The Chesapeake Bay Retriever in the Field

Maryland in the 1800s was a sportsman’s paradise, with a variety of waterfowl in the Chesapeake Bay, lakes, rivers, and marshes. This setting required a superior hunting dog, leading to the development of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, the premier waterfowl dog. Two Newfoundland puppies rescued from a shipwreck in 1807 were bred with local dogs to create a strong, determined, and gentle retriever for both watermen and gentlemen hunters. Their success was formalized in 1878 with AKC recognition, and it continues today.

Although the Chessie ranks below Labs and Goldens in registrations, many hunters prefer them. Chessies retrieve ducks, geese, and upland birds like pheasant, quail, and doves, making them strong and adaptable to all bodies of water and terrains. They’re tolerant of cold and heat. Chessies are independent thinkers with a strong drive, so hunters must be careful not to send them into risky situations, such as strong currents or overly hot upland hunts.

Many dog fanciers also value Chesapeakes for their dual-purpose capabilities—successful in both field and show ring. Their dense double coat provides protection, yet requires minimal grooming, allowing them to compete in both activities on the same weekend. Chessies excel in field trials, with 140 Champion/Master Hunter Chesapeakes and more than twice as many Labrador retrievers achieving both titles. Although they compete less in field trials, there have been some great Field and Amateur Field Champions, as well as 19 elite Dual Champions.

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Chesapeake Bay Retrievers… “You Had Me From Hello”

I felt love start to grow the moment I looked into your eyes. You won me, it was over from the start. You completely stole my heart, and now you won’t let go. I never even had a chance you know? You had me from ‘Hello.’” – Kenny Chesney, “You Had Me At Hello”

My husband and I are avid fishing enthusiasts and were on the banks of the river Kenai in Alaska when we had an encounter with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. This handsome, wooly, copper penny-colored boy captured our interest and later, our hearts, toward this breed, and started us on a journey that has been exciting, adventurous and amazing. Our search was for an active, larger dog and since we had had Labs before, had agreed on a retriever of some sort but didn’t want one like everyone else had. As we learned more about this breed, we were convinced that this was the breed for us and purchased our first Chesapeake Bay Retriever. We have since owned several and do agree that our desire is to own no other breed. Why? Because there is no other dog like a Chessie, they are simply amazing.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was originally developed by breeders/sporting enthusiasts in the Chesapeake Bay area in the early 1800s and soon gained popularity with hunters far and wide. They were and are known for their intelligence, physical power and tenacity of spirit. Many a story has been told of the courage and endurance shown by this breed in the field, retrieving, without direction, upwards of a hundred waterfowl each day.

Chessies, as they are commonly known, are independent thinkers, powerful retrievers, intimidating guard dogs and loving family members. Because of their friendly disposition and intelligence, they are sought after by many for a variety of uses– hunting and retrieving being just one.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an extremely versatile animal, proven to be successful in Search and Rescue, K-9, drug and explosive detection programs, as Therapy and Service dogs, Guide dogs for the blind, as well as premier athletes in competitive Sled Dog races, Dock Dog competitions, Lure Coursing, Tracking, competition Obedience and Rally, just to name a few. And, when cleaned up from the morning hunt, make for strong competition in the Conformation rings. Their character and personality, combined with their strength and intelligence, earn the Chesapeake Bay Retriever success in any endeavor that you choose to take them.

At the end of the day, these amazing brown dogs love to retire to the comfort and companionship of their family. They are affectionate, protective, fun companions that love their families and desire to be with them. One evening, soon after the birth of our grandson Darian, the baby was bundled up lying on the couch and screaming at the top of his lungs, as babies do. Our Chessie girl, Katie, went to him to see what the noise was about, finding this crying baby, she quickly went to her stash of toys and brought out her prized stuffed duck. She laid the duck on the couch and gently pushed it over with her nose and nudged it up against the baby then laid her head next to him in an effort to sooth. Over the years, she has taken her job as “second mom” to our grandchildren very seriously, and the bond built between her and the children is an amazing one.

The purpose of purchasing our first Chessie was to be a fishing companion, being the avid fisherpersons that we are, we wanted a companion for the boat. We sought out a quality breeder in our area and purchased a female. This puppy turned out to be a high quality girl that the breeder said should be shown in the conformation ring. We sought out training classes and began a journey into the world of conformation competition.

From that humble beginning, we have gone on to excel with our dogs in the Conformation ring as well as performance events such as Obedience, Rally, Hunt Tests, WD. We have put titles on many of our dogs, including Grand Champions, Champions, CD, RA and JH, in addition to winning a NSS BISS. When not in the show ring, they are used in our personal hunting adventures and just hanging out with the family.

We are a small, family-oriented kennel located in southern Colorado. Not only do we hunt ducks and geese but also have opportunity to go after pheasants, which are as eagerly hunted by our crew as is the waterfowl. We do breed and are passionate about maintaining the characteristics that make the Chesapeake Bay Retriever so unique and desirable as a gun dog while making sure to be responsible with our breeding choices. Health testing is a very important component of any breeding program and we do test and certify all our dogs. Our goal is to produce healthy, quality dogs that have the correct aptitude and attitude.

The breeders of today are just as dedicated and passionate about maintaining the Chesapeake Bay Retriever characteristics as were the breeders of days gone by. Each and every characteristic spelled out in the Official Standard for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a significant reason.

As the standard states, “The breed’s characteristics are specifically suited to enable the Chesapeake to function with ease, efficiency and endurance.” From coat, to raw power to stamina, the Chesapeake was, and is, bred to be a working dog. The two most important qualities that I believe the Chessie needs to be successful are aptitude and attitude. Aptitude includes correct conformation – to assure that their body can do the job required. Attitude (actually the most important attribute when breeding this dog) without an excellent disposition, it won’t matter how they are built.

At the end of the day, after all the ducks, and all the show rings, and all the work, they are our loving companions, there to go for walks or just snuggle on the couch, challenging us, sometimes pushing us, maybe just listening, but always bringing us the comfort and pleasure of loving and being loved. As the song says, “You had me from hello…”

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Judging Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

The art of applying one’s knowledge, standard interpretations and skills to judge is extremely challenging. Look for what a dog’s merits are before you start to get concerned about his faults. This philosophy can prevent you from eliminating a dog from competition because of one or two minor negative flaws as well as from rewarding a dog having nothing outstandingly wrong with him but is basically a dog that in most aspects is mediocre.

Type

There is a section in the book The Dual Purpose Labrador, by Mary Roslin Williams, about type. It is essential to distinguish between breed type and kennel type. There is one breed type in every breed. It is essential that the Chesapeake look like the Chesapeake. If he resembles another breed or looks more like a mongrel, he lacks true breed type. Within breed type there exists “kennel type”. Breeders excel in breeding dogs in different ways and become noted for their “style”. Coats, head type, expression and degree of substance are just a few of the features that can contribute to distinguishable kennel type attributes. When you see a Chesapeake you may say to yourself that looks like one of Mr. X’s specimens.

In comparison to man, the Chesapeake is equivalent to an Olympic swimmer or a marathon runner, not to a heavy wrestler or a weight lifter. Efficient power and agility with good muscle tone is sought for. Cloddy overdone dogs are not to be considered.

Dogs & Bitches

I expect a bitch to show femininity. Likewise, the male should be masculine and majestic. If a Chesapeake looks like the opposite sex, this is incorrect and should be faulted to the degree of the deviation. There is more of a tendency for judges to make the mistake of rewarding “doggy” bitches than to reward “bitchy” males. Judges really need to be cognizant of this.

The Whole Dog

One must consider the whole dog. Getting off track and over-emphasizing one aspect of the dog can lead to poor judging. While judging the Chesapeake, I like to refer to the phrase under symmetry and quality, “The dog should be well proportioned”, then judge all the component parts, relate them to each other and look at the dog as a whole. Throughout the standard, many traits are referred to with a phrase like medium or moderate. I find it most important to keep in mind the verbiage in the standard that places emphasis on strong words: “Shoulders, sloping and should have full liberty of action with plenty of power without any restrictions of movement. … Hindquarters should be especially powerful to supply the driving power for swimming. … Good hindquarters are essential. Stifles should be well angulated. … Flanks well tucked up.”

The Chesapeake must have the ability to swim and retrieve for long periods of time. One can expect a good swimming Chesapeake to be a good moving Chesapeake and vice versa.

Head, Neck & Related Components

Chesapeakes that retrieve objects from the ground or in the water requiring necks and heads well-proportioned with length which combined, permit the nose and mouth to reach the ground or grasp fowl easily in the water. The Chesapeake should not be restricted in the water or forced into a stooped position on the ground.

In examining components of the head, the skull is approximately 5″-6″ wide from root to root of the ears. Overly wide skulls should be avoided. Skull and muzzle are approximately the same length (each is about 4¾”-5″ long). The muzzle is strong and gradually tapers to a pointed look at the tip without being extreme or to give the appearance of a sharp cutting affect. The muzzle should not be blunt, short or snipey. The medium stop implies that the Chesapeake should not be down, dish face or have an abrupt appearance, but rather a clean look. The above describes a head capable of grasping and carrying large game.

The lips should be thin, not pendulous. Thick heavy or fleshy lips, poised without visible support and heavy jowls, all have a tendency to retain feathers – thus, are not desirable. The ears are to be small, approximately 4½”-5″ in length. They are to be set high on a rounded skull, above the eye level but not so high up like a terrier and not high on an undesirable flat skull. Naturally the ears appear a little lower than the skull and the skull appears rounded. When baited and the ears are raised, the appearance is higher. Ear leather should not be too thin or too thick. The ears should hang loosely.

The eyes are medium large and very clear. An oval/oblong eye is implied. Eyes are wide apart in accordance with a 2½”-2¾” width. Wider could cause eyes to project, thus exposing them to brush and brambles and possible injury. A tight lid, open lid, round eyes and/or protruding eyes are undesirable. The color of the eye is specified as yellowish or amber. Amber allows darker shades of yellow that include orange, gold, and light brownish shades of yellow. It is desirable that eye color blends somewhat with the color of the dog to enhance the camouflage desired within the working environment.

The Chesapeake should have a pleasing head that projects a bright and happy disposition and an intelligent expression. Good disposition, a willing to work attitude, and devotion to companion are essential.

Structural Points

Heights are dogs 23″-26″ and bitches 21″-24″. Note that the Chesapeake has a two-inch difference in the ranges. Most sporting breeds have one. Thus there can be a 5″ difference or a 24″ bitch can be one-inch taller than a 23″ male.

The Chesapeake is slightly longer than tall. Slightly implies close to square. Longer and low is not desirable. The topline should be a trifle higher in the rear or same height front and rear. It is typical to have a slight dip near a well laid back shoulder and a short strong back which is well coupled. A sway back is undesirable and contrary to the standard. Pasterns are slightly sloping and good hare feet are required. Hock length is medium. This all facilitates the Chesapeake’s speed and endurance.

Tail is medium heavy at the base and is set well on neither a completely flat or steep croup. Typically the croup is slightly rounded.

Coat

Coat is most important to protect the Chesapeake as his function includes an environment that includes cold icy water. The double coat is thick, dense, wavy, harsh outer, wooly under and must be well-covered all over the body. Very short waves may appear curly to someone not completely versed regarding the Chesapeake coat. A kinky appearance is desirable. The curly coat to avoid is the coat of ringlets as seen in the Curly Coated Retriever. Length of coat and where coat is straight and wavy is available in the standard. Coats need to be considered highly, but when judging coat its not either 16 or 0 points. It’s often within the range. When properly judging the whole dog the coat must be considered important, as one considers everything else.

Color

Color includes brown, sedge and deadgrass. All three of these colors allow many colors that include many hues and varying amounts of pigment. Shades of brown are the most commonly seen, but judges should become familiar with all the variety of shades and colors allowed. Note the colors of foliage, fields, and marshes throughout all seasons and in all parts of the country when you get a chance. The variety of colors is that extensive.

There are also Chesapeakes that may show some brindle shades, masking, two colors on the same dog, hound markings and some shades that are grayish referred to as ash. These other colors are a minor deviation from the preference of self colored brown sedge and deadgrass dogs and may be faulted in a minor way. Note that color is only weighted at 4 points. The coat and how color relates to its texture is much more important.

Summary

Please review the disqualifications in the standard. When judging you must disqualify any dog that has any of these defects. Temperament is very important. This is a wonderful breed with good attitude and working ability.

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Living with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Congratulations! You are thinking about getting a new puppy. With this comes joy, happiness, anxiety, stress and work. Getting your puppy off to the right start is the most important and rewarding thing you can do. You will hopefully have this puppy for 10 plus years of joy, doing things right from the beginning will pay off in the long run.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was named for the famous bay where the breed originated. The Chesapeake is one of the few American Breeds and the only American Retriever. As the story goes, in 1807 a ship the Canton rescued the crew and two Newfoundland puppies from a sinking ship in the Chesapeake Bay area.

The Chesapeake is not a breed for everyone they are powerful and strong willed. I highly recommend meeting the breed before you buy one. Okay, you have done all your research, found the right breed for your family and found the right breeder. You have discussed with the breeder the exact puppy you want whether for companion, show, breeding, hunting or field trials. This is important information to advise the breeder so that they put you on the right litter and puppy.

The Chesapeake is a versatile breed and can be used in many areas. The Chesapeake’s are a fun breed and can be very entertaining. They are famous for their work in the field but today they are excelling in the show ring, obedience, rally, agility, tracking, dock diving and lure coursing, barn hunting, hunt tests and field trials. The Chesapeake can also make wonderful pet therapy dogs because of their outgoing personalities. Some have been used in Search and Rescue and law enforcement.

It is of the utmost importance to have your Chesapeake puppy well socialized and start early training. Many dog training schools can be found through your local vet’s office. Another great source is the American Kennel Club to find a local dog club near you. Many of these clubs hold a variety of group training classes. To start your puppy off right find a Puppy Kindergarten that trains with positive reinforcements and obstacles for confidence building. Chessies are extremely smart and very misunderstood by trainers who are not familiar with the breed. Why group classes?

Chesapeake puppies need to be well socialized. Training in groups gives your pup the experience to meet other humans, dogs, and to learn to listen with distractions. Many trainers have heard that Chessies are difficult and stubborn; this cannot be further from the truth if you don’t know how to handle the breed. Chessies are extremely smart and have an outstanding memory. Chessies are problem solvers which mean they are always thinking. They can be extremely easy to train basic obedience commands with positive reinforcement method such as food, balls, bumpers, wings, and praise. A Chessies will always ask, ‘What’s in it for me?’ Your new puppy will want to please you so make it fun for him.

If you only try pop, jerk and negative methods you could run into a Chessies pup thinking this is no fun and nothing in it for me.

The Chesapeake has a strong human bond to the family. You and your puppy will be a team for life. Every team needs a leader. You must establish yourself as that leader to earn your Chessies respect. Given the opportunity, your Chessies pup will easily take over this position and may at times test your leadership. Therefore, early training will help establish your leadership. You will also have to be consistent in your training and use of commands. Please be sure that everyone in the household is on the same page using the same command. It can be very confusing to a young puppy to have several commands being used for one requested behavior. Example: Sit is “sit” and not “sit down”. You have given the puppy two commands, does he sit or down?

The Chesapeake is a devoted family member and is good with children and can be protective of them. The first thing you want to do is get your Chesapeake off to the right start. They will make wonderful family companion dogs. They will dedicate themselves to the family. Since they are a watch dog you want to be sure you get them well socialized.

The Chesapeake is an extremely strong swimmer and will seek out water when given the opportunity. Many a Chesapeake will swim for hours and enjoy swimming and retrieving with the family.

They are a moderate exercise breed. Usually in the house they will go and lay down. However, make a move towards the door or car and they are there. The Chesapeake will be more active outside when playing. Once a day a nice walk or 15 minutes of retrieving will make them happy.

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Judging the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

First impressions are important. When a class of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers enter the ring, the first thing I look at is the outline and proportions. From the side, the head planes should be parallel and the length of the muzzle should be the same length as the backskull. (Although it is not specified in the breed standard, it is accepted by most judges and breeders that head planes should be parallel.) The neck should be close to the same length as the head from nose to occiput. As you move further along the dog, the elbow should be underneath the shoulder, displaying good layback. The shoulder and upper arm should balance each other and be the same length. There should be full liberty of movement. The back should be short and well-coupled and the body is of medium length, not cobby.

The topline is unique when comparing it to other retriever breeds. The hindquarters may be a “trifle higher” than the shoulders. This topline is found in the majority of the breed, although it may also be level. The topline should not be so extreme that it appears as sway-backed. As you approach the flanks, the underline shows a hollowness which may be termed “tuck-up”. Continuing to the hindquarters, legs should be of medium length demonstrating power as they move. There should be well-angulated stifles to match the forequarters. Front and rear legs should be straight when viewed from the front and rear. Ideally, the tail should be carried so that it is straight, without curl, and no higher than 2:00-3:00 p.m. on a clock(!).

By now you have seen the dog from the side and will have the class gait around the ring. As you watch the dogs gait, you are looking for balance and reach and drive — especially a strong rear so that the dog can perform as a good swimming dog. He should be able to move with agility and strength. He should be strong and well-muscled but not coarse. He should demonstrate power and have a good return stroke as the legs come together under the body.

As you approach the dog from the front, quickly ascertain that the eyes are of “yellowish or amber hue”. Amber includes gold, orange and light brownish shades. Many breeders prefer that the eyes blend with the coat because the appearance results in more camouflage in hunting situations. Eye color is a distinctive feature of the breed. Eyes are to be medium large. It is accepted by most breeders that eye shape is oval and not round. The oval shape offers more protection from elements in the field. Ears are small and set up high on the head above eye level to keep them out of the water when swimming. They are to hang loose. The skull is broad and round with jaws capable of carrying large birds. The muzzle is tapered, but not sharp. It is not snipey, but it is also not short. Length is needed to pick up large waterfowl and other birds when hunting. Lips are not pendulous with loose flews, but should be trim so that water does not easily flow into the dog’s mouth when working in the water. Loose flews could also retain feathers. A scissors bite is preferred, but a level bite is acceptable. Overshot and undershot bites are a disqualification.

Now you are ready to examine the dog’s coat, which is a double coat. You see and touch the coat—it should be short, dense and thick. The outercoat should be harsh and should not be longer than 1½ inches. The coat should feel as if there is a “spring” to it and should be examined closely for the undercoat which is soft and wooly. The coat should fit the dog like a jacket and should be presented naturally. It should not be backbrushed and puffed up. The harsh outercoat and the dense undercoat will protect the swimming dog but not if it is blow-dried to stand up away from the dog’s body. The colors are varied and may be any shade of brown from light brown to dark brown, all shades of deadgrass (light blonde to straw-colored) and sedge (reddish-tones). There are many shades of deadgrass which may result in striping, masking or hound markings.

A recessive gene may result in a diluted brown referred to as “ash”. “Any color of brown, sedge or deadgrass is acceptable, selfcolored being preferred. A self-colored dog is one with shades of the colors listed. White is permissible as “a white spot on the breast, belly, toes or back of feet (immediately above the large pad)… the smaller the spot the better, solid colored preferred.” The term “solid-colored” means—without white. A disqualification applies to white markings located in places other than those mentioned above. The coat should be wavy —not straight or curly. There are types of coats with different amounts of wave. The wave may have a crinkled appearance, but the coat is not curly. A coat that is curly would be described as the ringlets one finds in a Curly-coated Retriever. The wave is not important—the texture is, although it is possible that a tighter wave may result in a drier dog. There must be sufficient coat to keep the dog dry when he is doing what he was bred to do. The coat is a hallmark of the breed and relates to his function.

A “black-colored” dog is a disqualification. Such a dog is black all over or black with white patches. It is genetically impossible for a purebred Chesapeake to have black coloring. Do not be distracted by dark hairs that appear in a coat. They are not black. They are dark brown and are part of an acceptable color. There is also a disqualification for a curly coat or a tendency to curl all over the body. In addition, feathering on the tail may not be over 1¾” long.

On examining the dog closely you can also check on his conditioning and amount of muscle and substance. His pasterns should be slightly bent for flexibility. His chest should reach to his elbows. Some younger dogs may not show the depth of brisket. Check the underline in a heavily coated dog. As you move to the rear, check length of hock. In the Chesapeake, the hock is medium as opposed to a short hock. It provides leverage and more speed. The stifles should be well-angulated and show as much power as the forequarters (shoulders sloping with full liberty of action). The hare foot (in which the two center digits are appreciably longer than the outside and inside toes of the foot) also provides more leverage and enables the dog to balance and have better traction on muddy banks.

There is a great variation in size with males from 23″-26″ and females from 21″- 24″. There is no preferred size—all are acceptable. We see very few 23″ males or 21″ females. There is also a specified weight range of 65-80 lbs. for males and 55-70 lbs. for females. These are “working weights” for dogs that are doing what they were bred to do. The Chesapeake is a moderate sized dog and should remain within standard so that he can serve as a hunting dog, sitting in a duck boat. There are various types of hunting scenarios from a dog retrieving smaller upland game such as woodcock or dove to retrieving Canadian or Snow Geese while breaking through the ice.

When each dog is gaited individually you should look for “smooth, free and effortless, giving the impression of great power and strength.” The dog should not be so heavily overdone so that movement is affected and becomes cloddy. The word “medium” is used 14 times in the breed standard. Remember that the Chesapeake is a moderate dog and should not look as if they belong in the working group with physical attributes of a Bull Mastiff or Newfoundland. The dog should move straight coming and going. As speed increases, feet tend to converge towards the center. As the dog is moving away, you should see pads on the hind feet. Common faults are dogs who are out at the elbows or you may see cowhocks in rear movement.

The temperament of the Chesapeake is described as a “bright and happy disposition, intelligence, quiet good sense, and affectionate protective nature.: It is not always easy to see these traits in a dog show ring. Many tend to be reserved and are not outgoing. They are quiet, but usually are quite willing to please their owners and handlers. Chesapeakes are very bonded to their owners and families.

Current faults in our breed are:

• incorrect proportions: a body that is too long and/or legs that are too short
• lack of balance usually due to lack of reach in front due to short upper arm
• lack of rear angulation—standard calls for a well-angulated stifle
• incorrect heads with large ears
• coat faults: shown out of coat, incorrect soft coats, groomed coats (back-brushed, blow-dried)

The highlights or hallmarks of our breed are the harsh double coat, a distinctive outline, the head with a rounded topskull and small ears set up high on the head, amber or yellow eyes and hare feet. These qualities set the Chesapeake apart from the other retrievers. The breed has greatly improved in coat, gait and soundness and also in temperament.

Because we do have what can be described as “kennel types or styles” (where one kennel may be known for producing excellent coats, and another kennel produces very sound dogs, and a third produces “type-y” heads). You may find that in the entry more of one particular style is represented than other styles.. It may be that the most correct dog is outnumbered by other “styles”. Just because he is in the minority, it does not mean that he is wrong.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the only retriever breed which is still able to earn a Dual Championship: FC/CH (Field Champion/Bench Championship). The standard emphasizes form and function. When you are judging this breed—“the question of coat and general type of balance takes precedence… The Chesapeake should be a well-proportioned animal with a good coat and well balanced in other points rather than excelling in some areas and being weak in others. The dog you choose should be able to do the job he was bred to do.

The post Judging the Chesapeake Bay Retriever appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. I am Maria Okolita, founder of Three Horses Chesapeakes, nestled on 37 acres in Orange County, Virginia, by Lake Anna. I started my breeding program in 2014. My competition journey with Chesapeake Bay Retrievers began in 2016, competing in Conformation, Obedience, and Gun Dog Trials. As an American Kennel Club Breeder of Merit and a Bred with H.E.A.R.T. member, I am devoted to enhancing this breed. I play an active role in the American Chesapeake Club and Rappahannock River Retriever Club/Hunting Retriever Club.

2. Selecting show and performance puppies is something I approach with intuition and stringent standards, guided by the breed’s blueprint for temperament, conformation, and drive. I am drawn to those puppies that exhibit an intrepid spirit and a natural confidence—those that reflect the breed’s renowned Standard. Through comprehensive socialization, I map out a puppy’s potential, tuning in to its reactions to a variety of elements such as water exposure, gunfire, and diverse terrain. This diversity of experiences directs me when discerning a puppy’s future. I pay particular attention to those that exude an innate retrieval zeal and the grace of self-stacking.

3. I am witnessing a concerning shift in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers—flawed features and declining prey drive are now worryingly ordinary, straying far from our breed’s core conformation standards and purpose. This normalization of incorrect toplines, angulation, and feet is a dire threat to our breed’s heritage. As a breeder devoted to preserving the breed’s integrity, the increase of inconstancy is alarming and a stark call to action to uphold our cherished Chesapeake’s legacy and to produce correct dogs that can perform.

4. There are good variety and number of shows to compete; however, this year there has been a lack of Beginner Puppy shows. As a Preservation Breeder, I would like to see more attention to awarding dogs for the correct Breed Standard conformation, structure, temperament, drive, and performance. I have seen too many dogs as Winner, Best of Winners, and even Best of Breed by some judges who overlook incorrect toplines, incorrect front and rear angles, incorrect feet, and even a lack of soundness. Many of the dogs in the ring are shown with excess weight and are out of working condition.

5. The advent of social media has largely played a favorable role for those of us entrenched in canine sports. These platforms and the utility of videos and live feeds enable enthusiasts to keep tabs on ringside proceedings. These tools not only enhance knowledge sharing and recognition, but also provide invaluable replay for handlers seeking to refine their craft in the Conformation, Obedience, and Hunt Test arenas. Nevertheless, the darker side to such widespread access is the unsporting commentary, which casts a shadow over our community.

6. A conundrum I can’t ignore is the politics that seem to pervade judging circles. There’s a noticeable trend where prolific handlers and influential breeders, sustained by substantial financial resources, dominate show registrations; some even register without intent to participate—a practice not without its consequences. As someone who painstakingly rears and trains dogs, investing not just funds but my very soul into dog shows, Obedience Trials, and Field Trials, it’s disheartening. I attend and compete diligently, driven by a passion for the breed and the competition. My plea is straightforward: let the judgement in the ring be pure and unbiased, a true reflection of the breed’s conformation standards and purpose. However, the dilemma of no-show registrants remains, an issue that begs for resolution yet eludes a good answer.

I attend and compete diligently, driven by a passion for the breed and the competition.

7. I have been encouraged to witness a shift in the sporting landscape, characterized by youthful vigor. Within this transformation lies an attitude that promotes the encouragement, engagement, and mentoring of young individuals. The eagerness of organizations to embrace this change is evident, as most shows, clubs, and hunt tests have made it their mandate to acknowledge the efforts of these young handlers. There’s a celebration of their growing relationships with their dogs and the accolades they accumulate. These recognitions symbolize our commitment to fostering a new generation of enthusiasts who will carry the torch of our cherished traditions.

The post Maria Okolita | Three Horses Chesapeakes appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?
   

1. I live in Snohomish, Washington. I’ve been into Chesapeake Bay Retrievers for 37-1/2 years; breeding for eight years. My kennel name is Sleepy Hollow Chesapeakes. Most of my dogs hold Hunt titles, top Therapy titles, and Grand Champion titles. I also have two Diabetic Dogs in training. We are a small kennel that breeds quality old lines and we usually have a waiting list.

2. I watch how the puppies look and how they gait. For Performance puppies, we start playing with pheasant and duck wings. When they’re six weeks old they are retrieving small baby puppy toys. That is how they are evaluated.

3. Yes, our breed is, overall, one of the best breeds that wears many different hats.

4. I like that our Chesapeakes can be in the field retrieving ducks but then hit the show without a problem, and then when they’re home they can be Diabetic Service Dogs or Therapy Dogs. As for the judging at shows, I’m not sure how they are these days. I budget for a handler and she shows the dogs. We need a lot more shows for the West Coast Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

5. I think that with everything about social media, there’s good and bad. The good thing is you know about more shows, more Hunt Tests, more Field Trials. The bad thing is there’s a lot of judge bashing and poor sportsmanship going on.

6. I think the biggest challenges that the dog community is facing are there’s not enough shows on the West Coast (you certainly have to drive a long way to go for shows) and how you can dress. Perhaps getting together and reaching out to the AKC for more shows?

7. Positive changes? That would be social media, where you can see where all the shows are; East Coast and West Coast.

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Monarch Chesapeake Bay Retrievers – Craig Dennis & Tammy Dennis

In dog shows, there are three primary differences between the people who participate in the sport. They are: the professional handler, the owner-handler, and the breeder/owner-handler.

There are ways these can overlap, though, and sometimes quite literally. Enter Craig Dennis and Tammy Dennis, who are the people behind the highly renowned Monarch Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, located in Houston, Texas.

Tammy was an established professional handler whose entire life is dedicated to the sport, while her husband, Craig, ultimately fell in love with it as an owner-handler.

“I got into showing dogs after I met my wife,” Craig said. “She was showing dogs before we met and I asked her about it.”

Tammy, who started showing Akitas and now has over two decades of experience in a variety of different breeds across the seven Groups, had some requirements of her own before Craig had the opportunity to enter the ring for the first time as a newcomer.

After all, showing dogs is much more difficult than it looks, and most people who did not come from a dog show background have at least one newbie story to tell about their first few times entering the ring that has stuck with them ever since.

“She said that if I wanted to do it, I needed to read this book on the rules of the dog show. So, I read the book, and she quizzed me on it,” Craig said.

Since then, Craig has been showing the Chesapeake Bay Retriever with some success. The dog he is currently out with is GCH Monarchs Bring Me To Life, “Evan,” who has won multiple owner-handled Groups.

2022 marked Craig and Evan’s first trip to Royal Canin for the owner-handled competition, where Evan earned a prestigious honor, taking Best of Opposite Sex to the breed’s two-time National Specialty winner.

While the pair has had a lot of success in the ring, there are still some challenges involved that Craig notes.

“It’s hard to win in the regular Groups as an owner-handler because some of the professional handlers have been doing it since they were Juniors. The owner-handled competition just showcases you with your dog,” Craig said.

While there are several who do things the right way, evaluating the dog by the Standard, some politics and familiarity can consciously or subconsciously come into play, as it does in every industry.

“Some of the judges now used to be professional handlers, and have known some of the pro handlers of today their entire lives, whereas I have been an amateur. Some professional handlers have assistants who help to groom and train dogs, whereas an owner-handler works a full-time job, has daily activities, and then has to take the time outside of that to work with their own dogs. We are doing it by ourselves with little assistance.”

Outside of the shows and a “couple of minutes of glory” in the ring, the most enjoyable thing about it all for Craig is watching the Chesapeake Bay Retriever rise in a positive way, something he feels he has had the chance to be a part of.

The “Chessie,” as those who love the breed have nicknamed it, is one of the more rare retrievers, not quite as often seen as the Goldens and the Labradors. But that is something that is changing with time as more and more have been exposed to the breed and grown fond of it.

“I believe my greatest accomplishment in the dog show world is bettering the breed that I have,” Craig said.

“When we started, our breed was not as prominent in the state of Texas as it is now. I have been able to travel to the United States and enriched families with some of our dogs from our breeding program by creating family bonds.”

And those have been lasting relationships, something any good breeder maintains with their clients for a lifetime.

“I am still in communication with some of our puppy buyers from over 13 years ago. I have made some great friendships with professional handlers and owner-handlers alike, but I feel my greatest accomplishment, looking at it from the broad scope, is spending time with my dogs.”

At the end of the day, beyond what they accomplish in the ring, they are just that—dogs who serve as loving companions first and foremost with the ability to perform their jobs well.

“The dogs don’t understand points and rankings. They just know we’re asking them to do something and they try to do it the best they can for us. They just know it’s time with us.”

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