Page 31 - ShowSight Presents - The Chesapeake Bay Retriever
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CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVERS... I “You Had Me From Hello”
“ felt love start to grow the moment I looked into your eyes. You won me, it was over from
the start.
You completely stole my heart, and now you won’t let go.
I never even had a chance you know? You had me from ‘Hello.’”
- Kenny Chesney, “You Had Me At Hello”
My husband and I are avid fishing enthusiasts and were on the banks of the river Kenai in Alaska when we had an encounter with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. This handsome, wooly, copper penny-colored boy captured our interest and later, our hearts, toward this breed, and started us on a journey that has been exciting, adventurous and amazing. Our search was for an active, larger dog and since we had had Labs before, had agreed on a retriever of some sort but didn’t want one like everyone else had. As we learned more about this breed, we were convinced that this was the breed for us and pur- chased our first Chesapeake Bay Retriever. We have since owned several and do agree that our desire is to own no other breed. Why? Because there is no other dog like a Chessie, they are simply amazing.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was originally developed by breeders/sporting enthusiasts in the Chesapeake Bay area in the early 1800s and soon gained popular- ity with hunters far and wide. They were
and are known for their intelligence, phys- ical power and tenacity of spirit. Many a story has been told of the courage and endurance shown by this breed in the field, retrieving, without direction, upwards of a hundred waterfowl each day.
Chessies, as they are commonly known, are independent thinkers, powerful retriev- ers, intimidating guard dogs and loving family members. Because of their friend- ly disposition and intelligence, they are sought after by many for a variety of uses– hunting and retrieving being just one.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an extremely versatile animal, proven to be successful in Search and Rescue, K-9, drug and explosive detection programs, as Therapy and Service dogs, Guide dogs for the blind, as well as premier athletes in competitive Sled Dog races, Dock Dog competitions, Lure Coursing, Tracking, competition Obedience and Rally, just to name a few. And, when cleaned up from the morning hunt, make for strong com- petition in the Conformation rings. Their
character and personality, combined with their strength and intelligence, earn the Chesapeake Bay Retriever success in any endeavor that you choose to take them.
At the end of the day, these amazing brown dogs love to retire to the comfort and companionship of their family. They are affectionate, protective, fun compan- ions that love their families and desire to be with them. One evening, soon after the birth of our grandson Darian, the baby was bundled up lying on the couch and screaming at the top of his lungs, as babies do. Our Chessie girl, Katie, went to him to see what the noise was about, finding this crying baby, she quickly went to her stash of toys and brought out her prized stuffed duck. She laid the duck on the couch and gently pushed it over with her nose and nudged it up against the baby then laid her head next to him in an effort to sooth. Over the years, she has taken her job as “second mom” to our grandchildren very seriously, and the bond built between her and the children is an amazing one.
By Renee Wolfe
