THE HISTORY OF “SANDY OAK KENNEL”

After 15 years of Quarter Horse breeding and showing, duck hunting and dogs eventually seemed to take up most of our time. And so, in 1973, SANDY OAK KENNEL came into existence... initially with a Chesapeake and some Lhasas. Between field, obedience and show, the Chesapeakes have become our entire kennel.

CH. BARON'S SANDY BAY CD, WD was our first Chessie and the basis of all my present breeding. Aside from being the daughter and the sister of pointed field trial dogs, Sandy's lines included some of the finest foundation dogs of all time. Sandy really aroused my interest in the breed; so, from the very beginning, I became almost obsessed to learn everything I could about the Chessies from tip to tail, and from old foundation stock to the present day Chesapeake. The expanse of this study was made possible by the backing of The American Chesapeake Club, and finally resulted in a publication entitled The History of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever by Pedigree which was available by subscription only (and is no longer available). This is a collection of over 350 Chesapeake pedigrees from the early 1900's to present times, including all the American and Canadian field trial champions of no less than five generations each, as well as 150 pages of statistical listings of OFA and CERF certified dogs, all titled dogs, etc. [My statistical listings were then revised and expanded by Eve Keeler, the American Chesapeake Club's historian. An updated version of Eve's Master List, called the Chesapeake Roll Call, is available on disk for purchase through Tom MacClanahan who took the project over in the absence of updates following Eve's sad and untimely death in 1989.] While working on my "History", I was also privileged to assist Eloise Heller Cherry with all the pedigree research and compilation for her Howell House book entitled The Complete Chesapeake Bay Retriever. All this has been invaluable in my breeding program.

Since regular employment has always come first, I have established the policy of producing my own limited litters, but seeing to it that the best of these offspring are placed in conscientious homes of people who are also interested in breeding only the best of pups...their offspring are also placed in much the same manner, using the Sandy Oak kennel name and reputation wherever possible. Pups from Sandy Oak and their offspring have been sold all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, and Japan.

Sandy Oak pups are bred from OFA and CERF certified parents, usually conformation champions or having conformation points, with field and obedience titles. They are producing Chesapeakes with a excellent trainability and field ability, with sweet and tractable dispositions, and of good conformation, type and soundness. My Chessies are pets as well as working field dogs. The regular employment has also prevented our participation in licensed field trials but my dogs have been handled to numerous picnic trial placements, AKC gun dog and/or ACC "working dog" titles, and many a duck dinner! All of our dogs are line-bred on the cream-of-the-crop of leading field trial champions, dual champions, Master Hunters, and conformation champions; and they are producing top field dogs, champions, obedience title holders, agility dogs, and just plain hard-working, lovable pets! They are also top working obedience dogs--among other placements, "Star" was 3rd in the U.S. in Chessies in the final obedience totals for 1983, and in 2nd place for 1986 having earned her Utility Degree with class placements or special awards. In 1994, Rusty finished both CD and CDX, and also was the #1 Novice CBR and recipient of the ACC Ch. Chesareid Amber Hue Challenge Trophy. Star’s photo can be found in Horn’s “The New Complete CBR” on page 192, and Rusty’s photo appears in the last ACC breed book on page 242. Both also earned their AKC hunting titles. More recent accomplishments include my Ch. Sandy Oak Starlite Wishes CD RN TT CGC (“Halley”) and her younger sister Ch. Sandy Oak Wish Upon A Star (“Annie”). Watch for more from these girls!!

I am an active member of THE AMERICAN CHESAPEAKE CLUB, MARIN RETRIEVER CLUB, and COUNTY-WIDE DOG TRAINING CLUB (of Sonoma County). Sandy Oak maintains breeders' listings with THE NORTH BAY PET DIRECTORY and THE CALIFORNIA BREEDERS' REFERRAL SERVICE. Additionally, with my contacts in The American Chesapeake Club, I am able to refer prospective buyers to litters all over the country if we do not have pups available.

Inquiries are welcomed...visits MUST be by appointment only. Basic pedigree information is shown on the reverse, but current litter information with complete pedigrees and photos will be provided upon request; please feel free to write or phone. Puppies are reserved--usually in advance--by deposit only. If you reach our answering machine, please do NOT hang-up...please do leave your name and number and I will return the call at my first opportunity.