re: Chessies or lab

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lets see the national dog bite statistics.... labs vs chessies counselor

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On a per dog basis? Go get 'em. I handle dog bite cases. Chessies are on my never own list
The one I tried most recently involved a chessie doing the biting while the lab was trying to play with the guy

Yes, that bowl was full of good lookin’ stuff!


Pique, I don’t think comps could be provided on that stat due to ratio of each breed and most incidents would take place in the field, camp, etc., therefore, not reported....?

I will say....chessies are not for everyone...

the breeder I got mine from vetted everyone they sold pups to....


I really like having a 25lb and a 42 lb bird dog.....though.. I never thought I'd say that.....

I have had 2 Chessies, first one was totally protective of me, or anything I put down.
His first retrieve was a mallard that dove. Bear went underwater and came up with the duck. I was sold. Unfortunately we had to give him away when I started my family.

Second Chessie was one my son bought, and realized a Chessie in a dorm room doesn’t work. A sweet dog that loved outdoors and loved to be petted. His only dislike was other male dogs. Bear would not only retrieve ducks, he was also a pretty good blood trail dog.

Both were as tough as a Nickel steak, hardheaded as hell, but both were totally loyal dogs.

Okay to answer a few questions, the deer camp is just family and close friends. It will never be more then 7-10 people, but usually less. I have a niece and nephew who are around a lot. They are 7 and 4. I duck hunt with a small group of friends and it's rarely any new people, just the same old crew. I may just get a lab, but I'm scared I will 2nd guess and just regret not getting a chessie. The main thing is I need a dog that will retrieve, I got tired of losing ducks in the rozos or having to pull the boat out and get every duck before they float away.

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Have had both. Current Chessie is family dog, hunting dog, lives in house, etc.

They are not labs. He is very protective - you are not coming in the house uninvited and he ain’t too big on you coming in invited to be honest. You aren’t getting anywhere near my wife without him getting between her and you, which is a trait she likes.

If you want a lab that looks different, don’t do a chessie. If you do a chessie, make sure you know that you will need to learn that dog’s quirks and work with them. Typical lab trainers, especially larger outfits, may not want to fool with them as they don’t follow the cookbook too well. You’ll have to do lot of work yourself.

People say they are stubborn, but that’s not really it. They have loooong memories and are kinda soft in a way and strong willed. If a certain situation works out badly for them, they may never get entirely over it. That’s the reason you can’t just train them like a lab. Pressure helps to teach them, but too much pressure and they can’t take it. And will remember it.
Also, I know a couple of chessie who aren’t constantly socialized, and I would not trust them for 1 second.

If you get a chessie, play a role in the training and socialize it constantly

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wisest words on chessies in OB history

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they tend to have a strong personality

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That's like saying the left tends to not like Donald Trump.

Chessies are hard headed sumbitches. My grandfather had several while we hunted growing up. They are outstanding hard charging duck dogs once finished - if finished.

Grandpa's dogs had unusually long names - usual Queen you god damn son of a bitching no good *&^*) such and such or the like. I could never figure out why he chose such a long and colorful name for a dick dog.

Can’t comment much on a Chessie but I can tell you how wonderful labs are.
They get the stereotype of being overhyped and too much. It’s so untrue it’s incredible.
They do have a lot of energy, but when you harvest that energy, you have a TOOL that will do unimaginable things.
My last 3 labs have all been as good or better deer blood trail dogs than the beagles I’ve had in the past.
My current and the other 2 all picked up blood trailing all on their own. Put them on a trail, they will follow it. It’s infredible.
As far as duck hunting goes- people buy labs for a reason.
The coat is easier to maintain throughout the season.
They are some of the most loyal dogs if handled properly.
If you haven’t trained a lab, send it to a school and ask to BE INVOLVED!!
Training a dog is as much training the OWNER to handle the dog , as it is training the dog.
You should be there every weekend spending 2-3 hours going over what the dog has learned and teaching you how to make said dog do what he’s learned.
This way the dog knows to respond not only to a trainer but to you.
I was fortunate enough to have a friend that trains labs for a living.
I did what I said above and stayed very actively involved with my first dog’s training.
Since then, I have trained two labs that I would put in a duck blind with anybody.
Perfect angels in my eyes.
Long story:: stick to a lab.

This is awesome! I've pretty much decided on a lab at this point. It just seems like the safest bet. So how much does pedigree matter? A member on here has some pups I'm going to check out and there is a litter off of "gator points bayou chops's" son. The owners train dogs for a living. Should I go with the proven pedigree?