BREEDING PHILOSOPHY

    "It's in the genes"; Anne Bowen made this remark to me years ago.  The concept stuck in my mind and has formed the basis for a "group effort" breeding program.  The result has been an unbroken line of dogs that have been very successful in every type of work which they have been asked to do.  For example, it is no accident that the first (and as of this writing, the only) three Chesapeake AKC Obedience Trial Champions are related.

    A number of years ago, Diane Hankin of Rockrun Kennels did a breeding that provided a foundation for a bloodline carrying a remarkable degree of a complex of traits which I call "trainability".  Anne Bowen bred a bitch from this litter twice, and began a line of dogs that excelled in a number of disciplines (including CH, UDX, WD/X/Q, NAHRA hunt tests and All-American Team, TD, TDX, WH, AKC Hunt tests, Schutzhund, Canadian  WC/X, Derby points, therapy and bomb detection dogs, and of course companions and personal gun dogs).  One of these pups was Sue Cone's Abby, the first OTCH, and another was Janet Birk's multi-titled Jason.  Jason sired my Thunder, one of the most brilliant animals I have ever worked with (and one of the best damn pheasant dogs on the planet!).  Abby produced Sue Cone's second OTCH, Libby, and her third OTCH, Sammy, sired by Thunder.  Thunder on a three-quarter sister to Abby produced my foundation bitch, Storm.  Storm is line bred on Diane Hankin's original breeding, and she has consistently thrown the "trainability complex".  Storm's daughter Autumn produced Windy, who in turn produced Cirrus, Jessie and Grace.  Cirrus and Thunder are alike enough to be clones, and Jessie closely resembles her mother.

    These dogs are not perfect, and they require a certain type of trainer to give their best.  It is no coincidence that all three Chessie OTCHs are trained/handled by Sue Cone, clearly one of the best in the obedience business; but, a trainer can only work with the genetic package presented to her.

    My goal as a breeder is to maintain this level of trainability in a sound dog that is bred to the written conformation standard.  My first priority is to preserve true Chesapeake character, working ability and versatility.  I test my progress by living with my dogs as companion animals, training and showing them in various disciplines, and using them extensively as my personal gun dogs for both waterfowl and upland hunting.  My puppies tend to mature mentally very early, often earning titles and hunting successfully at 5-6 months of age (see picture of Diver on the training services page; her sister Windy was successfully and enthusiastically retrieving crippled giant Canadas at five months of age).  I breed for dogs that appeal to me, and that I enjoy living and working with; they are not suitable for every person or lifestyle.  Dogs that do not meet my exacting personal standards are not bred; it's that simple.

    The pleasure I have derived from these creatures over the past quarter century is immeasurable.  One of the best facets of breeding is that it affords me the opportunity to introduce others to the sheer joy of establishing a true partnership with a very special animal.  It's an experience that all too few dog owners ever conceive of, let alone achieve.  Once you have a good Chessie, your life will be greatly enriched, and you will find it very difficult to ever settle for anything less.

THE FIFTH GENERATION

CIRRUS, JESSIE, AND GRACE: WHELPED 3/25/03

CH. SUSQUIDILLA'S DARK STAR (CH. Calico Susquidilla's Navigator x CH. Susquidilla's High Flyer)
X SPENDTHRIFT RISING WIND (CH. Pond Hollow Calico Key Largo x CH. Spendthrift Storm Warning)

THE DAM   SHR Spendthrift Rising Wind CGC, NAHRA All-America Team 2001, Am. CH. pts. (CH Pond Hollow Calico Key Largo x CH Spendthrift Storm Warning WDX, SHR, CGC)			THE SIRE CH. Susquidilla's Dark Star

     The breeding to Dark Star intensifies the lines to Tug (field trial and show lines) and Casablanca (show lines) on Star's sire side, and intensifies the Rockrun breeding (show, brains, temperament and trainability) on his dam's side.  The pups in this litter of 8 exhibit all of the traits I bred for: correct conformation, extreme intelligence and athleticism, and very up, happy dispositions in dogs that beg to learn and love to work. Our three keepers have all been hunted extensively and are in preparation for various competitions; all have passed their AKC temperament tests and initial eye clearances, Cirrus and Jessie have OFA Excellent hip ratings, and Grace is OFA Good.                         

THE SIXTH GENERATION TIMES TWO
JESSIE'S LITTER WHELPED MAY 2007
Click to see the pedigree

     Jessie was bred to CH. Chestnut Hills Barnacle ( CH. Chestnut Hill's Stone E's Tug X CH. Chestnut Hill's Mesquite).  Barnacle adds another line to Tug, one of the most prepotent sires in the breed for show-quality conformation and extreme working ability.
     Jessie is Tom's personal gundog and family companion.  She is hunted extensively on waterfowl and upland birds, and has several titles as well as her temperament test certification.

This litter exceeded our expectations with regard to:

TYPE Spendthrift Benjamin at 4 months

TALENT Maya at 4 months

TEMPERMENT

 

Comments from owners of Jessie's litter:

"He is the best dog I've ever had. This pup is really good. I don't know how the rest of the litter is turning out, but if they're anything like Jackson you should do it again". Carlton and Barb Mckinney 6/07.

"Brant loves his water retrieving. He is a machine on easy retrieves in our training pond (20 to 50 yards). All in all we couldn't be more pleased with the breeding and with Brant in particular." Keith Tidball 9/07.

"We are ecstatic, he's been such a great dog and continues to impress us iwth his learning ability. He loves the water and is now retrieving at pretty far distances". Brent and Mel Jensen 10/07.

"You can sell futures on the next litter. Thanks again for the opportunity to own dog like this, our friends can't believe it; he goes to the office and is so well socialized, great in the house and can hunt as well." Carlton and Barb McKenney, 10/07

 

Grace whelped 5 females and four males on 1/5/08,
and we are now accepting deposits

We were so pleased with Jessie's litter by Barnacle that we bred her litter sister Grace to him also.
Contact owners Doreen and Randy McCoy at rmccoy01@rochester.rr.com, 315-594-2117;
Sue Keroack at keroack@frontiernet.net 585-538-4326 for further information.

The Dam Spendthrift Grace

The Sire CH. Chestnut Hills Barnacle OFAG, CERF

 

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Web Page Designed by: Matt Frew
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Many thanks to Jeff Frew of Welch and Frew Images for his stunning photos of Cirrus and Jessie.