I am looking for a cold weather dog for late season, mostly waterfowl and some upland, i have a great GSP and he will hunt out of the duck blinds but its really hard on him late season even with a vest. the two breeds i am looking at are labs and chesapeaks but chesies are difficult to find out here. Any advise would be welcome.
Best dog for cold weather
- Thread starter EEK
- Start date
onpoint
Active member
The Chesapeake is undoubtedly the finest waterfowl retriever when it comes to cold weather. We have raised Chesapeake's for near 25 years.
This female was retrieving in single digit to teen's this year with a stiff NW wind(well below zero windchill). We did although have a couple wool blankets to cover her with to help keep her warm. Trust me, you can kill any dog if you allow them enough exposure to the elements. Take care of your dog and keep them as dry and warm as possible. There are those that like to brag about their dog busting ice on 100 yard plus retrieves and the dog sitting in the blind with icicles hanging on them and a frozen coat. You will drastically reduce the usable life of the dog, if not kill them by seeing just how tough they are. I'm sure you realize this fact. Just pointing out to those who may read this post.
These are a couple of our breeding males
Deke
Steiger
This female was retrieving in single digit to teen's this year with a stiff NW wind(well below zero windchill). We did although have a couple wool blankets to cover her with to help keep her warm. Trust me, you can kill any dog if you allow them enough exposure to the elements. Take care of your dog and keep them as dry and warm as possible. There are those that like to brag about their dog busting ice on 100 yard plus retrieves and the dog sitting in the blind with icicles hanging on them and a frozen coat. You will drastically reduce the usable life of the dog, if not kill them by seeing just how tough they are. I'm sure you realize this fact. Just pointing out to those who may read this post.
These are a couple of our breeding males
Deke
Steiger
UplandHntr
Well-known member
Chessies, Labs or Goldens...take your pick
BrownDogsCan2
Well-known member
Very good point, thats why i stopped usuing my GSP, hes good as long as he can move while jump shooting on the river and i have had him in conditions that were well below zero and he will retrieve but its not what hes built for. Chesiesw would be my first choice but they are pretty scarce here, only seen one in the field so far.
I have seen only one litter for sale and it was just a run of the mill type with parents that liked water but the owners didnt hunt them so i passed, and they wanted 800.00 for them, of course there are plenty of labs, and some nice ones but i havent found the right one, i like them but i must have a built in block on them after seeing the ones the owners didnt spend any time with hunting upland game.
Kismet
UPH Guru
You know this, of course, but...just because it so important, allow me to stress making sure your breeder's dogs have OFA certifications, and you have a contract that provides some protection for you.
A well-bred Chesapeake is a magnificent animal (see image in Onpoint's post), but, in my opinion, that very same trait that keeps them going in grueling weather and conditions affects their strength of will when the choice comes between the owner's wishes and the dogs. (see how nicely I said that?)
)
They need (my opinion only, again) a consistent and reliable relationship with their owners.
Don't buy from someone whose background and credentials you don't know.
Helluva dog.
Best wishes.
A well-bred Chesapeake is a magnificent animal (see image in Onpoint's post), but, in my opinion, that very same trait that keeps them going in grueling weather and conditions affects their strength of will when the choice comes between the owner's wishes and the dogs. (see how nicely I said that?)
)They need (my opinion only, again) a consistent and reliable relationship with their owners.
Don't buy from someone whose background and credentials you don't know.
Helluva dog.
Best wishes.
In frigged cold water late season water fowling. My choice would be a Chessie.
Yes Labs can handle cold but not the extreme cold that a Chessie can. I am not trying to offend any other dog owners, I am only stating my view having seen both breeds side by side on numerous occasions in a river running HEAVY slush ice.
The Chessies just plain out performed the Labs. Even the lab owners I hunted with would agree, in heavy slush ice.
Some birds the owners would not attempt to send their dogs out for because they knew the limits of their dog (which I respect) but those darn brown dogs had no issues getting the long retrieves.
Yes Labs can handle cold but not the extreme cold that a Chessie can. I am not trying to offend any other dog owners, I am only stating my view having seen both breeds side by side on numerous occasions in a river running HEAVY slush ice.
The Chessies just plain out performed the Labs. Even the lab owners I hunted with would agree, in heavy slush ice.
Some birds the owners would not attempt to send their dogs out for because they knew the limits of their dog (which I respect) but those darn brown dogs had no issues getting the long retrieves.
carptom1
Well-known member
Your point of your experience with Labs is exactly the bad rap most get. Many guys have never hunted behind a good one. Most people's only experience has been with overweight house pets. I would agree with everyones asessments of chessies. I have a buddy who is an avid waterfowler and has a couple. Great dogs. Fearless retrieves. As far as upland goes I am partial to labs. I have had a few good ones, and a couple of great ones. For me the key to a good lab is getting a dog from an athletic line. My young one is a very powerfull dog, with awesome drive. I guess the question would be are you a duck hunter that likes to hunt upland, or the other way around? That would probably weigh my decision.
Natty Bumpo
Member
westksbowhunter
Well-known member
Any well trained retriever with good genetics, should do fine reguardless of weather. That said, there are only a handful of breeders across the country who I would recommend getting a dog from. Probably the best imo would be Holzinger Kennels. Don't expect a particular breed to perform miracles if the dog has not gone thru a propery training program, typically a 4-6 month process. Early training and proper socialization are vital.
My advice, don't settle on a breed, the breeder is much more important.
My advice, don't settle on a breed, the breeder is much more important.
I am an upland hunter first and have my GSP for that, my 10 year old son loves the waterfowl as there is alot more action so i have put tons of money into waterfowl stuff this year and we have had a great time. I hunt with a friend that has a little lab from a great breeder that is a fantastic duck dog, problen is if i cant have one just like her i dont really want one, she is 50lb and a real rocket but the breeder doesnt have those lines anymore.
onpoint
Active member
You know this, of course, but...just because it so important, allow me to stress making sure your breeder's dogs have OFA certifications, and you have a contract that provides some protection for you.
A well-bred Chesapeake is a magnificent animal (see image in Onpoint's post), but, in my opinion, that very same trait that keeps them going in grueling weather and conditions affects their strength of will when the choice comes between the owner's wishes and the dogs. (see how nicely I said that?)
They need (my opinion only, again) a consistent and reliable relationship with their owners.
Don't buy from someone whose background and credentials you don't know.
Helluva dog.
Best wishes.
I agree, if you are looking for a dog that does EVERYTHING your way and only your way. Don't get a Chessie. They are a thinking dog that says..we will do it our way. Some of mine, some of yours. If you want a robot, buy a Lab.
Mr Hyde
New member
Hey EEK here is a website I frequent it has a puppy classified ad's there
http://www.retrievertraining.net/
BrownDogsCan2
Well-known member
EEK; here's another one, a couple of years old but maybe still relevant. http://www.duckhuntingchat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=112863
