Chesapeake Bay Retriever: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is a medium-large sporting dog breed with a medium-length waterproof coat and amber eyes. This breed is a skilled swimmer and was bred to retrieve waterfowl for hunters. The Chessie is loyal, athletic, and tireless. And it can also be a bit sensitive and independent, which might not make it ideal for a first-time dog owner. 

Characteristics of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chesapeake Bay retrievers generally have an affectionate and devoted temperament with their family. But they also have a protective streak to their personality that makes them only moderately open to strangers. In addition, their high energy level makes them very bright and alert dogs.

History of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay retriever can trace its roots to, naturally, the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland and Virginia in the early 1800s. Waterfowl hunters in the region needed an athletic dog that could retrieve their game swimming in frigid waters. 

Various breeds, including the Newfoundland, Irish water spaniel, and hounds, went into creating the Chessie. What arose was a dog with a thick, oily coat that repelled water and insulated the dog from the cold. It had excellent stamina, a wide chest that could break through ice in the water, strong legs for swimming, and even webbed feet. 

Several prominent people, including President Teddy Roosevelt, have owned Chessies over the years. And it’s even the official dog breed of Maryland. The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1878.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Care

Be prepared to spend lots of time and energy exercising your Chessie. Likewise, it's important to be consistent with training and socialization. Fortunately, this breed only requires basic grooming.

Exercise

Chessies don’t seem to tire, and they prefer to be busy. They have lots of physical and mental energy to burn. Plan to spend ideally at least two hours per day exercising your dog. Brisk walks, running, hiking, and swimming all are good activities for the Chessie—as is a rousing game of fetch for this retrieving dog. Plus, dog sports, such as dock diving, can help to exercise this breed both physically and mentally.

Grooming

This is a moderately shedding dog breed. Plan to brush your dog weekly to remove loose fur and prevent mats. You might see an increase in shedding a couple times a year, often in the spring and fall, that will require more frequent brushing to keep up with the loose fur. 

Bathe your Chessie every couple of months or so, depending on how dirty it gets. This breed has a natural musky odor due to its oily coat. Check the nails roughly every month to see whether they need a trim. And look in the ears at least weekly for wax buildup, debris, and irritation. Make sure to dry the ears well after your dog goes swimming or otherwise gets wet. Finally, aim to brush your dog’s teeth daily.

Training

Training and socialization, ideally from a young age, are essential to have a well-mannered Chessie. This breed is smart and can learn quickly. But it also can be independent-minded and stubborn. So it’s key to be consistent in your training to prevent bad habits from forming. Use only positive training methods for this sensitive breed; harsh corrections can cause it to shut down and not learn.

Aim to expose your dog to different people, other dogs, and various settings from as young of an age as possible. Having positive experiences can help to offset the breed’s protective instinct and make it comfortable and confident around strangers. 

Common Health Problems

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are generally a healthy breed, but they are prone to some hereditary health issues, including:

• Hip dysplasia
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Ear infections
  
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Exercise-induced collapse

Diet and Nutrition

Always have fresh water available for your dog. And feed a nutritionally balanced, high-quality canine diet. Most owners feed two measured meals per day. But you should always discuss the type of food and the amount with your vet to make sure you’re meeting your dog’s individual needs. For instance, if your dog leads an active lifestyle, it might have increased protein and calorie needs.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Chesapeake Bay Retriever

While the Chesapeake Bay retriever isn’t as common as golden or Labrador retrievers, it’s still worth checking local animal shelters for a dog in need of a home. Also, look for breed-specific rescue organizations in your area. If you’re looking to acquire a puppy from a reputable breeder, expect to pay around $900 to $5,000 on average.

For further information to connect you with a Chesapeake Bay retriever, check out:

• American Chesapeake Club
• Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue
• Chesapeake Safe Harbor
  

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Overview

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

Make sure to do your research first before deciding whether a Chesapeake Bay retriever is right for your lifestyle. Talk to vets, breed owners, reputable breeders, and rescue groups. If possible, visit with some dogs in person. 

If you’re interested in similar breeds, check out:

• Labrador retriever
• Golden retriever
• Newfoundland

There’s a whole world of potential dog breeds out there. With a little research, you can find the right one to bring home!