Issue: 25/10/2024
I do not know why but my last breed notes were not printed, they were sent in in time, one can only wonder where things disappear. These are last week’s missing notes:
A change of jobs and venue last week – Stewarding stewards in the Stewards Office at the 4-day SWKA Championship Show. It is a fascinating and jolly job I look forward to every year, although rising at 4:00am every day is not a jolly prospect. A job that only stewards and officials see. Without stewards, all of who are volunteers and who give their time up year after year, shows could not function.
The weather this year went from -1.5° to +16°, from wet to bright sun. Working in the stewards office is an eye opener. This year over the 4 days there were several first time/very novice stewards, a few that needed to steward to go on and judge, then there were the 50+ who have been there done it and know what to do. To steward one should arrive equipped with everything you may need, from cello tape and scissors to tippex. Know the requirements of a steward and read the red book. I always like to have a schedule of the show, most will give you a catalogue, although some are now only giving print offs of the classes you are to steward for. When I was a ring steward starting at WELKS in the mid 70s I would encourage new people to come on board and steward, regardless of the breed it is a real eye opener into how that part of a dog show is run. It broadens your view of all dogs; I look back and am pleased to see how many people I encouraged are out there stewarding. In all my years I have only known of 3 Chesapeake people (apart from at a Club Show) steward and I am one of them. There are stewarding seminars and lots of people to help. It is sad to think that there are people who have shown dogs, judge and award CCs who never steward.
Whenever I return from an American National I am always asked the same questions – did I see any dogs I liked and was I bringing anything over. My answer is usually yes I did and it’s your turn now! Most people in the UK are reliant on the small handful of people who import. My advice is you really need to go and see for yourself. You do not need to join the American Chesapeake Club but if you do you will receive 6 Bulletins a year filled with photos of show winners. I have all the Bulletins going back for 40 years. Now and again I would lay out a pedigree with photos of most of the dogs in it, which was always really interesting. Arriving at any National is always full of anticipation. This year was probably the saddest National I have attended. Over the years many of the great Chesapeake people have passed away, this year I saw many ladies who all have their own successful kennels who are now widows. I felt really upset that all of those dedicated sincere men who were all good ambassadors for the breed are no longer with us. What was also noticeable is the aging of our most notable breed specialists, many on mobility scooter, walking aids and knee braces. All still as keen as ever they now engage the service of young handlers. In years gone by you very rarely saw young handlers but it was common at every National to see several of America’s top pro handlers.
Of all the dogs and bitches I saw, many from the long-established kennels, were of a similar breed type, well built with good bone substance correct breed balance and most with excellent looking coat. In assessing so many of these dogs it will come down to margins, the shape of head, size and set of ears, movement, tail carriage, attitude and above all that extra bit of drive and sparkle one needs. On top of this is the handling. One can expect to see a wide variety of colour and I have never noticed any judge be selective over colour. What I did see this year were some Chesapeakes of a different type, different handling and stacking, smaller, darker, with over extended tibia and fibula placing the hock way out behind the dog, something I have not seen before.
I was conscious also that nearly all handlers, all dressed smart, all did the same or similar job of handling with the dog’s head on a tight lead held up. We see this in the UK with dogs run in a very unnatural manner, giving hackney action in front. Much handling and stacking in the UK is going through a change, becoming more American and more professional, many of our judges will ask for a loose lead. I mention this as Germany is the latest country to ban a high or tight lead.
Unbelievable rain did not dampen the spirit at the GDSW Championship Show. Without CCs 5 dogs entered, judge was Mr Roger Perkins. BOB, BB & BP Watts & Mellersh-Tett’s Oakmarsh Land Of Promise; RBB Watts’ Oakmarsh Freedom SGWC; BSB Blaber’s Oakmarsh Laural.
Jo Coppin, Darren Davis-Jones and Jo Nash all went to support the South Western Gundog Club Open Show, breed classes judged by Dawn Hall. The show also held Rally Obedience. Jo Nash had an amazing day with her 2 dogs North Flow Pay The Piper – Piper and Cheselbay Ballochan – Lochan. Lochan was 2nd out of 38 dogs and Top Gundog in Rally 1. Piper was 4th out of 40 in Level 2. Then Darren took Piper in for BOB, which they won, with his own bitch Dallandor Jocasta winning RBOB. Jo was over the moon coming home with a handful of rosettes. There have been very few people with Chesapeakes who have trained either Obedience or Rally, in fact Jo is the only one that I know who is doing Rally. Many readers may not remember Irene Balmforth who was incredibly successful with all of her dogs. Maybe Rally could be something the Chesapeake Club could think to organise for all of the members who are not wildfowlers or working people. Laura Blaber also had a great day when her puppy Oakmarsh Laural won BPIS.
Sunday at East Anglian Gundog Society Open Show – BOB Watts’ Oakmarsh Freedom SGWC; BP Oakmarsh Land Of Promise. Judge Mr M Andrews. Kirsty said Freedom was short listed in the group, the judge was Daphne Bailey. In the Stakes classes Kirsty also came first in the Brace Stakes.
A few notes ago I mentioned about judges not knowing the colours in the breed, which I was somewhat surprised at. This lack of general knowledge is not just in the show ring, but as I read a recent country sports magazine I was very bemused that the writer, who one would expect to have some knowledge beyond a Labrador and a Spaniel otherwise why would he be engaged to write this article, citing a Chesapeake which was retrieving a pheasant and which has the perfect Chesapeake coat (I know the dog) as being a Curly Coated Retriever – poor man!
Janet Morris
01873 880271
penrosechesapeakes@gmail.com