Feeling cranky....
The big advantage the Chesapeake folks have is that the breed is a lot less popular, so it's a lot less competitive in the show ring. In Labs and Goldens, you have to defeat a whole lot more dogs to get points and majors--so you have to focus extra hard on getting that winning conformation. The drift of fashionable type is, I think, beyond any individual to control. It tends toward more bone, more coat, more "tremendous reach and drive."
I am really happy that the Chesapeake breed is not badly split, but feel it's more a matter of numbers than anything we can take credit for. Also working ability seems more persistent in Chesapeakes not specifically bred for it (than in Labs and Goldens). I don't know why.
Does anybody know the name of the yellow Lab? I'm wondering if it's a dog I know...I was privileged to meet a yellow who has since become the top winning show Labrador, a bitch named Lacey. I trained another dog for her owner, who ran Lacey on a setup or two. If that's who the dog is, don't doubt for a moment that she is hard-going and can *mark*.
Goldens vary a lot, like them all, but I've trained and/or worked with owners of some show-bred Goldens with a ton of ability and brains. It's unpredictable, and I wouldn't direct anyone to seek out a show-bred dog for hunting, but they aren't all bad. They can be mighty good.
Amy Dahl
The big advantage the Chesapeake folks have is that the breed is a lot less popular, so it's a lot less competitive in the show ring. In Labs and Goldens, you have to defeat a whole lot more dogs to get points and majors--so you have to focus extra hard on getting that winning conformation. The drift of fashionable type is, I think, beyond any individual to control. It tends toward more bone, more coat, more "tremendous reach and drive."
I am really happy that the Chesapeake breed is not badly split, but feel it's more a matter of numbers than anything we can take credit for. Also working ability seems more persistent in Chesapeakes not specifically bred for it (than in Labs and Goldens). I don't know why.
Does anybody know the name of the yellow Lab? I'm wondering if it's a dog I know...I was privileged to meet a yellow who has since become the top winning show Labrador, a bitch named Lacey. I trained another dog for her owner, who ran Lacey on a setup or two. If that's who the dog is, don't doubt for a moment that she is hard-going and can *mark*.
Goldens vary a lot, like them all, but I've trained and/or worked with owners of some show-bred Goldens with a ton of ability and brains. It's unpredictable, and I wouldn't direct anyone to seek out a show-bred dog for hunting, but they aren't all bad. They can be mighty good.
Amy Dahl
