Recognized breeds:	AKC - American Kennel Club, ANKC - Australian National Kennel Council , CKC - Canadian Kennel Club, FCI - Federation Cynologique Internationale, HRC (UKC) - United Kennel Club Hunting Retriever Club, KC - The Kennel Club (UK), NAHRA - North American Hunting Retriever Asscociation, United Kennel Club.
Breed Organizations:	American Chesapeake Club
VersatileDogs listings:	Kennels and Photos
Owner Input: The Chessie is a breed of individuals, all of whom have distinct personalities and looks. The friendly rivalry between owners of "black dogs" and "brown dogs" brings each to laud the merits of their own special companion, as they walk to the line in the hunt tests and field trials. The Chessie is a persistent and tough hunter, rarely giving up, no matter how tough the conditions. He is usually a one-man dog, developed as a waterman's dog, to protect his home and belongings. This differs from the Lab, who is friendly to the whole community, and was developed in England, where the owners took their dogs with them to a pub, social events, or family outings. Chessies are not as protective as they used to be. Perhaps the breeders are breeding this out of them, as they had a reputation for being aggressive and ill-tempered, in the past. Today, these dogs make wonderful family pets. Chessie buyers always keep in mind that this is a breed of individuals. When choosing their dog, they pay special attention to the temperament of both parents, the coat condition and color, and whether the pup seems to have the special attributes they look for, for the intended use. The Chessie's beautiful, curly coat repels the coldest water, and blends with the fields and marshes for hunting. It is always a shade of brown, from light to dark, sometimes having a reddish tint. The Chesapeake's golden eyes are distinctive and "honest." They express a deep devotion, as well as a bright interest in the world around them. Chessies have a wonderful sense of smell, and make excellent tracking dogs. Their fearlessness and tenacity are widely known. Extremely versatile, the Chesapeake today is used for Field Trials, Hunt Tests, Agility, Obedience, Companion, Bench shows, Paws for a Cause, and the family pet. They are intelligent, and often the amateur trainer gives up on them, as they are slower to mature than other retriever breeds, being at least a year behind some. They can sometimes be tough to train, because they do not obey blindly, but think for themselves. It has been said that the the Lab thinks people are gods. The Chessie thinks he is their equal! Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this wonderful breed. Our three Chessies are almost as dear to us as our children. Sincerely, Cedric and Ann Stressman Fremont, Michigan