DON'T BUY A CHESAPEAKE FROM CLADDAGH FARM...

 if you think you are getting a curly haired Labrador. Their temperaments are completely different and Chessie’s are very strong mentally and physically.  

if you don't have the “moxy” to let your dog know that YOU are the ALPHA DOG in your home. Chessie’s have very strong personalities and need to learn their place right away, as puppies.

if you think you are smarter than your dog. You are not smarter than a Chessie…and they know that. They are, however, willing to let you think you are smarter as long as you have established pack-leader ALPHA status.  A modest fee for participation in a series of basic obedience training classes is an essential investment

if you want a totally unaggressive and unprotective dog.  ALL DOGS are aggressive if put in a bad situation. People who say their dogs don’t bite are sadly mistaken. Chesapeakes have an assertive and confident personality and they bond quickly and for life with their owners. They will protect their families. Since they are fiercely loyal, this makes it hard to re-home a Chesapeake. It can be done in most cases but there are some that never bond with a new home. A Chesapeake will stand their ground.

 if you are unwilling to share your house and your life with your dog. Chessies were bred to share in the work of the family and to spend most of their waking hours working with the family. They thrive on companionship and they want to be wherever you are. They are happiest living with you in your house and going with you when you go out.  

If you want privacy, buy a parakeet. Chesapeake’s will follow you wherever you go, your office, your bedroom, the bathroom….and if you have more than one they will all line up, look at you and watch every move you make. No privacy in the bathroom.

if you are a neat freak. Chessies will bring in dirt and water from outside, they “blow coat” at least twice a year and leave you enough fur on the floor for another dog. 

if you dislike daily physical exercise.  Chessies will keep you in good physical shape. They love the fetch game and walks or jogging along with you on a bike. Swimming is a Chessie favorite. They also think that every time you open the door to go somewhere that they should be going as well. If you have a job where you can take your dog, do so. They love to travel. 

if you believe that dogs should run "free." Whether you live in town or country, NO DOG can safely be left to run "free" outside your fenced property and without your direct supervision and control. 

  if you can't afford one. Our breeding program includes health/DNA & OFA screenings on our breeding pairs and these are not cheap. Feeding and care for a large dog is also not cheap. Many larger breeds are allergic to grains and wheats so grain free foods may be needed. Whatever the initial cost of your Chessie, the upkeep will not be cheap.

if you want a guard dog. Other breeds of dog are more suitable for protection or for deterrence, including the Doberman, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, and Belgian Malinois. 

if you are not willing to commit yourself for the dog's entire lifetime. Think carefully before you buy one. This is a lifetime commitment. No dog deserves to be cast out because his owners want to move to a no-pet apartment, or because he is no longer a cute puppy, or didn't grow up to be a beauty contest winner, or because his owners, through lack of leadership and training, have allowed him to become an unruly juvenile delinquent with a repertoire of undesirable behaviors. 

The life span of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever is from 10 to 15 years. If that seems too long a time for you to give love and loyalty to your Chessie, then please do not OWN one! Indeed, as most dogs have a life expectancy that is as long or longer, please do not OWN any dog!  They don’t deserve a disloyal owner. Goldfish might be a better option. Think about where your Chessies will go if something happens to you and include them in your Will. 

Think carefully before you own one. This is a lifetime commitment. You wouldn’t give away your son or daughter because they are hard to OWN or get along with, have temper issues or eat too much.

 If all of the above has not turned you away from the breed, then DO BUY A CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER! They are every bit as wonderful as you have heard! A house is not a home without a CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER.