Hi Grammy~
Following are a few articles about Chessie temperament that I have found to be pretty informative. They are very different form the other retrievers, as I sure you have seen or will see soon. Many dislike them and find them difficult, say they're stubborn. They were originally bred to hunt in harsh conditions with the solitary hunter and also to guard the catch, boat, equipment, hunter.
""They are not, and never will be, "Robodogs." It is embarrassing to admit the number of times I have marked the fall of a duck or goose that I was certain fell dead, insisted that the dog swim to that area only to have my Chesapeakes swim 50 yards to the left or right of where I absolutely knew the bird was…and come out of the reeds with a quite lively bird.
While this ability for independent thought is a trait highly prized by people who actually hunt with their dogs, it frequently gets the dogs in big trouble when it is time for hunt tests and field trials. It also bothers people who have a need to be in control. If your world is not complete unless you have unquestioned obedience from your dog or if your life will be empty unless you own the national field champion, do yourself a favor, get a Labrador."[/
Chessies are actually quite sensitive and do not tolerate harsh training. Often they will shut down.
"If you are heavy-handed with most modern Chesapeakes, they will tell you, "Fetch your own **** ducks"…and you have never experienced stubborn defiance until you have had a Chesapeake dig in its heels with you. The Chesapeake's personality simply will not let them surrender to physical abuse. But physical abuse will cause them to abandon their innate loyalty and desire to please you."
Chesapeakes are protective by nature. They feel a strong sense of responsibility to protect their owner's property - the yard, the house, the car, the children, the cats, the house guests.
Chesapeakes are extremely loyal, affectionate, clownish, and love to play games where they can figure things out. They have engaging personalities punctuated by their "smile"- a greeting that is a grimace with all teeth bared as well as their unique vocalizations - a happy "roo roo" sound that is somewhere between a growl and a howl. Jasmine does neither, while Indy both smiles and roos.
A Chessie smile:
And some great articles. A few deal with the hunting Chessie, but they do give some great insight into the Chesapeake's nature.
http://www.northernflight.com/not thesamedog.htm
http://www.oakhillkennel.com/library/breeds.html
http://www.gundogmag.com/gundog_breeds/chesp_0605/index.html
http://www.bayweekly.com/year06/issuexiv9/leadxiv9_1.html
Following are a few articles about Chessie temperament that I have found to be pretty informative. They are very different form the other retrievers, as I sure you have seen or will see soon. Many dislike them and find them difficult, say they're stubborn. They were originally bred to hunt in harsh conditions with the solitary hunter and also to guard the catch, boat, equipment, hunter.
""They are not, and never will be, "Robodogs." It is embarrassing to admit the number of times I have marked the fall of a duck or goose that I was certain fell dead, insisted that the dog swim to that area only to have my Chesapeakes swim 50 yards to the left or right of where I absolutely knew the bird was…and come out of the reeds with a quite lively bird.
While this ability for independent thought is a trait highly prized by people who actually hunt with their dogs, it frequently gets the dogs in big trouble when it is time for hunt tests and field trials. It also bothers people who have a need to be in control. If your world is not complete unless you have unquestioned obedience from your dog or if your life will be empty unless you own the national field champion, do yourself a favor, get a Labrador."[/
Chessies are actually quite sensitive and do not tolerate harsh training. Often they will shut down.
"If you are heavy-handed with most modern Chesapeakes, they will tell you, "Fetch your own **** ducks"…and you have never experienced stubborn defiance until you have had a Chesapeake dig in its heels with you. The Chesapeake's personality simply will not let them surrender to physical abuse. But physical abuse will cause them to abandon their innate loyalty and desire to please you."
Chesapeakes are protective by nature. They feel a strong sense of responsibility to protect their owner's property - the yard, the house, the car, the children, the cats, the house guests.
Chesapeakes are extremely loyal, affectionate, clownish, and love to play games where they can figure things out. They have engaging personalities punctuated by their "smile"- a greeting that is a grimace with all teeth bared as well as their unique vocalizations - a happy "roo roo" sound that is somewhere between a growl and a howl. Jasmine does neither, while Indy both smiles and roos.
A Chessie smile:
And some great articles. A few deal with the hunting Chessie, but they do give some great insight into the Chesapeake's nature.
http://www.northernflight.com/not thesamedog.htm
http://www.oakhillkennel.com/library/breeds.html
http://www.gundogmag.com/gundog_breeds/chesp_0605/index.html
http://www.bayweekly.com/year06/issuexiv9/leadxiv9_1.html
