While in Ronan, Montana for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Field Trial Specialty, Rocky had a photo shoot with Mark Atwater of Up Close Photo. Rocky loves performing for the camera. Check out these great shots Mark got.
Photo Shoot with Mark Atwater
chesapeake bay retriever
Rocky’s First Group Placement
On June 23, 2024 at the Summer Solstice Cluster in Cambridge, Minnesota, Rocky received his first group placement thanks to Judge Robert L. Robinson. He and his handler, Dr. Cartrell Cooper were a delight to watch together in the ring.
Thanks to Judge Betsy A. Yates and Judge Sulie Greendale-Paveza for the Best of Breed recognitions at this show.
Rocky’s Offspring
We get a lot of questions about what Rocky’s offspring look like and how they are doing. We’ve been very selective about who we’ve allowed to use Rocky as a stud, and we waited until after he was a Master Hunter and had all of the appropriate genetic and OFA clearances.
The first litter Rocky sired was bred by Craig Klein. We are fortunate that one of the puppy families has kept in touch with us. “Moose” was born January 3, 2024 and we are so excited to watch him grow up.
This video was taken on March 2, 2024 when Moose was just 8 weeks old. He went after that pigeon with so much drive for such a little guy, and he was determined to bring it back to Craig.
Moose has been doing great with his family, and they said he’s very intelligent and learning quickly. Here’s a short video of him practicing “place” and retrieving a bumper.
As future litters are born, we’ll post more about how Rocky’s offspring are doing. Until then, enjoy this last adorable picture of Moose.
New handler, and another Best of Breed
Rocky and Mr. Cartrell Cooper spent the weekend in DesMoines and came home with a Best of Breed under Dr. Troy Clifford Dargin and a Select the day before under Ms. Shelley Miller. Rocky met Mr. Cooper right before they left for DesMoines, but he took right to him.
As one of Rocky’s social media followers said “It says a lot about a dog that can be gun dog trained by someone, handled in hunt tests by someone else and win, handled by another person in shows and win and handled by another person in shows and win -in a short amount of time.”
Now it is time to head south for some warmer weather and field trial training. Rocky will be happy to see his friends the Springers who handled him to Master Hunter last summer and helped him and Curt prepare for their first field trial last fall.
GCH Birch Bark Chiseled Rock MH
On February 1, 2024, after less than one month in the show ring, Rocky was honored to earn his Grand Champion title and become the 30th Chesapeake Bay Retriever in history to earn both his Grand Champion and Master Hunter titles. He’s truly a dog that is both form and function. One of the many compliments we received from breeders who saw him in the ring was “Great movement, head, coat, and personality. Great example for our breed.”
Thanks to Judge Charlotte P. Patterson for awarding him the Best of Breed that earned him his final points toward GCH. Thank you to all of the other judges and spectators that met and appreciated Rocky during his short time in the ring. Huge thank you to Rocky’s amazing handler, Howard Huber.
Watch for Rocky to be back in the ring in the future.
