Overview

While not as well-known as the Golden or Labrador Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an avid hunter of both water and ground fowl. It was the first breed of the retriever family to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. They make wonderful family dogs and excel as companions in the field.

Activity

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers require daily mental and physical attention. They need a place that they can run and hunt with an area that they can use to go swimming. They should not be cooped up in apartments or condos and should be in a rural setting with lots of land.

Care

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever requires brushing on a weekly basis to remove dead hair, but if you overdo it, you will ruin their water repellant coat. They should only be bathed when absolutely needed and with a mild shampoo. They prefer cooler environments and can suffer from cataracts, Von Willebrands Disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, and PRA.

Character

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a nature loving breed that was meant to be in the outdoors. They excel at hunting and are extremely alert and intelligent. They are tough, determined, and independent, which makes them great work dogs.

Coat

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a double coat that is short and slightly wavy on the top coat and thick with a wooly texture on the under coat. They are an average shedder and their coat is naturally water repellent.

Temperament

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is extremely protective of its family and will do well with older considerate children. They can get along with other dogs if they have been raised with them, but can get overly aggressive with strange dogs they do not know. They do not do well with small household pets and cats.

Training

If you are planning to train a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, then you need to be experienced in dealing with stubborn and willful dogs that are slow to mature. Early training in obedience and socialization is a must with this breed, although they do not respond well to harsh training. They make great hunting dogs and excel in field sports and tracking as well.