Chessies Then and Now

[Gatzby]

Dad was a CBR guy, I always thought they were a pain iin the butt. Now after about 20 yeras of not being around many I have been around a few of them lately. Wow what a change, the temperment is great and the retreive drive is still there. Is the tough guy attitude gone? Has anyone else noticed this change?

They do still smell though

 

[Wirehairs]

Not to offend any Chessie owners but in my experience 3 out of 5 have attitude/tempermant issues towards non-household members. I think they are great dogs for the owner and very protective of owner and family. At one point 6 extended family members had at least one Chessie, none do anymore. In the last 3 years I have only been around maybe 10 so it is a pretty small sample. Everyone I have ever met was very loyal to its master.

 

[Mr Hyde]

Not to offend any Chessie owners but in my experience 3 out of 5 have attitude/tempermant issues towards non-household members. I think they are great dogs for the owner and very protective of owner and family. At one point 6 extended family members had at least one Chessie, none do anymore. In the last 3 years I have only been around maybe 10 so it is a pretty small sample. Everyone I have ever met was very loyal to its master.

Thats part of the breed where the fisherman on the east coast back in the day used them as guard dogs on the fishing vessels thats where I believed the protective part comes into play. For years people say they were hard to train or you need a 2x4 to train them I don't believe that, are they harder sure, but once you get them to understand what needs to be done I believe you will have a lights out retreiving / hunting dog. thats my 2 cents.

 

[oldandnew]

I have two Chessies, super-sized, way over the standard, brothers. No doubt, they would, and have demonstrated extreme defensive instincts, toward protecting the homestead, possessions, and my wife and kids. Unfortunately the neighbors and postman are enemies of the state! As well as any cat, stray dog, raccoon, possum, all of which are executed upon site, and delivered to the back step. I hunt them only when I am sure there will be no contact with any other hunter, or civillian, or even my Britts! It is hereditary, I raised these guys as part of the family, in the house, socialized with my daughters, from the time they were born. These are the third generation, and probably my last. I have found them to be fearless, able to enjoy conditions which would kill an ordinary dog, better protection than concealed carry, and smarter and more cunning than a Jurrasic Park raptor. With my family, I trustthem implicity. Also learn naturally, but not quickly, need to figure it out on their own, become stubborn and dangerous if pushed, ( sure wouldn't use a shock collar), More of a mutual tolerance relationship, based upon respect. If you can accept the terms of the partnership, its what you can expect. Dogs which are bred down to be tractable, within this breed, sometimes have fatal flaws, gunshy, fear biting, better to take 'em as nature made 'em or choose the tried and true Lab. IMHO, and experience, if you hunt for a living, in open water oceanlike conditions, or in the back country remote, or even pheasant hunt icy snowfilled cattails, mature crp, this is your dog, easily handles this and more, and you'll never loose a bird, or a fight!

 

[onpoint]

Not to offend any Chessie owners but in my experience 3 out of 5 have attitude/tempermant issues towards non-household members. I think they are great dogs for the owner and very protective of owner and family. At one point 6 extended family members had at least one Chessie, none do anymore. In the last 3 years I have only been around maybe 10 so it is a pretty small sample. Everyone I have ever met was very loyal to its master.

Couldn't be wrong. I have raised Chessies for over 25 years. I wouldn't have a mean one on the place. People come and go all the time here, always have. Not a single one of my Chessies would ever get after anybody. We have 9 in the kennel and I could let all of them out and you drive in the driveway and get out. The worst thing to happen is, your going to get knocked down because they want you to throw a stick

There are two separate young boys in these photo's. Each comes to our house maybe once or twice a year.

Family dogs that work hard too

 

[SALLYSUE]

I have a buddy that has one and she as sweet as they get. Plus she is one of the best hunting dogs I ever seen . Its a treat to see her in action .

 

[duckn66]

Chessies are very loyal to "their" property. Be it a cat or a person. If he/she views as something "worthy" they will protect it. I've had a few Chessies in the past and my dad always had a few in the kennel either his own or some in for training. They are very intelligent dogs that don't put up with any B.S. as far as training goes. Once they have a concept mastered they are ready to move on to the next level. A misconception is that they are hard headed. Far from the truth. They are a thinking mans dog. You always have to be a step ahead of them or you will get nowhere with one.

The last one I had was protective but only with my daughter, and his riding place behind the passenger seat of my Blazer. That spot was HIS and NOBODY rode there or put there gear there. He would let anyone know who tried to put a coat, gun or whatever in that spot that it was not a good idea to do so.

Correct me if I am wrong but they were bred by/for market hunters and they would guard the market hunters boat, punt gun and decoys when the hunter went to the market to sell his waterfowl. Might be the same with the fishing gear too, never heard that but makes sense.

There has probably been some selective breeding happen with them over the years to attempt to rid them of some of the "undesireable" traits but I would guess along with that would be that we have a better understanding of the breed nowadays and how to deal with their temperments and unique personalities.

 

[goldeneye]

Chessies are very loyal to "their" property. Be it a cat or a person. If he/she views as something "worthy" they will protect it. I've had a few Chessies in the past and my dad always had a few in the kennel either his own or some in for training. They are very intelligent dogs that don't put up with any B.S. as far as training goes. Once they have a concept mastered they are ready to move on to the next level. A misconception is that they are hard headed. Far from the truth. They are a thinking mans dog. You always have to be a step ahead of them or you will get nowhere with one.

The last one I had was protective but only with my daughter, and his riding place behind the passenger seat of my Blazer. That spot was HIS and NOBODY rode there or put there gear there. He would let anyone know who tried to put a coat, gun or whatever in that spot that it was not a good idea to do so.

Correct me if I am wrong but they were bred by/for market hunters and they would guard the market hunters boat, punt gun and decoys when the hunter went to the market to sell his waterfowl. Might be the same with the fishing gear too, never heard that but makes sense.

There has probably been some selective breeding happen with them over the years to attempt to rid them of some of the "undesireable" traits but I would guess along with that would be that we have a better understanding of the breed nowadays and how to deal with their temperments and unique personalities.

That is a good read thanks for posting.

 

[Uncle Buck]

The only Chessie I have ever owned. He was gone for 40 minutes on the drake as it was a bluebird day and the ducks were flying high. 1973. I had to put the dog down in '76 after he bit his fourth person. He was much darker than most and had longer legs. As you can see, he was well chisled and would retrieve a sledge hammer under water. When fishing from shore he would just hit the water and swim out in front of us for up to two hours. A friend named him Satchmo and it stuck.

I know there are breeders who are doing a good job with the temprament.

 

[Mr Hyde]

The only Chessie I have ever owned. He was gone for 40 minutes on the drake as it was a bluebird day and the ducks were flying high. 1973. I had to put the dog down in '76 after he bit his fourth person. He was much darker than most and had longer legs. As you can see, he was well chisled and would retrieve a sledge hammer under water. When fishing from shore he would just hit the water and swim out in front of us for up to two hours. A friend named him Satchmo and it stuck.

I know there are breeders who are doing a good job with the temprament.

Nice story Uncle buck sounds like a female I owned

 

[morrismike]

The best bet would be to meet the mother of the pups you are interested in. I think they are breeding the mean out and focusing on good working dogs (many CH dogs with SH, MH, and DCs). A really good sign is when the parents are hunting stock and also have good conformation. As far as mine goes she learned at a very early age that aggression towards people and dogs is a no no and she has watchdog type behavior. She is like a DD and goes after just about anything with fur or feathers though. There are chessies out there that shouldn't be taken out in public some I am by no means naive and realize the stereotypes are based in fact.

Asking folks about Chessies is like asking people their opinion of Atlas Shrugged. In most cases those with no exposure to either have the loudest opinions.

 

[BrownDogsCan2]

Between family and friends I'm in contact with 6 different chessies. They have all come from different breeders, different states ranging from Houston to Illinois. They are all what I would consider soft, not an aggressive one in the bunch. They are all great with kids, which is the reason these four people, myself included chose chesapeakes as the family pet.
I believe fifteen or twenty years ago chesapeakes as a breed were somewhat more protective. I know mine, my sisters and a friends were. For good or bad I believe that has changed. It was nice knowing your wife and children were in good hands while you were away, then again there is a lot less stress when someone knocks on the door or a neighbor walks by with their dog.
Personally I wish I would run across an Old School breeder. The dogs of old would let your child put a saddle on them one minute and take a bullet for them the next.
BDC2

 

[Mr Hyde]

Between family and friends I'm in contact with 6 different chessies. They have all come from different breeders, different states ranging from Houston to Illinois. They are all what I would consider soft, not an aggressive one in the bunch. They are all great with kids, which is the reason these four people, myself included chose chesapeakes as the family pet.
I believe fifteen or twenty years ago chesapeakes as a breed were somewhat more protective. I know mine, my sisters and a friends were. For good or bad I believe that has changed. It was nice knowing your wife and children were in good hands while you were away, then again there is a lot less stress when someone knocks on the door or a neighbor walks by with their dog.
Personally I wish I would run across an Old School breeder. The dogs of old would let your child put a saddle on them one minute and take a bullet for them the next.
BDC2

Talking to a lot Chessie Breeders when I was looking for a pup, the trend now to breed out the Guard attitude out of the breed. I never had a mean Chessie we made it a point to socialize our dogs with every type of situtation that we were in. I'm like BDC2 said I want an old fashion Chessie to, you need an aggresive dog to hunt in harsh conditions, those are the ones IMO make the best hunters. :cheers:

MJ