Chesapeake Bay Retriever

by All Big Dog Breeds May 18, 2015, 9:51 PM 5.3k Views

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a great hunting dog and the perfect companion for active people. Here’s everything you need to know about this breed.

Table of Contents

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Appearance

With a classic appearance of a Retriever, this breed of dog looks strong and sturdy. Its body is muscular with a weather-resistant coat and wavy hair. Its ears hang down and has a round head and a medium stop and muzzle. Its coat can be in shades of brown, tan or red. This breed has a medium-length body with a wide and strong chest.

A Chesapeake has strong and long legs. It has thin lips and small ears with medium leather. It has webbed toes to be able to swim without any problem. It is quite strong and can break ice with its strong chest while duck hunting. Its eyes are yellowish or amber and very clear.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Grooming

Almost all Retriever breeders tend to shed. The Chesapeake is no exception. Therefore, the coat of the Chesapeake requires constant brushing.

Its coat is water-resistant with the top being thick, oily and harsh and the undercoat being woolly and dense. This combination makes it easier for the Chesapeake to hunt even in cold weathers. This also makes it important to brush the coat twice a week to distribute these oils on the skin and remove the dead hair. Regular brushing will also ensure less hair around the house.

The Chesapeake does not require frequent baths. In fact, it is advised to bathe it less to avoid stripping the protective oils from its body. When bathing, use a special shampoo formulated just for this breed as regular shampoo can be drying and strip it of its natural oils.

Cleaning its ears is just as important as the overall grooming. Do not, however, use a cotton swab to clean its ears. Use a vet-approved solution to clean ears.

Trimming the nails is also important. Trim its nails when needed if they do not wear down naturally.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Temperament

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a strong personality and is not easy-going. It is quite independent, which makes it hard to train.

Despite its difficult nature, the Chesapeake is the most reliable breed used for hunting. Its love for swimming is immense, and it can spend its entire day hunting for ducks or fetching sticks from water. An owner who loves the outdoors, exploring or hiking will greatly enjoy the company of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Its intelligence and good sense also make it a great hunting dog.

Although its independent nature can make it hard to train, it is a bright and happy dog in general. When socialized the right way, a Chesapeake can be a great family dog. Some will be assertive and reserved with strangers, while others tend to be more outgoing and passive. Due to its alert nature, the Chesapeake can make a good watchdog.

This breed is rowdy and cannot be confined to an apartment life. It has high levels of energy that require an outlet. Daily exercise is the best way to burn its energy. If you own a yard, getting this breed is probably a good idea as the Chesapeake loves open and spacious grounds to explore and run. It loves jogging, hiking, running and chasing sticks. A Chesapeake can stay outdoors even in cold weathers and work alongside hunters without getting tired.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Training

This breed of dog requires high levels of exercise. A lack of exercise will cause destructive behavior in the Chesapeake. They can be dominant if this trait is not worked on right from the beginning.

Its independent nature can make it difficult to train. It needs firm but gentle handling and positive reinforcement. Never use negative reinforcement or leave the dog alone for long hours as punishment. This may cause the situation to worsen.

It needs a trainer who is firm and consistent. Giving it even a little leeway will cause it to break other rules as well.

It can be competitive as well and may get into fights with other dogs. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever tends to be territorial, so firm management and training is needed from an early age.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever History

This breed is among the few dogs that were born in the United States. It is thought to have descended from Newfoundland dogs, called Canton and Sailor, who were on a ship en route to England in the year 1807. The ship wrecked according to reports, but the two dogs survived. They were amazing water dogs and their offspring have inherited this quality. The Chesapeake has long since been used in various dog trials and trainings.