The Chesapeake Bay Retriever (or Chessie for short) is a charming breed of dog that originates from the United States, being one of the true American breeds that exist today. With its hardiness and versatility, this canine is a sight to behold. Read on to learn more about the Chessie!
1. They Come from the Chesapeake Bay Area
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has somewhat of an interesting history. The starting point of this breed was from two dogs rescued from a wrecked ship. These two dogs, named “Sailor” and “Canton”, belonged to a now-extinct breed of dog known as the St. John’s Water Dog.
In fact, virtually all modern retriever breeds have at least some ancestry with this breed (some sources may state that Sailor and Canton were Newfoundlands, but this could be because the St. John’s Water Dog was also known as the Lesser Newfoundland and therefore causing confusion).
The dogs were then bred to other local American dog breeds around the Chesapeake Bay area. There weren’t many records of which breeds were bred, but hounds and spaniels have both been influential in the creation of the Chessie. Breeders focused more on the dog’s retrieving ability over a breed standard, and eventually, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1918.
The Chessie would eventually be declared the official dog breed of Maryland in 1964. This breed is also the mascot for the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
2. These Are Retrieving Dogs
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is categorized in a group of gun dogs known as the retrievers, hence its name. This group also contains the well-known Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. Retrievers are one of three main groups of gun dogs that exist today; the others are the pointers and water dogs, which flush fowl.
Interestingly enough, many of the ancestral breeds and strains of retrievers descend from the water dog group. While retriever breeds are primarily used, other dog breeds have been used to grab and retrieve waterfowl as well, from the Poodle to the German Shorthaired Pointer.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is highly adapted for its role as a waterfowl dog, being a powerful swimmer and sporting an instinct to retrieve gunned-down prey. While casual hunters utilized this breed, market hunters discovered that the Chesapeake Bay Retriever could also be used to guard the quarry from thieves trying to make an extra buck.
While primarily used for waterfowl hunting, Chessies were also used to rescue stranded fishermen and retrieve fish nets out at sea.
3. These Dogs Love to Swim!
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a powerful swimming dog bred for life in water. The Chessie has powerful muscles throughout its body that help it tread through even the roughest currents.
Being used for life at sea, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is bound to experience tough, icy conditions that even other retrievers cannot get through. Its large, deep chest can break through ice if needed, and its thick, oily fur coat is waterproof, allowing the Chessie to remain mostly dry. Other retrievers don’t come close in terms of waterproof fur!
To keep this canine warm even in the coldest of waters, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s fur is double-coated. Its feet are also webbed to help guide this dog through water, and the thick, otter-like tail of the Chessie allows it to steer as it swims.
Interestingly enough, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s fur color was bred for camouflage amongst the muddy banks, and both lighter and darker variants exist for similar environmental settings. The American Chesapeake Bay Club recognizes three main basic colors within this breed.
4. These Are Unique Retrieving Dogs
While the Chesapeake Bay Retriever looks visually similar to its relatives, note that the Chessie does NOT descend from the same line as the Labrador Retriever or the Golden Retriever; therefore, there will be some very important differences.
While the Chesapeake Bay Retriever looks very similar to a chocolate Labrador Retriever, some physical and behavioral differences set them apart. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a bit taller than its Labrador cousin, and it also has a deeper chest. Its coat is also wavier than the Labrador’s smoother fur. Unlike the easy-going attitude of the Labrador Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a serious, loyal dog.
Out in the field, Chessies are also believed to be even hardier in extreme weather than the Labradors or Goldens. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are known to excel in retrieving gunned-down waterfowl compared to Labradors but don’t react as well to hand signals and may take extra patience to teach.
While some Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have been used to hunt more upland game, such as pheasants, Labradors are more suited to generalistic environments, as Chessies are hard-wired toward duck hunting.
5. Chessies Are Fairly Healthy Dogs
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is generally a healthy breed, though this dog can be prone to some hereditary issues. Like other dogs, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is prone to both elbow and hip dysplasia, which occurs when your dog’s joints don’t properly grow, causing discomfort. Bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus, is also another life-threatening ailment you should work to prevent.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is also a bit prone to a few other conditions. Progressive retinal atrophy is a genetic disorder that causes blindness, and usually forms when your dog reaches eight or nine years old. Chessies may also develop hereditary cataracts.
Chessies, along with a handful of other dog breeds, are also prone to a neurological disorder known as degenerative myelopathy, which affects your dog’s spinal cord. This often starts as wobbling of the dog’s rear legs and over time advances to paralysis. Unfortunately, there is no cure for degenerative myelopathy, but a few dogs have been reported to recover from this horrible disease.
A reputable breeder will screen these genetic issues in their dogs, preventing breeding dogs from passing down such traits. It is always important to have your dog evaluated annually by a trusted veterinarian to ensure that any early issues detected can be stopped early. If your dog displays any signs of illness, be sure to schedule a vet appointment as soon as possible.
6. Grooming Is Very Simple
The waterproof coat of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever doesn’t require a lot of attention, though regular brushing sessions are needed to maintain its coat in top peak condition. A rubber curry brush can be used weekly. It is important to note that the Chessie’s coat sheds twice a year, so be aware of this!
As with other double-coated breeds, you should never shave your dog. This can cause irreversible damage to its fur. Shaving this coat can also expose your dog to temperature extremes and the elements. Contrary to popular belief, shaving a double-coated dog will NOT cool off your dog and will affect your dog’s ability to properly thermoregulate. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever meanwhile can be bathed, though it shouldn’t be often. Overbathing a Chessie could strip away natural oils that help protect its coat from the elements.
As with all other dog breeds, trimming nails every few weeks is important, and keeping your Chessie’s ears clean is crucial to preventing infections. Ideally, your dog’s teeth should be brushed every day, but two to three times a week can suffice if needed. Though your dog may enjoy dental chews as supplemental treats, they should not be used as a substitute for teeth brushing.
7. These Dogs Require Lots of Exercise
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a dog breed that requires daily exercise, at least two hours a day. This cannot be overlooked; a bored Chessie is a destructive one. Being an athlete at heart, this canine cannot be satisfied with just a walk around the block. This dog has a desire to work, and there are many fun activities that Chessies can enjoy.
Hiking, running, and even playing a game of fetch are ways to let your canine release some steam. Always keep a Chessie on a leash, as their high prey drive may make them prone to chasing after other animals, children, or even fast-moving objects such as vehicles. A large, secure yard also allows your dog to be able to move its legs and run around.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is also a great candidate for many canine sporting activities, especially those involving aquatics. Swimming is an excellent activity for a water-loving dog like the Chessie. Hunting and field trials are great ways to both physically and mentally stimulate your dog. Chessies can also partake in other activities, such as agility trials and tracking.
8. This Breed Isn’t for Beginners
Make no mistake: the Chesapeake Bay Retriever can make a wonderful family pet in the right household; however, it is important to note that as mentioned earlier, this is no Labrador. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a breed that requires a balance of firmness and patience in terms of training, as this canine may be seen as “stubborn” or “hardheaded”. The Chessie does not respond well to punishment and requires consistency to thrive.
As this canine has a high prey drive, they may not get along as well with smaller pets in the house, including cats. Training and socialization must be started at a very young age to prevent behavioral problems in the future. Children should always be supervised around any dogs, and that includes the Chessie.
As this dog is protective and wary around strangers, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever can make a great watchdog, but this may also mean that warming up to newcomers may take a bit of time.
While a Chessie could live in an apartment setting, this canine would thrive much more in areas with lots of outdoor space. As this dog is a double-coated breed, the Chessie is suited to temperate, cooler climates and may not thrive as well in warmer weather. Being a rather uncommon breed, obtaining a Chessie can be tough, but it is of utmost importance that your dog is sourced from a reputable breeder or a rescue.
Provided all of its important needs are met, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever can make an amazing family pet for an experienced and patient owner; however, this breed is not recommended for first-time owners.
