Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Vital Statistics:

Place of Origin: United States

Group: Gun dog

Height: males 23-26 in., females 21-24 in.

Weight: males 65-80 lbs., females 55-70 lbs.

Life span: 10-13 yrs.

Trainability: moderate

Good with children: yes with early socialization

Good with other pets: may be dog aggressive

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever owes its ancestry to an 1807 English shipwreck off the coast of Maryland with two Newfoundland dogs aboard. They mated with local retrievers and the Chessie was born. In 1964, Maryland chose to honor the Chessie as the state mascot.

What does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever look like?

The Chessie is a strong dog with a short, wavy coat that is water repellent. Height ranges from 21-26 inches and weight from 55-80 lbs. Its toes are webbed, ideal for its excellent swimming ability. Colors are brown, red and tan, sometimes with white chest or on legs. The Chessie has yellowish eyes and a long tail that can be 12-15 inches. Its head is broad and the ears are pendent.

What is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s temperament?

Chessies love children but can be reserved with strangers. They must have a strong leader, as while they are affectionate, they can have dominance problems and are independent thinkers. It is very important to train and socialize these dogs to discourage any tendency towards aggression.

What is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever used for?

As the name implies, the Chessie is an excellent retriever. They love water but also hunt and track. They can be used as guard dogs and do well in competitions. The Chessie loves the outdoors, even to sleep. Apartments are too confining as they need lots of activity and love to swim. Long walks are very important.

Possible Health Issues

Bloat/gastric torsion, hip/elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy, osteochondritis dessicans, entropion, ectropion, degenerative myelopathy, cataracts, thyroid problems, seizures, allergies.