Dog Breed - Chesapeake Bay Retriever

With their webbed feet, water-resistant coats and robust constitutions, Chesapeake Bay retrievers were custom made for swimming in the rough frigid waters of their namesake. They are dogs of great stamina and determination, who will never flinch at a hard day’s work.

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are intelligent dogs, fairly easy to train and very responsive. However, they are best for an experienced dog owner, someone who knows how to be a solid pack leader, as they can be strong willed and stubborn. They are quick thinking dogs, capable of making their own decisions and doing what needs to be done.

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are usually reserved with strangers. They are protective and courageous dogs that make excellent home and family guardians.These retrievers are serious, calm and loving dogs. They make wonderful companions for an active family or individual, who can keep up to their exercise needs. They love to be outdoors and active and will not be happy spending countless hours inside nor tied up outside doing nothing.

CHILDREN: Chesapeake Bay retrievers are good with children. However, they may ignore commands from family members, especially from youngsters, who have not established leadership over them.

OTHER ANIMALS: Chesapeake Bay retrievers make a fine choice for a multi-pet household. However, some can be aggressive with strange dogs.

EXERCISE: Chesapeake Bay retrievers are strong active dogs who enjoy a variety of outdoors activities. They make excellent bicycling, jogging, camping, hiking and swimming companions. They do well in many of the organized dog sports like, retrieving, agility and obedience trails, flyball and scent hurdles, long jump and conformation shows. They of course make excellent hunting dogs. Chesapeake Bay retrievers do best with at least a couple of hours of exercise daily.

HEALTH: They are susceptible to hip dysplasia, cataracts, eczema and PRA. Those looking to buy a Chesapeake Bay for just a pet are best to buy from show/pet lines, as strictly working lines tend to be more businesslike and determined and do not always make good house dogs.

APPEARANCE: Chesapeake Bay Retrievers measure 21-26 inches at their withers and weigh between 60-80 pounds. Their coat comes in deep brown, faded tan or straw colour. It needs only a quick brushing once a week to keep it looking good. Due to the oily texture of their hair, they do have a distinctive musky smell.