Chesapeake Bay Retriever
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Background and Description:
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, primarily bred for duck hunting, takes its name from the bay located off the Virginia and Maryland coastline and from which its ancestors were rescued. The story goes that two Newfoundland dogs, aboard an English ship which wrecked in the bay, were rescued along with the crew members and brought to shore. Subsequently, the Newfies were interbred with other dogs in the area - most likely coonhounds and curly coated retrievers, which began the development of the all American CBR that we know today.The Chessie, as he is often affectionately called, has all the physical attributes and stamina of a dog bred for working in water and in adverse weather conditions. His body is muscular, well-developed and protected by a dense oily coat that is weatherproof.
Appearance:
Height: 21-26 inches Weight: 55-80 lbsColor variations: Various shades of brown or sedge, though the most favored color would be one that blends in with the terrain in which the dog works, which is often described as dead grass or hay.
Coat and Care:
The outercoat is short, thick, very coarse and partly wavy except on the face and legs, while the undercoat is dense, though quite fine and woolly. The coat is ideally suited for working in bad weather and cold waters and dries easily with merely a shake.
The Chessie sheds about average. Regular brushing will maintain the coat and remove loose hair. Bathe occasionally, but use a low-lather shampoo to prevent stripping coat of natural oils.
Personality and Traits:
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a good disposition and is very affectionate and loyal to its family.He has a protective nature about everything he values and while not unfriendly to strangers, his intelligence causes him to take a more wait-and-see stance. Owners are encouraged to make sure the Chessie is well-socialized from an early age to balance out his orientation and any dog aggressive tendency.
Chessies are an independent and confident breed and will happily take the dominant role if allowed. They need an owner who can provide strong leadership. Obedience training will put the owner in control and is best carried out in a firm, consistent, but not unkindly manner. They are very intelligent dogs that learn quickly and are eager to please their owners.
Activity Level:
Relatively quiet indoors, but Chessies need plenty of exercise. In addition to the daily routine, involvement in some kind of retrieving activity or field trials would be ideal.
Space Needs:
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not a suitable breed to house in an apartment. Ideally, he needs to have access to a significant yard and plenty of room to run.
Children:
The Chessie would have a hard time figuring out how to interact with very young children. Best with older and more mature young adults.
Elderly:
The high exercise requirement, plus more dominant personality, would probably not make this the most suitable breed for the elderly.
Books:
CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVERSEasy-to-follow resource covering the breed history and description, grooming, selection, nutrition, sleeping arrangements, housetraining and basic manners, general health care, and owner responsibilities. Good for the novice owner or someone considering the breed. Contains breed specific and generic dog information. Good color photos are the strong point.
CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER, A COMPLETE AND RELIABLE HANDBOOK
Current and helpful resource on breed history, characteristics and attributes, breed standard, grooming, puppy care, housetraining, nutrition, basic obedience training, proper health care and a discussion of the potential disorders that may concern the breed. Many color photos.
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