Chesapeake Bay Retriever breeders?

[KTRider]

Hi everyone - with so many of you in the north, midwest and mid-atlantic areas, I’m wondering if any of you might know of reputable Chessie breeders. I’m not going to be in the market for a year or so, but I’m finding it is a little hard to get recommendations on good breeders unless you really know someone with Chessies, and there just aren’t many Chessie owners I’ve found here in my area. I go to a dog club for training and we’ve done some agility trials, but in a few years of doing that I just saw the first other Chessie at my dog club last week. They are like a rare breed down here.

My girl came from rescue and is my once in a lifetime dog. I’m not averse to getting from rescue again, but I also would really like the opportunity of raising from puppyhood. I do understand they can be really challenging puppies, but I’m game to try it.

On another post here I stumbled onto the dock dogs site, but there doesn’t appear to be a local chapter. Bummer because I see Chessies in those competitions a lot, so I was hoping to network there.

Anyway, I’d love to hear it if any of you have any recommendations on specific breeders, or more ideas for networking for breeders. I’d be happy to go watch some competitions in the general area, but I still think I’ll run into that rare breed issue around here. Most people think my girl is a chocolate Lab with a really bizarre coat. Or they think she’s a Weim or Viszla. Color me confused on that.

Thanks!

[tradewind]

If you go to the Chespapeake Bay Retriever Club’s site on the internet, very often they have a list of breeders broken down by area of the country. This would probably be a good place to get started.

[bdj]

Don’t have any personal experience with their dogs, but Betsy Humer is a local dog show judge (she does breed ring, obedience and rally judging) and I’ve seen her competing with her own Chessies in agility. Don’t know if she’s currently breeding any litters, but she would probably be able to point you in the right direction:
http://www.geocities.ws/eastern_waters/index-2.html

Chessies are neat dogs - tough, but really cool. Good luck with your search!

[AKB]

We have gotten 4 Chessies from Diane Baker at www.sandbarkennels.com We have an 8 year old female who we got as a 1 year old. My daughter has an 8 year old female who we got as a puppy. My 88 year old father has a big male who he got a few years ago. We also have our 1 year old female who we just got a few months ago.

We love Diane’s Chessies. They are well bred. She is careful to have hips, eyes, and everything else checked before breeding. She is a top show breeder, so dogs are lovely to look at, but also have wonderful temperaments. One of her dogs won Best of Breed at Westminster a few years ago.

If you want something specific, let Diane know now. You could be waiting up to a year if you are fussy. I wanted a 6 months old to 3 year old female with a dark coat, sweet personality, and moderate activity level. My father wanted a big, quiet, 1-5 year old male. We wanted them to be moderately priced, as we don’t need show dogs. While we waited many months for our dogs to be available, my daughter got her puppy immediately, as she just wanted any well bred Chessie puppy.

Diane can arrange delivery in some situations. While my parents’ friend drove to Chicago to pick up their puppy, most of us don’t want to drive to Chicago. My parents met Diane at a dog show in NY to pick up their dog. I had my new little girl arrive in Virginia with a breeder who was driving from Chicago to Virginia.

There is nothing as lovely as a well bred Chesapeake Bay Retriever. They are unique dogs, and not for beginners, but are wonderful family dogs.

[KTRider]

Thanks! I’ve seen Sandbar before so it’s great to hear a testimonial. I’ll admit to being a little nervous about screwing up a Chessie puppy, because the results can be terrible. I have only raised a JRT from puppyhood. Though he’s great with kids and dogs and managed to get a couple agility titles, he’s not terribly obedient and difficult to train.

My rescue girl came from a sketchy home and had major fear issues and submissive urination as a result. But, with patience she’s ended up great and even got her therapy dog cert with TDI. She is super easy to train, and very eager to please, but I got her when she was two, so I didn’t do the puppy raising.

I’ve also considered a Weim. Any experience with those, and if so, how do they compare trait wise to a Chessie?

[tarragon]

There are some good reputable breeders here in the Southeast too. Kathy Luthy (Rippling Waters Chesapeakes) is in Florida, Kathy Case (Whisky Creek Chesapeakes) is in North Carolina and Beth Zboran is in South Carolina.

Betsy Humer of Eastern Waters is one of the most respected names in Chessies, and I love the Eastern Waters line- my young dog is out of an Eastern Waters dam.

My dog came from York River Chesapeakes in Maine, and I really can’t say enough nice things about Deb and James Rodden, they’re breeding some amazing dogs that are the total package of conformation, temperament, soundness and working ability, plus they’re great people that are totally devoted to their dogs.

I’m headed up to Greenville at the end of July for an ACC supported entry show, if you have an idea of when you might be looking for a puppy and if you’re looking for a show dog, or a hunting dog or just a good all-around companion, I can ask around for you and see who has litters planned.

I completely understand your need for a puppy, but just in case you feel an immediate need for a brown dog, we’ve got an awful lot right now needing furever homes at CBRR&R- http://www.cbrrescue.org/rescue_dogs.asp

[bdj]

I know you’re looking for a puppy, OP, but just look at Buddy: http://www.cbrrescue.org/viewdog.asp?DOG=2143
He’s already in FL and oh, what a cutie!

[KTRider]

When I can actually get a dog, I’ll definitely be trolling the rescue list. I’m not 100% committed to a puppy (though they are the cutest little fluffs), but do want a young-ish one that can go up the ranks in agility with me, and I know there are usually lots in rescue right in my target age group (1-3). And my rescue has turned out so well, I couldn’t ask for more.

Unfortunately, I’ve got three right now, two of them elderly JRTs with senior health issues, and my Chessie is basically a medical marvel (diabetes insipidus, one kidney, a heart murmur, minor hip changes, every food allergy under the sun) so my pet expenses are a little high as is. Plus I’m a renter; I’m just glad to have found a great landlord that would take all three; four might be pushing it. At any rate, I’m probably a year from getting a dog, but would like to be checking out breeders and litters during that time to get an idea of who’s producing what.

Buddy is adorable. Poor fellow, losing his home to divorce. That’s at least a better reason than some I’ve seen. I’ve met his foster mom actually, as I’ve helped transport a rescue or two to her. And I think she might have been part of the transport train for my girl.

Thanks again for all the recs. Great info.

[Kodidog763]

We got our from Idaho

We got our puppy through a breeder in Idaho. Northern Flight Retrievers I think… Ema will be 11 this year and has been an awesome dog in every way.

[cute_lil_fancy_pants]

Go to the shelter and you may be surprised what wonderful dog you might come home with! Don’t get too attached to a particular breed, you just might be limiting yourself. Just imagine a cute little puppy at the shelter that might end up euthanized without you!

[AKB]

We get our Chessies at Sandbar Kennels, as they offer puppies as well as dogs from a semi-rescue situation. My father’s dog was bought, as a puppy, from Diane at Sandbar. The couple who bought him divorced. The overwhelmed husband was locking the poor 1 year old dog in the basement for 10 hours per day while he worked. Since Diane agrees to take back the dogs she has bred when families cannot keep them, he was returned to her rather than being placed in a rescue. My parents had been waiting for a dog, and this dog was exactly what they wanted. A huge, 1 year old, male was not what I would have selected for a couple in their 80’s. However, my parents love him. They, of course, indulge him with long walks on the beach, good food, and lots of attention. The dog takes very good care of them, and understands his role as my father’s hearing aid, companion, scheduler and protector.

My little girl, who we got last winter, was supposed to be a show dog and breeding stock. Somehow, it didn’t happen, so she was available for sale as a 1 year old. We adore her.

If you are a Chessie person, there are no substitutes. We have had multiple good Chessies over the years. We also have had a Cairn terrier and a Golden Retriever. They were good dogs, but seemed so lacking in the attributes that we associate with good dogs. Both the Cairn and the Golden would go home with strangers if the opportunity presented itself. Both of them would escape from the back yard and run off with anyone who was jogging or riding down the street. Neither one was affected by the cold stare that we use to discipline a Chessie who is counter surfing or destroying a ball. Chessies are stubborn, overly protective, and always sure they are right. They are certainly not dogs for everyone. However, if you are a Chessie person, no other breed will do.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=cute_lil_fancy_pants_pony;5731005]
Go to the shelter and you may be surprised what wonderful dog you might come home with! Don’t get too attached to a particular breed, you just might be limiting yourself. Just imagine a cute little puppy at the shelter that might end up euthanized without you![/QUOTE]

People already know about shelters, and of course there are so many great dogs there. But if someone asks about a specific breed - please respect their decision. :no:

[I_Winglish_AQHA]

We have 2 CBR’s

Hello

We currently have 2 Chessies - our male came from Blue Skies Kennels and our female from Chesshores. Both breeders were exceptional and provided prompt shipping to us in Florida.

Both of our dogs are exceptional! Both have their CD’s and CGC’s, neither have had any health problems. I would highly recommend both breeders

[lovey1121]

I dislike making judgement calls about breeds because its just my opinion, but since you specifically asked…
My humble opinion that if its between a Chessie and a Weim, I’d choose the Chessie. Weims can be, IMHO, wierd…spooky, high maintenance, needy, restless–I think you need to be a bird-dog person to really do bird-dogs of all breeds justice. Every Weim I’ve known HATED water, too. And every Weim I’ve known had either a skin problem, a food allergy, had some level of fear and fear-aggression, or was a full-blown thunder-freaker. HIGH MAINTENANCE. They are gorgeous dogs, and of course you should be able to find a good pup without the above problems, but unless you have your heart set and eyes open, I’d go for the Chessie.

Have you read James Michener’s “Chesapeake”? He describes Chessies so well-guarding Master’s fishing shack and gear, and breaking ice to retrieve geese (while the Lab shivers in the boat and refuses to enter the icy water-that sure wasn’t my Lab-she retrieved in icy lakes all the time). Yeah they can be tough nuts to crack, but they are loyal, smart and fun-loving, and as far as I know, relatively healthy. Good luck with your research!

[marta]

this has been an interesting thread to read.

i thought that the chesapeak were just another version of a lab. guess i was wrong. things one learns on coth

[KTRider]

I can’t multi-quote effectively on an iPad…so here goes.

Fancy pants - As far as going to a shelter, I understand there are dogs in need there. Two of my three are rescues, one from a shelter. When you find a breed you click with, I think it’s okay to stick with it. If this was a horse forum and I asked for recs for a Trakehner breeder, would you suggest an auction? I’m not trying to start a debate, I just find the divide curious. I would think horse people would understand breed preferences.

AKB - the cold stare comment is true! I just cold stared a counter surf the other night. The thing I’ve found is that my Chessies have always glanced back over their shoulder in the midst of the counter surf, gotten the cold stare and hustled on like “nothing to see here, doing nothing wrong Ma!”

Lovey - now I have to read that. I always wondered if the dogs showed up in it! And I understand about the breed generalizations…was just curious if people had both and what they thought.

Marta - you are not alone! IMHO and limited experience, they are different types of dogs. All the Chessies I’ve met have just been more intense than the Labs I’ve met. But that’s also a generalization, of course. The ones I’ve known also seem to have an on/off switch. My girl can burn up an agility course, and then go immediately do a therapy visit, where she will stand stock still for a little girl in a wheelchair to rub her ears. And if the kid happens to run over her tail or grab her mouth too roughly? My girl just looks at me, knowing it’s her job to deal. She just seems to know when she has to switch gears.

Anyway, so interesting to hear all the input. Surprised and pleased to see so many responses!

[marta]

AKB

from your description of chessies sounds like they have a little terrier infusion in their temperament

:lol:

[wildlifer]

I will just say be careful, as you probably know. My co worker, who is a rabid duck hunter and has had 3 or 4 Chessies, just got a pup this winter from a breeder up north. Dog on their website were really quality looking and health checked. Pup is great but just had orthopedic surgery yesterday for a mess of an elbow at 8 months. Because of this, pup will never be bred, but hopefully will be able to live his intended life of (spoiled rotten) duck dog, it all depends on how things heal. I can’t remember the breeder’s name, but I could probably find out if you want.

[tarragon]

I agree with AKB, if you’re a Chessie person, no other breed will do

I have to post this, because you said you did agility. I just started schooling agility with my Chessie, and my husband sent me this photo last night while I was at work- he found my 18 month Chessie standing all alone in the back yard on the agility equipment, waiting for someone to come run with him- http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2221372422496&set=a.1694380688032.96816.1493252007&type=1&theater

[KTRider]

Tarragon that’s so funny! I am drooling over your yard and home course too. My girl loves agility, and has serious climbing obstacle suck, especially the A-frame. It’s always so fun to watch her in class, she is so happy there.