Skip to content Originally from the United States of America, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is often colloquially referred to as Chessie. An avid game bird and water hunter, this breed was the first retriever to be officially recognized and registered by the American Kennel Club. And although the Chessie is not as widespread today as the Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever, this dog makes an excellent companion, both for field hunting and just for the home.
Characteristic
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is without doubt the toughest and most powerful of the six retriever breeds. This breed is a true wildlife lover. They are alert, intelligent, courageous, and extremely versatile. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is independent, hardy, and bravely endures any hardship and adversity. It is a hardworking, bold and athletic breed of dog.
Character
Very loyal and deeply devoted to its owners, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a strong natural protective instinct. This is a very friendly, loving and affectionate breed. Great with older children who already know exactly how to handle a dog. Does not conflict with other dogs, if he grew up with them in the same house, but shows aggression towards those dogs that are not familiar to him. Unfortunately, due to his hunting instincts, he does not get along with cats or other small pets. Chessie needs constant communication with family members, and if he is not noticed or left alone for a long time, he may begin to spoil the surrounding objects out of boredom. It is not recommended to start a Chesapeake Bay Retriever for a beginner, apathetic or sedentary person.
Wool and care
The coat of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is composed of two layers of coat. The outer layer is dense, slightly wavy, short and rough. The inner undercoat is thick, dense and tightly curled in structure. Wool is water-repellent. The color can be various shades of brown, red and reddish brown. Moderate molting. To remove dead and fallen hair, it is enough to brush the dog once a week with a stiff brush. It is very important not to overdo it with grooming, so as not to damage the protective and water-repellent properties of the dog’s coat. For the same reason, bathing is permissible only in case of urgent need. The most typical diseases for this breed are hip and elbow dysplasia, von Willebrand’s disease, progressive retinal dystrophy, cataracts. These dogs are best kept in cooler climates.
Training
Since dogs of this breed mature slowly, at the same time, they are willful and stubborn, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever needs a fairly experienced owner. Early socialization and obedience training are imperative. You should not use rude or arbitrary methods in education. Teaching should be conducted with firmness, fairness, patience, respect and consistency. Dogs of this breed are especially talented in hunting down game, hunting, all kinds of dog competitions, Schutzhund, and field trials.
Activity
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever needs active daily training. These dogs love swimming and long walks on a leash and make excellent companions for jogging or cycling. Dogs of this breed need constant physical and mental stimulation. They are not suitable for living in a city apartment. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a wonderful home dog in the countryside where it will have ample room for free walks in a safe or well-fenced area.
