I have to elaborate on the Chessies. I have owned 4 of them over the last 40 years. Yes, they are a one man dog however ALL of mine loved our kids and tolerated my wife. You will never have to worry about anybody doing a B & E on your home or vehicle if there is a Chessy around. You will never have to worry about a Chessy becoming a victim of wildlife predation. These dogs take hunting very seriously, they put 100% heart and soul into it. They have unbelieveable stamina, both on the water and in the field. They swim like otters, Have noses second only to hounds and sometimes I question that. Yes, it does take a special type of owner to handle a Chessy, they are NOT for your, take him to the field a few times a year person. If hunting is your passion and addiction this breed excels. Yes, they smell but you get used to it. They will let your hunting buddy in the truck (make sure buddy gets in first and he should keep a good supply of lil Debbie nutty bars in his pocket)-(Chessies favorite snack)They say if a man has one great dog in his lifetime he is blessed. I would classify two of mine that fell in that category. I was truly blessed to have the devotion and companionship these dogs gave me for so many years. Again, these dogs are not for everybody. There is a good reason the breed still exists. I could go on and on telling tales of unbelievable retrieves these dogs have done for me. Being a two fingered typer I have already overtaxed myself.
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my last Chessie (dead grass color)hunted like a pup til she was 12 yrs old, upland and waterfowl in MN, SD, ND and Canada. She had a very mild temperment and was great with my wife and kids, very smart, seemed to understand the tactics of hunting. I never saw the dog act as if it was cold, I have photos of the guard hairs on her back covered with ice when we were late season duck hunting 20 miles north of Devils Lake late season for divers, never whimpered one time. Her only downfall was that she would not tolerate another dog coming ANYWHERE near our dead birds or equipment, there would be an instant dog fight, it got tiring. I cried like a little girl when she passed away.