Tarhog Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Hey fellas, I've finally talked my wife into letting me purchase a family dog for me and my kids (she is a wonderful lady, laid back beyond belief on most things, but definitely not an animal person). I grew up with Weimaraners, but since this will be a part-time outside dog, I thought it wasn't a good match for NC where the weather can be pretty damn cold in the winter. So I settled on a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Reminds me a lot of the weimaraner. I put down a deposit with a breeder nearby today. Wondered if any of you all had one now or in the past and had any good tips to share. I'm putting up a large fenced in area out back next week, and specifically wondered whether a 4' chain link fence would be high enough to keep her enclosed, or whether I needed to go with a 6' one. I know you guys are a wealth of information on nearly every topic, so thought I'd ask! Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NASMTrainer Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 I have always wanted one also. My Dad grew up around them, says they are the smartest dogs he has ever seen. One of them would go into the James after a rock that the owner would throw, to prove it was the same one he would put and x scratch on it and the dog would find it and bring it back, unreal. Great with kids. Just a great dog all around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted February 28, 2004 Author Share Posted February 28, 2004 Thanks Skin...thats pretty much what I've heard...appreciate the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Punani2 Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Jansen has one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted February 28, 2004 Author Share Posted February 28, 2004 Yeah, but after calling him a whiner last year, I don't think he'd be inclined to help me out But if you have his email....:laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeorama Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 Tarhog, we were going to get a Chessie but went with Springer Spaniels because of their size. But I know several people that have them. They are AWSOME. IF I ever went with another breed, that is the ONLY one I would go with. They are loving, athletic and just plain fun. I like the fact that they are not all that common too. Great choice, please post pictures when you can. I'm jealous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted February 29, 2004 Author Share Posted February 29, 2004 Thanks Code...I definitely will. I have such fond memories of my boyhood dog...didn't want my kids to miss out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leaping lizzy Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 I have Springer Spaniels - and a four foot fence. She stays in but when in heat, that four foot fence didn't keep the Chesapeake from down the road from visiting. Then I had 13 pups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 29, 2004 Share Posted February 29, 2004 I've heard nothing but good things about them. Should be good in the grueling NC suimmer heat too. You know, I don't miss that a bit:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Well, I haven't had a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, but I'm on my second German Shep. Their great climbers, and jumpers. My first could do the 5' 6" retaining wall from the drive way with ease. That being said, before I go out and get a six foot fence, I would get a low priced landscaper to repair the lawn you use to have:laugh: :laugh: I'm actually not too sure on this one. I have had a 4' fence for about seven years now, and have never had any problem what so ever. I know that it's not a problem for the dog to go over, and under even easier. While we don't leave the dog completely unattended for long periods in the yard, it's not due to worry, but the heat most of the year and lack of shade. Plus, a doggie door down here is an open invite to all sorts of critters. My dog now, has been trained not to even put her front paws up on the top rail. In your case, the 6' fence my be better for a dog that will be in the yard for extended amounts of time, even with a well trained dog. Don't kid yourself. If a dog wants out, it will find a way. The trainer in CT I used with my first dog had to put tops on her outdoor runs which were six foot. Short of doing a heap of work at the bottom edge of the fence, given a little time a large dog can dig under easily. If you look around on the web, you'll find a bunch of stuff on how to keep your dog safely fenced in. To late,and lazy to search. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchogs Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 great dogs! my gparents had one and she was the greatest dog. she was easy to train, was great around my sister and i (i.e. kids), and was loyal as hell. my gfather used her as a hunting dog with amazing results. not sure about the fence question. my gparents live in a very rural area and didn't use a fence. she was very good about sticking around the immediate area. she was in heaven when they took her to their bay house... only problem was getting her out of the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbooma Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 just make sure you have plenty of space for them to run Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavyDave Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 Neighbor had one and kids could even go into his backyard and play with her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted March 12, 2004 Author Share Posted March 12, 2004 Thanks guys....hadn't checked in on these replies until tonight, appreciate the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinamatic Posted March 12, 2004 Share Posted March 12, 2004 Tarhog I have a weimaraner that is a 1 year old female. What a great dog she is. A little bit on the spoiled side though. I guess thats my fault. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan44 Posted March 12, 2004 Share Posted March 12, 2004 My friend has one. Max is a great bird dog. He uses him when we go duck and goose hunting. Very smart. Loves to run so I hope your yard is big. If not, plan on walking (running) him/her alot. Also loves the water. Good with the kids and plays with them all the time. I have thought of getting one myself, but I don't think the 4 cats we have would like that too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redman Posted March 12, 2004 Share Posted March 12, 2004 Tarhog, a dog that size and with the athletic ability that Chessie's have is going to need a 6' fence. That's the minimum for GSD's too. They might even be able to clear that, so the point is that you need to instill with good training an honor system. My vet, Dr. Dana Bleifer, as it happens, bred and co-owns the Chessie that won best in breed at the Westminster Dog Show this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted March 12, 2004 Author Share Posted March 12, 2004 Thanks again fellas. I did decide to go with the 6' fence....and I'll post some pics when puppy is here. She's only 3-4 weeks old right now, so it'll be a little bit before she's ready to come home with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opiate-Zeo Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 Tarhog I have a 1/2 Chessie and 1/2 Doberman. She's the tamest dog I have ever had. My Pug attacks her on a daily basis and she just brushes her off. She's extremely loving, and too darn smart. She figured out how to get out of her cage, and how to open the fence gate. The only problem I have with her is that she is too loving. I feel like John Arbuckle from Garfield when Odie attacks him when he gets home. Anyways, from my experience with a half Chessie. They are wonderfull dogs. Very loving and very smart too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAMBURGER Posted March 13, 2004 Share Posted March 13, 2004 Hey Tar, I have lots of experience with both Chessies and Weims. Both can be somewhat protective of the family which can be a good thing or a bad thing. As far as Chessies go, the only drawback I would see is that they usually have a very oily coat which was bred into them to shed water(Duck dogs you know):>)) and this can make them a little more fragrant then say a weim other shorthaird dog. They can also be a little hard headed and are usually tough as nails. This can make it a litte more difficult to train one. Really just depends on the individual though. I had a female that was small by chessie standards and was as sweet as sugar to everone. I would suggest you visit the breeder and if the parents are nice and laid back the pups should be more likely to be also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted March 13, 2004 Author Share Posted March 13, 2004 Thanks Opiate and CHam...thats consistent with what I've heard. I really wanted a Weimaraner, which I grew up with. But to be honest Chessies are very active dogs, but I don't think they're quite as 'high energy' as a Weimaraner, and I thought they'd be able to handle the climate here better. We've got lots of lakes around so I'm going to use that to my advantage too. I'm going with a very experienced breeder so I don't expect to get anything but a fine pup (although the breeder's making the selection so theres a bit of trust involved). I've heard they can be a little stubborn like a Weimaraner...thats true of most smart dogs though. Like most here, I've got alph male written all over me, so we'll establish that right away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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