Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Canis familiaris

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is a strong, cheerful dog with a thick coat that comes in many shades of brown. Adults have:

• A heavy, oily coat and find, wooly undercoat.
• Small, loose-hanging ears.
• Clear, amber-colored eyes.
• An intelligent expression.
• Webbed feet.
• Sloping shoulders and strong forequarters.
• Males usually reach a height of 23 to 26 inches and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds; females range from 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 55 to 70 pounds.

Although sometimes mistaken for "chocolate" Labs, Chesapeake Bay retrievers tend to have longer legs and be less stocky than Labradors , and have a woollier coat and lighter pigmentation on the nose. "Chessies" are also more protective than Labs and will discriminate between strangers and owners, and take direction only from the family it has bonded with. Both breeds share other typical retriever traits and are highly intelligent and trainable.

What is the history of the Chesapeake Bay retriever breed?

The brown Chesapeake Bay retrievers with amber eyes that we see today have been meticulously bred to exhibit superb hunting and retrieving skills that suit the Bay's geography and climate.

• "Chessies," as they are called, are strong, tireless swimmers: their heavy, oily coats and fine wooly undercoats help them retain body heat in icy Bay waters; they also have webbed feet and powerful hindquarters to aid in swimming.
• Their brown coats camouflage the dogs among dead grasses and sedges of Bay wetlands during waterfowl hunting season.

Chessies' ancestors are said to have been a pair of Newfoundland puppies that survived the shipwreck of an English vessel in 1807.

• Some retriever pedigrees may be traced to the early part of the 19 th century.
• According to one source, the Carroll Island Gun Club actively bred Chessies in the late 18 th century, keeping careful records for decades.
• James Michener's Chesapeake describes a time in the 19 th century when there were so many migratory birds surrounding the Bay that they were often shot using small cannons mounted on boats, causing scores to fall from the sky at a time. Chesapeake Bay retrievers would always remember where each bird fell, efficiently retrieving the wounded birds then returning for the dead.
• The American Kennel Club recognized the Chesapeake Bay retriever as an individual retriever breed in 1878.
• Other breeds that may have been used to develop the Chesapeake Bay retriever include Irish water spaniels, pointers, setters, coonhounds and curly coated retrievers.
• Chesapeake Bay retrievers continue to be bred for sport retrieving and as watchdogs and family pets.

How should a Chesapeake Bay retriever be chosen and cared for?

Chesapeake Bay retrievers have loyal and affectionate natures, making them friendly family pets. However, they are strong-willed and will dominate in a household with other pets. They also require careful, consistent and authoritative training. For this reason, Chessies are not recommended for inexperienced owners.

Given their breeding, Chessies thrive on outdoor activity. They should be given daily periods of strenuous physical exercise, including swimming if possible. Indoors, Chessies are generally inactive. They should also be brushed occasionally, but rarely bathed to keep the coat's natural waterproofing oils

Although active retrievers may live healthy lives for about 10 to 12 years, the breed is susceptible to certain health problems, including:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia and other joint problems.
• An eye disease called progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, which is thought to be carried by a recessive gene. The disease does not usually appear until the dog is at least four years old, and carriers show no symptoms. It eventually leads to blindness.
• Von Willebrand's disease, a blood clotting disorder.

When choosing a Chesapeake Bay retriever, look for a puppy with:

• An even temper (neither overly shy nor aggressive).
• An inquisitive, active nature.
• A glossy coat and healthy gums.
• An early interest in retrieving objects.
• An eagerness to approach strangers.
• A family history free of dysplasia and eye diseases.