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Patsy has owned Chesapeake Bay Retrievers since 1971 and began her breeding program in the early 1980’s. Patsy’s accomplishments have helped widen, grow, and set an example for our Club members in the areas of breeding, showing, handling, education, and mentoring. She has been a member of the ACC for the majority of that time and served in a variety of roles to the Club over the years; in particular, she has chaired the supported entry at South Jersey Kennel Club since the early 1990s.
I met Patsy and the Chesabar dogs almost 20 years ago in 1993 when I purchased my first Chesapeake from her. Since that time, I have watched Patsy’s commitment and passion for our breed produce so many truly versatile, all-around Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. She has dedicated herself to this breed – to improvements in its health, temperament and conformation, to its recognition in the show ring, to educating the scores of puppy buyers seeking both show dogs and family pets, and to guiding and mentoring the next generation of responsible owners and breeders.
Chesabar all started with Shorewaters Bussy and his three sons, Baron, Ashby & Bojangles (AM. & CAN. BISS CH* Baron of Shorewaters Bussy; CH* Ashby of Shorewaters Bussy, CD, WD, JH; and CH Bojangles of Shorewater’s Bussy CD). These dogs left an important legacy to our breed in their progeny and can be found in many of today’s pedigrees.
• All Breed Best in Shows
o BIS BISS CH* Silverbar’s Wind on the Water
o MBIS AM MEX WORLD GCH CH* Chesabar’s Brimstone Kodiak, CGC
• ACC National Specialty Best in Shows
o AM. & CAN. BISS CH* Chesabar’s Downeast Cruiser, CGC
o BIS BISS CH* Silverbar’s Wind on the Water
o BISS GCH CH* Chesabar’s Copper Mine
o BISS GCH* Chesabar’s True Grit
• Master Hunter/Champions, etc
o CH* Chesabar’s Magnum Bear Cub, CD, MH, WDQ**
o CH HR UH Chesabar Faggards Red Cloud, MH
o Several CH/SH and too many to list CH/JH
• Field Trial Accomplishments
o CH Crossbar’s Raggedy Ann*** , co-owned with Marlene Drag and Bruce Ahlers, was awarded
the Dashnaw Trophy for the High Point Bitch at the Field Trial Specialty twice (2003 & 2005)
and is all age qualified.
• Agility, Obedience & Versatility Accomplishments
o MACH Chesabar KT Return to Home, CDX, RA, MX/MXJ/NAP/OJP
o CH Chesabar Scout Traxx Echo, RN, MX/MXJ/MF/AXP/AJP/AFP
o CH Chesabar’s Hazardous Waters, VCD1, CDX, RAE, JH, TD, WD,
NA/NAJ/OF/NFP/NJP/OFP
o HIT Chesabar’s Hye Flyin Steel Jett, CD, RN
• Top Producing Stud Dogs and Brood Bitches
o CH Ashby of Shorewater’s Bussy, CD, WD, JH
o BISS GCH CH* Chesabar’s Copper Mine
o CH Chesabar’s Gale Force
o CH Quailridge Ghirardelli Goose
• It is estimated that Patsy and Chesabar dogs have accumulated well over 300 Sporting Group Placements and repeatedly appear in the top 10 breed standings.
Beyond her achievements in the ring, Patsy’s service to our breed and Club centers around a breeding program focused on improving the Chesapeake Bay Retriever; to the public she and her dogs are ambassadors for our breed which include being featured in many books, magazine, TV commercials and progams. Today, countless owners have chessies with Chesabar kennel bloodlines. To those who have purchased puppies from Patsy and/or who are beginning their own breeding programs, there is always an open door, no question too stupid, and no call too late in the night. Her practice is an example to us all. For the dogs she breeds, she is truly their breeder for life. Retired brood bitches, stud dogs, and show champions live out their lives in her home. They are not rehomed when they can no longer produce or the best part of their youth is behind them. Patsy has been a valuable mentor to me and numerous others over the years. She is always encouraging one to get out with your Chesapeake, participate in whatever discipline you fancy, do it yourself if you can, ask for help when you need it, and by all means have fun! She never sugar coats and is always willing to tell you like it is.
Submitted by Marty Smith