Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Labrador Retriever?

[millebantam]

Spot on!!! Everything this poster says, and then some. I have had both breeds over the last 30 years. I did more than my share of waterfowl hunting and training, and have also had "pet" dogs too. I currently have an 8 year old male Chessie, and as long as I live I will have no other breed. I will concede that it will take a more experienced dog owner to get the maximum potential out of a Chessie, but once trained they are light years above a Lab. I'm quite sure that my dog would take a bullet for me, or for ANY member of my family. He understands more "english" than any dog I have ever been associated with.

One morning, a couple of years ago, my then 9 year old son was caught face to face with a pack of 5 coyotes out in the pasture, and I just happened to look out there and see the encounter. I'm not going to say that they were going to attack, but they weren't backing off either. Before I could get to a gun, I sent my 105 lb "Browndog" out to the aid of "his" boy. Without hesitation, he blew into that group of coyotes, and when the fur and dust settled, there were 5 yipping coyotes scrambling over the wall.

My dog "owns" my property, and would give his life to protect it. I can sleep nights knowing that an intruder would have to shoot my dog first before he could get to me or my family. On the other hand, my dog is content to swim for hours with all of the neighborhood kids at the swimming hole at my house. He is protective, but unlike many other breeds, is capable of making sound decisions on his own, in any given situation. That, in itself, is untrainable.

In the end, it is your decision, butmy lifetime experience with Chessies, is something I wouldn't trade for anything.
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[Redyre Rotties]

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These 2 know what they are talking about with regard to the CBR.

The temperament is very different from a Labrador Retriever.

 

[wyomingsundancer]

Have you ever heard of a "Flat Coat". It looks like a long haired labrador retriever except the coat doesn't shed so much.

These dogs apparently developed from the same line of breeding, but are very laid back and great in a home versus the labrador which is always jumping around.

They are good sporting dogs also.

http://www.fcrsainc.org/

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/flatcoatedretriever.htm

 

[vicki2x2]

I love the Curly Coated Retriever, comes in black and chocolate. A friend had them and they are awesome dogs!! Excellent temperments! That would be my choice!!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I guess I have gentle labs then?

With proper training, my labs NEVER jump on me, nip, bite, growl...sure, Marley gets a little stupid around food, but he is the sweetest dog with a brilliant mind.

I do love the male dogs though...the only male dog I ever regret getting is the male miniature poodle. I've never actually hated a dog before...

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I appreciate all the input. Labrador was the first choice, but I read a little bit into the Chessies and was curious.

Although Chessies sound like great dogs, I think the English bred labradors are the breed for Adam. Something that will chillout at his feet, but jump up and want to retrieve for a few weekends in the fall. Adam is a laid back fellow and needs a dog that is the same.

Thanks everyone.

 

[McCord6]

I grew up with VARIETIES of retrievers and laboradors. They are the same. The only differences is their coats. Their body structures, hunting ability and instincts (spelling) are the same. Don't really know why they placed as different breeds. All are good duck hunters.

 

[mom'sfolly]

One of the best dogs we ever had when I was growing up was a lab/chessie cross. Breezy had something like 16 puppies with that litter, and all found good homes. Ours had the heavier coat of the chessie, an amazingly soft mouth, and would retrieve anything. He was also a great family pet. Friends had pups from that litter, and all were great dogs. His sire however, was not a good dog with strangers, and was a much more difficult dog than his lab mommy.

 

[AngieChick]

You could do what we did and get both! Sarah is a Chocolate Lab/chessie mix. We rescued her years ago from an abusive situation. She was abused by the husband and the wife overcompensated by being a marshmallow. That early pattern has taken years to work out. She is extraordinarily loyal and smart. I never considered her stubborn, but my other dog is a beagle so my perspective could be skewed. She seems downright cooperative compared to him

She has never had any signs of aggression and is far more intelligent then my parents' lab.

Most of our issues with her stem from her early times, she learned early on that women are below her in the pecking order. She listens to me now, but she is overly excitable with and liable to jump on any woman that comes over - if I or my husband are not there (not aggressively, just annoyingly). She is very energetic, even at 7 years old. But, labs are as well.

 

[Renron]

I'm sure by now you've bought a dog. Congratulations, I hope the training is going well.

I've owned and bred Chessie's for 30+ years. This thread is the BEST and most honest description of a Chessie's temperment and intelligence that I've read on the Web.
Chessies are smart! Sometimes smarter than us. Many times I thought I knew where the duck landed but the dog would veer off course I sent her, and I would correct her, she would kinda go where I wanted, then she'd change course again. She was always right and knew where the duck was. Uncanny. It took me about a year to learn this lesson.

I have seen Chessies stop and think about a situation then act. Here's an example.
I lived in Truckee Ca for 20 years, during that time my dog taught herself to climb an extension ladder so she could be on the roof with us while shoveling off snow. Where she found the tennis ball in 7 feet of snow I'll never know. Watching her jump off the roof into the soft snow was just like watching her jump from a pier into the lake, big leap full extension on landing.

All day long.

Once while throwing the boat bumper into the Very fast moving Truckee River then sending the dog, I threw the bumper too hard and it landed on the far bank of the river. Hershey went into the river and swam across the fast moving water. She came out about 50 yards downstream, ran upstream picked up the boat bumper and stepped into the river. Stopped, took a step back and then ran upriver about 30 yards and jumped in. I was in shock. She absolutely stopped to think about, I could see the gears turning.
We had no fences, living in the forest. But she knew exactly where our property line was, and who was OK to cross it. Great watchdog. She used to walk the kids down to the bus stop before school. When the bus picked them up she would come home, ~3/4 mile. She would be waiting for them in the afternoon always on time. I knew the kids would be safe with her around. Happy to play fetch with pinecones, (doggy artichokes) but always close to the kids.

These dogs are protective! Can be aggressive. Totally loyal (often to one person) and are great with children when socialized from puppyhood. They are not for everyone, they need a strong personality as their master, and LOVE the water and retrieving. She would break ice just so she could go swimming. Brrrrrh.

Labs are wonderful dogs. No if's and's or but's about it. Easier to train because they don't think they are smarter than their owners. Willing to please till the cows come home, and always happy to be alive. Great family dogs! I've had experience training a few, and my friends have had Labs. I've hunted over Labs for ducks and pheasants, they have lots of hunting desire and good noses. Love the water and swim like a fish. I've been around some that were serious about hunting and wouldn't let you pet them while hunting. Later they wanted to be in your lap...........or dinner plate!


I'd be happy owning either breed. IMO Labs are easier going and less serious than Chessies.

I'm currently looking for a Chesador. such as AngieChick's
Ron