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Chesapeake bay retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever traces to two Newfoundland puppies rescued from a shipwreck off Maryland in 1807, bred to local retrievers to make a dog that could work the freezing, rough water of the Chesapeake Bay all day.

It stands 53 to 66 centimetres, weighs 25 to 36 kilograms and lives ten to thirteen years. The coat is short, harsh and oily, with a woolly undercoat, and it genuinely repels water — a Chessie shakes largely dry. Temperament sets it apart from the other retrievers: it is tougher, more protective of its household, more reserved with strangers and considerably more strong-willed than a Labrador or a Golden.

Origin
Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, United States, from 1807
Size
53–66 cm; 25–36 kg
Lifespan
10–13 years
Coat
Short, harsh and oily with a woolly undercoat; waterproof
Temperament
Tougher and more protective than other retrievers
Health
Hip dysplasia, PRA, exercise-induced collapse — both testable

Related: Curly-coated retriever · Flat-coated retriever · Golden retriever · Labrador retriever

3 chesapeake bay retriever photos, newest first

  • Chester, a chesapeake bay retriever

    Chester

    Chester goes in for one stick and comes back out with the largest branch available.

    FrostyOtter · 6 days ago

  • Rosemary, a chesapeake bay retriever

    Rosemary

    Rosemary was promoted to archaeologist uncovering a giant spoon; unfortunately, a feather duster gets stuck in a tiny chandelier.

    FrostyOtter · 1 week ago

  • Rosemary, a chesapeake bay retriever

    Rosemary

    Rosemary found the one patch of sun in the whole house.

    GentleFinch · 2 weeks ago

Living with a chesapeake bay retriever

Do not expect a Labrador. Chessies are more serious, more protective and more independent, and they need an owner who will train consistently rather than assume good nature will carry it. They can be territorial and dog-assertive.

Ask for the exercise-induced collapse and PRA DNA tests, and for hip and elbow scores.

Do not over-bathe. The oil in the coat is what keeps the dog dry and warm in cold water, and stripping it repeatedly defeats the point. A weekly brush is enough.

They need serious exercise and, ideally, water work — this is a dog built to swim.

Check ears after swimming; drop ears and cold water make infections likely.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and anything about a specific animal is a question for a vet who has seen it.

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