Physical Characteristics

Breed Group:

Sporting/Gun Dog

Weight:

Male: 65 – 75 pounds (29.5 – 43 kg)
Female: 55 – 65 pounds (25 – 29.5 kg)

Height:

Male: 23 – 26 inches (58 – 66 cm)
Female: 21 – 24 inches (53 – 64 cm)

Color(s):

Shades of brown, sedge, or dead grass

Coat:

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have an oily, thick outer coat and a wooly under coat. Bathe only when necessary to retain the coats’ natural waterproof oils.

Overview

Character:

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are happy, enthusiastic, and devoted to their family. Originally bred to hunt waterfowls, they are hardy in the wilderness and are great swimmers. These active dogs are among the most intelligent of retrievers, and have long been cherished for their lively personalities.

Country of Origin:

USA

History:

Many legends surround the origin of the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. One popular story states that a shipwreck off the coast of Maryland brought to the Chesapeake Bay area two Newfoundland puppies, which were then bred with local hunting dogs to become modern Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Regardless of the veracity of the story, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever has been a favorite working breed for many generations. It is also the state dog of Maryland.

Name:

The name of this breed reflects its geographic origin. It is commonly known as “Chessie” by enthusiasts.

Temperament:

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is intelligent and protective of their family. They are vocal when happy, and have a bright and joyful disposition. Chessies have a reputation of being somewhat stubborn because of their dominant nature; therefore, it is important for the owners to establish dominance early on. They get along well with children, and make great family pets.

Care

Training:

Patience and consistency are necessary when training Chessies. They have great memories, and will refuse to obey an order if they perceive it to be contradictory to what they were previously taught. While they do well in a family environment, they tend to only take commands from one person – the “alpha dog” of the pack. This dominant position needs to be regularly reinforced. Once they learn the proper “pack order,” they are eager to please their masters and will respond well to other training.

Activity:

Chessies are highly active dogs, and they need vigorous exercise to keep fit. Swimming is a great way to keep them in top physical form.

Ownership:

Because of their dominance issues, having more than one Chessies in a household is not a good idea. They are usually seen as country dogs, but it is possible to adapt them to city living if they have adequate exercise and space.

Breeders

No breeders listed at this time.

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