It had to happen, it was only a matter of time – Clubs, although they do not want to, have found it necessary to increase annual subscriptions. The American Chesapeake Club was the first announcement to arrive via email. For as many years as I can remember the overseas ACC membership has been $60, with 6 Bulletins per year and access to all Club events. I can remember when I first joined the ACC how difficult it was to send dollars to America, one would need to order an overseas cheque from one’s bank and then post it. It became easier when I started to travel regularly to the National Show Specialties, Field Trial Specialties or travel from one coast to another visiting as many kennels as I could. I was able to leave dollars in advance to pay subs for me or even pay direct to the treasurer of the Club. When PayPal came into being this made paying so much easier and now even easier again. Now there are big changes, you are given the choice of receiving your Bulletin in colour digitally for $40 or a printed Bulletin for $80 (this is a foreign single membership). As I have for over 45 years received a printed Bulletin I will not be going digital. Not only are these Bulletins interesting and informative but I can research back finding photos of past dogs, mainly champions that I find back in pedigrees being able to put images to names. On the reverse of the new membership form there are two sections listing the responsibilities of members and the responsibilities of breeders/brood bitch/stud dog. Reading through responsibility 11.c jumps out at me – “be aware of genetic defects which can be harmful to the breed. When breeding, endeavour to select animals that will reduce the incidence of genetic problems while enhancing the positive attributes and abilities of the breed. Be open with all persons interested in the welfare of The Chesapeake Bay Retriever and discuss the possible physical or temperament defects in your own stock.” This point makes me a doubting Thomas – just how many breeders of bitches or stud dogs have or will ignore this responsibility. A code of ethics/or responsibilities are guidelines not rules. Choosing to breed from a d/b which was born with entropion for example or any other defect is not a person who loves our breed but a person who loves their own dog or dare I say piggybank more.
The CBRC have also found the need to increase the membership fee to £12.50 single and £15 joint. The original fee has remained to same for 40 years. The CBRC now produces just 1 Club Year Book a year, this is one of the best year books of any breed club.
Both Club fees are due on the 1st of January, with 1 month’s grace before having to apply to become a member again.
As with many breeds it is now the Chesapeake’s turn to be invited by the RKC for a lunch and library tour in London. The fee is £60 per person, guests welcome. There are 3 dates offered, 15th February, 30th May and 19th June. The closing date to apply is 1/12/2025. If you are interested please contact the CBRC.
Something new from the CBRC is a judges selection form where you may nominate 3 judges for the 2029 Champ Show and the 2027 Open Show. All nominations will be numbered in a draw using a random number generator. I presume this will be done in front of members at the next AGM which will be on 1st March 2026.
I have recently had someone contact me concerned about Chesapeakes needing rescue. In a numerically small breed I am always disappointed when I hear of any Chesapeake needing rescue. I/we never know the real numbers. Breeders who we think are responsible will turn a blind eye. This year I have taken in 3 dogs, 2 have found forever homes while 1 more needs more time to trust people again. Almost always it is not the fault of the dog, it may be a change of circumstances or that the original puppy owner did not research the breed enough. The breeding of Chesapeakes goes in high and low waves, this year it’s a high wave when the population takes a leap forward. For many breeds this is fine, but not I think the Chesapeake. When the wave is at a low Jo public struggles to find a pup, when they do many think they must breed as they are so hard to find so they breed and the wave gets high. The relatively small market for Chesapeakes becomes flooded and the sale of puppies becomes more difficult, the result is that new breeders may struggle letting pups go to the wrong homes. We then get several homes who don’t really know what they have taken on, or there could be other reasons and so dogs end up in rescue. This I am sure is the same in may breeds. We are lucky in Chesapeakes to have those conscientious in rescue.
Thank you to everyone who have been out this season sending me reports, photos and videos, showing some amazing retrieves and muddy dogs. Jay & Jack Hayes are members of Kent wildfowlers, they have had some excellent days and great retrieves on the foreshore with Floki – SH CH Tideflight Floki. Greg Raby started the season early with his dogs on partridge, duck and now pheasant, putting some great videos on Facebook. I have never managed to work my dogs and video or even photo at the same time. I end up with the sky, the ground, my finger or half a dog. Well done Greg. An out and out working gundog man Greg was taken aback and thrilled (I had not told him this would be arriving) when he received a digital copy of Tweed’s – CH Baymoss Tweed Of Penrose SGWC, Breeders Show Certificate. Although I am a bit confused – how can a champion receive a show champion certificate?
Just a few show results. At Merseyside Gundog Club Open Show judge Mr Leslie Bain gave BOB to Broomfield’s Glaneils Count On Me; RBOB Broomfield, Broomfield, Mahon-Hunns & Newton’s Glaneils Daydream Believer.
East Kent Canine Society. Judge Mandy Geary judged AVNSC Gundog. Best AVNSC Corcoran & Jones Oakmarsh Kingsley Adsila.
Janet Morris
07739592323
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com