The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is one of the few breeds where there is no disagreement as to his origins; in 1807 a ship was wrecked on the coast of Maryland and two puppies of Newfoundland type were rescued. Newfoundlands love water and these youngsters showed a great affinity for it; they were bred together and the offspring were bred to local dogs, almost certainly including the Curly Coated Retriever, and probably some other retriever types. Like the Newfoundland the Chesapeake Bay Retriever he has webbed feet.
This produced a dog who has an incredibly water resistant coat with a passion for water, and he became the dog of choice for wildfowlers. the Chesapeake Bay Retriever coat is unique and his distinguishing characteristic; it is thick, reasonably short - not longer than 3.8cm, the outer coat being harsh, oily and dense and the undercoat fine and woolly. Moderate feathering on the tail is acceptable, and the legs and face should be covered with short and straight hair. Any sign of curl is not permitted. Because of his primary use as a water-based retriever the quality of the coat is extremely important.
The colour should be in any shade of dead grass, from straw to bracken. A slicker brush will keep him groomed and tidy and on no account should he be shampooed as this would remove his waterproofing and spoil the coat texture. If he is in desperate need of cleaning then a wash in plain water with a zoom groom should do the trick; if essential, there are a range of dog deodorisers available.
Dogs measure up to 66cm and weigh about 75lbs; he is an energetic dog requiring plenty of exercise, not one simply for the fireside. Whilst he has an independent attitude, he is affectionate and is a good companion with useful guarding instincts.
To read the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Kennel Club Breed Standard click here.
Selected Books
The time to make sure that this is the right breed for you is before you bring him home; if you and your Chesapeake
are to be happy together there is plenty of research to be done. Even if you do not intend to work him, having an appreciation of Gundog Training will help you understand why he behaves as he does.
In addition to learning what kind of behaviour is specific to Gundogs, understanding your dog, and what his motivations are on a more general level can save a lot of confusion and misunderstandings for both you and him. Many mistakes can be avoided, and quick solutions reached if you have the basics of puppy training to guide you through all the early settling in difficulties. It helps, too, to have some idea of basic healthcare so you can make informed judgements about whether a visit to the vet is necessary or if there is a simple remedy. For example, many cases of upset tummies are best cured by 24 hour starvation. The books we have chosen will be able to guide you as to whether your dog can be treated at home, or a visit to the surgery is necessary.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed Clubs
CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVERS Mrs J Rudman 01865 247487
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue and Rehoming
Contact the Breed Club. They should be able to give you information about hounds requiring homes and procedures for re-homing; if you are in the unfortunate position of having to re-home your own dog, please go through breed rescue. They will not be judgmental and are best able to find the right permanent home for your Retriever.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breeders
If you are looking for a puppy contact the Breed Clubs and the Breeders listed and visit the puppyfinder website where there is a great deal of information on hereditary conditions. If you are a Breeder and wish to advertise your puppies puppyfinder is an excellent showcase.
