ORIGINAL: inhuntr
If you do what can you tell me about the dog. How was it to train? How was the temperment of the dog? How was he around strangers? I think that when I get done with college next year I am getting a dog. I just can not decide between a chessie and a lab.
Currently have a lab
But I have had 2 Chessie's
Both were a little more stuborn than the labs I have had , you need to take controll and show the dog who is master
But in no way do I mean you need to be mean
I found them to be quick learners , but not as easy to train as a lab
Temperment ........ One was a stuborn block head , but both werea hunting machine
The male was part gaurd dog , no one got in the yard without him barking his head off and acting like he was stalking you
IMO he would not bite , but you thought he would
The female would only growl and give the "LOOK"
Around strangers both were not overly freindly , Once they got to know you
They would allow you in the blind and not completely ignore you , but neither wanted to be freinds till you were around them a few times
Kids were different , they both loved kids
Both Chessie's coats were oily
They have more of a musk smell than labs
IMO I would not recomend a Chessie as a first time dog
They are much more of a chalange to train
Also not sure where you are from
But Chessies are best in the cooler parts of the country
Early season , neither of them wanted to hunt much when it got warm
But in -10 F with ice on their coats , they would lay down and fall asleep waiting for me to shoot something
John