Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers good guard dogs? Are they protective of members of their pack? Well, here’s everything you need to know.
The Chessie isn’t so popular, however, it has many similarities to popular retrievers like Labrador and Golden Retriever.
Like Labs and Goldens, Chessies are also affectionate and get along well with families. However, they aren’t ideal for first-time owners.
You might be searching for a dog breed that isn’t just friendly & affectionate, but protective as well. From the sturdy & powerful build, you might be thinking of having a Chessie as a guard dog.
Now the question is, are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers good guard dogs?
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not good guard dogs because they don’t usually attack; they just bark to alert. However, Chessies are great watchdogs. They are intelligent, protective, and obedient. Chessies are reserved with strangers and tend to bark when someone knocks on the door.
When it comes to protectiveness, it also has a lot to do with the training you provide; depending on whether you encourage protective behavior or not.
Chessies’ temperaments make them perfect for owners looking for a family-friendly and protective dog.
About Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers originated in the United States during the 19th century. The year 1807 was when two St. John’s water dogs from different parts of the bay area were bred.
Later on, both were bred with other dogs, including English Otterhounds, Flat-Coated Retrievers, and Curly-Coated Retrievers. After years of breeding, Chesapeake Bay Retriever developed.
Chessies were bred for their hunting instincts. With their soft mouths, they can retrieve waterfowl without damaging them.
Chessies are popular for their ability to retrieve ducks. They have the ability to retrieve more than 200 ducks or geese in a single day.
Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Protective?
Yes, CBRs are protective of their people. It is their natural tendency to be protective of members of their pack. Chessies tend to bark when someone knocks on the door. Qualities of protectiveness can be seen from their puppyhood itself.
Labrador and Golden Retrievers are so affectionate that they get along really well with people they don’t know. Unlike Labs and Goldens, Chessies aren’t friendly with everyone. They are friendly with their owners and family members, however, kind of reserved with strangers.
Having protective nature is good, but it becomes a problem when it leads to aggression. To prevent this from happening, make sure to train your CBR properly.
Traits of A Good Guard Dog
If you need a dog that can protect you from intruders, consider getting a guard dog. A guard dog not only watches for danger, it also gets physical to protect its loved ones from threats.
I recommend you get a guard dog when it’s still a puppy. Training becomes easier when provided from puppyhood.
It may seem that aggressiveness is the only trait one should look for in a guard dog. Well, that’s not true. Here are several qualities of great guard dogs:
- Moderate aggressiveness
- Intelligence
- Alertness
- Dominance
- Loyalty
Understand The Difference: Watch Dog, Guard Dog & Attack Dog
Do you need a watchdog, guard dog, or attack dog? Which one’s right for you? Let’s understand all three one by one:
A watchdog alerts you when something unusual is detected. They bark only when they find something a potential threat. Their main purpose is to alarm by barking; not to attack. A loud bark sound is what you should be looking for in a watchdog.
A guard dog can alert as well as attack (when necessary). Guard dogs need to be trained properly so that they can know when to bark and when to attack. Consider owning a guard dog when it’s a puppy so that you can train and correct bad habits like unnecessary barking, overly aggressive behavior, etc.
Attack dogs are very intelligent, loyal, and obedient. They are trained to attack on command and stop on command. They tend to react aggressively when they see someone entering the territory.
Is Chessie A Watchdog, Guard Dog, or Attack Dog?
If you are planning to get a Chessie dog, you must be wondering, is Chessie a watchdog, guard dog, or an attack dog?
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers make amazing watchdogs. They are very protective of family members and property. They bark when they sense something unusual.
Chessies don’t usually bark without reason. They don’t get along with strangers; they tend to be reserved with strangers. They notice the behavior; if they sense something wrong, they alert by barking.
Proper training from a young age is what you should be focusing on. With training, you can teach your canine when to bark and when not to.
Related Questions
How intelligent is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are above-average working dogs. They understand new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions. As per Stanley Coren’s dogs intelligence ranking, the breed ranks 27th in terms of obedience and working intelligence.
Can Chesapeake Bay retrievers be aggressive?
Chessies aren’t usually aggressive. Being very protective of their owners, they can be aggressive when they see someone hurting you or damaging property.
What breeds make up a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever originated in 1807. Firstly, two St. John’s water dogs (Lesser Newfoundland) were bred. Then, both were bred with other dogs, including English Otterhounds, Flat-Coated Retrievers, and Curly-Coated Retrievers. After years of breeding, Chesapeake Bay Retriever developed.
Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers hard to train?
Though Chessies are intelligent, they are quite difficult to train. The reason behind this is their stubbornness & independent kind of personality. For better results, consider using reward-based training methods like positive reinforcement, and avoid repetition.
How energetic are Chessies?
Chessies are high-energy dogs. Daily adequate exercise is essential to keep them happy and fit. To burn off their excess energy, provide at least 30 minutes to 1 hour of intense exercise daily.
Final Thoughts
Chessies are loyal and protective dogs; they make amazing watchdogs. They ensure the safety of their owners and house by alerting them when they sense danger.
Chessies are nice with family members but tend to be not-so-welcoming with strangers.
They have loud, strong bark to alert every time they notice something unusual. In a nutshell, Chessies are great watchdogs, but cannot be used as guard dogs or attack dogs.
TRAIN YOUR CANINE! ⬇️
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