nicely proportioned. Would prefer a little more length of neck, but otherwise well proportioned for her smaller stature. Well angulated front and rear. Moved well, well muscled throughout, however wasn’t holding her topline well, which let down her overall outline. Good oily, harsh coat.

Open

4 Entries, 1 Absent

1st SH CH Arnac bay Hebe Europe’22 

4 year old, brown female, lovely shaped and proportioned head, beautiful expression. Well made and muscled throughout. In good hard condition and would look totally in place on the shooting field. Quality bitch with all the attributes of a Chesapeake. Well proportion, great angles front and rear, carries herself well on the move effortlessly. Her coat was not at its best today, although still showing correct harsh texture, but that doesn’t take away from her all Chesapeake outline. Best of Breed Pleased to hear she was shortlisted in BIS

2nd SH CH Arnac Weatherdeck Buoy

7 year old, brown male, a quiet, strong presence in the ring with a gorgeous soft expression on his all male broad head. Quality dog, well muscled throughout. Strong neck into well laid back shoulder and well constructed front assembly. Well sprung ribs, short coupled and strong backed. Moderately angulated rear. Unfortunately slightly lame on his shoulder intermittently today, not helped by the polished floor but his quality and type shone through for 2nd place. 

Junior Handling

No entries in either class for Junior Handling, such a disappointment. How the show world has changed since I was a junior in classes of double figures at a Gundog open show - we need to help the younger generation see what they’re missing I feel. 

Adult handling 

1st Linda Thorogood - Clumber Spaniel 

Good Handler - Moved at correct pace for her dog, straight lines on the move. Finished the patterns requested of her and then set up her dog at a good distance from me at 90 degrees. Maintained her place at opposite side of the dog even as I walked all the way around the dog with no fuss and no movement of the dog. Dog was happy to be in the ring and Linda let the dog shine on the move.

2nd Vanessa Searles - Spanish Water Dog

Another good handler, presented her dog with no fuss, and moved her dog at the correct pace for her dog. Unfortunately I felt that after finishing her pattern work she set the dog up at the wrong angle, making me need to move in order to see the dog on the stand. Overall, a handler that makes the most of the dog but would like a neater transition from patterns to presentation.