with dyane Baldwin, edith hanson, nathaniel “nat” hoRn & Betsy hoRn humeR chesapeake bay retriever Q&A
“Good BReedinG disposition and tempeRament pRoduces a WILLING-TO-WORK LOYAL DOG that is Basically happy and Good with family and childRen.”
EH: I believe the topline is misunderstood. Swaybacks are not acceptable. NH: Outline, head features, feet, coat, true Chesapeake breed type—this is misunderstood not only by the new judges, but judges in general. BHH: The topline, “hindquarters a trifle higher than the shoulders”; a gentle rise over the loin is sometimes misinterpreted to mean that a swayback would be desired. The swayback is an excessive dip. Also, a level topline is acceptable. Rear angulation, “stifles should be well-angulated;” and the front should match in order to be well-balanced. 6. Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate. DB: Two things. 1) Teeth: do not count teeth or look at side bite. The dogs are not trained for this type of mouth exam. You merely need to lift up the front lips and see that the teeth meet in a scissors or level bite. 2) Exami- nation: this is the watch dog of the Sporting group and very devoted to their owners. Approach the dog from the front without stopping and starting; do not stare directly into their eyes; and try not to loom over the dog either. If the dog is being really difficult about being examined, better to excuse the dog. EH: Judges need to remember this is a medium-sized retriever. They excel at water retrieves. All the attri- butes that make them good hunters are important. Of course a judge can’t determine how well an exhibit can retrieve, but they can assess soundness, which enables them to hunt all day. They must also have a proper coat to protect them in icy conditions and proper size to protect the hunters when the dog jumps in and out of the boat! NH: It’s a wonderful breed. Good breeding disposition and temperament produces a willing-to-work loyal dog that is basically happy and good with family and children. BHH: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has been the only retriever breed to consistently have current dual
champions (field champion and bench champion). Unfortunately, we lost our only dual at this time in early May to cancer. We do currently have an AFC/CH (AFC is Amateur FC). What this means is that our breed does not have multiple types—such as field, breed or obedience. Breeders strive to maintain a Chesapeake that “can do it all”. We have well over 100 Champions with Master Hunter titles. Chesapeakes should be agile in order to perform their function. There should not be excessive size, substance or bone. The word “medi- um” appears in the standard 13 times. Dogs should be masculine and bitches should be feminine. You should be able to tell which sex they are by looking at their heads. All colors are equal: deadgrass, sedge and brown (darker and lighter of each). Chesapeakes are often owner/handled; please be forgiving of a rambunctious or uncertain puppy. 7. And, for a bit of humor: what’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? DB: One time is a very close competition the judge said, “Let’s go around again.” As I turned the corner just past the judges’ table, my shoe came off and landed on the steward’s lap. EH: Maybe not the funniest, but it was amusing. I was in the ring many years ago and there was a huge commotion in the grooming area. Dogs were going nuts barking. All I could see was Godzilla’s head walking along. I immedi- ately knew it was my 6-year-old son with his 6-foot inflat- able toy walking along oblivious to the surroundings. Godzilla was immediately retired from dog shows! NH: A special I campaigned got away from me and ran cir- cles in the group ring. I laid on the ground and he came to me. Not funny to me then, but it’s funny now. BHH: A story told by old-timers is of the exhibitor who was losing her half-slip as she showed her dog. She gaited her Chesapeake around the ring and neatly stepped out of the slip as it fell to the ground and continued to the end of the line. Did she win? I don’t remember!
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