Quick Facts:

Group classification: Gun Dog, AKC Sporting Group

Country of origin: United States of America

Date of origin: 1807

Weight (M): 65-80 pounds Height (M): 23-26 inches

Weight (F): 55-70 pounds Height (F): 21-24 inches

Life expectancy: About 10-12 years

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History

During the 1807 winter, there was an English ship wreck off the Maryland coast where everybody was saved including two dogs which were given to a dog loving family. The local dog retrievers mated with them and the resultant breed, which was used in Chesapeake Bay for hunting proved excellent. Careful breeding as years passed by resulted in an exceptional retriever combining incredible endurance and enthusiasm. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are capable of retrieving an average of 200 ducks daily while in chilly waters. These dogs are outstanding in tracking and obedience as well as in field trials, hunting tests and retrieving. They are similarly excellent family companions.

General Description

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are powerful and masculine dogs with a short, slightly wavy coat that is commonly in shades of tan, red or brown. There is a preference of solid colors with a permissible white coloring on their feet and chest. Both their harsh exterior coat and their dense undercoat of wool are oily hence ensuring water repellence. These breed of dog have a broad round head with a medium muzzle and stop. They comprise thin lips, with small ears hanging downwards and possessing yellowish colored eyes. They have a 12-15 inches long tail, straight good-boned forelegs, strong hindquarters and webbed toes to offer an excellent swimming capability.

Temperament

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are obedient, friendly and intelligent dogs. They are courageous, loving, willing, and trainable despite being slow learners. These affectionate dogs are ideal in the company of children and are happiest when swimming and retrieving. This breed is readily compatible with cats sharing the present surrounding, but has a tendency of chasing other cats. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not recommendable for inexperienced dog owners since the handler should be capable of exerting his authority in a confident manner in regard to the dog. The successful approach for handling these dogs should be consistent, firm but kind while proper human to canine communication is imperative. Once these dogs sense a timid, meek or passive behavior in their owners, they may become dominant and develop dominance problems.

Health and Care

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia and eye problems. They are generally healthy animals and the only major health issues are gastric torsion and CHD while progressive retinal atrophy and hypothyroidism are on the other hand the relatively minor issues. Vigorous activity is ideal for these dogs especially swimming where possible. Lack of adequate exercise may result in the dog adopting bad behavior attributed to boredom and bottling up of energy. A jog or an invigorating long walk is necessary on a daily basis. Although it is optional to remove these dogs’ front dewclaws, those on their rear legs must be removed.

Other Important Information

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a lower rate of learning in comparison to other dogs hence their training may be required to be more intensive or similarly take longer. These dogs are territorial and tend to dominate within their immediate surrounding. Their lifeline ranges up to fourteen years, but 11-12 years is the norm. Apartment life is not ideal for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers since they like sleeping outdoors and have a preference of cool to hot climates unless a water body is in close proximity.

Pets4You offers listings of Chesapeake Bay Retriever breeders with puppies for sale.