Page 205 - SHOWSIGHT - JULY 2020
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                Chesapeakes are a moderate breed and should be able to do the job they were bred to do.
How does the breed’s silhouette differ from that of its Retriever cousins? The other retriever breeds all have a level topline. The Chesapeake has hindquarters that are “as high as or a trifle higher than the shoulders...” This means the topline may be level, or you will see a slight rise over the loin. Most have a rise over the loin. The dog should not be swaybacked.
Can I describe the Chessie’s ideal expression and coat? When you look at a Chesapeake head, you should see a look of intelli- gence in their eyes. Sometimes a lighter yellow eye will look intense. A relaxed eye will have a friendly expression. The breed may be reserved with those they don’t know, but are rarely aggressive.
The coat should be harsh and crisp to the touch. A correct undercoat is dense and wooly. The combination will result in a coat that has a full or plush appearance. The coat should fit the dog like a jacket. The coat is wavy on the back, neck, and along the sides. Hair coat on the face, skull and legs is straight. The coat should not be back-brushed or filled with product. This is a wash-and-wear breed.
Do judges ever betray a preference for color? Exhibitors used to keep a list of “brown dog” judges and also one for those who would place deadgrass colors. Due to more judges education where it is stressed that there is no preferred color in the breed standard, most judges no longer ignore sedge and deadgrass Chesapeakes. Some breeders have a color preference. There is nothing I enjoy more than a litter with puppies that range from deadgrass to dark brown and maybe even a sedge puppy or two. I have owned all colors.
Any words about this Retriever’s temperament? Chesapeakes are very intelligent. Sometimes they have a reputation for being stub- born. You may have to convince them that doing a task was their idea in order to get them to do it. Chesapeakes are physically tough, but mentally they are very sensitive. You can crush them with a harsh word. They may be reserved with strangers, but once they know you, you will be remembered until the next time you meet. They are devoted to their owners and families. They will be protec- tive when necessary.
The AKC standard has seven disqualifications. Care to elabo- rate? Due to the variety of breeds that were used to develop the Chesapeake there are many recessives that may crop up when breed- ing. The list of disqualifications is to eliminate these faults from our breed, such as long-coats, rear dewclaws, and too much white in specified areas. Bad bites can pop up anywhere. If a Chesapeake Bay Retriever has any black patches, it is not purebred. Genetically, if the dog has black in its coat, the nose would also be black.
Are there any well-kept secrets about the Chesapeake Bay Retriever? The Chesapeake is not the breed for everyone. It would be a difficult “first” dog for many individuals. Their high level of intel- ligence can lead to dominance issues over their owner. The owner must take the time to train their dog to ensure that the dog under- stands and respects the person in charge. They are independent thinkers, which goes back to their original purpose: retrieving and protecting waterfowl for market hunters on the Chesapeake Bay.
Are there any current “trends” in breeding that should be con- tinued or should be stopped? There are examples of our breed in the show ring today that do not have adequate angulation front and/or rear. The ideal dog should be balanced. Bad fronts are a real problem with short upper arms and straight shoulders. When this is compounded with a rear that is over-angulated, the result is a dog that does not move soundly. The rear compensates which creates an interesting picture: the rear legs tend to go in a circle, rather than drive ahead. There are some rears that are over-extended. As a result, the outline and proportion of the Chesapeake is not correct. We are looking for balance. The prow or forechest is not mentioned in our standard. Obviously, it does exist to some point. A prominent forechest is not required. Chests are to be deep and wide. This is
to provide space for lung capacity when swimming and running. Breeders have been working very hard to maintain the outline and general appearance of our breed. It has not gone through the dra- matic changes that both Labrador and Golden Retrievers have. Just look at pictures that were taken 30-40 years ago of the popular retriever breeds. They have changed tremendously. Chesapeakes have not, and we don’t want to see that happen with our breed.
MICHELLE & DAVE KEEHN
We have owned Chesapeakes since 1994. Our Kennel name is Dusty Rose Chesapeakes after our foundation dogs. We are very active with our dogs competing, and have titled dogs in conforma- tion, obedience and performance events. We have several dogs with multiple titles in different disciplines. Our kennel is small; we only have four dogs living with us. We do have some co-owned dogs. We breed on a limited basis, having a litter or two a year, and sometimes skipping a year.
We live in Mayville, Michigan. Michelle works for the State of Michigan at a Psychiatric hospital. Dave is a self-employed dog trainer, CGC evaluator. We have 26 years in dogs.
Do we have any hobbies or interests apart from breeding and showing dogs? Hunting, hunt tests, and boating.
What’s it like living/working with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? Sometimes challenging, but always fun.
Can we speak to the breed’s size and substance? They should be agile, powerful, muscular and moderate in size.
How does the breed’s silhouette differ from that of its Retriever cousins? Hindquarters as high or a trifle higher than the shoulders, flanks well tucked-up.
Can we describe the Chessie’s ideal expression and coat? Expres- sion should be happy and purposeful. They should have a harsh outer coat and wooly undercoat. The coat will have some oil in it.
Do judges ever betray a preference for color? I believe everyone probably has a color preference, but color should never be placed higher than correct conformation. There are only two disquali- fications for color: black (which I have never seen) and white on any other part of the body [except] breast, belly, toes and back of the feet. Here is a statement from the Standard: “The color of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever must be nearly that of its working sur- roundings as possible. Any color of brown, sedge, or deadgrass is acceptable, self-colored Chesapeakes being preferred. One color is not to be preferred over another.”
Any words about this Retriever’s temperament? We find Chesa- peake Bay Retrievers to be very loyal, intelligent, and should be protective, but never aggressive.
The AKC standard has seven disqualifications. Care to elabo- rate? Of the seven disqualifications the first one, “Specimens lack- ing in breed characteristics,” is probably the most confusing. We were always taught that it is a dog lacking in characteristics as in multiple. Just for an example, a Chesapeake lacking in breed char- acteristics might not have a proper tuck-up, will have lips that are pendulous and ears that are large and not set well-up on the head. >
CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER Q&A
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