Page 25 - ShowSight Presents - The Chesapeake Bay Retriever

wave. The wave may have a crinkled appear- ance, 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 dri- er 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 disqualifica- tion. Such a dog is black all over or black with white patches. It is genetically impossible for a purebred Chesapeake to have black color- ing. 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 13⁄4" 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 medi- um 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 hunt- ing scenarios from a dog retrieving smaller upland game such as woodcock or dove to 194 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MARCH 2014
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 work- ing 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 affection- ate 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:
a. incorrect proportions: a body that is too long and/or legs that are too short
b. lack of balance usually due to lack of reach in front due to short upper arm
c. lack of rear angulation—standard calls
for a well-angulated stifle
d. incorrect heads with large ears
e. 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 out- line, 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 retriev- ers. 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 Cham- pion/Bench Championship). The standard emphasizes form and function. When you are judging this breed—“the question of coat and general type of balance takes pre- cedence... 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.
BIO
Breeder and Judge
since 1988. Raised
with Chesapeake
Bay Retrievers (East-
ern Waters’ Kennels
established by Janet
& Dr. Daniel Horn)
I have bred Chesa-
peakes for 45 years and
shown them all my life, owning and produc- ing Group-placing dogs and Specialty winning BOB, BOS, AOM, BOW and Sweepstakes Winners. I also title my own dogs in obedience, rally, agility, tracking and hunt tests. I have the honor of breeding the first VCD4 Chesapeake. I believe that the Chesapeake should be titled at both ends. I am approved to judge the Sporting Group, 18 Herding Breeds and all obedience/ rally classes. I have judged Chesapeakes in South America, Switzerland (World Show) and most recently, the German Retriever Club 50th Anni- versary Show. I currently serve the American Chesapeake Club as the AKC Judges Education Coordinator and have previously served as AKC Delegate (10 yrs), ACC Show Committee/Chair (5 yrs), Judges/Breeders Education Committee/ Chair (5 yrs) Board of Directors, Standard Revi- sion Committee, Challenge Trophy Committee, National Specialty Show Committees. I am also a member of Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club serving multiple terms on the Board of Directors, a Life Member of the Bayshore Companion Dog Club and a past member of Monmouth County Kennel Club in New Jersey.