I frequently have prospective Chesapeake Bay Retriever owners, or even existing owners, make comments such as these:
I don’t need a dog with all that health testing, I just want a companion and don’t want to spend that extra money.
or
I don’t need a dog that has show parents, I just want a duck dog.
or
Those hunt test dogs are too hot to handle – I just want a meat dog.
This is my response to those type of thoughts. During the 35 year hiatus I took from raising Chesapeakes, I farmed and raised horses, cattle and hogs. In the agricultural livestock world, there is an old saying: “Form follows function.” In other words, if you want a smooth riding horse; you would not choose a draft breed – the draft horse’s form does not lend itself to a comfortable ride. If you want a cow to produce meat; you would not choose one of the dairy breeds. Similarly, if you want a consistent, competent waterfowl dog; you would not choose one of the toy breeds. The reason for this being that in the dog world, the saying still holds true. Form follows function.
The people making the comments above, are usually making them in response to the price difference in Chesapeake puppies. So why is there such a price disparity in Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppies? This question is easily answered. The reputable breeder of these wonderful dogs spends a considerable amount of time and money on a combination of conformation shows and athletic competitions in addition to the health testing that is described in our “Health Procedures” section. The following is an explanation of the necessity of these added expenses.
Conformation Shows
Here is where the “form” is defined and judged. Anyone can claim their dogs meet the breed standard. However, conformation shows are where a series of independent judges agree that the dog meets the standard. The American Chesapeake Club has a wonderful resource concerning the breed standard, “An Illustrated Guide to the Chesapeakes Bay Retriever.” Following is the link: https://amchessieclub.org/about-the-breed/illustrated-guide/
The guide states the reasons concerning function for the form described. A few examples are as follows. Ears are set high on the head in order to keep the ear canal out of the water while the dog is swimming. The dog’s neck should be long enough to allow the dog to easily pick up large game birds. There is a double coat, distinctive to the breed, that allows the dog to spend long hours in a cold, wet environment. These are just a few examples of the form that the Chesapeake Bay Retriever should strive to meet.
Therefore, a conformation show title earned by your dog’s ancestors helps assure that your dog has the proper “form” to “function” as the breed demands. In addition, process of competing in a dog shows i an excellent confirmation of the dog’s socialization. However, those titles did not come freely. The expenses of training, entry fees, travel and time dedicated to the quest for a Conformation title add up quickly.
Athletic Competitions
There are several opportunities for athletic competition. These include hunt tests / field trials, obedience competitions, agility competitions, tracking, dock diving, etc. All of these require a dog to be trainable. All require the dog to be of the form necessary to compete effectively. They are also excellent ways to strengthen the bond between dog and owner.
Sky Pond Chesapeakes primarily participates in hunt tests, since our goal is to produce an exceptional hunting dog. As stated earlier, breeders can make claims concerning their dog’s qualifications. The problem with such claims is that the only way for them to be verified is to actually participate in a hunt. However, by earning a hunt test title, others have judged that your dog’s ancestors have met certain standards concerning the ability to function as a waterfowl retriever. Almost every Chesapeake will retrieve. A Chesapeake with hunt titled ancestors is more likely to be an exceptional retriever.
Whichever athletic competitions your dog’s ancestors have excelled in, they have proven themselves to be trainable and of the proper form to function as an athlete. This makes it more likely that your pup will inherit these traits. As with the conformation shows, these titles take considerable time and money. Training and training equipment are expensive. Travel, hotel rooms and entry fees all add to the cost of these titles.
Conclusion
Generally, the price of a dog from a reputable breeder who is trying to improve the breed is between $1,200 and $3,000. But if you want that companion dog to be trainable and live a long, healthy life, it’s not much money. If you want that duck dog to be exceptional and retrieve until old age, you’ll look for those titles and clearances.
This of course is just my opinion. But it is an opinion backed by experience. Do your own research and see what’s best for your situation and the selection of your next dog.
John Contini
Sky Pond Chesapeakes