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The opening line on the Pond Hollow website reads, “A Lifetime of Love and Devotion to the Chesapeake.” A true statement when I review what I feel describes the contribution Dyane Baldwin has made to our breed. The website goes on to say, “Chesapeakes are and have always been our love and life-not just a hobby. Our dogs live in the house, sleep on the bed and travel with us. They are family.”
Dyane (and Bill) have been in the breed longer than I have, starting in 1976. The Pond Hollow kennel name is recognized both in the United States and internationally. I came to know Dyane in the 1980’s when I discovered her kennel as I searched for a stud for my original brood bitch from Snocree kennel. I met with Dyane, discovered her knowledge of the breed outdistanced my own, she mentored me and a friendship and respect for one another that has spanned the years was born.
The highlights of Dyane’s career in dogs are many.
Breeder of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers – Breeder of Merit, her kennel name, Pond Hollow appears in the pedigree of many. She has the notoriety of owning some of the top sires in our breed history. A testament to the connection Dyane forges with her puppy buyer is that people come back for another Pond Hollow dog. Over that 40-year commitment to the breed, owners return again and again. Over the 40-year commitment, breeders choose Pond Hollow dogs to connect with their own lines.
Judge – Dyane is recognized by the AKC to judge Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and is approved for the sporting group. International assignments include England, Denmark, and Switzerland to name a few.
Member of the ACC – holding offices of: Secretary, Historian, Judge’s Education Coordinator (she brought me in to this committee) and Delegate to the AKC.
Chair: National Specialty and multiple Supported Shows.
Author – Dyane has been published in our own Bulletin, Dog News and the American Chesapeake Club breed book.
Presenter – Breed Mentor and seminar presenter on the breed.
In my opinion, some people are “one shot wonders”. They have one dog that they bought from someone else, they are recognized for that dog’s achievement with them and we hardly hear from them or about them again.
The real lifetime achievement comes for someone who repeats again and again. For Dyane, she’s a repeater: BISS ACC National Specialty, Multiple times Specialty winner at ACC National and Supported Shows. In her career: Obedience Titles on her dogs: UD, CDX, CD, AKC Hunt Titles: MH, SH, JH. From her kennel, Derby and Qualifying winners, Breeder of nationally ranked Dock Diving competitors.
Her breadth of knowledge and commitment to the breed is multi-faceted. I believe her to be an expert. She studies the history, the genetics, the traits of individual dogs, the pedigree, makes the right selections for breeding and does it again and again to the betterment of our breed. Her lifetime achievement is the betterment of the Chesapeake Bay retriever.
Submitted by Patty Martin
