Chesapeake bay retrievers

[Mattones]

Saw one of these tonight while out of town. Spoke to the owner for about 20 minutes who is also a waterfowler. He had nothing but GREAT things to say about the breed and stated many good points. Its all he will ever use for waterfowling. Although they may not be for some people.


I was almost sure I wanted a Chocolate Lab but after going home and reading on this breed they seem to have everything a lab has but more. I like the way it seems to have that drive.


Anyone own one or can comment on this breed? It would be very helpful in my decision making.

[Keating]

I've been reading about them as well.
I've read they've got very strong personalities and are not as "happy go lucky" as a Lab.
Many "experts" do not recommend them for anyone not experienced with training dogs.
And they're not known for the same "lick an intruder to death" friendliness of Labs.

I really do like all of the positive things I've read about their abilities as waterfowl dogs, however.

I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to sat on the topic.

Saw one of these tonight while out of town. Spoke to the owner for about 20 minutes who is also a waterfowler. He had nothing but GREAT things to say about the breed and stated many good points. Its all he will ever use for waterfowling. Although they may not be for some people.


I was almost sure I wanted a Chocolate Lab but after going home and reading on this breed they seem to have everything a lab has but more. I like the way it seems to have that drive.


Anyone own one or can comment on this breed? It would be very helpful in my decision making.

[Mattones]

I've been reading about them as well.
I've read they've got very strong personalities and are not as "happy go lucky" as a Lab.
Many "experts" do not recommend them for anyone not experienced with training dogs.
And they're not known for the same "lick an intruder to death" friendliness of Labs.

I really do like all of the positive things I've read about their abilities as waterfowl dogs, however.

I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to sat on the topic.

Great to see another looking into this breed.

[GoldenEagle]

Ive owned one but sadly had to put him down a few years back at age 11 he developed splean cancer ,
That said chessie;s are a great breed and ill have another some day ill try and add a pick of justice in his prime
Great family dog , good with kids if raised with them youll never find a more dedicated protecter for the home
weather is not a factoer with chessies they seem to thrive on cold and a nose to find those stubburn cripples you wont believe
Highly recommend this breed to anyone but dont get the first one you see look around as with any breed there are good and bad take the kids and let the pup pick you .
Good luck
GE
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...e/DSC00123.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...0729055848.jpg

[Sharon]

I've been reading about them as well.
I've read they've got very strong personalities and are not as "happy go lucky" as a Lab.
Many "experts" do not recommend them for anyone not experienced with training dogs.
And they're not known for the same "lick an intruder to death" friendliness of Labs.

I really do like all of the positive things I've read about their abilities as waterfowl dogs, however.

I'm looking forward to hearing what others have to sat on the topic.

I agree with the above post. We had one and he was a great waterfowl retriever right up to skim ice., but as a family dog he preferred to be left alone. They tend to be loyal to one family member. If i had a young family I would start with a well bred lab. JMO

1939 - just before Dad went overseas for 6 years. One last hunt with "Brownie"

[Mattones]

We currently have no kids maybe in a few years.. I read they tend to be loyal to one person but tolerate others.

I need a good in depth look at this breed before deciding. I like everything about them from the looks of it.

[Sharon]

We currently have no kids maybe in a few years.. I read they tend to be loyal to one person but tolerate others.

I need a good in depth look at this breed before deciding. I like everything about them from the looks of it.

No kids? Go for a Chessie then, but they don't train as easily as a lab. You'll want to have some kind of training support. There are many excellent retriever clubs in ON. Enjoy.

[bardern]

you should google Paul MacKinnon at Atlantic Flyway Gundogs.

For years Paul has been one of Canada's top Chessie breeders and would be happy to answer any questions about the breed you might have. He is a great guy and wouldn't mind you dropping him a line.

[rick_iles]

A friend of mine had them. I hunted over it several times. It was extremely bull headed and was hard to handle. I was used to my lab. He eventually had to get rid of it after it bit his wife !!! As others have said, they are a one person dog. From my own observations with his dogs, I wouldn't own one, especially if I had or was going to have a child. This buddy of mine had two of them, and they both had the same issues.

[boilerguy2412]

No kids? Go for a Chessie then, but they don't train as easily as a lab. You'll want to have some kind of training support. There are many excellent retriever clubs in ON. Enjoy.

You think so? I have always found them to be much much easier to train. All the Chessies i have been around have already had that hunting sense and have just need that little bit o training. Our Chessie has recieved no formal training just the basic sit, stay, fetch. She takes hand signals without training and is an excellent hunter. I know we got lucky with her but even friends who have them have had an easy time with training.

Now i will tell you it all depends on where you get the dog from. The place we got our dog breed a female from Long Point and the male was from California.

I 100% understand people's theroy on Chessie's it is pretty hard to find a good one IMO. I have seen and handful of really good chessie's but i have seen a pile of bad ones.

IMO if your just starting to get into dogs a Chessie is not for you, but if your a knowledgable person on hunting dogs and your a serious waterfowler i would suggest looking into them more.