Issue: 19/04/2024
More sad news, this time from Denmark. It is with much sadness that I received the news the Bjarne Sørensen had passed away in his sleep last week. Norwegian born Bjarne lived for many years in Denmark, an engineer by profession he always had a life long love of dogs, mainly retrievers. In the early years he owned Flat Coats and Curly Coats and was very proud of the fact he had awarded CCs in Curlies. An FCI judge he did a lot of judging of the gundog group throughout Europe. It was only in the last 10 or so years that he came into Chesapeakes when he acquired multi champion Cheslabben Looks My Way, bred by Birgitte Jørgensen, a dog he would work and show.
The first time I came to know Bjarne and his wife at the time Sidsel Myhr (kennel Hillheim) a renowned Goldie breeder, also a Norwegian, was when I was invited to one of his Chesapeake meetings at his home in Denmark. Bjarne was a great one for organising social gatherings which would bring many people together. His notorious weekends would be action packed with training, working and fun activities. I remember at one of these we were 6 different nationalities enjoying one of his famous barbeques. Bjarne also became an American Chesapeake Club Regional Director for Denmark so he could organise and run the ACC Working Dog program. I was delighted to judge the WD X & Q with him.
He was not a breeder until he had Chesapeakes, breeding a few litters under his affix Pennyrose. Showing his dogs just a short time ago in Sweden and did not seem ill. He will be missed for his warm hospitality and jovial enthusiasm.
The American Water Dog Club has a new email address info@americanwaterdogclub.uk The website of the same name Americanwaterdogclub.uk is coming soon.
Following the American Water Dog Club sponsored classes at The Gundog Club of North Wales I am told there has been a lot of interest, support and enthusiasm for this new club. The photos that have gone up on Facebook have been much liked from all over the world. Even though there was not a big turnout of dogs on the day there were different owners with lots of different bloodlines. What I thought was most interesting and encouraging was to see all of the different coloured coats, there was also ash, dark brown and light brown. I would add that I was particularly pleased that all except the puppy are working dogs – keep up the good work.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com