Chesapeake Bay Retriever

**FatOldSun** · 15-11-2013, 15:11

Originally Posted by Springer

Depends what you want to do with the dog. There is a reason there are not many of these in SA.

And, yes, it's a great question: Why are there not many of these in SA. My explanation.

It could be the Heat, their coats are almost like wetsuits, they do not like the heat/summer, they are really winter worker dogs. I would not want to put one of these in the Bush up north, it's almost as bad as having a Husky. I live right on the Water, and the dog can cool down in the water, else I would not even think about it.

**FatOldSun** · 15-11-2013, 15:13

Originally Posted by Sweet

Is it because we do not need a specialist "Retrieve Canada Goose from semi frozen river, that is in spate" type of dog...that often?

Too hot, not enough great lakes for them to swim in; in Cape Town the sharks will eat them swimming in the ocean :-)

**Pelican34** · 18-01-2014, 04:56

They are a great dog. Fearless. Always ready to go. I grew up with two of them. If you don't give them good solid training you will be in trouble. They are a hard dog so a lot of
people go with Labs around here for duck hunting. I spent many a winter morning sitting in our duck blind with my dad and our Chessie " Burt".

**Annapolis Dog** · 11-05-2014, 20:28

I speak for my Chessies, though their behavior is typical. My Chessie boy is now ten, though he still clears a 1,2 m fence gracefully and runs light on his feet. He is hard headed, but has trained to an incredible obedience. If you've told him to wait for his food, don't become distracted and forget him. When you get back to him, he will have drooled a pool in obedient anticipation. When he drinks water, he pushes his entire snout deep into the water and sucks up gulps of water. He takes and gives with the softest mouth imaginable.

He is fearless and the unknown worker will be greeted with a display of teeth and gob. I tell the frozen statue to remain as such till I've 'introduced' my dog to him. After a good sniff down, the man gets a day pass. Season tickets are rarely given. When I'm away, he becomes my wife's shadow. The kids can pull their ears till their eyes water and all they will do is wince lightly. They do not snap.

He is quick and agile and I've taken him for a run up to 15 k's before he shows any sign of fatigue. Heat (we get 37 deg days in the southern cape wheat belt) doesn't seem to bother him any more than any other breed, but he won't hesitate jumping into a farm dam.

He is intelligent and finds a way to communicate his needs. Asking for a fresh water rinse after a day at the beach is still one of his best to date. After that, he nudged the hair dryer till we clicked.

As the years passed, the thought of not having a Chessie in our house one day seemed unimaginable, so we imported a mail order bride for him. She is still more hard headed than obedient, but loves to please you. I have noticed that she is less tolerant of heat, possibly as a result of her Eastern European birthplace. She is tough as nails an very strong. She has just started her second heat and we hope to breed with them.

A Chessie is NOT for you if you are not prepared to be the boss. A Chessie is NOT for you if you aren't prepared to share your space with them, they love to be near you. A Chessie is NOT for you if you have a koi pond. A Chessie is NOT for you if own a BMW and keep a mini vacuum cleaner in it. A Chessie IS for you if you want a bold, brave, intelligent and hard-working companion.