Chessies!

[noodlerubyallie]

Why did I not research these BEFORE we got Allie??

They are amazing. Temperament and personality wise, they would be my perfect dog (After Dobermans, of course ).

I'm doing a little research, we'll be getting one (NOT anytime soon) after we get the Dober boy. Anybody have any referrals? I've found A breeder that I would like to get to know, but he's in Washington, so it's a little out of reach.

Anybody know a good breeder more centrally located in the US?

 

[jess2416]

I love Chessies

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

I'm curious--what do you find more appealing/different about a Chessie vs. a Lab?

 

[noodlerubyallie]

Good question, Bax.

Chessies have a protective streak. They tend to become very attached to their family, and not overly outgoing (as compared to a Lab). They alert you to what is going on outside the home, more than willing to stand their ground, and are very dedicated to their work. I like my dogs to be "choosy", and NOT want to meet and greet every person/dog that crosses their path. They are also just plain bigger, more muscular, and shed less. I love their colors and wavy, almost curly texture of their coat.

I've found I have a "thing" for retrievers The main things I don't like about Labs are they are a dime a dozen, know no strangers, and are just so EXCITED to meet people.

I wouldn't trade Allie for the world, but I don't think I'll get getting another Lab after she is gone, unless something happens in the foreseeable future.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

I have always liked the look of Chessies---but did want a very friendly dog at the time we got Trav (we had three little kids back then---now 3 big kids/young adults!).
She has been the best dog I could ever ask for for our family.

 

[Sweet72947]

I had a chessie growing up. One thing that is very important with this breed is to socialize them well, and establish firm rules from the beginning. My parents never did that, and Coco (that was his name) thought all strangers were evil, and as a result he bit people. Coco was NEVER fearful though. He was EXTREMELY confident, always held his tail high and curved in the air, like a question mark. They say there aren't many truly dominant dogs in the world, but Coco was indeed one of them, he thought he was boss. He came from a BYB also, which may have had something to do with his temperament.

I can tell you though, he was very devoted to us, and loved us with all his 100lb doggie heart. I truly believe that if my parents had socialized and trained him properly that he would have been a good dog.

 

[Maxy24]

I've found two so far, both hunting breeders who did OFA and CERF hips and eyes) but both release pups at seven weeks. I don't know if that is a hunting breeder thing or what. Here is one, it does not show their dogs though( I don't like the other one much, they also breed Labs and Goldens and only actually have one Chessie, a male):
http://www.bonewitzchesapeakebays.com/welcome.cfm

I'll keep looking!

When are you getting a Dobie? Do you have a breeder in mind for the Dobie?

 

[noodlerubyallie]

That's what I've read, Sweet. I found a Chessie rescue, and they had the list "Why you shouldn't buy a Chessie." The main things they pointed out:

Socialization is the KEY. The puppy must learn from a very young age that all people are generally harmless so they have appropriate reactions to different situations.

Buy from responsible breeders. Temperament is everything, and if you do NOT get a well bred dog, you may be asking for it. This rescue, for instance, documented every time they dog had ever bit someone, if ever. Most times it was the dog believing it had to defend it's territory when the owner was nowhere around.

Obedience classes are a requirement. Chessies are very, very confident dogs, and without YOUR leadership, they will take that role. They are also very strong, normally in the 60-80 lb range for males, but do weigh more if they are regularly taken hunting/retrieving due to their high muscle mass and body size.

They are also very intelligent, and are devoted to their "work." If you don't work their minds or their bodies, they become very destructive.

I believe a Chessie would be a great addition to our family someday. I LOVE taking obedience and tracking classes, and being around the water.

So what about those referrals, Chazzers??

 

[noodlerubyallie]

Dober boy will be a Bruda dog. So he'll be from the sames lines as Sizzle's Ilsa and Ronin. He will probably be joining the family in 3-5 years, if everything goes as planned. I've already met the breeder once, and plan on going to spend more time with her when I can, since Dober boy will be a show dog, and I need all the knowledge she (and Sizzle!) can share with me.

I was looking for more IA breeders but was having trouble! That one looks like I'll have to contact for more info as well.

I've noticed too, Maxy, that breeders the do hunting dogs tend to let the puppies go earlier. My only theory is that since they do so much with the dogs in terms of hunting and early independence is that they feel the puppies are ready to leave that early. Just one more question to add to my list when I start to decide which breeder to go with in the future

 

[PWCorgi]

Looking at working line labs I've noticed that most of them will let puppies go earlier as well, though the earliest I've found is 7 weeks.

I looked into Chessies for a bit, too much dog for me at this point though.
Good luck!

 

[Pops2]

there is nothing wrong w/ letting pups go to GOOD KNOWLEDGEABLE homes at 7 wks, in fact, i prefer 6 wks for better bonding w/ me before they get yarded (4-6 months) & start real training.
on the chessie, they are a serious work horse, MOST BYBs for this breed are hunters wanting a replacement for an older dog and wanting from that dog. so even BYB dogs are fair to good workers w/ a worker's personality. a golden is like an SUV dependable and workable but mostly there for the family. a lab is like a pick up a good solid worker that w/ a little effort can be made into almost anything. a chessie is like an LAV raw powerful & driven w/ a purpose.

 

[BrownFCR]

You need to go over to the retriever training forums (google it) as they have some classifieds there. Those will be working line dogs, but there are always lower drive dogs that would be a little easier to handle. Are you planning on working your dog at all? Nothing better than giving your dog the opportunity to do what it was bred to do.

 

[noodlerubyallie]

"Work" would be obedience and tracking for sure. I'm not a hunter, but I really enjoy taking my dogs swimming and long games of fetch.

I'm open to other activities that don't include shooting guns at animals

 

[AgilityPup]

I'm open to other activities that don't include shooting guns at animals

*cough*Agility*cough!*

 

[BrownFCR]

I've never shot anything in my life, and don't plan to. We train using bumpers and dokkens. It's what the dogs are bred to do, and nothing gets them more excited.

But there are plenty of things out there that you can do that you'll both enjoy. Tracking is an excellent choice as your dog gets to use its nose. Have fun!

 

[CharlieDog]

I'd actually like to see if my lab has any aptitude for hunting, is there a way to find out if there is a trainer near me who could test her?

 

[Dakotah]

CD- Google is your friend.

I think there is a dog hunting trainer in either Newnan or Peachtree City. I am not 100% sure.

 

[CharlieDog]

CD- Google is your friend.

I think there is a dog hunting trainer in either Newnan or Peachtree City. I am not 100% sure.

Noooo, JUR mah frien. Linky?

 

[Dakotah]

LOL ok. Give me about 10 mins.

 

[Dakotah]

http://www.sharpretrievers.com/contact.php

That is one. There were about 4 more that I saw in GA about 3 years ago, but alas I cannot find them. If or when I do I will let you know.