16 November 2025
Debbie Herring has kindly contributed to BNW and writes:
As we rapidly head towards the end of the year, those of us who show our dogs start to think about the ‘C’ word. No, not Christmas but Crufts 2026.
As you probably all know, we have a dedicated team of volunteers who man the Discover Dogs stand on behalf of the Club. For next year we are lucky enough to have people and dogs to cover most of the four days. However I am still looking for someone with a friendly dog or two, who can share the Thursday 5 March with Sharon Baxandall, who will have dogs Connie and Tasha, as it is an awfully long day for one person and their dogs, and is much nicer if you can share it with someone. That way you can both get regular breaks and time to explore the rest of the show. And there is plenty to explore!
Volunteers receive two handlers passes which cover ALL the show dates, and free parking and lunch vouchers for the day they volunteer. If anyone is able to offer cover for Thursday 5 March, please let me know.
I also try to change the photos on the display each year, with the aim to show our wonderful breed taking part in different activities. It is good to show lots of colours, age ranges (puppy to veteran dogs) and different bloodlines. So if anyone has some nice photos of their dogs that they would like to share, or are happy for me to use any of their photos they have publicly displayed on social media, please let me know.
The Discover Dogs team is basically there to show the general public our breed and answer any questions they may have regarding owning or getting a Chesapeake. Debbie provides all information and the stand will be set up by Sharon on the first day, with literature about the breed and photos (as mentioned above). The dogs need to be confident with people and other dogs as the hall gets very busy and people always want to touch and fuss the dogs. It can also get quite noisy with activities going on in nearby rings so it is not a job for an apprehensive dog. Photos need to be of a good quality.
Lots of criteria but those who volunteer always say that they have fun. The show starts on Thursday 5 March and runs for four days. The gundog breeds, including our Chesapeakes, will be competing in the conformation classes on the last day, Sunday 8 March. The BASC and Gamekeeper classes are always this same day. Make a note in your diaries if you are interested in coming.
All club members should have received a newsletter recently, via email or post, to let them know that the membership fees will be increasing by a very small amount from 1 January 2026. Subscriptions will be as follows:
- Single £12.50
- Joint (partnership) £15
- Overseas with a digital issue of Chessie Chat £15
- Overseas with a hard copy of Chessie Chat £20
I think these fees are incredibly good value in today’s times. As I discovered recently, it cost £9 to enter – yes just enter – our local pumpkin patch per child and per adult! An odd comparison maybe but it gives an example of how prices have increased.
Please do not forget to alter your standing orders at your bank before the 1 January. I have just done mine and was amazed at how simple it was for this completely non-tech person! Sadly if your subscriptions are not received in full by 1 February 2026, you will need to reapply for membership, so it’s worth doing now.
Sue Worrall is once again putting together the yearbook and Chessie Chat which is a great publication that goes out to all members and includes not only a library of information but also stories and events from this (2025) year. If you have some news that you would like to share with the membership, please email Sue at chesapeakeblue@btinternet.com by 31 December. Good quality photos always make an article so these too would be appreciated.
The Our Dogs leader boards to date have just been published for brood bitches and stud dogs and, once again, the litter that produced Arnac Bay Hebe (currently top dog in the breed leader board), Huron and Harvest, by virtue of their show winnings, have given their sire Sh Ch Arnac Weatherdeck Buoy, and their dam, Arnac Bay Gamble, the top placings in each section. Interestingly they are both fourth in the tables of all of the gundog breeds.
It would be good, in my opinion, for a leader board for the gundog breeds to show the dogs who have competed and won awards in working tests and field trials. The end of year award points will eventually expose these top dogs in Chesapeakes to club members should anyone else be interested. Of course, those dogs working as they should on shoots and on the foreshore, don’t get any printed acknowledgement even though they are probably the most important ambassadors for the breed, but if you could all send to me a few lines and a photo of your dog doing its job of work, I will try to give them the publicity they so well deserve.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
9 November 2025
The rescue co-ordinator, Cathy Broomfield, recently posted information about a four year old male Chesapeake needing a home due to the sudden passing of his owner. The response regarding this dog has been amazing and it looks as though a new home is on the horizon. Cathy says thank you to the many people for expressing their interest and adds that it is great to have their details on record should another dog be looking for a second chance.
If anyone would like to add their name to the list of people who would like to rehome a Chesapeake or if anyone feels that they could contribute to our Rescue in any way, please contact Cathy at CBRCrescue@gmail.com.
The American Chesapeake Club recently held its annual National Show which is held in different states across the country, this time in Ocala, Florida. A total of 130 dogs were entered over the days of the show, including 49 who competed in obedience and 56 in rally classes.
For those of us uneducated in rally, which is more common in the USA than in the UK, the American Kennel Club give a great explanation:
Think of an AKC Rally event as any team sport: you and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you steer him through a course of 10-20 different signs (18 in the UK). Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. The dog and handler move continuously throughout the course with the dog under control at the handler’s left side. There is a clear sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during and between the numbered signs. Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control.
I know that Sharon Baxandall competes in Rally with her Chesapeakes, and we have often reported on her successes. Is there anyone else out there competing in the UK competing with their Chesapeakes?
At the USA show conformation classes, several top winners were related to our UK stock, namely the best puppy in breed, Chestnut Hills Windward, and the best stud dog, GCHS CH Susqudilla’s Dark Shadows, both sired by GCH CH Chestnut Hills Windjammer who is the sire of imported UK stud dogs Sh Ch Next Generations Chesepi Range Rider and Sh Ch Arnac Weatherdeck Buoy.
In sweepstakes, the 9-12 month old dog puppy was Chestnut Hills Bandera of Susqudilla, with litter sister Susqudilla High Intensity taking the bitch sweepstakes puppy class. Both of these are siblings to Maddie and Joy’s recent import, Sterling, and are sired by CH Chestnut Hills Stone E’s Tug, long deceased, who was also the sire of Ch Chestnut Hills Arnac Wye Oak who I imported to the UK in the early 1990s.
Certainly Windjammer and Tug will be present in the pedigrees of a good percentage of UK bred Chesapeakes.
The overall winner and best of breed was a dog who has blazed a trail in the show arena – MBIS MNBISS MBISS GCHP Next Generations Accelerate (aka Cota) has dominated the show ring all year, not only in Chesapeakes but in all sporting breeds and is currently America’s number one sporting dog. This is quite a record for a Chesapeake, especially when you think he is up against all gundog breeds, many of them far flashier than our brown dogs.
Cota was bred by Adam Levy and is owned by a partnership of five people, including Adam. He is professionally handled in the ring by Adam’s wife, Devon.
A claim not made by many top show dogs is that Cota is not only a looker and a showman, he also does the job that he and his ancestors were bred for, as any Chesapeake should.
The UK Kennel Club Breeders competition up-to-date placings are published in Our Dogs this week and Kirsty’s Oakmarsh team remain in fifth place amongst all breeds. Pictured is Kirsty with Vixen, Angela with Arya, Laura with Hemi, and Amie with Nutty.
Christine Mayhew bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
2 November 2025
Fantastic news from Fleur Bament who sends this report:
Last Sunday Chester and I took the Gundog Trust Grade 3 Retriever Field Test. Each element is scored separately and the overall score gives a pass, merit, distinction or indeed a fail.
First is obedience and steadiness, walking a course to heel off lead over littered dummies, sharp left and right turns and dummies being thrown across your path.
Second is the three-minute sit and stay. The dog is sat up to stay with just one cue (any further instructions are points deducted), and the handler walks back about 50 yards. After a minute, dummies are thrown to the left and right of the dog. Then the handler retreats another 50 yards and goes out of sight for 10 seconds, the handler reappears and then after three minutes recalls the dog who must come straight back ignoring the dummies.
Third was the hunt and stop whistle: a seen throw, walk the dog away at heel whilst the assessor picks up the dummy. Turn and send, and once the dog has shown good hunting in the area, the handler blows stop whistle and then recalls (this is a very punishing exercise for a sensitive dog).
Fourth was two seen retrieves to gunshot. Fifth was two blinds, one sending the dog back from facing you, and the second was casting to the left.
Sixth – and the most exciting and rewarding – the water retrieve! The handler had to send to a seen throw with gunshot about 75 yards from the bank, with the dog to retrieve to hand. Unfortunately Chester got water in his ear. He came back shaking his head and dropped the dummy about 2 ft in front of me = 0! Despite the last hiccup, our overall score rewarded us a Merit.
Unfortunately due my husband’s illness I’ve not been able to get out on the shoot yet but fingers crossed Chester will soon be out doing what he loves best – his talents are endless.
The previous Sunday we entered the Southwestern Gundog Show which is literally just up the road. It was so lovely to catch up with friends who had travelled terrific distances. That’s dedication! I was absolutely thrilled that our judge Vanessa Searles chose Chester as Best of Breed against strong competition
From the descriptions of the tests, this is no ‘walk in the park’ so a big congratulations to Fleur and Chester.
Every year in St Michaels, Maryland, on the edge of the Chesapeake Bay, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum hosts a celebration of the Bay’s favourite bivalve with a day of fun for the whole family.
Known as Oyster Fest, there is a menu that features fresh oysters served in a variety of ways, plus other local fare, craft beer, and spirits. There’s also live music on two stages, an oyster stew competition, boat rides, a full schedule of demonstrations and presentations, children’s activities, and more.
This year, as always, representatives from the American Chesapeake Club and their dogs were on hand to highlight Maryland’s official dog, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The dogs are chosen for their ability to cope with the crowds and the public of all ages fussing them. One of the highlights, in my opinion, is the stand manned every year by a Chesapeake, advertising psychiatric help for $1 with a sign saying the Doctor is in. What better way to cure stress than talking to and stroking a Chesapeake?
Changes to Crufts qualifications for overseas dogs will now mean that any dog that is a champion from a country with which the Kennel Club has a reciprocal agreement will qualify automatically if it is on the Kennel Club Breed Register. This would mean that any USA champion would be eligible. I cannot help but think it would be nice for our breed to have some competition arrive from the country of its origin. Let’s throw the gauntlet down!
UK veterinary practices are currently under scrutiny by the government as complaints about charges and extensive treatments are increasing. Many of you will know that a large number of practices have been taken over by corporate groups but you may be surprised, as I was, that over 60% of veterinary practices are owned by a total of just six organisations. These organisations are in the business of making money for their shareholders and are not there for the love of animals.
New rules are being instigated that will insist that vets give quotations for treatment before commencing with such, and that they advise clients that certain drugs can often be purchased cheaper online. In the case of prescription drugs, the vet must supply a prescription if requested.
All this may be a step in the right direction but will it stop unscrupulous or pressurised vets from performing tests that would not normally be performed as an early stage of diagnosis? I doubt it. I personally drive one hour to a familiar independent practice where I know that common sense comes before profit.
Two recent Championship shows had classes for Chesapeakes without CCs. Midland Counties with judge Andrea Adshead saw 9 dogs present, with Best of Breed going to Sh Ch Arnac Bay Huron at Bergelle JW and Best Puppy to Penrose Water Pistol. Best Veteran was Sh Ch Oakmarsh Dancing Diva and best Special Beginners, Oakmarsh Kingsley Adsila, all of whom have featured in previous Breed News.
The Gundog Society of Wales and judge David Bell had 8 dogs, many of the same, where again Best of Breed went to Sh Ch Arnac Bay Huron at Bergelle JW, who also won best veteran, best puppy this time going to Susqudilla Yankee Shadow. Huron then went into the group and faced tough competition from the other gundog breeds to place 4th in the best veteran in show.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
26 October
News from Mary Murray in Ireland whose home-bred Irish Champion Riverrun Everybody’s Friend put herself in the history books by becoming the first Chesapeake to gain a field trial award at an Irish trial held under Irish Kennel Club rules.
Those of you who have followed field trial history in this breed in the UK will know that there are a total of 12 dogs who have gained field trial awards and/or wins held in the UK under our Kennel Club rules, the first one being Arnac Bay Dawnflight of Penrose, trained and handled by Janet Morris. Dawn went on to notch up a total of 12 awards.
No one has been running in field trials with a Chesapeake in recent years and so it was fantastic to hear of this success. At her third trial of the season Cara competed in Wexford Retriever Gundog Club’s novice stake on driven duck at Coolattin Estate (the pheasant season is not yet open in the south of Ireland), taking home the reserve (fourth) place.
Thirteen dogs battled it out on ground that was dry but heavy with the scent of thousands of pheasant who are waiting in the wings for the start of pheasant shooting in November. Water retrieves were complicated by 500 live ducks that were happily ducking and diving just metres away from the shot duck. Quite some distraction!
Mary writes:
Our first target has been achieved for the first time under IKC rules a Chessie has won a Field trial Award in actual competition. I acknowledge all those wonderful dogs and handlers that have come before Cara and I and have won field trial awards under RKC (UK) rules. … They are the dogs and owners that have inspired me many, many times when I was ready to throw in the towel at trials.
Our season is still early, we are not finished yet. On November 1st we are back up North to run in a driven trial under Royal Kennel Club rules. Can we do the double this season and win a field trial award under both IKC and RKC rules? Wouldn’t that be something?
This last Wednesday was the United Retriever Club’s autumn open show. With a Halloween theme, this show is always fun, with the committee and officers joining in, complete with headbands in the same vein.
Paula Graystone was judging for the first time for a few years. Eleven Chesapeakes were entered and in turn took to the ring after the Curly Coats with an entry of seven. For many years we had the lowest number of entries but it is now common for there to be more Chesapeakes than Curly Coats. The Goldens, Labradors, Flatcoats and Nova Scotias always have good entries, the greatest number at this show being the Goldens with 61 dogs.
There were three puppies present: Caroline Pont’s Harris, Peter Milner’s Tide, and litter sister to Harris was Janet Morris’s home-bred Pistol. All of these youngsters were only just over the six month mark so real babies but all behaved themselves and took in the atmosphere with no nervousness. Best puppy in breed was eventually awarded to Janet’s Pistol (Penrose Water Pistol) who also took the reserve best of breed title.
After some deliberation, Paula awarded best of breed to Kirsty Watts’ Eiche (Oakleaf Manor Bay of Oakmarsh) who some will remember, proved herself dual purpose by winning the novice dog/ novice handler class at the autumn Chesapeake test last month.
With no veteran classes in each breed at this show, any veterans have to compete against all of the other breeds and we had Caroline Pont’s Sh Ch Oakmarsh Dancing Diva battling it out in a sea of Goldens, Labradors and Flatcoats under best in show judge, Anthony Allen. Not only did Diva stand her ground but came out tops by winning Best Veteran in Show!
Best in show was followed by best puppy in show and a fantastic day for Janet and Pistol who was picked for Reserve Best Puppy in Show. Not a bad outing for one so young.
Good news from the Kennel Club is that the Kennel Club is now able to record official international health scheme screening results in their database. These results will appear on Health Test Result Finder as ‘Test result with owner” and will be eligible for Find a Puppy Health Standard icon allocation and listing prioritisation.
To be eligible the results must be issued by an official international screening scheme using a screening method comparable to the UK equivalent scheme and relate to a condition listed on the Health Standard. Certificate must also include the dog’s Kennel Club registered name or number and microchip number. Each scheme and submission will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for suitability, and the outcome will be communicated to the owner requesting the upload.
To record an international result, you will need to send a copy of the assessment form or certificate to health.results@thekennelclub.org.uk. There’s more information on the Health page.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
18 October 2025
The Club will be holding an online seminar on the 28 January 2026 which is not only aimed at educating judges of the breed but is a source of information about the breed, explaining the breed standard and the reasons for every part of that standard. The presentation includes many photos of the dogs in their natural environment, working in water and on the foreshore, demonstrating the need for their conformation, coat, etc. There is a small charge to the Club to attend this, but I feel sure that everyone who does attend will enjoy it. This is an evening presentation lasting about one hour. Full details to follow nearer the time.
As many will know, running a breed club is more than just a hobby. It is a year-round commitment that demands dedication from its officers and committee members – always volunteers. These individuals are the unsung heroes that give their time and energy to ensure the smooth running of the Club. Their dedication ensures members can enjoy the Club benefits in a safe, structured and legally compliant manner.
Much like local football, rugby or golf clubs, breed clubs rely on a small group of committed individuals to handle an extensive range of duties. Without them, clubs simply would not function. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly.
The scope of work extends beyond simple administration. Committee members are responsible for risk assessments, updating the club rules, dealing with the Royal Kennel Club licences and returns, and organising working tests, training days, and shows.
If you could help or volunteer in any aspect, even if it is just to throw dummies at a working test (which always gives the best vantage point to watch the dogs work) please do let a committee member know. No prior experience is needed. Likewise if you are able to offer a field or piece of land for training or a working test, we always need a variety of locations to make events available to our widespread membership.
The American Chesapeake Club’s bulletin of news, which covers two months at a time, is now available online for ACC members. This online issue is in full colour which will be an improvement to the normal black and white issue that we normally receive through the post. I have to say that I am a fan of having a solid, in my hands, copy and have kept every issue since I joined the ACC some 50 odd years ago. I daren’t look at my old copies unless I have half a day to ponder over them, a bit like looking at old photo albums. It will be interesting to discover whether this method will prove popular with the general membership. Watch this space.
It is so good to see so many of our breed here in the UK working as they were intended to do, on the foreshore and inland. These dogs are the lucky ones. Anyone who has not worked a dog out shooting cannot contemplate the absolute delight that a dog takes in doing his job. Instinct and breeding has kept the breed a working breed. Long may it continue.
In the absence of written reports from our shooting friends who would rather be out with a gun and a dog than typing or writing, we attach, this week, some photos that tell the story!
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6 pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
12 October 2025
It was so nice to hear from Debbie Crewe who, many of you will know, is one of a very few in our breed to be competitive in Kennel Club obedience classes. This is not an easy arena to be competitive in, let alone with a gundog. You are having to compete against a majority of border collies who are very trainable with instant reactions, so Debbie and Ramses really deserve our admiration.
Ramses was bred in the USA by Sheila DiVaccaro and imported by Debbie. He also competes in the Club’s gundog working tests and qualifying certificates so is truly an all around dog.
Debbie writes:
Due to limitations on my time, Ramses and I have only competed in three shows this year. Back at the beginning of August, we attended Wigton Dog Training Club Championship and Open shows. On the first day we came joint fourth, but lost the run off and so ended up fifth. On the second day, a costly mistake with the recall meant we came sixth.
At the beginning of September we travelled to East Kilbride to compete in a class of 41 dogs, of which 36 worked the round. Ramses was on top form and we completed our round, losing only 1.5 points, and were awarded first place.
I am thrilled with our score, and with the judge’s comment that his heelwork was ‘poetry in motion,’ especially when competing against dogs with a more flashy style of working.
This is Ramses’ second beginners win, so he must now compete in the novice class.
The Kennel Club breeders table is made up of dogs of different breeds showing a group of dogs from one breeder. With the reliance of those dogs’ owners to turn up and show at the major shows where the class is held, requires some planning and generosity on the part of the individual owners. I don’t think that we have ever had a group of Chesapeakes competing in the past (correct me if I am wrong), but Kirsty Watts with her Oakmarsh dogs and owners are flying in strong competition from the far more popular breeds and are currently standing in 5th place with 245 points. Well done Team Oakmarsh.
The Our Dogs weekly newspaper is normally filled with show news and reports, and not very many working reports. However this week provided a lovely surprise with a report on the Chesapeake Club’s recent working tests, along with a photo of the winners. All good publicity for the breed, showing that they can do both jobs.
The United Retriever Club’s open show has drawn an entry of 11 dogs for its open show on 22 October. Paula Graystone is judging the breed for the first time for quite a few years and as a Chesapeake owner and past breeder (with Roly Hoare) of the Petsalls dogs, she has the knowledge and experience with regards to the breed.
The URC is running KC Good Citizen Awards tests on the day too, so don’t forget your collars with ID, your brush and to swat up on the requirements. See the Kennel Club website.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6 pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
5 October 2025
It is always encouraging to learn of Chesapeake owners getting together for a training session with their dogs and the recent Club working test has fired up enthusiasm from several club members, including Cathy Acheson who sends this report:
On Saturday 27 September, Vincent and I went to catch up with our friends Rhian and Mark Poulton near Congleton for a dog training session on a field at Rhian’s parents’ farm. Mark had his Lab Hawker and his Chesapeake Otto, my Thane’s full brother. Rhian had her beloved spanner Tain and Vincent had Chesapeakes Robin and Petros. Obviously there is NEVER any competition between the Achesons and the Poultons when we run the brothers!
The electric fencing was turned off and we entered a MASSIVE field where the ground was dry enough, but was reedy and boggy in patches. Mark put out a dozen dummies at the edge of a spinney – first retrieve was a true blind from about 75 metres, then the 2nd and third from 150 and 250-300 metres. Thane nailed the first (it’s fair to say all the dogs did, but obviously I am not biased). We then went for the next retrieve which was over a ditch filled with bullrushes.
I was grateful to Mark for being a gent and helping me across. Having seen the dogs coming out of that I don’t think I’d have enjoyed the rest of the day as much as I did had I fallen in! Again all the dogs nailed it, with little intervention from handlers. Then we went back further – by now we’re well over 200m away and some intervention from handlers was needed (‘Go back’ was the only verbal command I can print here) especially as the dogs had to go past a highly attractive, reedy bog area and a small patch of dead ground. Again the dogs all came back with their dummies.
For those of you who do not know Thane, he is good on the going out, taking directions where needed, but then, on bringing the dummy back, spits it at my feet. Mark came up with an idea. When Thane gets close to me, Mark suggested I turn my back and walk away. Thane took the bait and trotted alongside me on my left hand side, dummy in his mouth. Mark called out to turn right, so obviously I did turn right – unfortunately, my right isn’t the same as everyone else’s. But Thane gave me the dummy and every other one after that when I walked away, trotting alongside me waiting for me to take it.
Rhian’s little brown pocket rocket put few paws wrong. He and Hawker were amazing, going from further and further away. Petros was a little superstar, handled by Vincent. He trusted Vincent and kept going until he was through the obstacle (ditch) and brought a dummy back perfectly to hand. Robin, whom we believed had seen her last working test last spring, was in her element and at times she even listened to direction and didn’t go self-employed!
We introduced Rhian and Mark to a new command “No! No shopping!” which is a favourite Acheson command for a dog who looks as though they are about to swap dummies in the pickup zone. Rhian had put together the most incredible picnic which we had off the back of the Kubota Mule – a proper working one from the shoot, with birdseed in it to boot!
Show news: Yorkshire Gundog Club held a Premier open show last weekend where Tracy Boyle’s Gibbs (Sh Ch Pixiesrock Mr Tumnus by Bleyos) started the day by winning Best of Breed and then continued his success and made an impact for our breed by winning a third Best in Show. Well done to Tracy who is adept at travelling long distances from Scotland to attend shows up and down the country.
Other show news, this time from Peter Milner who has been absent and much missed from the show scene for a while. Now with a new puppy from Jason and Julie Hayes, Peter writes:
When Tideflight Warrior of Kent (Tide) was four months old, I began looking at suitable events to introduce him to the world of showing, primarily to help socialise him at an early age and teach the discipline of the ring. By good fortune, the regenerated Ashfield Canine Society Show – incredibly, with a Chessie class – would be held the day Tide was 26 weeks old BUT, I then discover the KC rule to be six calendar months and Tide would attain that the day following.
The Birmingham & District Gundog and Terrier Show, again with Chessie class, was to be our first real opportunity so off we went to the wonderful Stafford Showground. Sadly, only two dogs were entered for the class and, whilst achieving his first win and Best Puppy were nice, it’s never quite as satisfying as when showing against your peers, quite apart from meeting up with old friends.
Dr McCall had entered his eight year old bitch Oakmarsh Elm of Brumborder who took both Open and Best of Breed. Judge, Linda Saich, was both very kind and encouraging as I attempted to achieve a circuit of the ring with four paws on the ground.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
28 September 2025
Great news from Sharon Augustus who tells us that Connie had a fabulous weekend at the Isle of Wight Gundog Club’s Autumn Show, going Best of Breed and gaining two seconds on the Saturday. Then Sunday was TD Rally Trial where Connie scored 194 Ace rosette and a 180 outstanding one.
This photo was captured in the summer at the Royal Agricultural Show on the island, where Sharon with Connie had just done a mark and memory retrieve perfectly in a main ring demonstration for the Undercliff Dog Training Team. Connie is now officially off on maternity leave
The excitement and enthusiasm from the successful working test has now died down somewhat, although I think all are eager for the next one in the spring. One second placed dog was missing from last week’s photo and that was Petros who, handled by owner Vincent, placed second in the largest class of the day, namely the beginner class. Well done to this duo.
On the subject of missing photos, I missed out a photo of the beautiful Vroni and handsome Togo on their recent special beginner success. So this week we have corrected this too.
Please don’t forget, if you are able to organise a training session with a local trainer that can include Chesapeakes, let me know and I will advertise it in breed news. We all need as many opportunities as we can.
The shooting season has now started in earnest and our dogs are beginning to do their ‘real’ job in all spheres. Please let me have any tales of your dogs working for breed news. We all want to hear your boasts and stories from the field and the foreshore. Don’t be shy.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6 pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
21 September 2025
This weekend of variable weather saw the Chesapeake Club’s Autumn Working Test for 2025 held in ideal weather and test conditions for our breed at the saltmarshes near Bradwell on Sea, Essex, by kind permission of Dengie Hundred Wildfowling and Conservation Club.
The weekend started with a feast of a barbecue on the Friday evening, with Nick Glanvill acting a very proficient chef. Lots of banter, good food and drink made the perfect evening after many had travelled long distances from all over the UK, and some had suffered the horrific Friday night traffic around London and Essex.
Richard had secured the services of Steve Parker for judging the working test, and Steve had very kindly volunteered to give the training on the Saturday. We had a large group of 19 dogs taking part in the training, so we split into two, with Tilly and Steve taking a group each, and trainers swopping groups at lunchtime.
Both trainers proved excellent for our dogs of varying standards, taking them through exercises that would be helpful not only on the test day but also to work on for future training. With Steve being a spaniel field trialler and judge, I was wondering how he would react to our breed, however he was really excellent. Maybe his spaniel background made him more akin to the method of training our dogs than that of some serious field trial Lab people (Jason Mayhew excepting!)
It was really lovely and positive to see many new people joining in this weekend, all with an interest in the breed, including one couple from France who had their third Chesapeake with them.
Another great barbecue ensued on the Saturday evening when the wind decided to try to cause havoc, but being a tough lot (helped by a few rapidly constructed windbreaks), all was well. This time Anthony Ciraolo and Gareth Adger joined Nick at the barbecues to produce enough food to feed 5000, including some delicious home-made sausages from Fleur. This was all finished off with some amazing puddings made by Rhian Poulton, Tilly Thomas and Carole Harris. The food just kept coming. It certainly was not a weekend for dieting.
On Sunday morning, after more cooking from Ant, we were off to the foreshore where Richard and his son Tom had, prior to the day, worked hard to prepare a parking area, and re-excavate a blocked pond ready for the tests. Our previous day’s trainer, Steve, was joined by Mike Lawrence as a second judge. Amie Mellersh-Tett and Tilly did a great job as stewards, getting people lined up to take their turn running, which sounds simple until you try it.
Of the four tests, one was on land, one into or across a pond, one into open water off the sea wall and the fourth in marsh land where the tidal water rose rapidly until it eventually swamped the pond we had used in the morning and covered the marsh before our eyes. Our lovely volunteer dummy thrower, Rob, got his feet very wet, as did a few unsuspecting dog handlers.
This venue, where we have held a few tests in the past, is the perfect setting for showing off our breed and their abilities. As the breed standard says, “A courageous and keen worker with a great love of water.” As usual, there were a few dogs who wanted to stay in the water a bit longer than required!
All of the dogs competing were driven, keen and enthusiastic about their work and I cannot believe that anyone spectating could not have been impressed. The dogs certainly convinced one prospective owner that this was the breed he needs for wildfowling and I believe he has already enquired about puppies.
We all owe a great debt to Richard and Tilly for putting up with us all, including camping, caravanning, and taking over bedrooms in their home; to Anthony and Richard for organising the weekend; to Sue for taking the entries and producing the running sheets and trophies; and to our volunteer trainers and judges who refused payment.
The raffle made £135 for club funds thanks to everyone’s generosity.
Well done to the winners and to all who contributed to make this a fantastic weekend.
With our tests being run under KC rules, any dog scoring a zero in a test cannot be in the awards. Many dogs, for simple reasons, failed on a test, and so were not placed. The final results were as follows:
PUPPY (4 ran – no awards)
NOVICE DOG/NOVICE HANDLER (4 ran)
1. Oakleaf Manor Bay of Oakmarsh – owned and handled by Kirsty Watts
BEGINNER (8 ran)
1. Pixiesrock Green Kirkle – owned and handled by Nicolas Glanvill
2. Petros – owned and handled by Vincent Acheson
3. Chesepi Viroqua – owned and handled by Nicolas Glanvill
4. Passione Knightspool – owned and handled by Mark Poulton
UNCLASSIFIED OPEN (6 ran)
1. Arnac Bay Inca – owned by Chrissie Mayhew and Sue Worrall; handled by Sue
2. Riptide Whistlin Duck – owned and handled by Richard Playle
Judges’ Choice was Franeo Ebbing Tide – owned and handled by Anthony Ciraolo
Best Veteran was Chesepi Viroqua – owned and handled by Nick Glanvill
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
14 September 2025
A busy weekend with the Chesapeake Club’s open show being held in conjunction with Darlington Championship show at Ripon Racecourse, North Yorkshire.
First up was the Championship Chesapeake classes being judged by Frank Whyte who gave the top honour of best of breed, along with the CC, to Sh Ch Pixiesrock Mr Tumnus by Bleyos (aka Gibbs) for a delighted owner/handler Tracy Boyles.
The bitch CC went to Janet Morris’s Baymoss Tweed Of Penrose, with reserve in dogs Sh Ch Arnac Bay Huron At Bergelle JW who floated around the ring for owners Maddie Mahon-Hunns, Jodie Hunns and James Newton who handled him. Gus also won best veteran in breed. The reserve in bitches was won by Laura and Lawrence Blaber’s Oakmarsh Laurel. I love the fact that Laurel, Lawrence and Laura are all one family!
Best puppy in breed was Susqudilla Yankee Shadow aka Sterling, handled by co-owner Maddie Mahon. He subsequently went into the big ring for the best puppy in show challenge where he was short listed.
Tracy was unable to stay with Gibbs to challenge for best in show as very sadly her travelling companion had to dash back to Scotland to her terminally ill mother who passed away in the early hours of the next day.
Next up was the Club’s open show where, with few exceptions, the same dogs were entered, supporting the Club and the show, and having another crack of the whip.
This show and the specials were very kindly sponsored by Skinners Dog Food and Sporting Saint who gave us amazing prizes in the way of dog food vouchers and gun dog training equipment. A big thank you to both companies.
The judge this time was Joy Venturi-Rose who breeds dual purpose Labradors and has judged our club working test in the past, as well as giving gundog training days for the breed and for individuals in the breed so she really knows that our Chessies are a working dog.
This time the top honour and best in show went to Richard Playle’s Riptide Gentleman’s Relish, a young male full of energy who gave his handler Gemma McCartney a job and a half! Gemma also handled her co-owned BB’s Chesapeake Breeding Dory for Arnac to best puppy in show, with the reserve best puppy going to Sterling (see above).
Reserve best in show and best opposite sex from winning the veteran class went to to Sh Ch Arnac Bay Hebe handled by co-owner Joy Middleton, and new ‘dad’ Sh Ch Chesepi Waco took reserve best veteran for owner/handler David Rigby.
Meanwhile in another ring in the stakes classes, Togo (Battsrock Are You Ready) fought his way through the very busy, 21 dog strong Good Citizen stakes to take a very coveted 2nd place, earning enough funds to pay half the fuel money for owner/handler Vroni Royale.
Last but not least was the specials classes judged this time by Jacque Bayne. Only three classes in these specials with every exhibitor receiving a sample bag of Skinners Field and Trial food – always useful for a day away with dogs and to sample the Skinners range. The Junior winner was Sharon Baxandall’s puppy Tasha (Battsrock Ashes to Ashes). Post Graduate was Nutty (Oakmarsh Land of Promise of Roguehart) owned by Amie and Naomi Mellersh-Tett. Nutty did her normal comedy act with Amie before settling into the game and being Miss Goodie Goodie! The open class was won by Ch Arnac Bay Huron At Bergelle JW (Gus) – this time with Joy Middleton handling him.
A lovely day but a busy one for the dogs and their handlers with many facing a long journey home. A big thank you to all who supported the Club and all who helped out with the show.
Sharon tells us of her puppy Tasha passing her Bronze award along with three other puppies in their training group. This was one of their goals her trainer Bev Snudden had set to achieve within their sessions and Tasha achieved her last one a simple marked retrieve to hand. One Sharon says that they had been struggling with. Sharon is always very busy with her dogs and gives them a good deal of mental stimulation, something so good for our breed.
Other news from Sharon is that the pup she exported to Australia some eight years ago, namely Sharbae Rose of Tenarda, is now officially an International Champion. Rose has had an amazing career in the show ring and her ‘kids and grandkids’ are proving just as successful. How nice it is that Rose’s owner Margaret Wedgwood, continues to praise and acknowledge Sharon’s input as her breeder, in making her successes possible.
A reminder – don’t forget to send any end of year trophy points that your dog earns in shows/working/obedience etc to Cathy Broomfield at cbrcpoints@gmail.com. Details of how to earn points for the end of year trophies are on the Home page.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Copy deadline for each BNW is 6 pm on the Friday before each weekend’s issue. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
7 September 2025
Sharon Augustus has been busy on the Isle of Wight where they recently had a double show match with judges Debbie Herring (Battsrock) and Nick Burchell having crossed the sea from the mainland. Sharon’s Chesapeake, Connie, got through to the final on this fun evening but was beaten by a GSP.
Connie and kennelmate Tasha attended their 1st TD Rally Trial at Calbourne where they had two judges so were able to get done before the rain came in. The dogs had two rounds each and Sharon says she was really pleased with Tasha who was entered in Puppy, in the 1st round scoring 187 out of 210 and 2nd round 202 out of 210. Connie was Level 1, scoring in the 1st round 190 out of 210. Unfortunately in the 2nd round she NQ’d (not qualified) as she relieved herself in ring. Their next trial is 21 September and Sharon says there is lots to work on but it was a fun day.
The City of Birmingham held a Championship show at Stoneleigh last weekend. With no CCs on offer for Chesapeakes, the entry was sadly low for judge Tina Westwood. Best of Breed was Tracy Boyles’ Sh Ch Pixiesrock Mr Tumnus by Bleyos JW, Best Bitch was Kirsty Watts’ Oakmarsh Little Acorn JW, Best Veteran, Caroline Pont’s Sh Ch Oakmarsh Dancing Diva VW, and Best Junior, Kirsty’s Oakmarsh Little Acorn JW.
Stop press as this Sunday was Richmond Championship show, with Ger Philpott from Ireland giving CCs for the first time in our breed. From an entry of 17, once again brother and sister Sh Ch Arnac Bay Hebe and Sh Ch Arnac Bay Huron of Bergelle JW took both CCs, with Hebe taking the best of breed. Best puppy was once again BBs Chesapeake Breeding Dory at Arnac (see previous Breed News for owner details).
Reserve CC in bitches was Laura Blaber’s Oakmarsh Laurel JW, with the reserve in dogs going to last weekend’s best of breed, Mr Tumnus, owner Tracy having made the long trip down from Scotland again – and feeling the heat ‘down South’!
In the big ring the Oakmarsh dogs made their presence known, with Angela Corcoran winning 2nd in the special beginners group having earlier won the breed class, with Oakmarsh Kingsley Adsila, and the Oakmarsh team winning the breeder stakes for breeder Kirsty Watts.
An exciting idea from committee member Cathy Broomfield, who writes:
As we are well into the second half of 2025, we thought it might be fun to start collating the results of the Working, Show and Obedience events in the form of a leader board. The points gained for these all go towards the annual Club trophies, to be announced at the CBRC AGM in early 2026.The rules for the points are given on the Home page.
While I can easily see results on the main sites for shows and for CBRC working tests as they happen, it can be hard for me to keep track of past events so I cannot be held responsible for collating points – please drop me an email with your wins and awards so I can keep the lists up to date!
This is open to CBRC members only – if you’re not a member it’s not too late to join. Points are accepted for events run from 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025. The leader board will be set up on the CBRC website and reminders in forthcoming BNW’s.
Please send your points to me at cbrcpoints@gmail.com
If you take part in other Kennel Club events we would love to hear from you with a view to adding more categories in the future. Let’s all celebrate all things Chesapeake!
Looking forward to hearing from you all, Cathy.
It was interesting to receive an email from the American Chesapeake Club outlining an increase in their membership fees as this is an item that has been discussed many times with regards to our UK club. In common with the UK, the costs of printing and producing their magazine (the ACC Bulletin) and the costs of postage, seem to take a large percentage of the membership fees and accounts for over 50% of their annual budget.
Membership fees for those receiving a printed copy of the Bulletin (as opposed to a digital version) will see an increase of $15, making individual membership $35. Those of us overseas have to pay an additional fee for overseas postage, making our subscriptions over £60.00.
The cost of our UK Club membership is currently £10 which makes it very cheap by comparison but the costs to our Club have increased horrendously, especially with regards to the printing and posting of the Chessie Chat and yearbook.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Please note that copy deadline for each BNW is 6pm on the Friday before each weekend. All queries regarding content should be addressed strictly to the author above.
31 August 2025
The Chesapeakes are certainly being noticed in the show ring these days. Tracy Boyles and Gibbs, having won reserve best dog at Driffield show, headed up the hill on her way back to Scotland and stepped back into the ring at North Riding Gundog Club open show. Anne Orzel was judging both the breed and best in show and having awarded Gibbs (Sh Ch Pixiesrock Mr Tumnus by Bleyos JW) a super BOB, later in the day awarded him a fabulous reserve best in show in super company.
Some working news at last, and last weekend the Working Minority Retriever Club organised a huge event which consisted of 4 trainers, 4 assessors and 26 minority breed dogs taking part in gundog activities. Debbie Herring reports:
In the morning the groups were split into experience levels and allocated a trainer. The purpose was to work towards the Working Gundog Certificate. The group who were ready to take the certificate (or had previously achieved it) went through all the exercises they would be asked to complete if they were being assessed for the working test.
The two middle groups went through similar exercises and were given achievement feedback on what their dog needed to work on to be able to complete the WGC next year.
The final group trained with Nick Coates. I had Tex out and we were joined by Jan Morton and Tex’s litter sister Roxy, and Paul Holland with his litter brother Zoar. Nick did a few initial assessment exercises to see where our pups stood currently, and then went through the Level 1 Gundog Certificate that he expects dogs to be achieving at around a year old.
The exercises were something you could easily try at home:
Walk out 20 yards with your dog at heel (if the pup tried to walk in front he recommended walking into the pup’s space in a left hand circle and then walking on, to encourage the pup to keep their shoulders behind our leg). Once we arrived at the 20 yard marker we had to put the pup in a sit-stay and walk half way back. Nick then timed 2 minutes where the dog had to remain in a sit. (Two minutes seems like forever when you’re are doing it.)
We then walked out 3/4 of the way to the 20 yard marker, threw out the dummy to the marker whilst the pup remained in sit, then turned and walked away to the original start point and then sent the pup for the retrieve.
The final exercise was to leave the dog on sit, walk out to the marker and throw the dummy, return to the pup and send for the retrieve. Afterwards Nick discussed the importance of heelwork and steadiness, but also maintaining the enthusiasm, so regularly switching up the exercises to keep it fun at this stage.
After everyone had gathered for lunch and had some fun banter about how the day was going, in the afternoon we were split into a group taking their KC Working Gundog Certificate with the assessors, and the rest of us competed in a fun mock working test where the morning trainers became afternoon judges. Fleur and Chester were in the advanced group for the day and a small error lost Fleur the top spot in the open mock test, but Chester was fantastic all day. The pups also did the mock test, with Roxy 1st, Tex a few points behind and Zoar in 3rd. It was an excellent day and took a huge amount of organisation to pull it off. I am pleased to report all eight taking their KC WGC passed the assessment.
The next training day for the Working Minority Retriever Club is on 4 October in Elstead, Surrey and is a cold game and walk up day, great for those who would like to prepare their dogs for shoot days or for working on their steadiness.
For more information on the next training day, visit www.workingminorityretrieverclub.co.uk.
Sadly Show Champion Nunneyswood Drifting Snow passed away this last week at the grand old age of 15 years and 4 months.
I know this tale has been told before, but some may not have heard it. Bred by Margaret Woods who resides on the Isle of Wight, a mating had been arranged with Dill (Sh Ch Arnac Bay Ardent). However the winter of 2010–11 was a rare weather event that brought heavy snowfalls, record low temperatures and travel chaos disruption to Great Britain.
Margaret thought she could make it to the IOW ferry but would not be able to drive the distance to me and Dill from Portsmouth. Luckily I had (and still have) a trusty Land Rover Defender with decent all terrain tyres. Add this to my love of driving out in the Landy when there is snow, floods, or just plain shooting ground mud on a slope, and I was more than happy to set off to meet Margaret at Portsmouth docks. The journey was not without its hazards, mainly abandoned vehicles all over the snow-packed roads, but I arrived and the dogs met each other enthusiastically. Whilst they were very interested in ‘performing’, the ground in the car park at the docks was slippery ice and so the decision was made to put both dogs in the back of the Land Rover which was lined with rubber matting – this quickly proved successful and Margaret and I froze and chatted by the back door whilst the tie took place inside! The resulting litter all had snow-themed names – hence Nunneyswood Drifting Snow!
Margaret’s grandaughter, Gemma McCartney, who handled Drift in the show ring, tells us a bit more about Drift:
She had 8 CCs and 6 RCCs, including best of breed at Crufts 2014 and at the Chesapeake Club Championship show in 2014.Unfortunately she only had one litter, which was sad as she was a fantastic mother. She lived with her daughter Neve until her final day and they truly adored each other. She had a litter of 9, all of whom have been wonderful dogs, with amazing owners. Of those, Nunneyswood Evening Snow (Neve), Nunneyswood Mogul (Saxon) and Nunneyswood Snow Flurry at Glaneils (Fern) earned studbook numbers. Her son Nunneyswood Iceberg (Ice) went to Italy and became an International Champion, subsequently revisiting the UK to earn his UK Champion title and winning the Dog CC at Crufts three years in a row (2018, 2019 and 2020), the final time trotting in his mother’s footsteps and winning the best of breed. Ice is the sire of a handful of imported dogs from Italy.
At home with Margaret and her husband Albert, Drift was quite the character and often known as a ‘bull in a china shop’ as she did everything full pelt! Until shortly before her passing she demanded she got to go on her walk each day no matter how doddery she was and she would soon let you know if it was past dinner time. She had been water crazy most of her life and on a holiday with myself, Paul, and my Chesapeake, another ‘Ice’, showed her true colours. We had been walking around a nearly silent Ennerdale Water, in the Lake District when, as usual, she made a beeline to the water as soon as she realised it was there and spent a good 10 mins squealing in delight, splashing around and digging in the shallows all the while the sound echoing down the valley with Paul and I apologising to other walkers trying to have a peaceful day! Drift was a typical Chesapeake!
Christine Mayhew bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com
Please note that the copy deadline for each BNW is 6pm on the Friday before each weekend. All queries regarding content should be addressed to the author above.
24 August 2025
Those of you who are members of BASC may have read all about Skinners dog food in your July/August BASC magazine.Founded over 50 years ago, the company is wholeheartedly British with young sales director Ben Skinner being a seventh generation Skinners. Skinners has factories in East Anglia where nearly all ingredients sourced in the UK including meat and cereals are from local suppliers. Going through the process of producing the food, raw ingredients are delivered in bulk and tested for quality and consistency with anything below par meaning that the whole shipment is rejected and sent back to the supplier. This company claims to use only top quality natural ingredients without artificial preservatives, flavourings or colourings which is impressive in this day and age.
Many of you will have used the well known range ‘Field and Trial’ which now comes in a generous variety of types according to age and energy requirements, which we all know is so important for our dogs whether at work or at rest.
Why do I mention this company and its products? Because they have very generously agreed to sponsor not only our forthcoming open show, but our working test too. Skinners have long been associated with working gundogs and are in fact sponsors for BASC. Main winners at the club show and at the working test will receive vouchers for large sacks of dried food or packs of wet food, with other winners having vouchers for smaller packs. With so many suppliers able to redeem these vouchers, these are incredibly worthwhile prizes. Thank you Skinners.
Driffield Show this weekend had a double championship show due to the event having to be cancelled last year when the wind decided to cause havoc to the marquees!
Chesapeake classes in the first show saw Nicola Spencer judging 12 dogs, a good entry for non-CC classes. Best of breed and best dog went to Sh Ch Arnac Bay Huron at Bergelle JW (Mahon-Hunns, Hunns and Newton) with reserve going to Sh Ch Pixiesrock Mr Tumnus by Bleyos (Boyles). Best bitch and best veteran was Sh Ch Oakmarsh Dancing Diva (Pont), with reserve to Muireatai Miracle of Dreams (Murray). Best puppy was Susqudilla Yankee Shadow (Mahon-Hunns, Middleton and Haskin). The Gundog group was judged by David Howarth who shortlisted and ultimately awarded Gus with Group 4 out of a quality line up.
The second show sadly had no classes for our breed so the Chessies had to compete against other gundog breeds in the Not Separately Classified classes which is often chock-a-block with good quality dogs. And so it is a great achievement for a Chesapeake to feature, but Caroline Pont and Diva did just that, winning best veteran and then, for the icing on the cake, going forward to place Group 4 in the best veteran in show competition under well-respected gundog judge Anthony Allen. Big congratulations.
Another prompt: please don’t forget to enter the club show and the club working test, with both entries closing in the not so distant future.
If you have any news to share for next week, don’t forget to send it in by Saturday.
Christine Mayhew
bobmayhewqhorses@aol.com