The American Chesapeake Club's 2017 National Specialty Show

We spent Labor Day Weekend with the Chesapeake Nation (or rather the Chesapeake World) in Raleigh, North Carolina for the American Chesapeake Club's annual National Specialty Show. Chesapeake breeders and owners from around the country look forward to this yearly event with great anticipation as we get to see so many Chesapeakes in one place competing in dock diving, agility, obedience and rally, conformation, and the field. And Chesapeake fanciers from around the world also attend each year. Friends from Germany, Greece, and the UK joined us for the fun this year. 

We travelled to North Carolina with our local Maryland friend, Amy, and our friend Maria who'd travelled from Greece to see the show for the first time. On board were Amy's Poppy, our Gudgeon, and our homebred boy, Brutus, who we co-bred with Jane Pappler of Redlion Kennels and who's owned by our friend Richard Schauber. 

Gudgeon and I had been working for over a year to train for obedience and rally obedience competition and this show in Raleigh was her debut in the obedience ring. We entered Rally Novice and Beginner Novice and were thrilled to earn qualifying scores in both and 4th place in her Rally class. In conformation, Gudgeon was entered in the Bred-by Exhibitor class where the handler must be the breeder and owner of the dog. It is a place for breeders to showcase their best dogs who are not yet champions and for this reason, it is often a very competitive class. For the second year in a row, Gudgeon placed 2nd place in the Bred-by class. To receive a placement in this class at your National is a huge honor and it means a great deal to us. Gudgeon was also asked to enter the ring with her father, BISS GCH Chestnut Hills Windjammer SH WDX "Jessie," for the Stud Dog class. In this class, the offspring of the stud dog are evaluated to assess the stud dog's ability to produce quality offspring. We were honored to be asked by Karen and Ron Anderson for Gudgeon to represent her father. Gudgeon appeared in this class with half-brother, Brody, bred by Robyn Haskin and owned by friends Jill and Rob Conroy. Out of 10 stud dogs in the Stud Dog class, Gudgeon's father was awarded first place and we were thrilled to play a part in that.

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Gudgeon and I in our Beginner Novice Class. Photo Credit: Maria Kapsali.

We started our week off by attending the American Chesapeake Club's first ever Dock Diving competition. As you can imagine, Chesapeakes tend to excel at this sport. I've never competed in Dock Diving before, but decided to let Brutus have a go at it. He's no stranger to jumping off high banks when hunting, so surely he could jump off a dock, right? Though I never suspected that I would get so excited to see one of my dogs jump off the dock, Brutus' enthusiasm for the task made my heart pound. He finished the day with two qualifying Senior jumps of 15'6 and 17'6. I guess now, we'll have to get him out to finish that title.

I adore the look on Brutus' face as he jumps. Expert throwing by Maria Kapsali. Photo Credit: Diane Lewis Photography.

Long ago, when I was planning to attend my first Chesapeake National, a friend advised me to enter my dog so that I would be a full participant in the event rather than just a spectator. Remembering that good advise led me to invite our Greek friend Maria to show Brutus for us at the National. Maria has shown her own dogs in addition to helping out our friend in the UK by showing Arnac Chesapeakes from time to time and she is a talented handler. I knew Brutus would be in good hands and I knew it would mean the world to Maria to show a dog at an American Chesapeake Club National. Brutus was entered in the Hunting Dog Class. He's eligible to enter this class by virtue of holding an AKC Senior Hunt title. Breeders and owners choose to enter their dogs in this class because they want the judge to know that the dog is a working retriever, not just a show dog. As a club, we should all be very proud that this year, we had a very large Hunting Dog class of 12 dogs. All the dogs in the class also hold show championship titles and 7 of them hold Grand Championship titles as well. Brutus is a multiple group winning senior hunter with a Grand Champion title. Maria showed him so skillfully as I sat ringside and watched someone else handle him for the first time. I watched this new pair with great pride. They were awarded first place in this competitive Hunting Dog class which enabled them to return to the ring on Sunday to compete for Best of Breed as the Hunting Dog. We all would have been over the moon if it had stopped there, but it didn't. The next day was a nail-biting experience as the judge made cut after cut and Maria and Brutus remained in the ring...always looking their best. The judge cut the male dogs down to only six and at this point we knew it was likely we would go home with a major award. In the end, Brutus was awarded Select Dog (2nd best male) out of ~200 entries. I'm so grateful to Maria for presenting him so beautifully and giving me the chance to watch it all unfold from the sidelines. 

Judge Lisa Warren, Handler Maria Kapsali, me, and Show Chair George Makatura.

I left this trip so proud of these two dogs who were born into my hands. I'm proud of their amazing temperaments, their working abilities, their beauty, and their hearts. I had a wonderful time at this event as all of my friends and I shared our dogs with each other. There was a great atmosphere where we all wished for and celebrated each other's successes. Such good times with a great group of people. Until next July in Ohio....

Our Trip to the American Chesapeake Club's 2016 National Show Specialty

Every year, I attend the American Chesapeake Club's National Show Specialty. The show rotates each year across three regions of our country, so travel is sometimes involved. I go to the effort to attend this event each year for reasons that I'll share below. For the first time, I missed our National last year when our pups were born just a few days before the event and I was unable to leave mom and pups to travel to Wisconsin. I was thrilled to have a whelping box filled with happy, healthy pups, so I had no regrets about staying home. But, I was particularly excited to head to Portland, Oregon last week for the 2016 show.

When I can, I enter my dogs to compete in the various events associated with our National Specialty. Over the years, I've competed in Obedience, Rally, Conformation, and our Working Dog Stakes. It's not always possible to take a dog for various reasons, but it's important for me to attend regardless because I go for many reasons beyond competition. Our National provides many opportunities, both formal and informal, for learning. There are typically several seminars (health, breed, judging, handling, etc.). And, the show brings knowledgeable people together from around the U.S. and the world and we have nearly a week to spend together to watch judging, share meals, have a drink, or simply walk our dogs together. The formal seminars and the informal discussions are an invaluable learning opportunity for me.

Though I live in Maryland and have the ability to see many Chesapeakes on a regular basis, I think it's important to get out and see dogs from other regions so that my perspective on the breed isn't limited to what I can see locally. I become familiar with dogs from other lines and this opens up breeding opportunities that can help to preserve diversity within our gene pool. I go to see possible stud dogs. And, in one place, you can sometimes see the parents and offspring of any given dog. It's important to see how traits are passed along.

And, amidst all that "work," I get to visit with dear, old friends and make special, new friends. Our common bond is strong as is our commitment to the breed that we love. We joke. We laugh. We support one another. We celebrate each other's successes. And, when the veteran classes go around the ring, we even shed tears together...tears for the old ones we've grown to love over the years...and for those we've recently lost. My friends in our breed community have become some of my dearest friends and I really treasure them. 

This year, I hopped on a plane with my little Gudgeon who celebrated her first birthday in Portland. It was her first big trip and first time on a plane. It seems that all of our socialization and training paid off as she was relaxed and enthusiastic about the whole adventure. She went nearly everywhere with me during our stay in Portland and was a ray of sunshine with all she met. When it was time to compete, we showed in the Puppy Sweepstakes under breeder judge, Annette Monugian (Marnett's Chesapeakes) and in the Bred-by Exhibitor class under breeder judge, Betsy Horn Humer (Eastern Water's Chesapeakes). Both judges placed Gudgeon in 2nd place in their respective classes. This was a lovely result for her 2nd weekend out in the show ring. In addition, Gudgeon earned her Canine Good Citizen title. So, all-in-all, this was a successful trip for us on many fronts. And, I loved having this time to deepen our bond. 

I want to thank Chairpersons Marilyn Williams and Karen Marcotte and everyone who volunteered to host us all in Portland. I've co-chaired one of these events myself and have served on the American Chesapeake Club Show Committee and I know how much work goes into a specialty that spans six days and includes 6 competition events, seminars, meals, trophies, etc.  Thank you, Team Portland!

News from the Norwegian Retriever Club in Ringerike

Glenna was, once again, well received at a show in her home country of Norway. Today, at the Norwegian Retriever Club in Ringerike she received more than one special award.

In the Chesapeake Bay Retriever ring she was Best Junior (9-15 months of age), Best of Breed, and, she received her second Challenge Certificate with a rating of Excellent. She needs just one more Challenge Certificate to be a Norwegian Champion! 

Next, Glenna got to compete against the Best Juniors from the other breeds where the judge awarded her Best Junior in Show! 

And, finally, all of the Best of Breed winners competed for Best in Show. With Heidi Sageng on the other end of the leash, Glenna was awarded Best In Show 4. There were 170 retrievers entered in the show today and young Glenna ended the show in fourth place. All of Glenna's extended family and friends are so proud of her success. And, we are thrilled for Glenna's owners, Margunn Tvedten and Heidi Sageng. 

Arnac Bay Aquamanda Glenna of Weatherdeck (BISS GCH Chestnut Hills Windjammer JH WD X Arnac Bay Arapahoe WD) enjoying the spoils of her wins today. Breeders: Gina Downin & Chrissie Mayhew. 

Week of Wow!

Wow! What an exciting week for four 10 month-old Weatherdeck/Arnac pups in three countries. Our Gudgeon got things rolling over the weekend when she entered the show ring for the very first time in a series of three shows in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I expected her to be a wiggly puppy that would be easily distracted by all the sights and sounds of a large indoor show. She impressed me by being completely at ease and by carrying herself in a way that allowed the judges to see her in the best light. On Day 1 she was awarded Winners Bitch and began her journey toward her conformation championship. Wow! Winners Bitch at her first show! On Day 2 the hosting kennel club had a special competition for puppies under one year of age. Gudgeon was Best Puppy for her breed which meant that she got to compete in a puppy sporting group. She was not intimidated by the larger ring where she claimed 2nd place in the group. Wow! Holding her own with the best puppies of the other breeds in the sporting group! She finished up the weekend with another Winners Bitch award and the added honor of being selected as Best of Winners. The weekend far surpassed my expectations. This was supposed to be a learning experience for Gudgeon and an opportunity for us to learn to work as a team in the show ring. It's such an honor for her to so well received during her debut weekend.

Gudgeon. Practicing the fine art of standing still. (Photo by Karen Beste) 

Before we'd even packed up to head home, unexpected news started coming in from far away. On that same day, three of Gudgeon's littermates were also being recognized in both the UK and Norway! I didn't even know that they, too, were entered in shows on that day. Brother and sister, Buoy and Delta were battling it out for Best Puppy in the UK. Buoy was Best Dog Puppy and Delta was Best Bitch Puppy and in the end, the judge chose Delta to be Best Puppy overall! Then, in Norway, Glenna was awarded Best of Opposite Sex and her first Challenge Certificate with a rating of Excellent. Owner, Heidi Sageng, was on the other end of the lead. Wow, what a great day for all of these pups!

In Norway, Glenna and Handler/Co-owner, Heidi Sageng. (Photo by Co-owner Margunn Tvedten. )

And, if all that wasn't enough excitement for one week, today Buoy knocked it out of the ballpark in the UK when he went Reserve Best Puppy in Show, handled by our friend James Newton. Just, wow!

Chrissie Mayhew and I worked very hard to make this breeding happen and we couldn't have done it without the help of our good friends Sue Worrall, Polly Ruff, Richard Schauber, and the Wernecke family. And, Karen and Ron Anderson of Chestnut Hills Kennel (breeder/owner of the stud dog) have been equally supportive and invested in the whole project. Our little family is touched by a bit of pride this week. What great fun for all of us!

Glenna's First Show in Norway

Seven month-old, Glenna, just competed at her first weekend of shows held by the Norwegian Retriever Club. Glenna is Arnac Bay Aquamanda Glenna of Weatherdeck from our Fall 2015 litter.

On Saturday, at the club's Specialty, she was awarded Best of Breed and Best-in-Show 5. The judge's critique: "7 months, feminine, well-built, correct angulation front/rear, moves very well - BOB and BIS 5."

On Sunday, she was Best of Breed again and Best in Show 2!  And, the judge had this to say about Glenna: "7 months, well-balanced, self-confident, shows a lot of go, very good reach/drive on the move, correct pigmentation, correct set/carried ears, good length of neck, straight good bone quality, deep chest, flanks tucked up, correct angulation front/rear, tightly webbed harefeet, good coat quality, well presented, very promising. BOB and BIS 2."

We're super proud of Glenna and so pleased for owners Margunn Tvedten and Heidi Sageng. 

Heidi and Glenna in the ring at the Norwegian Retriever Club show. 

Stepping Back in Time at The Morris and Essex Kennel Club Show

Every five years, the dog show world remembers a different era of dog shows by reviving the famed Morris and Essex Kennel Club Show in Somerset, New Jersey. Judges and exhibitors are encouraged to wear clothing reminiscent of the glory days of this special event. The event took place this past week on October 1st. We entered GCH** Brutus of Bloodsworth SH WD who was bred by Jane Pappler and myself and who is owned by our friend, Richard Schauber. Brutus is Richard's hunting dog and Richard is kind enough to allow me to take Brutus out to dog shows a few times a year as we are quite proud of him and think of him as a wonderful example of our dual-purpose breed. There's a great saying out there that, "Life is too short to hunt over an ugly dog." Well, Brutus is one handsome, duck dog! 

The American Chesapeake Club supported the entry at Morris and Essex this year and we had a nice entry of 30 Chesapeakes. Judge Eliot More awarded Brutus Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed. Five years ago, Brutus' mother, GCH* Redlion's Come Back Scupper, was awarded Select Bitch at this same show while she carried Brutus' litter. Here's hoping that every 5 years, one of our dogs can be recognized at this very special show. 

Brutus and I playing dress-up for the show.  

There are some wonderful online resources for learning more about the history of the show and for seeing historic photos.  And, photos from the 2015 show are beginning to be shared. Below, are some links to explore. Enjoy!

 Remembering Morris & Essex Part 1 on the American Kennel Club Website. 

Remembering Morris & Essex Part 2 on the American Kennel Club Website.

Rare Video Brings Ring Greats Back to Life Part 1 on the American Kennel Club Website.

Rare Video Brings Ring Greats Back to Life Part 2 on the American Kennel Club Website.

Rare Video Brings Ring Greats Back to Life Part 3 on the American Kennel Club Website.

Morris and Essex 2015 Photo Gallery Part 1  on the American Kennel Club Website.

As more photos from this year's event surface, I'll be sure to share more links. 

Larch's U.S. Show Debut

Reporting in from the Penn Ridge Kennel Club Show at the Harrisburg Farm Show in Pennsylvania. Larch made her U.S. show debut this morning and was awarded Winners Bitch and Best of Winners. In addition, she was Best of Breed in the Owner-Handled series and will go back to compete this afternoon in the Owner-Handled Sporting Group.

Jessie, the sire of our upcoming litter, earned his Grand Championship today when he was awarded Best of Breed.  He is now GCH CH Chestnut Hills Windjammer JH WD. Congrats to Karen and Ron Anderson!

Larch relaxing on the front porch after her day at the dog show.