Chesapeake, lab, german or maybe something else?

J

Jon Zuccolo

Active member
Howdy all y'all... so as part of my move back to Canada land, I have permission from my wife to get a dog (yes, I ask before I go out and get a dog).

And, well, I am a bit stumped on breed. Here's what I have been considering...

Chesapeake seems like a good match for the conditions on the east coast, but I've never hunted over one, however, they look good on youtube :)

I know labs are dependable, good duck dogs, and great companions so I would consider that a safe bet...

What about a german wire hair (I know a good breeder and she says they make good duck dogs as well)? Anyone here use them? I've seen them working at field trials, and their nose and skills are impressive, but I doubt they would readily jump into a cold pond.

Nova scotia duck toller? (have a friend with 2 of em, and he loves em, and I gotta admit, them doggies are awesome!)

So everyone weigh in and lets here what the experts think... And please lets keep it civil :)
 
Can only speak on behalf of the Labs. I'm on my 2nd one.

Ally my first, 1988-2004 was fantastic. Great hunter, better friend. Miss that girl.

My new girl Fathead is also a great hunter. I am fortunate in life to have these 2 grace my life and enrich it. I have friends who have dogs from this breeder. All of them love their dogs and are extremely happy with their decision.

Good luck, Kevin
 
In my opinion you can't get a better duck dog than a Chessie, but they're not for everyone-you definitely need to establish yourself as the "master" with a Chessie, but once the social order is established you can't find a harder working, tougher waterfowl dog. Not all of them are strong headed but they can run to the stubborn side. Labs are great too, there's a reason why they are the most popular duck dog. Have you trained dogs before?
 
Last edited:
How about a field golden retriever? I hunt the St. Lawrence River on the Canadian border in way, way, upstate NY and my goldens hunt into mid-December, are tough son's-a-guns, well-manered, quiet and have never, ever rufused a retriever - no matter how cold it has gotten. Moreover, they are truely wonderful companions and house dogs.
 
Get a Lab with the best pedigree you can afford. Some guys want rare breeds to be different. If you want to be different grow a mullet.
 
Good answer, but what makes you think I don't already have a mullet?

My wife is really allergic to golden's otherwise I would love to get one. Very good dogs IMO.
 
I'm partial to labs and goldens because that's what I've grown up around. They both have great personalities for 'the other 10 months of the year.'

I have friends with Chessies, and I agree, they do seem tougher in harsh conditions than labs or goldens. I watched one stand in thigh (on me) deep water for an hour in nearly freezing conditions one morning and not even flinch. (for the record, I wouldn't have made that decision, but he said she'd be fine and she was). They don't seem to be as personable with other people as labs and goldens.

I have duck hunted over wirehair twice, and it didn't go well. Oddly, in both cases, it was raining. The first day was around 40 degrees and drizzling. The dog got COLD. Eventually, we had to take him back to the truck to warm up. He did have interest in retrieving, but the water + cold temps didn't go well, and after a few retrieves he wouldn't get out of the boat. The second case was last year. It was warmer, though they didn't bring him out at first light. Later, they went and got him, and after wading out, he got in the boat and then didn't really want to get out. I didn't see him retrieve a duck, so he may or may not have drive for duck hunting (though he's a good upland dog). Based on my samples, I'd probably shy away from them for duck hunting.

I haven't been around them outside of that one hunting experience, so I can't say much about their personality.
 
I am on my third lab now. First was a dog with great lines but was born with a non genetic defect, megasophigus, where the throat muscles never develop. We had to put her down at 6 months. Second was a cheap dog I found in the paper. My wife was not to hot on paying good money for a dog again after that. She was sweet as can be and fantastic around my kids. Being a cheap dog from qeustionable breeding she just wasn't built right. This effected her performance when upland hunting. She just didn't have the stamina that she should have had. Mentally she was right on when it came to retrieving. Now I am on Black lab number 3. I did my homework and got a dog from a reputable breeder and thus far have been very happy. She is only 17 weeks old at this point. I looked very seriously into GWP's on the first go around. My family primarily upland hunts where I primarily hunt waterfowl but do both. This is why I researched and was interested in the versitle breeds. Where I live it does not get "real" cold so I felt a GWP would have been a good option. What I found was that there had been some breeding One kennel in particuler that produced some aggressive dogs that were spread throughout the northwest. At the time I was starting a family and that nixed it for me and my wife. Not to say that GWP's are aggresive. I know there are a lot of sweeties out there but I had found a lot that had to be given up do to biting children. This was 15 years ago in the northwest. After Bel is gone and I am looking for another dog I plan on looking at GWP's again armed with more knowledge and more connected with the hunting community. Whatever breed you choose do you homework and get the best dog you can afford. Get recommendations on breeders. Remember the inital cost of a dog is the smallest cost you will have over the lifetime of the dog so you might as well stack the odds of genetics in your favor.
 
In my opinion you can't get a better duck dog than a Chessie, but they're not for everyone-you definitely need to establish yourself as the "master" with a Chessie, but once the social order is established you can't find a harder working, tougher waterfowl dog. Not all of them are strong headed but they can run to the stubborn side. Labs are great too, there's a reason why they are the most popular duck dog. Have you trained dogs before?
Click to expand...


+1
 
I am one my 2nd chessie, they are my type of dog, but not for everyone. I beleive that all dogs (with a decent pedigree) can be as good as you are willing to make them.

Good Luck
 
I will weigh in because I am one of those Versatile breed guys. I hunt both upland and waterfowl. I have primarily been an upland bird hunter until 2-3 years ago. The addition of my young son, we have slowly switched to concentrate on waterfowl.

This is all to say, that I am very familiar with many of the versatile breeds. I have been training with NAVHDA for the past nine years and have worked with and hunted over Pudelpointers, Drahthaars, Wirehairs, Shorthairs, Spinones, etc. I used to own a Pudelpointer. He was a great upland dog, but stayed away from swimming when a real bird wasnt involved. That was fine in the hunting world, but was problematic in testing, due to it being perceived as a lack of cooperation.

Most of the guys that I hunt waterfowl with regularly run, GWP, DD and Spinone and one Large Munsterlander. All will retrieve, but to be honest, my little white English Setter will out retrieve ANY of them on waterfowl! That is seriously not to brag, she is just flat out an excellent dog, biddable and loves to retrieve to make you smile. She is a sight. She will swim simply for the sake of swimming.

I cannot leave her at home for any hunt, she will not stand for it. However, I have a very difficult time sending her to retrieve in the water when their is ice on the bay, but she will have it no other way. We have a ritual to dry her off and warm her up before the next retrieve.

Ok, now all of this is to say, I am planning to add the second dog next spring. It will NOT be a versatile breed. Much to the great dismay of friends and hunting partners that I have been training with for the past 9-10 years. The next dog will be a Labrador or a Chessie.

I hear you really can't go wrong you choose the best!

----------
 
I'd go with a lab.great retrieving instinct ,disposition,eager to please and an all around friendly animal.Look for good health genetics,and ofcourse retrieving background.I have had 4 labs,a chessie,and now have 2 labs and a 6 month old toller.I'm not sold on the toller yet,my wife likes him because he's cute lol,we will see if he can hold his own.
 
Last edited:
The only type of dog, I will ever own is a CBR... That being said, if you have to ask if a Chessie is right for you... they are not.
 
View attachment P1010216-003.JPG
him that he won't jump into a cold pond, or that he can't do 300 yd blinds, or run a field with a pointer or because he can blood track he can't point. You can read a lot of dribble on the internet with postings like this, most of it is myopic arrogance. Fact is you need to get out with some of these dogs and see what they can do your self. All the breeds you mentioned are fine capable dogs, but you need to match up with what suits you and your hunting best. I probablely won't own another breed of dog but that doesn't mean other breeds aren't good, or match up with others equally well. It also doesn't mean I own this breed to be different and that he is not fully capable of producing and retreiving me game like any other "Big Name" dogs.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top