Chesapeake Bay Retriever: temperament, size, care and health

About the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a strong, deep-chested retriever with a broad head, yellow-amber eyes and a coat that ranges from dark brown to a pale grass color. The outer coat is harsh and slightly wavy, with an oily feel that repels water, and a woolly undercoat holds in warmth. The breed is built to swim in cold, rough conditions.

Chessies were developed to retrieve ducks from the cold, choppy waters of the Chesapeake Bay region, sometimes breaking ice on the way. They are still used for waterfowl hunting. As pets they attract people who want a loyal retriever with more edge and independence than the more common Labrador.

Temperament and family life

A Chesapeake is devoted to its family and usually reserved, sometimes suspicious, with strangers. It has real protective instincts and makes a capable watchdog. Early and extensive socialization is essential, as otherwise the breed can become overly guarded or aggressive with visitors and other dogs.

Compared with other retrievers, a Chessie is more independent and less eager to please. It tends to be strong-minded, and some are dominant with other dogs. Many are good with children in their own family when raised with them, but their size and stubbornness make supervision wise. They tend to prefer one or two favorite people and may be less demonstrative than a Labrador.

Exercise and training

The breed needs a significant amount of exercise every day, preferably including swimming. Retrieving, hiking and structured work are all good. A Chesapeake with nothing to do can turn to digging, chewing and testing the fence.

Training requires firmness, fairness and consistency from the start. Chessies learn well but dislike drills that seem pointless, and they respond poorly to harsh corrections. They do well in hunt tests, field trials, obedience and dock diving. Teach calm greetings, since a muscular, enthusiastic retriever can be hard to manage on a leash.

Grooming and shedding

The oily, dense coat should not be over-bathed because frequent shampooing strips the natural oils that make it water-repellent. A weekly brush is typical, with extra sessions during the spring and fall shedding periods when the woolly undercoat comes out in handfuls.

The coat has a distinctive smell when wet, which some owners find strong. Dry the ears after swimming and check them for infection. Wipe off mud, and look over the coat for burrs, ticks and cuts after hunting. Trim nails and brush teeth on a regular schedule.

Health

Hip dysplasia is a recognized issue. Eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, degenerative myelopathy, a progressive spinal cord disease with a DNA test, and bleeding disorders such as von Willebrand disease have been found in the breed. Bloat can affect deep-chested dogs. Responsible breeders test hips, eyes and elbows and use DNA screening where it exists. This is general information, and a veterinarian is the right person to ask about any particular dog.

History

The breed is generally traced to two Newfoundland puppies rescued from a sinking English brig off the Maryland coast in 1807 and bred with local retrievers and other dogs. Market hunters on the Chesapeake Bay prized these dogs for retrieving large numbers of ducks in harsh weather. The Chesapeake was among the first breeds developed in North America. It was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878, and it became the state dog of Maryland.

Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever right for you?

A Chesapeake suits an experienced owner who values loyalty and independence and can provide exercise, water access and firm training. It makes a capable hunting dog and a protective home companion.

It is a challenge for novice owners, for crowded urban settings and for those wanting a universally friendly dog. The Labrador Retriever is more outgoing and easier to manage, and the Golden Retriever is gentler still. The Curly-Coated Retriever shares an independent streak and a water-loving habit, with a very different coat.