McCAMMON — In a demonstration of their retriever abilities, Chesapeake Bay retrievers Allie and Nate sit next to their human, Tom Cox. Cox’s son Mike walks about 50 yards out into the snowy field with two bumpers, then hurls them into the air. The bumpers are training devices that represent hunted ducks to the dogs.

    Allie and Nate’s eyes are fixated on the bumpers, intensely noting where they fall. The two dogs are no stranger to field trial competitions, but have been out of practice for much of the winter. In this demonstration, the dogs are quivering with excitement to show off their abilities.

    A third dog, a rare curly-coated retriever named Ozzy, remained in his kennel. Ozzy is Tom’s daughter’s dog, but he has temporarily taken possession of the canine while his daughter recovers from cancer. Though Nate and Allie were trained for field retriever trials, Ozzy was more of a house dog.

    Tom leans his arm forward and yells, “Allie!” Allie takes off for the bumper. In the excitement of the moment, Nate takes off as well.

    “Get back here Nate,” Tom yells. “Your turn’s coming up.” Nate reluctantly goes back to Tom’s side.

    Allie darts towards the open field. After a little investigating, she finds the first bumper, picks it up with her mouth, and takes it back to Tom, delivering it to Tom’s hand.

    Tom has owned Chesapeake Bay retrievers his entire life. Ever since he was a boy in Oregon, Chesapeakes have always been his hunting buddy. While they look and act like the more-popular Labrador retrievers, there are distinct differences between the two breeds.

    “Labradors are better for people who have less experience training dogs,” said Tom. “Chesapeakes are perfect for sportsmen who want a one-person dog. Normally in a family, the Chesapeake will pick the person who they think they belong to.”

    Tom, a retired professor at San Diego State University, recalls an earlier Chesapeake named Misty who had picked him as her master from the other members of his family.

    “My wife would discipline the dog,” Tom said, “and Misty would just look at me like she was asking, ‘Do I have to listen to her, Dad?’”

    Tom laughed.

    Chesapeakes were originally developed in Maryland during the 19th century as a companion for market hunters. When the hunters would leave the cabin to sell their ducks to the hotels in Maryland, they would leave the dogs behind to guard the supplies in the hunting cabin.

    Tom says this is how Chesapeakes gained their protective one-person demeanor, though aggression has largely been bred out of the breed.

    Physically, what distinguishes the Chesapeake from other breeds is their double fur coat, which has been designed to keep the dogs warm in frigid water. Mike recalls taking Allie out earlier this winter to Chesterfield Reservoir, where the dog took off for some ducks in the water.

    “People were asking me if the dog was going to be OK in this weather,” Mike said laughing. “She could be out there for hours chasing those ducks in the icy water without a problem.”

    Tom has used his dogs to participate in various retriever trial competitions across the United States, travelling as far as South Carolina to compete. His home is decorated with so many ribbons and trophies from field trials, he’s had to box many of the older ones away to clear space.

    To earn All-Age designation, a Chespeake has to win first or second in a field-qualifying competition or place in an open event.

    Despite its East Coast origins, Tom says that in McCammon, there are more All-Age Chesapeake Bay Retrievers per capita than in any other place in the United States. Both Allie and Nate have earned All-Age status. The top field Chesapeake Bay Retriever in the country right now is out of Meridian.

    As Allie got her chance to show off in the demonstration, Nate was anxious to get his opportunity as well. As Tom raised his hand and was about to call his name, Ozzy appeared and made a mad dash for the field. In an effort to prove he could retrieve just as well as the Chesapeakes roommates, Ozzy had pushed the metal fencing open on his kennel and escaped, interrupting Nate’s turn.

    “That’s a retriever for you,” said Tom, as Mike tried to chase Ozzy down. “They never get cold and are always ready to go.”