The grouse will bounce back.
If you want a Chessie, get a Chessie, but like Battue said above, they’re not built for your intended task.
My last Lab was big, powerful, athletic, and brilliant. He’d hunt it all, puddle ducks, divers, sea ducks, pheasants, and grouse. The Lab pictured above, would run circles around him.
I've hunted over numerous Chesapeakes. They’re big powerful, head strong retrievers. Many don’t hunt well with other dogs. Some can’t hunt with other dogs. I’d find a line with a track record of getting along with others.
It’s hard to beat a well bred Lab from American hunting/field trial stock.
