Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

4 replies

MiladyDeWinter · 20/04/2010 11:48

Hello, I have only had a bad experience living with an untrained highly-strung Yorkie when I was growing up!

However, posts on MN have really brought me round to thinking how lovely it would be to include a dog in our family.

I have a 9 year old DD and a DS of almost 3 who is autistic. If we do get one it will probably be in a years time when he will be hopefully much more verbal and able to tell us how he would feel about the idea.

I had a look at CBRs because of the threads about Staffies, that it is said by the Kennel Club that both types are recommended for people with children.

Just wondered what you all thought of the idea and if anyone has had any experience of this breed really!

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
midori1999 · 20/04/2010 13:05

From what I know of Chessies (see quite a few at shows and talk to the owners, as I adore them) they are stunning dogs, but not recommended 'beginner' dogs. That doesn't mean people without dog experience can't own them, but that they won't be as easy to train as say, a Golden Retriever, which, tbh, are born half trained.

Any working breed will be fairly driven and require a largeish amount of exercise, which once adult ahould be around 2 hours plus a day and include off lead exercise. As puppies they require much less exercise, but need occupying so they don't get bored and become a nuisance.

The best advice I have ever been given about dogs (by my mentor when we got our first dog from her) was that you get back what you put in. With any breed, if you're prepared to put in an immense amount of work, and seek professional help/attend classes if you need to, you'll end up with a well trained, well behaved dog. The amount of effort required with a Chessie is likely to be more than some other breeds though.

Chessies are also prone to Von Willebrands disease, a blood clotting disorder, I am not sure what current health testing schemes are available for this. They should be hip scored (probably elbow scored too ideally) and eye tested for PRA.

If you decide you are interested in them, speak to breeders now and they should be honest about whether the breed will suit you. You will also probably have to go on a waiting list now, as they aren't a very prolific breeds and I suspect waiting lists get full easily.

Personally, I think there are other breeds that would maybe suit your situation better. Any breed, if properly socialsed and not taken advantage of, will be good with children.

MiladyDeWinter · 20/04/2010 13:16

Thank you for your reply, a Chessie may well be too much work, we're not sure how severe DS' autism is - he's still so young and we are only beginners as you say.

Thanks for reassuring me about other breeds, too, I'll keep looking

OP posts:
midori1999 · 20/04/2010 13:29

Do look. Most breeders will be happy to talk to you about the pros and cons of 'their' breed if you want more information.

My youngest son has Downs and our dogs are all great with him. (we have three Golden Retriever bitches and a lab x staff pup, he's meant to be a foster, but he seems to be staying...) They ar every gentle and tolerant, but I am careful not to let him test their patience, as I would be with any child. They do need a lot of walking, but are also happy to have the odd day off if the children are ill or hospital or other appointments make walking them impossible and will settle for a bone or game in the garden instead. That is something quite important to me.

PersonalClown · 20/04/2010 13:34

I have an 8 year old Ds with autism and now a 5 month old Staffy.

The change in my son is unreal. Where as before he would hide upstairs and play Xbox all day, he's now out in the garden playing with the dog, talking him for walks, out on his bike with the other local kids and generally more chatty.

The puppy is great with him, patient, playful and quite loyal/protective. It's like he knows DS needs the attention.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread