Dog Breed Guide

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Profile

Size

Large

Country of origin

United States

Origin

19th century

Bred for

Waterfowl retrieving

Height

male 58 - 66cm (23 - 26in), female 53 - 61cm (21 - 24in)

Weight

male 29 - 36kg (64 - 79lb), female 25 - 32kg (55 - 71lb)

Life span

10 - 13 years

The Chessie's short, wavy, oily and harsh coat is its hallmark. It absorbs almost no water; the dog is said to be nearly dry after one good shake on coming out of cold water, so it can plunge into a winter bay again and again without getting chilled. Colors include brown, sedge (reddish dry grass) and deadgrass (dull dry grass), shades that blend into the marshes. The eyes are yellow or amber.

It is deeply devoted to its family but more independent than other retrievers and cautious with strangers, and it also has the makings of a watchdog. It can be stubborn, so training must be patient and consistent.

With superb stamina, it loves swimming and retrieving more than anything. It needs lots of exercise and suits a home where it can be active every day.

Good to know

The breed's story is said to begin with a shipwreck off the coast of Maryland in 1807. Along with the crew of a sinking English ship, two Newfoundland-type puppies were rescued. The reddish-brown male was named Sailor, and the black female was named Canton after the ship that rescued them. These two are said to have bred with local hunting dogs and laid the foundation of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States, was a hunting ground where countless waterfowl gathered in winter. Hunters needed tough dogs that could retrieve hundreds of ducks a day from freezing, rough water.

It is one of the oldest American breeds, and in 1964 it was named the state dog of Maryland. It is also the mascot of the sports teams of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).