Today we are celebrating the diversity, heritage and predictability of the purebred dog.

Freighter
Freighter

The brown dawgs are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.  They are a special retriever which was developed for a specific purpose as explained in the AKC standard:

Equally proficient on land and in the water, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed along the Chesapeake Bay to hunt waterfowl under the most adverse weather and water conditions, often having to break ice during the course of many strenuous multiple retrieves.  Frequently the Chesapeake must face wind, tide and long cold swims in its work. The breed’s characteristics are specifically suited to enable the Chesapeake to function with ease, efficiency and endurance.

Storm
Storm

Chesapeakes were first developed back in the 1800’s and the Chesapeakes of today are similar to their ancestors developed back then.

They are similar in size and appearance.

Here is a picture of Freighter from 2014 and Skipper Bob who lived during the 1930’s and was the very first Chesapeake Bay Retriever Field Champion in 1935, (although Freighter’s picture was taken in the summer so he is out of coat).

Freighter And Skipper Bob
Freighter And Skipper Bob

The Chessies of today and yesterday also have the same working ability.  This is due to the predictability of the purpose bred dog with breeders selecting their breeding dogs for their working characteristics.

Thunder
Thunder

Freighter is Thunder’s grandson and the product of a planned breeding.  He carries the outstanding working ability of his grandfather.

Freighter With A Nice Haul Of Pheasant
Freighter With A Nice Haul Of Pheasant

In addition to appearance and working ability, temperament is also important and is another thing that is predictable with a purebred dog.

Freighter
Happy Freighter
Thoughtful Storm
Independent Storm

Working characteristics and a great temperament are nothing if the dog is not sound. Soundness is another benefit of having a dog that is purposefully bred from sound parents and grand parents. We know many well-bred Chessies that are able to work well into their senior years.  We have two senior dogs and they are still going strong.

Storm (Almost 8 Years Old)
Storm (Almost 8 Years Old)
Thunder (9 Years Old)
Thunder (9 Years Old)

Unfortunately, the purebred dog is under assault in modern times.  Believe it or not, some breeds are in danger of being lost forever.  Many of the laws advanced to limit breeders greatly hurt purebred dogs, especially the rare breeds.

So National Purebred Dog Day is not just to celebrate the purebred dog, it is also:

“To protect all breeds, their owners, and their ethical breeders from unreasonable legislation, a harmful animal rights and adopt-don’t-shop agenda, and a public largely unaware of the threats to purebred dogs. ”

Thanks to DogKnobit.

So let’s hear it for the purebred dog!

Thunder
Thunder

17 thoughts on “Let’s Hear It For The Purebred Dog

  1. Happy NPDD! I knew your post would be totally awesome! I’ve loved learning about the Chessie over the years from you! Your posts are always so professional and educational!

  2. Great to learn more about your dogs. It is a shame that some very old breeds are in danger of disappearing. And it’s a shame that most people seem to think that all breeders are bad.

  3. I love your post! As Jen said, your posts are always “professional and educational”; and this one is certainly that!! I grew up with purebred poodles, so I’m hoping someone will publish an NPDD post about them, as well as about Goldens, Labs, and Corgis. It’s a shame that some of the breeds are in danger of disappearing!!

  4. Both mine are purebred. Was great to learn more about your own breed.

    sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com

  5. Happy National Purebred Dogs Day to the brown dawgs!!! I had no clue about chessies, they are super rare here… I never met one “in the furs”, but I’m sure one I will say hello to a brown dawg :O)

  6. We three are purebreds and Mom loves purebreds, but she also loves mutts. I think it just depends on what stage your life is in as to what dog fits for you. All dogs are awesome but right now purebreds are top at our house.

  7. If one thinks about purebred dogs and thoroughbred/standard bred horses, it makes a great comparison. Most people are familiar with the extreme care taken by breeders of valuable pacers,
    racers. I like to visualize Chessies as the dog version of the mustang, a true American breed,
    tough survivors, independent and trainable to their task. Have always felt they have a strong
    sense of place: upland or water, home as companion, therapy, protector, in war, law enforcement,
    in service. The personalities of Thunder, Storm and Freighter show similarities but there are some
    unique qualities passed down within each pedigree.
    So toast to all who love the qualities of their chosen breed! And three cheers for Chessies!!! A
    further hurrah to the faithful Author of this site! And Hubby, as well.

  8. Your dogs are certainly beautiful and I’ve learned a lot about the breed from you! And of course, I love a dog with a bit of independence. 🙂

  9. They are such a beautiful breed and I love learning more about them and watching all of their skills through your blog and Sand Springs. We love our two purebreds and we love our mutt, and there should always be room for everyone with no criticism of the choices we each make.

    1. I totally agree! And Luke is a favorite of mine!

  10. Hi Y’all!

    Even before my Human had Chessies of her own, she always selected retrievers because of their willingness to do their owners biding and natural obedience. The most mischievous of her retrievers was the Flatcoat, but when it came to retrieving he’d swim anywhere, anytime. She tells me her least mischievous dog was Candy, my over the Rainbow Chessie sister.

    Y’all come on by,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

  11. Purebred dogs definitely have their place, as do adopted dogs and mongrels. Which is why I prefer the slogan “Adopt, don’t Abandon” rather than “Adopt, not Shop”. I don’t necessarily agree that calls for adoption is affecting demand for purebred dogs, at least in our neck of the woods here. Trends in people’s preference for one breed over another can also cause possible extinction of rarer breeds not in demand.

    1. It is not the demand that is the problem. The demand is always going to be less than for popular breeds and in some cases much less. It is the laws they are passing which greatly limits breeders ability to keep the rare breeds going. The laws are aimed a puppy mills which may be a good thing, but an unintended consequence is that they affect the rare breeds as well. For example, some laws subject breeders to strict regulation if they ship pups. Or they are penalized for having multiple breeding females. True those are issues with puppy mills. However. with rare breeds it is not uncommon to ship because there are no dogs within 1,000 miles. Breeders of rare breeds may in fact have multiple breeding females; however, these may be all there are in the country. They are not kicking out multiple litters because there is only so much demand for the pups but they keep the females intact in case they are needed especially if they are healthy.

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