The Chesapeake Bay retriever , the only American - bred retriever , is a loyal family hotdog who loves a job , whether that ’s hunting , hiking , or splashing around in the insensate water of his namesake .
The Chesapeake Bay retriever can be just about any pawl you want it to be . Help you hunt duck ? Yup . Win Best in Show ? Sure . Hang out with you and the kidskin at home plate ? That , too .
This American - bred dog — the only retriever originating in the United States — is quite versatile . With their double - coated , greasy tomentum , Chesapeake Bay retrievers are substantial enough to swim through the icy waters of their namesake , so they’llgo for a swimming in your local pondwith no problem ( even at temperature the local frigid bear plungers may balk at ) .
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" They ’re the epitome of the water wiener , " says Heidi Henningson , chairwoman ofAmerican Chesapeake Club ’s deliverance committee . " They ’ll go in the cold water when other retriever will not . "
Their esteemed weewee - dog reputation goes hand - in - hand with theirduck - hunting prowess . The retrievers even have the power to work as drug - sniffing and search - and - rescue dogs , too .
Thissemi - rare retrieveris smart and can be clever , so they get laid having a occupation and getting in exercise . If you pledge to love and spend metre with your Chesapeake Bay retriever , he might be the everlasting dog for you .
Appearance
There ’s limited variety when it come up to Chesapeake Bay retriever colors : shades of brown , sedge ( a ruby-red John Brown you might incur on anIrish typesetter ) , and deadgrass ( a paler , yellowy brown that see like , well , all in grass ) . You might also detect some Chessies with white spot on their chests , belly , and toe , fit in to thebreed standard . While it ’s easy to confuse the two breeds , Chessies are n’t chocolateLabrador retrievers .
Their hallmark is the crinkly hair Chesapeake Bay retriever sport on their necks , shoulders , and back . The retrievers ' fur is made up of a dense undercoat and a short top coating . The fur also holds a instinctive oil that resists water and keeps the dogs fond . It ’s there , but you might not finger it to the touch modality , Henningson say , adding thatthey do n’t shed nearly as muchas Labs ( or many other dogs for that matter ) .
These frankfurter are likewise sized to Labs , too . Male Chessies are between 23–26 inches tall , while female stand up between 21–24 inches . They ’re plenty sturdy , too : The boys weigh 65–80 lb and the girls angle the scale at 55–70 pounds .
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Chessies ' eye are normally a yellow or gold color , according to the breed standard .
Temperament
Like most dogs , your Chessie ’s personality will depend on how you bring up him , Henningson say . That meansplenty of socializationwith your Chesapeake Bay retriever puppies andpositive reinforcement trainingso your puppy know the rules of the home .
Sure , these utilitarian dogs excel ashunting dogs , show dogs , and in obedience andagility competitor , but they make for utter , loyal family dogswhen they ’re off the clock , Henningson say . She bring that depending on how they ’re enhance , they sometimes become devoted to one someone , too . On the flip side , they ’re usually more distant toward stranger . ( You belike wo n’t have one run up and lick your expression out of the blueing . ) Chesapeake Bay retrievers are also generally smooth , usually onlybarking when necessary(like at a knock at the threshold or a ring of the doorbell ) .
These are active , smart dogswho ca n’t have nothing to do ; they need to be busy — whether that ’s search , drug - sniffing , or hunting - and - saving missionary station . Even at home , without a petty social organisation you’re able to lose sandwich off coffee tables or have a andiron who can unlatch his doghouse from the interior . Just involve Henningson .
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" They ’re precocious in some shipway , " she says . " They ’re more than equal to of catch in fuss by just getting world-weary in a family . "
But while their word can make them a piddling too clever for their own good , it ’s still Henningson ’s favorite Chesapeake Bay retriever trait : They have an " ability to do anything , " she say .
Living Needs
Chesapeake Bay retrieverscan survive in apartments , but they ’ll be happierwith a fence - in yardfor running andplaying fetch . If you do reside in an apartment , you ’ll involve towalk your retriever at least twice a dayand maybe even more , Henningson says .
presume you post your pup topuppy kindergartenand do a good job socialize him , he ’ll begreat with adults and kids alike . Chessies are unspoiled with other dogs — Henningson owns three Chesapeake Bay retriever herself — and some willeven get along with cat . ( One of her dogs would even sleep next to a stray big cat in his dog house . )
Do you have access to a pool or other water system characteristic ? Your Chessie will love it . care to hike ? Perfect — here’syour fresh tramp pal . They ’ll love to take part in youractive lifestyle .
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The cock-a-hoop thing that Chesapeake Bay retriever postulate , however , are your attention and love , Henningson says . First - metre dog owners , especially , take banknote : You demand to invest time inpositive reenforcement grooming , work , and toy with your Chesapeake Bay retriever .
" A dog ’s a dedication , and if you ’re not willing to make it , do n’t adopt , " she pronounce .
Care
nurture and deal for any dog requires some work , but here ’s the good news when it come to the Chessies : The grooming needs are minimal . You ’ll want tobrush your Chesapeake Bay retrieverwhen hesheds in the give and fall , but otherwise you wo n’t call for to spend too much time brush him , Henningson says .
Anoccasional bathmight be in order if your detent smells or if he pose intosomethingoutside . As with any dog , you ’ll want to strike up a routine ofbrushing your retriever ’s teethandtrimming his nails . Most of these retriever wo n’t need specialty dog food , Henningson says .
Health
Chessies move and operate sight , so you ’ll want to ensure your retriever is screened for pelvis and elbow problem — likehip dysplasia — Eldredge says . You ’ll want to conducteye examsyearly as well . The American Chesapeake Club also advocate everyday heart examinations .
More lately , degenerative myelopathy — a neurological diseasethat can destroy spinal cord tissue paper and eventually prevent your dog from walking — has been shown to touch on some Chessies . possessor can order a desoxyribonucleic acid test to maybe indicate if their dog is at risk , but that might be inconclusive , Eldredge says .
" When buy a Chessie puppy , I would look for parents who have had the tests recommended by theChessie [ Canine Health Information Center ] computer programme , " Eldredge says . " While not a guarantee for never developing those problems , the endangerment is greatly minify [ if the tests have returned healthy resultant ] . Many breeder will have the first eye exam done on their puppies before placing them . "
While intellectual nourishment is necessary , make certain it ’s not too much . fleshy dogscan have joint issues , Eldredge tell . A veterinarian can recommendhow much and how often to feed your pup .
As for a Chesapeake Bay retriever ’s lifetime , you’re able to usually number them have to 10 years old , Henningson says . Some even make it to 13–15 .
History
You ’ll determine stack of detent nominate for place outside the United States — Newfoundlands , Belgian Malinois , and evenAmerica ’s most pop dog , Labrador retriever . But this breed is named for an American landmark : the Chesapeake Bay , the Carry Nation ’s turgid estuary and home to tasty seafood .
Some more fact about the alcove : It ’s mostly shallow , cold , and a haven for ducks and cuckoo . The Chesapeake Bay retriever , likely spawn from Newfoundlands , Irish water spaniels , and unknown hounds , became the gross frank for slush into the frosty water to remember the downed waterfowl .
The dogs ' fur , aninsulating double coatequipped with water - resistant oil , leave the hotdog to even do their jobs when there ’s ice out on the water . Legend has it that some Chessies can remember 300 duck in one day .
The stock ’s history is traced back to two dogs in particular , Sailor and Canton , who a valet describe George Law give to two men he know on the embayment in 1807 . He call them Newfoundland , but their colour , forgetful pelage , and swimming power indicate that they were the early antecedent of today ’s Chessies .
The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1878 .
