Retriever Thread!!!

[Seaslug]

Less popular, Flat coats. And my personal favorite, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, who have never been popular, fortunately, because they are also guard type dogs, who will either be well trained or not...
Mary

Chessies are less popular for a reason... we are living with our third currently. He is the most affectionate of the three, but it is still all about him... They are A LOT.

 

[servant_of_fluffs]

I would like to one day train a retriever (golden or chesapeake?) to go hawking and hunting with me. I don't have my falconry license yet, but we'll see in a few years!

I have some mildish mobility issues but like to go hiking so a sweet chill, but active dog would be great for me.

One of my friends has a 6 month old golden retriever puppy and he is soooo sweet and calm even when he was little. His older "sister" is very excitable and energetic. You can definitely tell the difference between show and field lines

 

[ShrekDawg]

I would like to one day train a retriever (golden or chesapeake?) to go hawking and hunting with me. I don't have my falconry license yet, but we'll see in a few years!

I have some mildish mobility issues but like to go hiking so a sweet chill, but active dog would be great for me.

One of my friends has a 6 month old golden retriever puppy and he is soooo sweet and calm even when he was little. His older "sister" is very excitable and energetic. You can definitely tell the difference between show and field lines

I know someone that had dogs like that. One super calm, one very energetic LOL the calm one unfortunately passed away but they do still have the energetic one who is a lot calmer now LOL and they also have a new puppy now who I have not met so cannot say her personality. But yeah.

Anyways, I don’t know that Chessies fit chill. At least not with strangers.

You would be better off with a LAB or Golden, IMO rather than a CHESSIE or Golden.

But I suppose if you put enough work into the dog and gave it a job, it might be okay. But even then, they can be VERY protective which some people can handle and some can’t.

 

[servant_of_fluffs]

I know someone that had dogs like that. One super calm, one very energetic LOL the calm one unfortunately passed away but they do still have the energetic one who is a lot calmer now LOL and they also have a new puppy now who I have not met so cannot say her personality. But yeah.

Anyways, I don’t know that Chessies fit chill. At least not with strangers.

You would be better off with a LAB or Golden, IMO rather than a CHESSIE or Golden.

But I suppose if you put enough work into the dog and gave it a job, it might be okay. But even then, they can be VERY protective which some people can handle and some can’t.

I more of meant I want a dog that is energetic, and isn't as crazy as what I'm used to (mixed breed Alaskan Huskies which are ...insane, even when mushing 30ish miles every couple days) It would be very helpful to have a dog for flushing critters and retrieving beavers. Labs seem to have a lot of health issues, but maybe it's not as bad as it seems when I've researched them? I've heard they're very prone to cancer. All the labs I've met have been super sweet.
Curly coated retrievers are pretty cool, too... I absolutely love their fur! The few breeders who breed and show them seem very devoted to the dogs and honest about the breed's shortcomings.
I don't mind protectiveness much, as long as I have accessibility to a professional if they are too much for owner training.

Anyways, retrievers are awesome!

 

[ShrekDawg]

I more of meant I want a dog that is energetic, and isn't as crazy as what I'm used to (mixed breed Alaskan Huskies which are ...insane, even when mushing 30ish miles every couple days) It would be very helpful to have a dog for flushing critters and retrieving beavers. Labs seem to have a lot of health issues, but maybe it's not as bad as it seems when I've researched them? I've heard they're very prone to cancer. All the labs I've met have been super sweet.
Curly coated retrievers are pretty cool, too... I absolutely love their fur! The few breeders who breed and show them seem very devoted to the dogs and honest about the breed's shortcomings.
I don't mind protectiveness much, as long as I have accessibility to a professional if they are too much for owner training.

Anyways, retrievers are awesome!

Ahhhh okay yeah I imagine Alaskans are wild! LOL

and honestly I don’t think they’re really any more prone than any other retriever breed. Goldens especially are extremely prone to cancer too. So it is not just Labs.

And yes I love retrievers!

 

[Folly's place]

I would see 'mobility issues' as a problem with many Chessies, who need a firm leader, and might decide to guard you inappropriately. They didn't work well as guide dogs for the blind, because they wanted to guard their blind person too enthusiastically.
Mary

 

[ShrekDawg]

I would see 'mobility issues' as a problem with many Chessies, who need a firm leader, and might decide to guard you inappropriately. They didn't work well as guide dogs for the blind, because they wanted to guard their blind person too enthusiastically.
Mary

Oh wow I didn’t know that about the guide dog thing

 

[Folly's place]

All dogs have health issues! Really serious breeders will screen their dogs for as many problems as they can, xrays, blood DNA tests, whatever are available. That helps a lot!
Recentl (last weekend!) I talked to some Chessie breeders at a dog show, who said that many current breeders (them!) were selecting for less of that original Chessie temperament, and less aggression.
I have no way to know how that's actually happening, our last Chessie died 15 or 20 years ago.
I'm still thinking "maybe our next dog", and then feel like getting another lost soul rescue would be better...
Mary

 

[ShrekDawg]

All dogs have health issues! Really serious breeders will screen their dogs for as many problems as they can, xrays, blood DNA tests, whatever are available. That helps a lot!
Recentl (last weekend!) I talked to some Chessie breeders at a dog show, who said that many current breeders (them!) were selecting for less of that original Chessie temperament, and less aggression.
I have no way to know how that's actually happening, our last Chessie died 15 or 20 years ago.
I'm still thinking "maybe our next dog", and then feel like getting another lost soul rescue would be better...
Mary

Awww yeah I love rescues but want a purebred eventually LOL

And I feel like without at least some aggression or protection or whatever, then they’re just a Lab LOL

 

[servant_of_fluffs]

I would see 'mobility issues' as a problem with many Chessies, who need a firm leader, and might decide to guard you inappropriately. They didn't work well as guide dogs for the blind, because they wanted to guard their blind person too enthusiastically.
Mary

Very fair. The phrase "too enthusiastically" would make me laugh if I didn't know firsthand how much of a pain that is.