Issue: 22/11/2024
I am always pleased at the number of people who let me know they read my Chesapeake breed notes, many of them are not Chesapeake owners. I thank you all for your interest, your support and your comments. Although my notes revolve around Chesapeakes it is interesting how many of the comments I receive agree with what I have written while comparing them to their own breeds. I have always kept an open mind, called a spade a spade and have never taken sides, even if it has meant I stand alone. I am not a wolf but neither am I a sheep. I hope this answers one comment I received.
Well done to some of our Scottish exhibitors enjoying some lovely days at northern shows. At Waverley and South West Gundog Show Tracey Boyles’ Pixiesrock Mr Tumnus by Bleyos JW 1st in Open & BOB; RBOB Launa Murray’s Muireatai Miracle Of Dreams. Judge Alexander Adshead. At the next show, South West Gundogs the ladies changed places with Launa and M Miracle Of Dreams 1st Open and BOB with Tracey’s P Mr Tumnus by B RBOB. Judge Tom Gorrian.
Launa Murray had another great day at Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland Championship Show. Without CCs all 3 of Launa’s dogs placed 1st in their class. BOB & BB Muireatai Miricle Of Dreams; BD Muireatai Teris Love; RBD & BV Takoda Nathan.
On two smaller shoots I pick up on the shot captains/keepers are both very welcoming to new and novice people as long as they have the basic understanding of how a shot day is run and what they and their dogs are required to do. I am astonished that every now and again somebody comes out with a dog when neither have any idea what a shoot is all about. The training involved, the etiquette, the knowledge or what their dog is required to do. All of this should be learned throughout the summer months, turning up in a pair of green wellies and a Barbour coat does not mean you have a working gundog. Believing you can jump in at the deep end can ruin your dog, spoil the shoot and put you off working gundogs for a very long time. It is essential that you learn the basics and have the basic controls on your dog before you even think to come out on a shoot day. On one of these smaller shoot days two people came, neither of which had any experience and for different reasons neither were going to let their dogs off the lead. One lady appeared brain dead as did her dog, the other was paranoid that her dog, although it was a working Lab she believed it was a “Pitbull”. Asked if I could help I took the easier option and plumped for the “Pitbull”. I knew instantly that there was little wrong with the nice looking fox red Labrador, but the owner had wound herself up so much so that her stress and nerves filtered through to the dog, convinced it was going to attack anything that came near it. It was so obvious the dog was guarding her. I convinced her to hook her dog’s lead to a fence, stepping away without looking or speaking to the dog. Everyone joined in a bun on the run lunch, with several dogs milling around loose. Stuffing a hot sausage roll and a mug of coffee into her hands she said her legs were like jelly and she thought she was going to be sick. Her dog on the other hand sat quietly without trying to eat any dog that came near it. This showed her instantly where her problems lay. Returning back to her dog she had tears of joy in her eye, realising the dog’s problems were actually her problems.
Another problem of gundog work is that of hard mouth. It was drawn to my attention that several birds on a particular shoot had been badly mauled. It fell on my shoulders to check on all birds that came in. Due to my early years in trialling it is a force of habit that I regularly check my birds. If my dogs are sent for a runner I want a live bird coming back, undamaged that I can dispatch quickly. Hard mouth is a cardinal fault which will put you out of a trial instantly. This is another quality one looks for when breeding or at least one that I look for. Most dogs that have become hard mouthed suffer stress and tension. I am also always surprised by how many people do not know how to check for hard mouth. The rib cage on both sides of the bird should feel firm and intact. To check this place the bird breast down across the palm of your hand, head and neck facing forward between thumb and fingers. With a light touch place the thumb and fingers of the other hand astride the backbone just below the wings. The rib bones should feel full and equal on both sides. If you are not sure swap hands and feel again. Some dogs may push the ribs in on one side and not the other, this is still hard mouth. Not all damaged birds will be the fault of the dog but that of the gun.
If you have any questions or queries to ask I will do my best to answer.
Laura Chambers was cock a hoop to let me know at the ACC supported show Philadelphia Kennel Club, BOB went to Mitchel Horowitz & Vivian Marchetti’s Bar None Harley Davidson Heritage, which Laura and Vivian bred. He is the grandson of Penrose Billy Hot Rocks who I exported to Laura some years ago. Laura also bred Reserve Winners Bitch Longmeadow Just You Wait CD, owned by Beverly Matthias.
I hope many of the Chesapeake people in the UK will still remember Dyane Baldwin, Pondhollow Chesapeakes, when she came over to judge our Club show. She has recently announced that from the 1st of January she will retire as an AKC judge. Before her husband Bill passed away a few years ago her passion for travel and the breed took them to several countries judging and giving seminars.
Janet Morris,
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com