Carroll's Island is one of many places along the Chesapeake Bay where vibrant stories of dogs, decoys, guns and waterfowl resonate up from the shoreline. The stories from Carroll's Island Ducking Club, which was founded in the mid-nineteenth century, offer special insights about the Chesapeake Bay's waterfowling heritage. In this warm, informative book, C. John Sullivan Jr., one of the nation's leading decoy collectors and scholars, documents the development of the Chesapeake Bay retriever and how gunners once devised decoys and new firearms and enjoyed the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. Eventually Carroll's Island Ducking Club would disappear, but its legacy can still be seen today in the role members played in establishing the Chesapeake Bay retriever as Maryland's state dog.

Carroll's Island is one of many places along the Chesapeake Bay where vibrant stories of dogs, decoys, guns and waterfowl resonate up from the shoreline. The stories from Carroll's Island Ducking Club, which was founded in the mid-nineteenth century, offer special insights about the Chesapeake Bay's waterfowling heritage. In this warm, informative book, C. John Sullivan Jr., one of the nation's

Carroll s Island is one of many places along the Chesapeake Bay where vibrant stories of dogs, decoys, guns and waterfowl resonate up from the shoreline. The stories from Carroll s Island Ducking Club, which was founded in the mid-nineteenth century, offer special insights about the Chesapeake Bay s waterfowling heritage. In this warm, informative book, C. John Sullivan Jr., one of the nation s leading decoy collectors and scholars, documents the development of the Chesapeake Bay retriever and how gunners once devised decoys and new firearms and enjoyed the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay. Eventually Carroll s Island Ducking Club would disappear, but its legacy can still be seen today in the role members played in establishing the Chesapeake Bay retriever as Maryland s state dog."

Part documentary, part nostalgic history, and part informational catalogue, Waterfowling on the Chesapeake, 1819–1936 explores a century of hunting on the Chesapeake Bay and its major tributaries—from the heyday of gun clubs and market shooting to the rise of conservation law. Drawing on oral histories and period documents and artifacts, C. John Sullivan, a longtime collector of decoys and hunting paraphernalia and a frequent guest curator of exhibits, looks at the effects of technological change, the relationship between hunter and dog, the recognition of decoys as folk art, and the history of hunting. He also introduces us to famous and lesser-known carvers and others who share an enthusiasm for this feature of Chesapeake cultural history and life.

Introduces The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Where They Came From, How Big They Can Get, And How Much Some Weigh.

The purebred retriever from the state of Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is one of the uniquely all-American breeds. A wavy coat, "deadgrass" coloration, and a strong head give the breed a distinctive appearance; in temperament and personality, the Chessie is equally his own dog. Devoted to his master as a field companion or a family playmate, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is at once intelligent, level-headed, fun-loving, and a bit of the class clown. Author Nona Kilgore Bauer, an accomplished retriever trainer and a celebrated, award-winning dog author, has written a superb account of the history of the Chessie and eloquently outlined the breed's characteristics in a straightforward, comprehensible way that allows newcomers to the breed to determine whether the Chessie is the right dog for him or her.New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.