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 championship 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. 

Puppy Dog (1)

1ST Herring, Mrs D & Mr T, Battsrock Smoke On The Water: Dog of just 6 months of age, extremely well balanced. Masculine head with strong muzzle and correct, clean and complete dentition. Strong neck leading to well placed shoulders and deep chest, with good width. Correct ribcage and strong loin leading to well muscled hindquarters. Excellent bone and feet. Moved out once settled. His coat was of good texture. In the challenge for Best Puppy In Show he did not fully settle – a worthy Reserve Best Puppy In Show.

Post Graduate Dog (3)

1ST Poulton, Mr M & Mrs R, Passione Knightspool: A male of almost 4 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 tight to his chest on the move, good bone all through, neat feet. Coat of good texture. I would ideally have preferred a little more bone and substance all through. The best mover in this class showing strong movement from hindquarters.

2ND Camoccio & Easton, Mr S & Miss K, Chesepi Xamaza Towmy: Of nearly 5 years of age. Whilst I preferred the overall type of this dog, he was not as well coordinated with his handler. Pleasing head and expression. Dentition correct, clean and complete. Strong, clean neck into a forehand assembly. Chest of good width and depth. Strong short loin, muscled hindquarters. Very good bone and feet. Moved well but never really gave me the impression that he got into full gait.

3RD Camoccio & Easton, Mr S & Miss K, Melseed Benbow Baggins

Limit Dog (5)

1ST Murray, Miss L,Muireatai Teris Love: I really did like this dog for his overall type and presence when standing. Of 3½ years of age, of very good type. Very well balanced, not coarse in any way with an excellent head with strong muzzle and underjaw. Correctly set ears. Dentition correct, clean and complete. Well laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Good width and breadth of chest, Ribs well sprung and strong loin. Hindquarters well made with moderate bend of stifle. Quality bone all through, Excellent feet with nails that could have been shorter. Moved soundly in all planes but disappointingly flew his tail above the range that I find acceptable.

2ND Musselwhite, Mr A, Puntgunner Ebbing Tide: Male of 6 years of age – a formidable dog when standing, strong and well muscled. His is well made and correctly proportioned all through making him balanced. 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 depth with well sprung ribs, good bone all through, strong hindquarters, coat of good quality, moved soundly – on the move and when standing he was far too wide in front with this his elbows placed well away from his chest. 

3RD Royle, Mrs V, Battsrock Are You Ready

Open Dog (2)

1ST Mayhew, Mrs C S, SH CH Next Generation Arnac Arctic Storm (NAF): My decision to place this outstanding male of 4 years of age 1ST in this class and to later award him the Dog Challenge Certificate and Reserve Best In Show may have evoked a little controversy. So, whilst it would be fair and reasonable to say that his tail carriage was less than ideal and did detract from his overall outline on the day, I Judged each exhibit completely and thoroughly as a whole, and as such I was prepared to forgive this as his other outstanding virtues and confirmation heavily compensated for this. It in no way compromised his soundness and movement. Apart from the afore mentioned, he is very difficult to fault. He absolutely exudes overall quality, type and presence in every department. Presents an extremely balanced outline. He was in very hard condition.

Outstanding head of correct proportions with ears well placed, deep strong muzzle and underjaw.

Correct clean and complete dentition. Strong, clean neck leading to an excellent layback of shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm. Excellent width and depth of brisket with elbows close to chest. Excellent spring of rib into short and muscular loin. Muscular hindquarters with evident second thigh.

Coat of good texture. Excels in bone. The very best of tight and neat feet with short nails. On the move I could not fault this dog, he was accurate in all planes demonstrating good drive from the very best of hindquarters. Expertly handled.

2ND Broomfield, Mr S A & Mrs C L, Glaneils Count On Me: A male of coming up 6 years of age. Presented 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 the Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate.

Veteran Dog (5 – 2 Withdrawn)

1ST Griffin-Woods, Mrs C J, CH Migwell Soloman’s Puzzle (Ai): A male of 8 years of age, presented in excellent condition that did not reflect his age. Of very good type and overall construction. Very good head that is broad with correct stop, Correct eye and well placed ears. Muzzle strong and deep with correct, clean and complete dentition, strong clean neck into well muscled forequarters with well placed shoulder and return of upper arm. Elbows tight to chest. Good spring of rib. Muscled hindquarters with moderate bend of stifle. Quality bone all through.. Coat of good texture. On the move he was accurate in all planes driving from his muscular hindquarters. A very worthy Best Veteran In Show.

2ND Murray, Miss L, Takoda Nathan: Another male of 8 years of age. Of pleasing overall type. Not as balanced as my first placed exhibit, he was also straighter in stifle than I would have preferred and his nails could have been shorter. Pleasing head of good proportions. Correct, clean and complete dentition, strong neck into good forehand assembly, with chest of good depth and width, strong loin leading into muscular hindquarters, strong bone, moved well. 

3RD Camoccio & Easton, Mr S & Miss K, Melseed Benbow Baggins

Special Working Dog (4 – 2abs)

1ST Griffin-Woods, Mrs C J, CH Migwell Soloman’s Puzzle (Ai)

2ND Bament, Mrs F C, Pixiesrock Maestro Cadenza: A male of 4 years of age. Of good overall type. A little finer in bone than I would have liked and straight in stifle when standing. Good head and 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. Coat of very good quality and texture.

Puppy Bitch (2 -1abs)

1ST Mayhew, Mrs C S, BB’s Chesapeake Breeding Dory For Arnac (IMP CHE): A very feminine bitch overall of just over 6 months of age. 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 – especially given her tender age - with drive both fore, aft and in profile. My absolute pleasure to award her Best Puppy In Show. 

Junior Bitch (3)

1ST Blaber, Mrs L & Mr L & Miss K, Oakmarsh Laurel: Of 16 months of age. Well balanced all through with an excellent head and the best of expressions. Dentition correct, clean and complete. Strong and muscular neck, correct depth and width of brisket. Well ribbed back leading through into strong loin. Excellent hindquarters and correct bend of stifle. Quality bone all through. Moved very well and accurately at all times. Her coat is of the correct density. Shown and handled very well.

2ND Watts, Miss K, Oakmarsh Little Acorn JW RATN: Litter sister to my first placed exhibit. Possess’ many of the same attributes, infact she appeared slightly more mature – she was not as at one with her handler and her movement whilst completely sound was not as fluent.

3RD Watts, Mellersh-Tett & Mellersh-Tett, Oakmarsh Land Of Promise.

Yearling Bitch (4)

1ST Hewitson, Mr C, Melseed Don’t Stop Believing: A beautifully balanced bitch, especially when standing naturally and correctly and not over-stretched by her owner – please note these observations. Of 20 months of age. This young bitch caught eye from the moment that she entered the ring. She just needs to mature to come into her best. Well balanced all through with an excellent head and the best of expressions. Dentition correct, clean and complete. Strong and muscular neck, correct depth and width of brisket. Well ribbed back leading through into strong loin. Excellent hindquarters with evident and pronounced second thigh and correct bend of stifle. Quality bone all through. Moved very well and accurately at all times. Her coat is of the correct density. I was delighted to award this bitch the Reserve Challenge Certificate.

2ND Corcoran & Jones, Miss A & Mr S, Oakmarsh Kingsley Adsila: A bitch of pleasing quality, a little longer in loin than would be my preferred. Dentition, correct, clean and complete. Good head and eye, well placed ears, medium neck into muscular forequarters, deep chest, which could have been more ribbed, moderate hindquarter angulation, moved steadily and soundly. 

3RD Watts, Mellersh-Tett & Mellersh-Tett, Oakmarsh Land Of Promise

Post Graduate Bitch (2)

1ST Mayhew & Worrall, Mrs C & Miss S, Arnac Bay Inca: Pleasing bitch of substance, with excellent bone all through. Demonstrating good overall balance and type. Dentition, correct, clean and complete. Good head and eye, strong neck into well placed shoulders and return of upper arm, chest of good width and depth, strong muscular loin with well musculed hindquarters. Moved well and soundly.

2ND Griffin-Woods, Mrs C J, Melseed Perseverance By Migwell: Bitch of 20 months whose immaturity showed in this class. She is of good size and substance, being critical, perhaps a little fine on bone. Typical head with medium eye and well placed ears, Strong muzzle, correct, clean and complete dentition, Strong clean neck, good forehand assembly, deep chest. Moderately angulated hindquarters, and feet that with short nails. moved out well and soundly but did not maintain her topline.

Limit Bitch (4)

1ST Broomfield, Broomfield, Mahon-Hunns & Newton, Mrs C, Mr S, Mrs M & Mr J, Glaneils Daydream Believer: A beautiful and very pleasing bitch of 3½ years of age in terms of overall breed type and quality The most feminine of heads and expressions with strong muzzle and underjaw, correct, clean and complete dentition, Strong, clean and medium length neck into excellent layback of shoulder with corresponding return of upper arm, deep chest of good width, ribs well sprung, muscular hindquarters with moderate turn of stifle with evident and pronounced second thigh, quality bone all through. Moved accurately in all planes.

2ND Pont, Miss C A, Amore Of Ridsome (IMP ITA): Smaller in overall type than my first placed exhibit and finer all through. Excels in forehand assembly. Very feminine head and expression. Strong neck, well sprung ribs into strong loin and moderate hindquarters. Moved soundly.

3RD Turner, Miss S, Oakmarsh Haunting Melody (Ai)

Open Bitch (3 -1abs)

1ST Thompson, Mr D & Mrs T, SH CH Arnac Bay Harvest: Super quality bitch of nearly 7 years of age. Balanced, feminine head with an excellent expression, strong muzzle, dentition correct, clean and complete. Strong, clean and well muscled neck into excellent shoulder placement and corresponding return of upper arm. Width and depth of brisket good with elbows tight to chest, correctly sprung ribs into strong muscular loin. Well developed and muscled hindquarters with moderate turn of stifle and correct hock to heel placement. Quality bone all through with neat feet. Her coat is of the correct texture and density. On the move she was flowing and accurate in all planes. My only criticism of her on the day, she was of optimum weight over her loin. My pleasure to award her the Bitch Challenge Certificate and worthy Best In Show.

2ND Murray, Miss L, Muireatai Miracle Of Dreams: A bitch of 3½ years of age. Balanced and of good overall proportions. Of very 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 with nails that could have been shorter. Moved and handled well. 

Veteran Bitch (5)

1ST Mayhew, Mrs C S, SH CH Arnac Bay Flax: At a few months shy of her 12TH birthday, this bitch is a credit to her owner. 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 Playle & Thomas, Mr R & Mrs S, Arnac Bay Grebe With Riptide: A bitch of 9 years of age. 

Well balanced all through with pleasing, correct head and expression. Dentition, correct, clean and 

complete, very good shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm, good width and depth of brisket, 

correct through ribcage and loin, strong hindquarters with excellent bone and feet. Moved soundly.

Special Working Bitch (4)

1ST Mayhew, Mrs C S, SH CH Arnac Bay Flax

2ND Herring, Mrs D & Mr T, Battsrock Sweet Child O Mine WGC: A 4½ year old bitch. Of very good overall 

Type – presented and shown well. 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. Coat of good type and texture.

Special Beginners Bitch (3)

1ST Blaber, Mrs L & Mr L & Miss K, Oakmarsh Laurel

2ND Corcoran & Jones, Miss A & Mr S, Oakmarsh Kingsley Adsila

3RD Turner, Miss S, Oakmarsh Haunting Melody (Ai)

Breeders

Murray, Miss L, Takoda Nathan

Stud

Griffin-Woods, Mrs C J, CH Migwell Soloman’s Puzzle (Ai)

Wild Fowling Class

1ST Musselwhite, Mr A, Puntgunner Ebbing Tide

2ND Playle & Thomas, Mr R & Mrs S, Riptide Gentlemens Relish: A strong male of some 21 months of age. Of very good 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. 

3RD Camoccio & Easton, Mr S & Miss K, Chesepi Xamaza Towmy

Martyn J Rees (Judge)