Does anyone here have experience with the breed? I would really like to get involved with Labradors in the far future (aka - showing, working, breeding), but, although I love my Labradorks, I think I'm always going to want a bit of a "harder" breed around. One that, while still having a rock solid temperment and being great with the family/animals/etc., is a bit more discriminatory towards strangers and would be willing and able to defend the home should the need arise.
I do have other favorite breeds of dogs that would fit the bill, of course, but since I'm so fond of Labradors, Chessies have caught my eye. From what I understand of them, they are similar to a Lab, only instead of being a friendly goofball they are more discriminatory and reserved. It also seems to be a general consensus that while still very intelligent, they are less "willing to please" than Labs are (aka, more stubborn).
I've only ever met one Chessie, and she was a psycho dog from hell, so I was hoping some people who know the breed first hand could shed some more light on their temperment and such.
I do have other favorite breeds of dogs that would fit the bill, of course, but since I'm so fond of Labradors, Chessies have caught my eye. From what I understand of them, they are similar to a Lab, only instead of being a friendly goofball they are more discriminatory and reserved. It also seems to be a general consensus that while still very intelligent, they are less "willing to please" than Labs are (aka, more stubborn).
I've only ever met one Chessie, and she was a psycho dog from hell, so I was hoping some people who know the breed first hand could shed some more light on their temperment and such.