I typically pursue waterfowl, but I intend to start looking for pheasant. Any ideas? I'm leaning towards Chesepeake.

Curtis

Labs are fine pheasant hunters, you just have to accept that they are a flushing type of hunter and you need to either keep them close or try to keep up with them.

I have never owned a Chesepeake but I have been around a few of them. I am convinced that they are really made of metal, like terminators. Dense muscles, hard heads, and made for water fowlin.

I've always heard don't have the Chessies around little children but can't back that up with personal experience either way. I've also hunted over a couple of them (water) and they are great.

My last lab went ballistic on a Chessie for retrieving "her duck". 70 lb lab took out a 120 lb chessie that was funny. Probably shouldn't even have typed that. That lab was a rescue dog and had some issues though it was an awesome hunter and a great family pet.

New lab chewed up my heating pad (like you use for your back) last night. Can't win really! Or is it can't lose?

Chessies can be very hard to manage but they are one tough dog I had a friend who owned one and every morning that dog would meet me in his yard and go hunting with me .He was a great duck dog, But as a phesant dog he had no clue.

My new dog now has a habit of grabbing tools in the shop and hiding them

Dogs eating heating pads, newspapers, unemployment checks, cds, and hiding tools. What is the world coming to?
Oops I left out my Christmas tree.
And if you tell me to exercise my dog more I'll kill ya cause he get's 1-2 hours a day of all out runnin.
Little (little being a 65 lb puppy) bugger rides good in the back of a driftboat though. No barking at all, very little whining and he doesn't pace. He did barf that eagle crap in Charlie's boat though so he's not perfect. He get's his third Skagit trip tomorrow.

My Chesapeake is now a little over two years old. My best advice is that it depends on your level of patience. If you let them mature at their own pace the results are very rewarding.

The closest thing I can relate a Chesapeake to is a Grizzly Bear. His head is like a rock. Literally and figuratively. When it's 20 degrees out he likes to go for a dip in the creek that runs through our property.

Given proper time and training I'm not sure there is a a more dedicated hunting dog. It takes longer for the training to sink in. Once it does they don't forget. If you have the time and patience I say go for it.

I used him for pheasant hunting until I soured on the killing sprees at the release sight and he did quite well. Takes awhile for them to get the hang of it but definitely a fun experience.

I've had three chessies, they all did really well with kids and once they get it (it takes about 2 years for them to really mature) there isnt a dog that hunts harder.(phesants or waterfowl) They aren't for everyone, but that being said I'd never own a lab over a chess. They are a really neat dog that are extremely loyal.

I have two labs and they hunt more waterfowl and upland then most dogs ever get a chance to do. They are awsome around kids and do not have a mean bone in their body (unless attacked by other dogs) I have had several experiences with Chessies and they have not been good. They are very protective and not very friendly. If you want a strictly waterfowl dog that isnt going to be around kids go with a chessie. If you want a dog that will be your best friend, hunt upland birds all day, retrieve waterfowl, and be a good family dog, go with a lab.

Chase is an awsome dog, reminds me of my pup! I wish I could get him to sit in a driftboat.

Correction it was trip # 4 on the Skagit for Mr. Chase today.
I think I have some pics and I'll post em tomorrow.
Bed time now.
Don't get too excited....no steel pics.
I might have a nice SRC pic but I haven't looked yet.
Chase man is still a good boat dog.
Oh yeah he got to ride in the back of a pick up today so he's now a country dog.

Here is Chase man in awake mode. Not sure what is up with Addicted....

Its all about how you socialize them as puppies. Also they tend to be extremely loyal to one owner or family and won't listen to much of anybody else. Lots of people like to talk [censored] about chessies, but as a rule they dont own one. Mine (I'm in the process of getting number 4) have all been great with kids, very good upland hunters, and great companions.

That being said they are protective of the house, boat, and truck and take a little while to warm up to strangers. Don't get along well with strange dogs (takes a while for them to warm up). If you want a hunting dog/buddy you cant go wrong with a chess or a lab. (granted I wont own a lab as my fortune has been to hunt with a lot of dumb ass labs, as compared to hard nosed serious chessies)

If this is your first dog,I wouldn't start with a CBR.

You need to know what you're doing before you take on training a CBR. You'll be frustrated,the dog will be frustrated,you'll just end up killing each other.

sounds good, equally split it seems. I guess I'll go with a lab for my first dog, and as I settle in and take up the civilian life again, I'll hopefully end up getting a CBR in the future as my own hunting skills develop. I love looking at pictures of those dogs, man they are STOUT!

Curtis

i am pretty partial to labs. they are really great dogs.