'Joshua'
BIS BISS AM CH** MBISS CAN CH** IRISH'S ROYAL PRINCE OF TIDES
April 26, 1997 ~ July 31, 2011

Joshua is the only Chesapeake Bay Retriever to achieve being ranked in the Top 10 Breed Standings for 7 straight years. Four of those years he was ranked in the Top 5. He achieved this being exclusively handled by his breeder and co-owner Gary Irish. At the time of his BIS win at 7 years old, Joshua was one of only 7 Chesapeakes to win an ACC National and an All Breed Best in Show. He was also the Number One Breeder/Owner Handled Chesapeake for 2001, 2002, & 2003. He earned this record on a limited show year as he took the fall months off for hunting season. At 10 years old he placed 4th in the Sporting Group under Judge Houston Clark.

Joshua and Gary after winning the 2003 American Chesapeake Club National Specialty.

Joshua was owned by Dana Mercer and Gary Irish. He is out of Ch. Irish's Mystical Merlin & Ch. Irish's Bodacious Bonita.
Gary & Dorene Irish and Jeff Kendrick were his breeders.















Our very close friend Dan Tilly wrote this tribute to Joshua right after hearing of his passing.

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Following are some highlights from Joshua's career.........


BEST IN SHOW at the Cincinnati Kennel Club on May 9, 2004. Judge Anne Katona.

American Chesapeake Club National Specialty Win
Earning BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW by winning Best of Breed at the ACC NATIONAL SPECIALTY show on September 27, 2003, over an entry of 336 Chesapeakes. Judge Bernard McGivern.

Winning First in Sporting Group
GROUP 1 at the Saginaw Valley Kennel Club on April 3, 2004. Judge James White.

ACC Supported Entry Win
BEST OF BREED at the ACC SUPPORTED ENTRY of the Kalamazoo Kennel Club on May 25, 2003. Judge Robert Moore.

JOSHUA in CANADA - Highlights

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With limited showing in Canada, Joshua has the following record.....

Winner of the Canadian NATIONAL SPECIALTY in                     
2000 & 2004 & 2009

Joshua has  3 Group Wins.  Numerous Breed wins & Group placements. Always owner handled.

In addition to Joshua's bench accomplishments, he was the featured Chesapeake Bay Retriever for the Purina ad campaign in 2002. He was the breed representative in the magazine 'Dogs in Canada' Annual Edition and was featured in the Purina Champions Calendar with his owner Dana Mercer.
 (Purina logo and headstudy photo courtesy of Purina)

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Joshua after winning his 3rd Canadian National Specialty at just over 12 years old!

Joshua in the field

As A Sire

Even though Joshua was tops in the Breed, he was available for breeding on a very limited basis.
Of the litters he did produce, there was even more limited event participation by his offspring.
The majority of them became family companions and hunting dogs.

That being said, a few of his higher titled offspring:

Three Champion/Master Hunters.
One which has become the only Chesapeake to earn the equivalent of CH/MH in three countries.

Another son worked as a K-9 Officer for the State of Indiana; graduating Top of the Class.