8 December 2024
My apologies for the late BNW due to a storm taking out our internet.
It’s the wildfowlers’ turn this week, starting with a great report from young Theo Ciraolo describing the sort of day where a Chesapeake is invaluable:
Yesterday morning, my dad and I went shooting with two of our friends who are Morecambe Bay Wildfowlers Association members like us. It was an early start as we were doing a morning flight at Morecambe. I was looking forward to shooting my new gun because we had taken it out once already but didn’t get a shot off. When we got there, it was so windy and rainy that we decided to stay in the car for half an hour until the weather had calmed and the sun was about to rise. We put on our warm gear and faced the treacherous winds. On the way out we waded through a river, which was higher than it usually is due lots of recent rain.
We then sat against the banking and prepared for birds. At first, lots of ducks came really close to us again and again. However, we were here for geese and didn’t bring any duck cartridges. In hindsight that would’ve been a good idea. Ebb was our dog of choice and she kept still and sat nicely for all of this time.
I didn’t have the chance to pull the trigger in the end because all of the geese were coming off in big flocks all the way to our left and I was gutted because I still hadn’t shot my new gun. We walked off the marsh empty handed with no real work for the dogs but that’s wildfowling for you.
We all had fun but we needed to make our way to Warton for three o’clock so we set off there.
We got our waders on and made our way to the marsh with Ebb walking to heel. There was no time to be wasted. On our way out, we tried to sneak up on some geese that weren’t so far from the car park but they spotted us way before we could get close enough to shoot. We got far enough out and set up in a line along the marsh with 10 to 30 yard gaps between each person.
This was my first time wildfowling not sat next to my dad or a guide but I was confident in myself to hit a bird with my new Maxus gun.
With a lot of patience I waited and waited for the perfect chance and then I saw them. Three wigeon came flying towards me and I knew I had to shoot something. I raised my gun and shot. I watched in happiness as the middle bird came spiralling down to the floor. Ebb was quick to set off and at first she couldn’t find the bird in the dark but used her instinct and was on it within a matter of thirty seconds.
After everything had died down we had a sweep up and Ebb found another widgeon. It was an amazing day, and me and Ashton were both very grateful for our dads’ giving us opportunities like this. It’s not always about bagging up and shooting the most birds and the experience alone today was absolutely fantastic.
And another great story of the capabilities of the breed in the job they were bred for – this time Joe McCoy’s dog Tara, out shooting with his son Odhran who writes:
Launching the boat on a sharp, incredibly wet November morning, Tara and myself set off down the River Bann. With a wind speed of 18 mph with gusts of 50 mph coming from the south east we made our way onto Lough Beg and into our hide for the morning.
Roughly 80 decoys set and coffee poured, myself and my shooting partner started the morning with four tufted ducks, a nice oddity for our area and providing Tara with some nice retrieves through decoys.
A few Mallard and a teal later and funnily enough, having told my shooting partner Cahal not half an hour before that having been accompanying my father from about 8 years old down to Lough Beg, in 21 years, I had never shot a pintail drake, we glanced up as a few duck were moving about to see two duck roughly 40 yards above us.
We both shot and Cahal dropped one in the flooded trees behind us and, as Tara brought it back, I realised what it was – a pintail drake in not far off full plume. What are the chances we discussed as I congratulated Cahal on an excellent shot and the fact that he had provided Tara with her first ever retrieve of a pintail drake.
Luckily enough, after 21 years, my luck changed when about ½ hour before we had decided to pack up a single teal was trying to work the decoys in the big wind when Cahal whispered, “Don’t move, there’s a flock over your head on the right,” followed by “go ahead.”
As I stood up I realised that I was lining up to not one but 10 pintail in a flock and was lucky enough to drop another beautiful drake.
Tara bounced from the hide as the wind took the prospective retrieve back some 100 yards and set to paddling on what would be her second pintail drake of the morning and my first ever.
Needless to say there were two happy men and one tired but happy Chesapeake setting sail for home and a warm fire with a mixed bag of four tufted duck, four teal, three mallard, two shovellers, and two magnificent pintail drakes.
Jo McCoy adds: “Tara is the sort of dog that will go with anyone that has a gun. As a matter of fact many a morning men have walked round the shore to get her and she goes back with them to pick up wounded birds that other dogs can’t pick.”
Both lovely stories. Hopefully we will have more working tales that are so enjoyable to read. Please send to my email address, along with photos if possible.
Please note that there will be no more open show reports in these breed notes unless full information is submitted to me by email or messenger. Championship shows and breed club shows will continue to be covered.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
1 December 2024
The headline in Our Dogs newspaper this week reports that a kennel club judge has called for DBS (disclosure and barring service) checks for judges. Good for her.
Many will know that a DBS check is required for many occupations and voluntary roles where people are working or dealing with children, it is used to find out if a person is banned from being near children and checks for any criminal records.
I was surprised to learn that this is DBS is not already in place for judges and I am sure that this proposal will be welcomed by the majority of honest people. With our junior handlers showing and being tutored by experienced judges, it would seem common sense and I hope that the kennel club listen and act promptly.
Joy Middleton (Variare) judged at North Wales Gundog Club on 16 November, where Best of Breed went to Sh. Ch. Chesepi Waco, owned by David Rigby. Gunnar, as he is known, went out in the mud, duck hunting the following day, along with Chesapeake friends. No wildfowl shot on this occasion, but evidently a good time was had by all.
Wild Justice, a group formed by Chris Packham and two others, seem determined to try to ban grouse shooting by recently launching yet another anti-shooting petition.
Driven grouse shooting is a topic that often inspires debate, but all too often it is debate that is driven more by emotion than facts or science. In calling for a ban on driven grouse shooting, Wild Justice is once again ignoring the science and evidence, and totally disregarding the impact that such a fundamental change as they are proposing in land use would have both on our beautiful heather and moorland landscapes that are presently maintained by the shooting estates and on the livelihoods of many people.
Why, you may wonder, should those of us who are not involved in, nor have never been grouse shooting, should worry. The pointer and setter people, of course, would be seriously affected.
One thing is very clear to me, and others, is IF these anti-shooting people achieve their agenda regarding grouse shooting, they will move on to try to ban every other sort of shooting, from pheasant to geese and duck. The job that our dogs are bred for, and that many of our club members live for, will no longer be present. A very grim thought indeed.
Every year a Christmas parade is organised in St Michaels, Maryland, and who better to escort Santa Claus on his way than the Maryland state dog, our Chesapeake!
Regional Directors for the American Chesapeake Club, Gina and Amy, organise volunteers for this goodwill event which is meant to spread holiday cheer and really shines a light on our breed. All friendly Chesapeakes who are comfortable with noise, crowds and other dogs are invited to march with them. Fancy dress optional! I just wish we could send a contingent from the UK. Our Discover Dogs volunteers would be perfect for the event.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
24 November 2024
Lots of show news this week. First, a previous judge from our club show, Dyane Baldwin (Pond Hollow Kennel, USA) is retiring as a judge as of January 2025.
Dyane says:
I always felt when the passion was gone and the anticipation of a judging day diminished, it was time to retire.
I had the opportunity to judge many wonderful dogs, meet a bevy of lovely people and travel to great places. I will be ever so grateful for it all. I judged my own breed’s National Show Speciality and a fantastic Flat Coat speciality and Wire Haired Pointing Griffons. Westminster, Del Valle, Detroit and so many others. UK, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland, and most of those with Bill [Dyane’s late husband] along.
My last assignment is December 8th ending 25 yrs plus of enjoying the sport of dogs.
Thank-you to everyone for the kind comments on my retirement. It brought some tears to my eyes. I still remember my first assignment after approval – Swedish Chesapeake Club’s Club Show. My dear friends Carol Brown and Cindy Miller came along with me too. Catharina Lindstrom, that assignment started it all as if I was coming that far, I felt I should be an approved AKC judge so I could award certificates toward a Championship title.
I will still be at shows from time to time. I have two young dogs to show once they mature more. I have plans for dock diving, Fetch and Rally with the youngsters too.
I hope to post some things about the Standard and its history. Not sure when but hopefully soon as I have had some questions on loin length/proportion; and tuck up in the loin. So when I get it together I will make a post about it.
Sadly the breed will be losing a very experienced and knowledgable breed specialist judge but we wish Dyane the very best and look forward to reading her writings on the breed standard, some of which I hope to reproduce in Breed News.
News from Lorna Murray in the North where Alexandra Adshead judged the breed at the first Waverley Gundog Show, giving Tracy Boyles’ Pixiesrock Mr Tumnus by Bleyos JW best of breed, with Lorna’s 2nd. Then at South West Scotland Gundog Association show the placings were reversed under judge Tom Gorrian, with Muireatai Miracle of Dreams taking the best of breed.
At another show, the Gundog Breeds Association of Scotland, under judge Gudrun Brunnstrom (Sweden), Muireatai Miracle of Dreams was again best of breed, with kennel mate Muireatai Teris Love winning best opposite sex, and the oldest of Lorna’s dogs on the day, Takoda Nathan taking the best veteran in breed.
Some of you may remember Nicole Grutter coming over from Switzerland to the UK for Crufts in March this year to show her imported male, Next Generations I Am Woodford. Although young, Woody had already gained his Swiss Championship at this time and, because of this title he had to compete in the open class amongst the ‘big boys’. Nevertheless, Woody placed a very credible third.
Recently the last international show was held in Switzerland and Woody was awarded the CAC/CACIB and BOB on both days. With these last two awards Woody fulfilled the requirements to make him now a Grand Champion!
Nicole’s new young imported bitch, Next Generations Perfect Reflection JH, won BOS twice as Junior Winner and with these results Mirra got the Junior Champion and qualified for Crufts. Congratulations Nicole, we look forward to seeing you and the dogs at Crufts 2025.
Speaking of which, the entries for Crufts 2025 are now open. Gundog day is Saturday 8 March, and the breed classes are being judged by Jane Eyeington, a very experienced gundog judge. There will also be the usual BASC gamekeeper and working dog classes that are normally held in the adjacent ring to our breed. More details to follow nearer the time.
The Club has set a date for our spring working test which is to be held on 27 April 2025, with a training day on the 26 April. We are very lucky to have secured a venue at Salterforth, near Barnoldswick, Lancs, and it is a purpose designed gundog training area. Please book the date in your diary now!
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
17 November 2024
Presidential Chesapeakes
The USA citizens are proud of their American breeds, from the American Quarter Horse to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever (who is the state dog of Maryland). Many animals have been immortalised in statues and paintings over the years.
Our breed, with its origins in the Newfoundland dogs who came to the Chesapeake Bay in 1806, can be proud of the statue outside the Maritime Museum on the Eastern shore of the Bay, and the statue of ‘Nitty Gritty’ aka the True Grit statue in front of the University of Maryland.
But the Chesapeake’s fame is enhanced by being past residents of the White House.
President Theodore Roosevelt had many horses and pets during his time in the White House. Some pets made the news frequently, like Bleistein, his favourite horse, and Pete the biting Bull terrier, but some lived relatively quiet lives with their famous family.
Sailor Boy, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, joined the family on 26 May 1902. He was one of the Presidential pets and working dogs during the Roosevelts’ tenure and he was much admired by Roosevelt.
In his autobiography, Roosevelt wrote of Sailor Boy:
Much the most individual of the dogs and the one with the strongest character was Sailor Boy; a Chesapeake Bay dog. He had a masterful temper and a strong sense of both dignity and duty. He would never let the other dogs fight, and he himself never fought unless the circumstances imperatively demanded it; but he was a murderous animal when he did fight. He was not only exceedingly fond of the water, as was to be expected, but passionately devoted to gunpowder in every form, for he loved firearms and fairly revelled in the 4th of July celebrations – the latter being rather hazardous occasions, as the children strongly objected to any ‘safe and sane’ element being injected into them, and had the normal number of close shaves with rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers.
In other writings about the President it has been said that Sailor Boy was “the happiest of the lot, a big, clumsy, but loyal fellow.”
Rumour has it that Sailor Boy was descended from General Custer’s Chesapeake Bay retrievers, but if so that lineage has been lost to history. Regardless of his bloodline it is clear that Sailor Boy was greatly loved by the Roosevelt family.
Another story, this time shared with permission from Frank Pittelli.
In December 1975, a 3-month old female Chesapeake named “Riva” became the second Chesapeake to live in the White House (after Teddy Roosevelt’s Sailor Boy).
President Gerald Ford’s son, Jack, traded a Golden Retriever puppy, whelped by President Ford, for Riva.
Riva, bred by Mary Ellen Mazzola, was sired by Topper (FC AFC Copper Topper der Wunderbar), out of Z’s Copper, who was Topper’s daughter (a very tight line breeding).
More interesting, Riva was a triple line breeding on a dog named Hector, who was the star of the Disney TV movie “Pancho, Fastest Paw in the West” in 1969. Perhaps Jack Ford’s desire to get a Chesapeake resulted from watching a TV movie 6 years earlier?
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
9 November 2024
History as opposed to news this week, with a report of a working test 38 years ago. This was first published in Dog World on 16 May 1986, and reproduced in the Chessie Chat that year with kind permission of Dog World and the author, Mary Roslyn-Williams, who is famous for her Mansergh Labradors.
The Chessies Amazed Me!
Oh what a choice to have to make. Should I go to the Midland Counties Labrador Championship Show at Newark where I had two dogs entered? Or to the working test for Flatcoats and Chesapeakes at the Jenkin’s place at Three Ashes? Or nip off to the Malvern showground to have a look at the Gordon Setters Championship? Or watch the racing on the box?
All tempted me, but the working test won and off I went to the Jenkin’s estate. I’m not sure in what spirit I went, because, although I know that the top working Flatties are excellent in every way, I had only seen Chessies many years ago and not liked their mouths or their work at all. My goodness did I have to alter my ideas.
When I got there, Wendy Anderson for the Chesapeake Club had laid on a really marvellous day, exactly on the lines of a day’s shooting and/or real field trial. The only differences were that even if a rabbit jumped up or a pigeon or duck appeared, it was forbidden by the Kennel Club to shoot them, because this would have turned it into a trial proper, so cold game was used. And of course experienced dogs know the difference between the sound of blanks and full cartridges, both being used today, and the exciting whirr and cackle of a clock pheasant (or squeak in the case of a hen) were absent so a certain air of excitement was necessarily missing. But apart from this you could not have believed you were not at a trial.
To my great surprise there were no less than eight Chesapeakes in the field of sixteen runners, so in this smallish breed they are certainly keen on work.
We had drives and blanking-in, walking up and water work, swampy ground and thick cover, with bag upon bag of cold game, rabbits, woodpigeon, and even some pheasant presumably out of someone’s deep freeze, but none the less welcome.
Homer pigeons sprang out of traps in stick-heaps under the dog’s noses. These were ‘shot at’ but of course only with blanks and always ‘missed’ so that they went winging off back to the lofts from whence they came, apparently not even flustered.
Clay pigeons came up out of electrically operated traps set in strategic places and these were show with live ammunition so that the dogs was the ‘fall’ if they were missed, and were duly tempted, especially when they plopped into water very realistically.
I was nothing short of astonishment, not at the work of the Flatties which I had expected to be very good, but at the Chessies. They were really splendid and well up to field trial standard at the top, although some were obviously novices. But there were at least three which will, I am sure, get field trial awards if and when they run.
Mrs George Jenkin came round with me in the car and we both remarked how very sensible and level-headed these dogs were. They looked so easy to handle and peaceable, yet when asked to work they went with good freedom and speed, hunted extremely well, handled well, and I did not see one single hard mouth all day from either breed. I had the big bags of game in the car and took a quick peep and feel at them to see the mouth position and every head of game I felt was perfect, not even a cracked rib.
Both breeds proved very strong in water, though with different styles of swimming. I don’t think that I have ever seen better swimmers than the Chessies, even better than most Labradors, so strong and straight swimming and fast. And they did not ‘drown’ their birds. Both breeds entered the water sensibly and without undue commotion.
The top six dogs were really excellent and I was most impressed. The judges, Miss Joan Gill, Mrs Philpott and our host himself George Jenkin, must have had a difficult time separating the first three or four dogs but a very steady Flatcoat, Mr Stirling’s Glensherry Tansy, won, with a super Chesapeake, the Barker’s Arnac Bay Endurance a close second, and his litter sister, J. Morris’s Arnac Bay Dawnflight of Penrose third. Certificates of merit went to Lady Spencer-Smith’s Arnac Bay Delta, and the Hon. Mrs Jessel’s Flatcoat, Collyers Mereille du Jour.
Mary Roslyn Williams
(Postscript: all three Chessies in the awards did go on to gain field trial awards.)
Christine Mayhew bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
3 November 2024
There have been numerous open shows recently. At United Retriever Club’s Autumn show, there were 12 Chesapeake for judge Tom Graham to go over, eventually choosing Glaneils Don’t Worry be Happy, Lyra (Broomfield, Mahon Hunns and Newton) as best of breed. Reserve went to a young lad Hudson aka Susqudilla Bergelle Big Apple (Mahon Hunns, Middleton and Haskins), with the best puppy award to Oakmarsh Land of Promise (Watts and Mellersh-Tetts).
Young Hudson has been doing a lot of winning recently, with best of breed at Birmingham & District Gundog and Terrier Club’s Open Show, and again at Great Yarmouth & Gorleston, eventually going group 4. Yorkshire Gundog Club saw Glaniels Count on Me (Max) (Broomfield) win best of breed, with Hudson going reserve.
Meanwhile, in Sweden, Hudson’s full brother, now 2 years old, has recently gained his Swedish Championship (dogs cannot be given this title until they are over 2 years of age). Breeder Kim Hitt Kasprzyk resides in Buffalo, New York State and used Robyn Haskins’ lovely lad Barnabus as a sire for both of these litters.
And for anyone who might have forgotten, today is St Hubert’s Day, St Hubert being the patron saint of hunters, whose prayer reads:
Bless all who gather here in this natural setting, whose aim is to follow in your footsteps to be skilled and ethical hunters. Grant us confidence, perseverance, patience, and accuracy to increase our proficiency in the fields, forests, swamps, and marshes.
Implant in our hearts a love for the great social activity and nature’s harvest of nature’s bounty. In our souls instil the passion to share these precious traditions in the spirit of camaraderie. Help us to remember to honour the death of the wild animal that died so we may live.
But above all, St Hubert, we ask your help in always holding a deep sense of respect and reverence for the game we pursue. Bestow within us a spirit of generosity and humility that we may enjoy bountiful hunting. And that we pass these cherished and sacred rights to future generations. Amen.
I am not at all religious but how perfect is this prayer. I remember it being read on a shoot day in Denmark while the game was laid out in rows on the ground. I loved it.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com