Where it began - Oakmarsh foundation dogs

'Marli', Devonshot Jamaica Beach of Oakmarsh (Lux Ch Devonshot Horse Ghost X Arnac Bay Volta at Devonshot), was our foundation bitch. Born on 21st October 2006. She was Our Dogs and CBRC Top Show Puppy 2007. She gained her KC Stud Book Number, qualifying her for CRUFTS for life. She gained her single RCC as a Veteran, and would have been Top Veteran in Breed had there been a competition for it. 

At CRUFTS 2010 the judge, Breed Specialist Janet Morris (Penrose), gave Best of Breed to 'Teague' Devonshot Indian Goes Brave (Arnac Bay Wessex at Devonshot X Cavelero Frisky Business). 

She remarked that if there was a prize for best coat then Marli would have won it! We subsequently mated Teague to Marli, thus he was our foundation sire. Teague went on to gain three CCs and become a Show Champion, with very limited showing.

Marli was a fantastic pigeon / partridge dog, happy to retrieve whole fields of shot birds to the game bag!

Teague was a great beating / picking up dog, working on shoots in Dorset, he was a remarkable game finder, used to sweep the heavy cover and water for any birds missed by the first retrievers.

They passed their ability, attitude to work and great temperaments on to their children, and we are striving to keep this along with the fantastic, classic Chesapeake coat that Marli herself had.

Marli passed away peacefully at home on 13th October 2019 after a brief illness, one week shy of her 13th Birthday. Teague also passed away in 2019, just shy of his 13th Birthday.

Oakmarsh and Cheselbay Chesapeakes

'Tia', Oakmarsh Acorn, and 'Rana', Oakmarsh Assateague of Cheselbay, both gained their KC Stud Book Numbers and have continued the Oakmarsh & Cheselbay Chesapeakes lines with their puppies. 

Tia was CBRC Top Show Puppy 2011. She passed her Gundog Club levels 1 and 2 as a puppy and subsequently became my beating / rough shooting / all round dog. As well as showing and gundog work, Marli & Tia were Farm Dogs, helping to herd the sheep and goats, even the turkeys! We trained in Working Trials (including Scentwork and Tracking), competed in Competition Obedience (gaining COMs), Bikejor and TriDog (Swim, Bike, Run) events. Tia had such a positive attitude to her work, still showing and working until a few weeks before she passed away, she was definitely my 'right hand dog'.

Rana spent his first season dogging in beating, subsequently joining the picking up team. He was only shown lightly, but he had many Best Puppy & Best of Bred wins, and he gained four RCCs.

Tia gained two CCs and six RCCs, as well as her Show Gundog Working Certificate (SGWC) and Veteran Warrant (VW).  Under the new KC Rules (July 2023) she would have gained her Champion title.

Rana passed away just before his 12th birthday in October 2022. Tia passed away at 13yrs old in February 2024.

Photos of Marli