Just finished updating the Past Litters page with some pics and quotes from previous pup owners. Bruce, in the picture above, is sitting along the Yakima River getting ready for his next swim. These dogs definitely know how to swim and are just as comfortable in the water as they are on land.

Speaking of swimming, I remember the first time I really considered how well these dogs could swim. Our family was canoeing on a fairly large wetland and since we had small children in the canoe decided it was best not to let the dogs in the canoe. Well, after convincing the dogs they could not ride along, we paddled off with the dogs swimming right alongside our canoes. Of course, the dogs wanted to be as close as possible, so it took them awhile to realize they needed to stay away from paddles and the side of the boats.

While paddling along, I kept thinking the dogs would get tired of swimming. Nope. Several hours later they were still swimming along. Along the way they would come across a log or beaver dam and it was always interesting to watch how they negotiated these obstacles. Hudson, soon figured out that if he could touch bottom, he could go faster by jumping off the bottom instead of swimming. I still think he was racing us to our takeout point.

My favorite story which shows just how well these dogs can swim was told by a dog owner who thought it might be a good idea to play fetch with his dog under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Well, whatever he was throwing for his dog got swept off in the swift currents and the dog, determined to make the retrieve kept following the object trying to catch up to it. Further and further out the dog went until it became just a speck and then disappeared. Oh no, thought the owner, I think my dog may have just drowned. Now what?

Well, the owner knew that Chesapeakes were great water dogs and just maybe his dog was still out there somewhere determined to make the retrieve. Since it was so cold and windy, he decided to wait in his car. While he waited, he read a book and after about an hour his dog finally came back with the retrieved object.

My Great Uncle used to tell me how he shot ducks on the Missouri River that sometimes would land on floating ice. When this happened, it made for a very difficult retrieve for the dog and my uncle was unable to call his dog off of retrieves. Often, once it got dark, he would have to return home alone since his dog, Goldie, was still out there somewhere determined to bring in the duck. He told me how he would throw his coat down when he left and come back the next morning. Goldie, 9 out of 10 times, would be laying on his coat smiling with the duck she’d retrieved during the night next to her.

Stories like these helped me to decide when I was a teenager that a Chesapeake Bay Retriever was the dog for me. I’ve never been disappointed in this decision and the great abilities on our dogs.

Yes, in case you’re wondering we still have a few males available. I am thinking of starting to train them a bit as some do not want to have to deal with all the puppy stages. Not sure why they don’t want to stay up late and wake up early to crate train the pups. Actually, I do know why, but I’ll do it and I know you will too in order to have a great dog. It’s worth it. Set up a visit with us and we’ll do our best to set you up with a great pup too! Thanks.