Oak took his second major by going over 3 Specials this weekend! On Friday, he also made the cut in Group. Although he didn’t get a placement, that’s fantastic for a puppy that just turned a yr. old the week prior.
Connie & Heath have never participated in a dog sport before, and they weren’t sure what to expect, but they enjoyed themselves and walked away a success as they earned Risks first SHR qualifying ribbon. I think they’ve been bitten by the bug as they’re very much looking forward to obtaining his title.
Something to note: although Risk was force fetched- he’s had NO water work at all. We weren’t really sure what to expect and I was very prepared to get a call telling me he ran the bank – but he didn’t. From what I’m told, he had no hesitation, nailed every mark and delivered to hand nicely on both land & water.
Risk, ya did your mama (Jessie) proud!
SHR Jessie’s On Her Way JH, CD x CH PondHolllow BroadWater Bear SH
Woot Woot: Risk is gonna be a Dock Dogger
Today, Risk had the opportunity to try his had and his first dock diving event. Risk has NEVER stepped on a dock – let alone jump off one. I’m happy to report that he came in 2nd in the Novice division. Maybe, with a little practice, he’ll be like hismama, who just LOVES Dock Diving!
Unfortuantely, this is the only photo to be had of the occassion.
A huge congratulations to Molly & Skylar for their first day ‘out on the job’ as a therapy team.
How proud I am of the two of them!
Many people are awaiting news on Morgan and are checking the blog daily — sometimes several times a day. Well, I have nothing to report just yet. I’m sorry – I wish I did.
This past weekend was beautiful. As such, I took three of the Chessies – Morgan, Rip & Jessie to the local dog park. I talk about this park quite often in my posts as it’s just fabulous for the dogs. Trixie stayed home this time, as it’s too cumbersome for me to try handling 4 Chessies at once by myself. This upcoming weekend, provided we don’t get too much rain, Trixie will be going for her outting. 
Afterall, I try to be fair to all the pups.
Left to right – Morgan, Rip & Jessie
Sunday, April 25, Oak took Winners Dog in Zolfo Springs, FL for another point. This gives Oak 4 points (including one major) in two weekends. Not too bad for a 6 mos. old puppy.
Saturday evening, Stacey Thomson, breeder and owner of Nash (sire of the puppies), called me to give an update on Oak. She went to the show and stood ringside watching the dogs.
She stated that although he’s still very much a puppy, and a little leggy right now, that he has some very nice attributes about him — gorgeous neck, great topline and tailset, and nice anglulation. However, the one thing that she mentioned that stood out to me was this was a puppy that was simply ‘comfortable in his own skin.’ She said he moved beautifully and that he acted as though he had been in the show ring his whole life. He was not shy or reserved with towards strangers – rather he was happy to meet & greet them and acted as though he didn’t have an enemy in the world.
What a great weekend for the CoolWater crew!
I took both Trixie & Rip to the dog shows in Vero Beach, FL. Both did VERY well considering they’ve never really shown before. They were a little hesitant — lots of other dogs, lots of people, lots of noises, lots of things whirling by — but all-in-all I’m very proud of them both. My goal for the weekend was a.) to introduce the puppies to the show ring b.) let them have fun and c.) get them to stand still so the judges could go over them. Well, we succeeded in doing all of the above and then some….
Saturday, a good friend of mine, showed Trixie in the 6-9 mos. old puppy class. Trixie took Winners Bitch for 1 point. Yay Trixie! Rip, took reserve to the other (much more mature) male (who was 2 1/2 yrs. old). However, also on Saturday, Rip took best puppy in breed.
Sunday, I showed both Rip and Trixie. Trixie took Winners Bitch (for another point) and Rip took Winners Dog & Best of Winners (1 point).
While the points were nice, what was even nicer happened when I walked out of the show ring on Sunday. When I walked out of the ring, I was confronted by a woman who was sitting, watching, ringside. She told me that my male puppy was OUTSTANDING and that he has a very bright future ahead of him. She continued on to say that ‘provided he doesn’t fall apart’ she could see the two of us doing great things together. She said he was, without a doubt, the best dog in the ring that day and that the only reason he didn’t take breed was a.) because I’m a novice handler and b.) because of his age. She said the judge was very big on presentantion, handlers and won’t put a young pup up over older dogs. Now, I didn’t know this person but it turns out she shows Golden Retrievers. I left the show that day?feeling very warm-fuzzy and happy.
To add to the good news, in Virgina, under Judge Elizabeth Muthard, “Jesse“, also received her first point by going Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Breed over an older male. This was her first weekend out! ?Woot, Woot!? The judge commented that although the male was more mature she just had to give Jessie the point as?her movement was flawless.
On Saturday, at the Virginia show, a fellow Chessie breeder, that I know well, was standing ringside and had the opportunity to see “Jesse.” Of course, when I found out I had to ask his opinion (especially since I haven’t seen her since she was 8 weeks old). He reported that “Jesse” has probably about the nicest tail carriage that he’s seen, that she has a beautiful coat, course and thick and that she’s much more mature than her mother at this age. He also stated that she had a great attitude and she handled everything very well. To hear this from a fellow breeder, makes me very proud!
So, several puppies out of the Morgan x Nash litter now are pointed. Oak, has 4 points including 1 major; Trixie, 2 points; Rip, 1 point; and Jesse, 1 point — not bad for young puppies and their first weekends out.
I wish I had photos to share. A friend took some ringside but apparently she deleted them by accident.
I had a fabulous time this weekend in Crestview, FL.
Several ‘retriever’ people, including many Chessie owners, met in Crestview for a fun-filled training day at Kathy & Alan Luthy’s — pro-trainers and owners/breeders of Rippling Water Chesapeakes.
While I was there, I got to see Risk – who I haven’t seen in several months. My, my, my has he grown. I was very pleased with how he’s filling out. He has many nice attributes about him (short loin, gorgeous rear angulation, strong moment, nice little ears). He’ll be staying at the Luthy’s for a while to get some ‘retriever’ training. I hope to have some good news to report on him in the near future.
Also, at the training day, was “Nova”, a Morgan puppy. Boy was she cute! She had a fabulously coarse coat and such beautiful fluid movement. It was great watching her, and her owner, interact and learn retrieving basics
Today, Rip & Trixie were entered in a conformation puppy match. Rip took Best of Breed and a Puppy Sporting Group 2! Not too shabby for a pup that’s barely 5 months old.
Although not a good photo, here’s Rip a couple of weeks ago.