In honor of Thunder’s 10th birthday, we have been doing a little reminiscing this week.  In part 1 I wrote about how we came to own Chesapeakes here and in part 2 I wrote about Thunder as a young hunting dog here.  Of course puppies grow up fast so today I thought I would share a bit about Thunder through the years.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Young Thunder In 2006

In 2007 Thunder ran his first hunt test which was a basic Working Dog test.  He had to retrieve back to back single birds on land and on water.  His training at this point was minimal but he had one hunting season under his belt so he passed easily.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder After His Very First Test In 2007 At 14 Months Old

Hubby decided he liked hunt testing so he continued training Thunder and Thunder earned his Junior Hunter Title the next year in 2008.  Unlike the Working Dog Certification which you earn in one day, to earn a Junior Hunter Title, the dog must pass the same test four times on four different days.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder Junior Hunter Title 2008

Hubby also showed Thunder in AKC Conformation and he earned his AKC Championship in 2009.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder New Champion 2009

But of course Fall is always for hunting, upland and waterfowl.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Hunting
Thunder Grouse Hunting 2010

In 2011, hubby decided to run Thunder in some higher level hunt tests.  Thunder earned both his AKC Senior Hunter Title and HRC Seasoned Hunter Title that year.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder 2011 Running A Senior Hunt Test

Thunder loves to train.  We were fortunate enough to find a fabulous pro trainer to help with Thunder’s training.  The picture below was taken at the pro’s pond; however, the bulk if Thunder’s training for hunt tests was in city parks.  The land and water we were able to use was very limited.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder Training 2012

Hunt tests, dog shows, whatever.  Thunder’s most favorite thing is waterfowl hunting.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder Waterfowl Hunting 2013

In 2014 we entered Thunder as a Veteran in a Sweepstakes at a Supported Entry.  These are sort of fun matches at a dog show.  Veterans Sweeps are for dogs over 8.  Thunder sure had fun that day and was awarded Best In Veteran Sweepstakes.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder Best Veteran In Sweeps 2014

At 9 years old Thunder never slowed down.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder (Age 9) 2015

he still hasn’t at age 10.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Thunder 2016

We are so fortunate that for our first Chesapeake Bay Retriever we got one that can truly do it all.  Thunder has his Conformation title, Hunt Tests titles, is a fabulous hunter and a great companion.  Thank you so much to his breeders for entrusting us with this wonderful boy.

Hope you enjoyed our look back through the years.

Since today is St. Patrick’s Day, Storm wanted to crash the blog and wish you “All The Luck Of The Irish”.

Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick’s Day

This is the Thursday Barks and Bytes Blog Hop hosted by Heart Like A Dog and 2 Brown Dawgs.  Grab the badge and the linky code and join us!  Its fun!

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14 thoughts on “Thunder Through The Years – Barks And Bytes

  1. I really enjoy watching dogs do what they love best and what they were bred for. Doing really fun challenges is what they work and train to do:)

  2. I love the pictures when you jump in a pond… I can hear the splash in my mind lol. You are a fabulous pup and your name is like a motto… you rocked all tests and shows like a Thunder-storm :o) Happy St. Paddy’s Day to the brown dawgs!

  3. Happy St. Patrick’s Day. We just love seeing the dogs doing their hunting sports. You can see how much they really enjoy it!

  4. I’m starting at this post and working backwards. So many wonderful years with such a great boy. You truly did get it all with thunder. Here’s to many more years to come and still going strong.

  5. Thunder. you are quite the boy. You sure did well in everything. And you are just so handsome too. We wish you a very Happy St. Patrick’s day. Good to see you Storm. Have a great Irish day.

  6. I thoroughly enjoyed your look back! Thunder is a very successful dog and is giving you so much to be proud of! It’s so great to see him still going strong at 10.

  7. I love seeing Thunder through the years – I can’t get over his puppy pic, he’s adorable and it’s so interesting to see the maturity showing in him as time goes by. Happy St. Pat’s Day!

  8. Fabulous picture of the lad in 2009! Fitting that Thunder’s birthday falls in March madness, he surely has the stamina of a fine Chessie! And as for that Lassie, Storm, hope herself has a terrific St. Patrick’s Day!
    Irish Chessies here are berserk for squirrels making their appearance in the yard, Best those bushy tails have a little luck or they will find themselves at the end of Macha and Erynn’s rainbow!

  9. Happy birthday Thunder!! You are so handsome! I love the duck hunting photos.
    Happy St. Patty’s day too!

  10. You can tell how much he enjoys what he does. Can you imagine if he didn’t like it? LOL

  11. Hi Y’all!

    I’d say “happy birthday”, but I’d say “happy huntin'” would be better for a Chessie!

    I’ve been stoppin’ by regular like, especially since I know this is “our” birthday month, but it’s been on my Human’s phone thingy. My paws are too clumsy to leave comments.

    Y’all come on by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

  12. I’m still trying to catch up with all my faves, and the Brown Dawgs are definitely in that group! I’ve enjoyed your posts about Thunder “through the years”! They grow up so fast! Shadow will be 11-1/2 next month. I thank God every day that she’s still healthy. Her elbow and wrist arthritis slows her down now and then, but otherwise she’s in good shape.

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