The only British bred Chesapeake Bay Retriever to win best of breed at Westminster has recently died, having almost made the age of fifteen.

Arnac Bay Maddox was born in December 1995, bred by Christine Mayhew of Arnac Chesapeakes, Maddox was out of USA Champion Chestnut Hill Arnac Wye Oak and by Arnac Bay Jetsam. Both sire and dam were successful show dogs in the UK, Wye having been the first of her breed to win best in show at a Championship show (United Retriever Club), and Jetsam being a Crufts best of breed winner and top stud dog for the breed.

Maddox was sold as a puppy to a young New Zealand couple who already had a male Chesapeake. She settled into her home by the sea on the other side of the world and her breeder had comforting photos of her playing in the sea with her new companion.

Nothing was heard of Maddox for several years and then Christine had a phone call from Karen Anderson of Chestnut Hills Kennels in the USA to say that she had just collected Maddox from Washington DC airport!

It transpired that the owners had moved to New York, taking Maddox with them, but now had a young baby and were looking to re-home the dog! They had seen the Chestnut Hills name and had managed to track down Karen who, learning of the bitch’s pedigree said she would have the dog without even seeing her. Although a young bitch and, at that time not in show condition, Karen saw her potential and prepared her for the show ring. The rest, as they say, is history!

Maddox earned her USA championship title, and in the year 2000, went to Westminster dog show and took top honours in the breed. They never knew whether her original owners realised what a great dog they had given away.

Maddox remained with Karen in Maryland until her death and leaves a legacy with the pups she had in the USA.

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