GSP or Chessie?

[BHC]

I am getting a new dog and need some advice.. I am considering German short haired pointer or a Chesapeake bay retriever. For my purposes and training skill level, he will need to be versatile and easily trainable. He will have to be house broken, as for hunting I am interested a good retriever, and a shed horn dog, maybe other things but those are the top two. I would also like him to be a good watch dog/ family dog.. Any advice?

[Sharon]

I've had both.
It's been my experience that Chessies are more of a one person dog .
If you plan to hunt waterfowl late into the season get a Chessie. The GSP coat is not for very cold water.

My Dad and his Chessie "Brownie".
1939
Last hunt before he went overseas .

[smoothbean]

I sent you a PM. Might have what your looking for.

[gotpointers]

I've had both.
It's been my experience that Chessies are more of a one person dog .
If you plan to hunt waterfowl late into the season get a Chessie. The GSP coat is not for very cold water.

My Dad and his dog "Brownie".
1939
Last hunt before he went overseas .

Nice picture, I am sure he gave it his all for his country.

[RoostersMom]

We have two chessies and two GSP's. I would recommend a lab if you are looking for more of a family dog. Chessies are very one-person dogs and can be aggressive both with other dogs and with people. Either way you go - do a lot of research before you jump in. Look at the parents and ask a lot of questions. I would not recommend a chessie to an inexperienced trainer and I would not consider them very "trainable" at all. Lots of issues in the breed if you get a poorly bred one (though that can be the same with a poorly bred GSP too). If it was up to me, I wouldn't have chessies at all - they are hard headed and unpredictable - many more relinquished to rescue for biting than many breeds. Just do your research before you get a dog.

[Greg Jennings]

Get a lab.

[fishvik]

Ditto the lab. The lab has all the qualities your looking for. It may not be an aggressive watch dog but they will let you know if anyone is around.

[Dieseldog8]

Yea lab all the way. Taught mine last year to find sheds and loves it now. He's great with our 4 year old and barks whenever someone strange comes up. O and is an amazing duck dog just got his started title a month ago.

[Susie]

If it was up to me, I wouldn't have chessies at all - they are hard headed and unpredictable - many more relinquished to rescue for biting than many breeds. Just do your research before you get a dog.

Interesting observations. BTW rescue groups do not take dogs in with bite histories because of liability...this is also the policy with the American Chesapeake Rescue Network and Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue.

[Susie]

I am getting a new dog and need some advice.. I am considering German short haired pointer or a Chesapeake bay retriever. For my purposes and training skill level, he will need to be versatile and easily trainable. He will have to be house broken, as for hunting I am interested a good retriever, and a shed horn dog, maybe other things but those are the top two. I would also like him to be a good watch dog/ family dog.. Any advice?

The American Chesapeake Club has some good stuff on their site:

http://www.amchessieclub.org/

I suggest joining Team Chesapeake if your wanting to educate yourself about the breed. Combined, the members here have hundreds of years of breed experience and like our dogs nothing is ever sugar coated:

http://teamchesapeake.infopop.cc/groupee/forums

This is mandatory reading if anyone contacts me about a CBR rescue or one of our pups if they have never owned a CBR before. 80% of the time I never hear back from them LOL

http://www.cbrrescue.org/articles/dontbuy.htm

Another great article by Butch Goodwin explaining the difference between Labs and CBRs:

http://www.northernflight.com/not%20thesamedog.htm

Good luck on your search!

[Jrclmn18]

Where are you located? This will answer the question in many regards as a mild climate much better suited for the GSP waterdog while the Chessie is much better equipped to handle the cold. I love the shorthair for retriever purposes and dodge the "get a lab" phrase and could not be happier with my choice. I would not have even considered the breed, however, if i were planning to force him into frigid waters. Just seems like a mean thing to do.

[1vizsla]

If you decide on a Chessie, I know a good breeder that has chessie's with temperments to die for and good with kids. Checkout www.spinnakerridgecbrs.com
We personally know Ruger and Zilla. I swear they think they are labs, love kids, and are hunting fools. Zilla also does dock diving and just got a leg towards his lure coursing title.

Carla

[Fair Fields]

I have 2 hunting parnters with Chessies. When it comes to cold weather, tough conditions and late season Ohio waterfowling they are awesome. However, easy to train they are not. The ones I have been around have been hard headed.

[BHC]

I am located in northern Al

[BHC]

I think I'm leaning toward GSP'S, I have found a good breeder about 30 min away with a litter due around 1st of June... During first six months what training should I focus on?

[Sharon]

socialization - other dogs, cats, kids, people of other color, motorcycles, etc....

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid=na ... ll0&aqi=s1

[lvrgsp]

GWP

...................

[Jrclmn18]

You are in a good location for the dog to do all that he is capable of doing. Lots of good farmland for quail hunting up there too. I am in south Alabama, my biggest worries here are the alligators. Be sure to take your time on water intro and know that the exercise demands of the GSP are greater than some can handle if you plan on him being an inside dog.

[smoothbean]

We have been to Town Creek, Al. in Feb. forthe last several years for our National Finals. It is usually alot nicer weather down there that time of year than it is up here.