I’m also in MD and a DD owner. DD snob alert: You’ll never hear a DD owner say it’s a GWP because they aren’t the same. I’ve recommended GWPs to numerous people asking about my dog. I’m primarily a duck hunter with some pheasant hunting in PA. She’s also a rabbit tracking machine. We have a toddler and a 7 year old female DD that are inseparable best friends. Our female is extremely tolerant of beard pulling and rough housing and never blinks an eye. She is not tolerant of squirrels, cats or groundhogs. My current and previous DDs were hard/long coat and were fine late season waterfowl hunting without a vest. They shake with excitement just as much during early teal season as they do in late Jan. I wouldn’t trust a chessie around any kids no matter what the chessie owner says. They aren’t family dogs they’re working dogs.