I have always had pointing dogs, decided to buy a retriever. found a good chesy litter, anyone have a chesy or any advise on one.

My advice - BUCKLE UP! I had an incredible chesie but she was a handful. There is an old saying - "You train a Golden with a weed, a lab with a reed, and a chesie with a 2x4!" They are hard-headed dogs who require absolutely consistent training and they will test you, but they have an incredible drive and you will never find a dog who wants to hunt more (I once hunted with my chesie in 7 degree weather with blowing snow - every other dog wanted back in the kennel, but my dog hated coming out of the field)!

Thanks for the advice, I have been over and messed with the litter a couple of times now. cant make up my mind which one though.

depends on what kind of dog you want - if you can get a live game bird take it to the litter with you, one by one have the dogs with the bird - the dominate dog with the most hunt drive will attack the bird, the least dominate most laid back will cower from the bird - just remember that cute little fur ball will one day be a 80 lbs hard driving hunting machine!!! Then choose the dog that best fits you, your family, and your hunting expectations!

Ya I took a pigeon the first time i went, i could definatly tell which one was the most agressive on birds. That is the one i am leaning toward

had a chessie. he may a good duck dog. he trained nice and easy, but in the field, he got tough to handle. He was a beutiful dog, and iwouldn't have traded him for the world---but I'll stick to Labs from now on.

I have had 3 Chessies. They used to have a bad rep but the last two including the one I now have are not mean or stubborn. They will just test you tho. Just remember that you must be smarter than they are and don't be mean just be firm and they will be one of the best retrievers you ever had. When they are trained they will make you laugh every time you take them out for work or training.

I have been over and messed with the pups a half a dozen times now. Dang this is one tough and strongbreed of dog

Doc E, You seem to have alot of good advice and opinions. What do you think about Cheasepekes, What are some good retriever training books?