The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an excellent gun dog that likes to swim and can work well in cold weather. This is a large dog that has a distinctive oily coat that helps with repel water. The Chesapeake is different than other retrievers in that he can be more aggressive, willful and reserved with strangers.
The breed can live peacefully with the family, although you may find that this dog is a bit more protective and aggressive than other retrievers.
Appearance of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Height: 23 - 26 inches
Weight: 65 - 80 pounds
Lifespan: 10 -12 years.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a powerful dog with a wavy coat. The head is round and broad with small ears that hang down. The tail is 12-15 inches long. The legs are strong and the toes webbed since good swimming ability is important for the Chesapeake.
The dense, harsh, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Solid colors in shades of brown, red or tan are preferred, but some white is permitted on the chest and feet. The harsh outer coat and dense wooly undercoat are oily for water-repellence that helps protect it from icy waters. While the Chesapeake Bay Retriever needs an occasional bath to prevent noticeable musky type odor. This breed is an average shedder.
Use of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever in the Field
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever makes an excellent tracking and retrieving dog with incredible enthusiasm and endurance in inclement weather. They love water and swimming and can bear cold weather very well. With its powerful strength, it has been known to break through the ice to retrieve water fowl.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an intelligent dog with a mind of their own. They are not recommended for an inexperienced dog owner. The handler needs to be confident and consistent with a kind approach to be successful in training these dogs.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever at Home
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can make fine family companions and are affectionate and good with children. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers need a good deal of vigorous activity, and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. They prefer cool climates to hot and they love to swim and retrieve. They need to be taken on a daily long walks or jogs for if they do not get enough exercise they may become neurotic from boredom.
They are rather willful and this breed can be prone to dominance problems. Attending obedience classes is recommended with this breed.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not recommended for apartment life.
History of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever
In 1807 two Newfoundland dogs were shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland in the Chesapeake Bay. They were mated with local retrievers. The new breed proved to be excellent for hunting. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was originally called the Chesapeake Bay Ducking Dog because of its ability to retrieve ducks in the cold waters of the north.
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, or Chessie, is an American original, having been bred here for over 200 years.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and having a body of water available for work and play is appreciated by her. She is a strong dog with a mind of her own so an experienced owner is a must. She likes children and enjoys hard play. She can get along with other pets with strong early socialization but she is territorial and wants to dominate.
Good With Children?
She generally gets along well with children. As a reminder, never leave a young child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.
Good With Other Pets?
She can get along with other pets, especially with early socialization. She tends to be territorial and will want to dominate.
Trainability
She can be slow to train with a low learning rate.
Approximate Adult Size
The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 23 to 26 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 65 to 80 pounds. The female ranges from 21 to 24 inches to the withers and 55 to 70 pounds.
Special Health Considerations
Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is no exception. Be on the look out for canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting), skin problems and eye problems. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.
Grooming
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a thick, harsh, oily and short coat with a wooly, dense under coat. She should be bathed only when necessary as this will strip her protective oils from her coat. She should be brushed regularly and is an average shedder. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.
Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.
Life Span
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever History
This breed was developed in the Cheasapeake Bay area around 1807 to hunt waterfowl under bad conditions. She is a champion duck retriever. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1878.
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