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Chesapeake Bay Retriever Information & Dog Breed Facts

Collection of all the general dog breed info about Chesapeake Bay Retriever so you can get to know the breed more.

Group Gun Dog
Popularity Rank43
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Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog profile picture
OriginUnited States flagUnited States
Other Names
What other names does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever have?
ChesapeakeChessie
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it?
Purebred

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Size and Weight

Size
Is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever small, medium or large dog?

How big do Chesapeake Bay Retriever get?

What is the average size of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

Large
Weight
How much does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever weigh? How much should a Chesapeake Bay Retriever weight? What is the normal weight of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? How much does a full-grown Chesapeake Bay Retriever weight?
Male: 65-80 pounds (29-36 kg), Female: 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)
Average Weight
What is the average weight of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Male: 72.5 pounds (32.5 kg), Female: 62.5 pounds (28.5 kg)
Height
How tall is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever? Chesapeake Bay Retriever height:
Male: 23-26 inches (58-66 cm), Female: 21-24 inches (53-61 cm)
Average Height
What is the average height of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Male: 24.5 inches (62 cm), Female: 22.5 inches (57 cm)

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Price and Availability

Price
How much does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever in the United States? How much money is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

Where to buy a Chesapeake Bay Retriever with a good pedigree?

$500-$600
If you choose to purchase the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Chesapeake Bay Retriever gets to a happy place.
Availability
How easy is it to get a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? How many Chesapeake Bay Retriever are there in the world?
Very frequent: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is quite easy to get. There is a risk of overbreeding, as it is an extremely popular breed.

Inbreeding is common because of its popularity. A new study suggests that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of disease and health problems.

So be careful, buy from a trustworthy place or kennel and seek the help of an experienced person, a professional, to make the right decision.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Trainability and Intelligence

Intelligent Rank
How smart is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever? Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed dumb or smart?
Smart: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs have great intelligence. They understand and memorize new commands in 15-25 repetitions.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is among the smartest dogs in the intelligence ranking.

Trainability
Are Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are quite easy to train. Sometimes they can be challenging, but if you're consistent in teaching new commands they will obey for sure.
Watchdog Ability
Is Chesapeake Bay Retriever good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, they will alert you, but observation isn't considered their main job.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are average defenders. Some dogs are very protective of their territory, while others easily let a stranger to trespass. This breed is not sure to defend its territory in every situation.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Personality and Temperament

Temperament
What kind of personality does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have?
HappyProtectiveIntelligentAffectionateDominantQuiet
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Chesapeake Bay Retriever sensitivity:
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. Sometimes it's okay to change the daily routine, have guests and listen to loud music.

Some dogs handle moderate punishment very well, while others crumble apart at a dirty look. This breed is not affected emotionally by moderate punishment.

Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever a good family dog?
Average: Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are average dogs regarding their affection level. Some breeds are forthcoming and friendly, while others are independent and don't bond too closely with their owners.
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the Chesapeake need? Chesapeake Bay Retriever social needs:
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs need for social interaction is average. This breed likes being around people or other animals, but they don't mind being left alone for a few hours either.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Chesapeake Bay Retriever roam?
The wanderlust potential of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is strong enough to escape from home. They have a strong desire for exploring the world. Safer to walk them on a leash unless you teach them how to get back to you on command.
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Chesapeake Bay Retriever have high prey drive?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. Training can help to achieve good behavior.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Activity and Playfulness

Playfulness
How playful is this breed?
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a playful breed. Excited barking and sometimes nipping will alert you to play.
Barking
Do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my Chesapeake bark?
Average: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever barks occasionally. They can change their barks depending on their emotional level and what they're trying to say. Different barks could mean the same and the same barks could have different meanings.

Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking.

Apartment Friendly
Is Chesapeake Bay Retriever good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever in an apartment?
Not an apartment-friendly dog the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed. If you don't have a garden, think carefully about your decision, keeping Chesapeake Bay Retriever indoors can cause a lot of problems.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Adaptability and Independence

Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going?
Average: Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can a Chesapeake Bay Retriever be left alone? How long can you leave a Chesapeake Bay Retriever alone?
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. With proper socialization and quality time with the dog can solve this problem.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Bite Characteristics

Bite Force PSI
Does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a hard bite? What is the bite force of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? How much bite force does a Chesapeake Bay Retriever have? How strong is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever bite?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

Chesapeake Bay Retriever bite force: Ordinary. Bite force Chesapeake Bay Retriever measurements typically fall within the range of 200 to 400 PSI. The bite force of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever is considered ordinary when compared to other dog breeds, but it is still quite powerful. This Chesapeake Bay Retriever bite force PSI can cause bite wounds. Chesapeake Bay Retriever bite PSI is not something that should be feared if the dog is well-trained and managed. To avoid any issues, it's essential to learn how to train a Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy not to bite from an early age.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and many others, have a fearsome presence because they have significant jaw strength, so it is important not to anger the dog and have it around strangers until it is fully trained.

However, they are usually quite calm and good companions, they work well in families and are easy to care for.

In conclusion, while the Chesapeake Bay Retriever bite force is certainly an interesting aspect of the breed, it is important not to let it overshadow the many other reasons why these dogs are so loved and respected. With proper training and socialization, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever can be a loyal and protective companion for your family.

Biting Potential
Do Chesapeake Bay Retriever bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the Chesapeake? What are the odds of getting bitten by a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? Why do dog bites happen?

Low 🔽

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever do?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Health and Lifespan

Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs have health problems or genetic diseases?
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Health Problems
What genetic/health problems does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed have? What are the health issues and concerns of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed? Most common health risks of Chesapeake Bay Retriever:
Hip Dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)BloatCerebellar Abiotrophy
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the Chesapeake Bay Retriever see the vet?
Average
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Life Expectancy
How long do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs live? How old can a Chesapeake Bay Retriever be? What is the age limit of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever? How many years can the oldest Chesapeake Bay Retriever live?

What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

How long is the lifespan of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

9-13 years
The average lifespan of Chesapeake Bay Retriever: 11 years
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate?
Prefers average to cold weather conditions
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Energy and Activity

Energy Level
How much energy does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever have? What is the activity level of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are high-energy dogs. An active lifestyle makes them happy.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does a Chesapeake Bay Retriever need? How much exercise do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs require per day?

Do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises?

Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs need a lot of exercises. Long walks should be on a daily schedule. If you live an active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed need?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs don't need too much sleep. They are energetic and desire to live active life. If you think naps are overrated, this breed can be the best choice for you.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Diet and Weight Management

Average daily food consumption
How much food does a Chesapeake Bay Retriever need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does a Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed eat per day? What is good dog food for Chesapeake Bay Retriever? How much food should I feed my Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
3 to 4.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? Chesapeake Bay Retriever risk for obesity:
Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever's weight, he can easily gain weight. More than one daily walk should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Chesapeake Bay Retriever weight regularly.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Allergies and Grooming

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever have? What does this canine coat/fur look like?
Waterproof
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper Chesapeake Bay Retriever coats?
BrownDeadgrassLightSedge
Grooming
How to groom the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and how often? How often should I take my Chesapeake Bay Retriever to the groomer?
Easy to groom: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever doesn't require a lot of grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is needed, but cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't necessary.

Ears and eyes should be cleaned regularly to avoid infections. Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a good choice if you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of a high-maintenance dog.

Recommended for beginners.
Shedding Level
How much do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the Chesapeake? Do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs shed a lot?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs shed moderately. It's a natural process of the hair growth cycle. Regular brushing reduces the amount of hair that sheds. It mostly depends on their health status and breed type.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever need a bath? How often should you give a Chesapeake Bay Retriever a bath? Can I bathe my Chesapeake Bay Retriever every day?
3-4 weeks
More often than average. These dog coats tend to be longer, softer, and oilier than short-haired breeds. While a good bath every now and then is a great way to keep your buddy from becoming overly smelly, be mindful about overbathing.

Bathing will wash away your dog’s natural oils, while a simple brushing every few days should keep them clean.

Hypoallergenic
Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed hypoallergenic?
No
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions. Some dog breeds are even considered to higher possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?

Medium

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has an average chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.
Drooling Tendency
Does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever drool?
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an average drooler. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Good With

Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs get along with other pets? Are Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Chesapeake Bay Retriever temperament with other people:
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Are Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? Chesapeake Bay Retriever temperament with children:
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are kid-friendly dogs. This breed is a good choice if you have children.
Cat Friendly
How well do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed live with a cat?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly
Is Chesapeake Bay Retriever good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs get along with other dogs?
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. If you want more dogs in your family or you'd like to join dog meetups, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not a good choice.
Good For First Time Owners
Is Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed suitable for first-time owners?
Yes
Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Are Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs good office canines? Do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs?
No
Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the Chesapeake temperament with senior people? Are Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs good for elderly owners?
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are usually recommended for elderly people.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever As a Working Dog

Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can Chesapeake Bay Retriever be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs?

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not the best breed for service purposes.

Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can Chesapeake Bay Retriever be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a Chesapeake Bay Retriever be an emotional support animal?

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes.

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can Chesapeake Bay Retriever be a sniffer dog?

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not the best breed for detection purposes.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can Chesapeake Bay Retriever be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can Chesapeake Bay Retriever be a boat dog?

Yes

Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, as a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can Chesapeake Bay Retriever be a drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not the best breed for drafting purposes.

Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history?

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Reproducibility

Gestation Length
How long is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed is pregnant?

60-64 days

Reproductive cycle of the female Chesapeake Bay Retriever: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.
Litter Size
How many puppies can the Chesapeake Bay Retriever have in a litter? How many puppies can the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed have for the first time? How many puppies does a Chesapeake Bay Retriever have? How many puppies can a Chesapeake Bay Retriever give birth to?
7-9 puppies

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Recognition

AKC Group
Is Chesapeake Bay Retriever recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878 as a Sporting breed.
FCI Group
Is Chesapeake Bay Retriever recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)?
Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.
Breed Recognition
What kennel clubs and organizations recognize or register the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed?
American Canine RegistryAmerican Kennel ClubAmerica's Pet RegistryCanadian Kennel ClubDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.Australian National Kennel CouncilContinental Kennel ClubNational Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel ClubUnited Kennel Club

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Intelligent Rank: Smart: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs have great intelligence.
  • Grooming: Easy to groom: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever doesn't require a lot of grooming.
  • Child Friendly: Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
  • Senior Citizens Friendly: Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are usually recommended for elderly people.
  • Good For First Time Owners: Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
  • Boat and Sailor Dog: Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed usually likes being on a boat.

    Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

    Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages.

Cons
  • Hypoallergenic: Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions.
  • Apartment Friendly: Not an apartment-friendly dog the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed.
  • Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity: Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever's weight, he can easily gain weight.
  • Impulse to Wander or Roam: The wanderlust potential of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is strong enough to escape from home.
  • Dog Friendly: Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.
  • Office Friendly: Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not the best dog breed for office environment.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever History

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever finds its origins around the Chesapeake Bay area, in the United States of America, from the early 19th century. The breed is believed to be descended from two Newfoundland dogs named Canton, who as a black female, and a red male, Sailor, who were traveling on a ship from England to Maryland, in 1807. According to the legends, the ship sunk, however, fortunately, these two dogs saved the majority of the ship’s crew. Canton found a home with Dr. James Stewart of Sparrow's Point, and Sailor was taken home by John Mercer of West River.

During the early 19th century, wealthy duck club owners lined both shores of the Chesapeake Bay area. These hunters were the firsts who sought after developing a new breed, which, ideally, would be able to endure the shallow bay, with its freezing water temperatures. Hunters really needed a good and reliable hunting companion, for the reason that the Chesapeake Bay area was located along the Atlantic Flyway, which is a flight path taken by geese and ducks to their winter homes. Each year, the bay hosted a third of all the migratory waterfowl wintering on the East Coast, thus it was a great and fruitful hunting environment. Consequently, they started to breed a new dog, using partly the Newfoundland specimens from the ship. Later, they added the Labrador Retriever and the Irish Water Spaniel to the gene pool too. This mix resulted in the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, who came out with a thick, oily, double coat, which was both insulating and water-repellent, its repelling moisture like the duck’s feathers do. Furthermore, the dogs’ broad chest could be used as a plow against the ice floes and the powerful hindquarters and large webbed feet enabled the dogs to swim tirelessly against the slashing winds that whip across the bay. Consequently, it is safe to say, that the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the perfect combination of Newfoundland’s swimming capabilities, and the Labrador’s physical attributes and talented retrieving skills. Interestingly, it has been reported by some hunters that some Chesapeake Bay Retriever specimens were able to retrieve more than 300 ducks in a single day.

By the time the AKC was founded in 1884, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, or in its other name, the Chessie was an already well-established breed with an accepted breed standard. The American Chesapeake Club was founded in 1918, with the intention of popularizing the breed among the hunting communities, as well as among the families.

Nowadays, even though the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not the most popular retriever breed, although, the dogs are considered to be the toughest of them, who are willing to work even in ice-cold water all day long. The breed’s role did not change much during the decades, it is still employed to do various roles, including drug or bomb detection, and search-and-rescue work, helping the mentally or physically disabled. Moreover, the breed’s dashing physical attributes, athleticism, and superior intelligence helped them to get into the show rings, and to enter a variety of dog sports such as obedience, flyball, and agility. To increase the Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s likeability, even more, the dogs are believed to be great with children, so the breed is also a good family companion too, with their loyalty, activity, fun, and good temperament.

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Chesapeake Bay Retriever Comments, Reviews and Questions

  • Neil Stuart

    Mar 16, 2023, 3:47:11 PM:

    Chesies are nothing like any other gundog. Although a brilliant retriever they are also intimidating guard dogs and fierce protectors of family & home. Excellent breed that requires lots of input.

  • Nia

    Mar 16, 2022, 9:10:03 AM: