These breed notes were sent in on the 27th but somehow disappeared.
I was immensely pleased with the response I received from my last breed notes. It always gives me much pleasure when I hear from readers telling how much they enjoy them. When presenting breed notes one hopes to not only include show results but other items of interest. The response I received was a toss-up between face judging and the humble haggis, both were juicy, both were well chewed over, but I think overall the haggis won on wholesome flavour!
Two very happy owners have sent me their hip and elbow x-ray results. Of late dogs with elbow dysplasia would seem to be on the increase, this is something we should be seriously looking into. What is the point of x-raying your dog, submitting the x-ray to be scored, if the result shows a problem which the KC do not recommend breeding from if owners are going to ignore these results and breed regardless. Please let me know your thoughts on this.
Tim Hall�s bitch Gingerfox Arctic Turn (dob 22/6/22) by Chesellbay Amsbry x Pixierose Elm At Gingerfox received an elbow score of 0 and hips 2-3. Krysryna Niemczuk�s bitch Penrose Union Gold (dob 17/4/23) by Penrose Marsh Gunner x Penrose I Dream A Dream elbows 0, hips total 11.
Lorna Murray had a super day at North Riding Gundog Club Open Show taking her crew she again came home with an armful of rosettes; the judge was Mrs Wendy Pickup. BOB & BB Murray�s Muireatai Miracle Of Dream; RBOB Mellersh-Tett�s Oakmarsh Land Of Promise Of Roguehart; BV Murray�s Takoda Nathan, now 8 years old.
This past weekend I have been torn between going to Windsor Great Park to watch and support the well established Skinner�s World Cup Challenge and Bath Championship. I first attended The World Challenge many years ago when it was held at Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey). To watch dogs of such a high standard perform is awe inspiring, handlers and dogs make it look so easy that one comes away thinking I can do that and then reality sinks in and we think why do we have a retriever in the first place. So if you do not want to chase after a runner, jump a fence, negotiate a hedge, clear a ditch or swim a lake yourself you have to at least train your dogs to do the basics. So the better and faster the dog becomes the quicker it can retrieve game, especially wounded game which can be dispatched as quickly as possible. This year 13 European countries competed including the 4 Home Nations, with 4 dogs in each team. There were 2 breeds of dog � the Yellow Lab and the Black Lab! There may have been a Golden. I cannot emphasise enough how incredible this event is and would encourage anyone working dogs to go and watch. After 2 days of competition the results were Denmark 1st followed by France, Ireland and Austria. Top dog went to a member of the Scottish team.
I unfortunately could not be away from home for more than half a day, so Bath Championship won my presence. I have not exhibited dogs at Bath for a few years, I love the venue, easy to get to, manicured lawns, big rings, benching and plenty of shops. It was most enjoyable to sit ringside without dogs and watch the Chesapeakes. I was in good company as there were others who had also come to spectate but not compete. We were lucky to have seats and in a good place to watch dogs close up and then move up, down and around � most interesting.
Mentoring 2 potential Chesapeake judges was Carol Coode and Christine Mayhew. Christine was also exhibiting 3 of her dogs and who must have been well pleased to see dogs she either owned or bred win all of the top awards. Second breed in the ring. Judge Mr Ed Casey was another judge awarding CCs in Chesapeakes for the first time. The catalogue showed an entry of 22 dogs, 1 was not in breed but in a stakes class. Of the 21 there were 5d, 16b no absent, but 1 later missed a following class. BOB & BCC Middleton & Mayhew�s SH CH Arnac Bay Hebe Wgc ShCEx Ew22, handled by Joy Middleton; RBCC Broomfield, Broomfield & Mahon-Hunns & Newton�s Glaneils Daydream Believer, handled by Maddy Mahon-Hunns; DCC Mahon-Hunns & Hunns & Newton�s SH CH Arnac Bay Huron At Bergelle JW, handled by James Newton; RDCC Broomfield�s Glaneils Count On Me; BP Mayhew�s Bb�s Chesapeake Breeding Dory For Arnac (imp Che), handled by Gemma McCartney; BV Mayhew�s SH CH Arnac Bay Flax at almost 12 years old, handled by Gemma McCartney.
Julie & Jason Hayes were very pleased to let me know that their dog SH CH Tideflight Floki had won 2nd place in the Championship Stakes, handled by their good friend pro handler/trainer Michael Craig of team Highfliers. A strong upstanding dog Floki went really well for a man handler.
Another success in a stakes class was Kirsty Watts� Oakmarsh Ladies coming 2nd in The Breeder�s Stakes. Kirsty said she was so proud of her girls from her last litter which will be 18 months on the 1st June. Of the three that are shown two have gained their Junior Warrant, with extremely bad luck the third one missed out by just a few points.
I finish these notes with the sad news that Di Arrowsmith has passed away, 25/5/2025. One of the renowned gundog owners and judges in the UK. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.
Additional notes:
Southern Counties AVNSC was judged by Mrs Jill Peak. 1st in Junior Bitch Watts� Oakmarsh Little Acorn JW RATN; 1st Post Graduate Bitch Watts� Oakleaf Manor Bay Of Oakmarsh JW (imp DEU) RATI. Kirsty Watts with the Oakmarsh team placed 2nd in the Breeders Stakes, judge Mr Dave Killilea. The Oakmarsh team lie 9th overall in the leader board at the moment.
Three Counties AVNSC was judged by Marrion Sargeant. 1st PG Watts� Oakmarsh Little Acorn JW RATN, also 3rd in the Special Yearling Stakes (38 entered) winning �5, judge Mrs Edith Newton. The Oakmarsh placed 5th in the Breeders Stake, judge Mr Kevin Young.
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com