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Chesapeake Bay Retriever > Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed Description

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed Description

by Dogs.net on February 12, 2010

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed Description

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The roots of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever's is an amazing history that stems from two little Newfoundland puppies which were rescued from a shipwrecked brig, right off the coast of Maryland in the United States. This incident happened in 1807 and is quite an inspiring story.

Along with much of the ship's cargo, these two puppies had their lives saved and were handed over to rescuers whom would take care of them. One puppy was black and the other was red. They were soon found to be highly skilled water retrievers. Once their abilities became popular, they were bred with local retrievers and other breed types, which are thought to be the Bloodhound, Irish Water Spaniel, and Newfoundland Dog.

In time, a very distinctive local breed started to emerge. The result was a dog that could swim through the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay and retrieve duck time and time again. Even to this day, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever shows an innate ability to mark a spot where a bird has fallen and remember exactly how to get back to that spot, even from miles away.

Its reputation caught up with the dog breed far beyond the Chesapeake Bay area and by the year 1885, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was officially recognized by the AKC. It has remained moderately popular ever since.

Personality

You probably already know by now that this dog is a swimmer and absolutely thrives on outdoor action and water. Chesapeake Bay Retriever's are extremely independent, but also eager to learn new things.  It can be very protective of its owners and reserved when around strangers. This makes the Chesapeake Bay Retriever a great watchdog.

Taking Care Of Your Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a fairly large and overly active dog that must have daily exercise. Obviously water games and retrieving is at the top of the list if you live near such an area. However, daily walks and fetching games will do just fine for any proud owner of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Grooming takes a bit of weekly brushing, due to the long, wavy coat of the animal.  However, it seldom needs to be washed.

Health Information

Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs have a lifespan of up to 14 years, with 11 to 12 being the average. They are extremely healthy dogs with only CHD and gastric torsion being major health concerns. Minor issues that may spring up are PRA and hypothyroidism.

In 1807, two puppies were saved  when an English brig had wrecked near the Maryland coast. People thought these puppies were Newfoundlands. The dogs were very acclimated to the Chesapeake Bay's frigid temperatures during the winter. These dogs were great swimmers and retrievers. They were mated with other Newfoundlands, bloodhounds, and other hounds of the locality. Their pups were bred into the breed today called the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Their renown echoed far and wide because they retrieved waterfowl in extremely cold water and their skill at knowing where the birds had fallen was respected. The AKC gave this breed recognition in 1885.

General Looks

It is a big, stout, and athletic dog. It is agile and graceful. The eyes are colored amber or yellow. It has a  big, strong chest that breaks ice as the dog hunts for ducks.

Is This Your Breed?

It is smart, happy, and brave. It likes hunting and swimming. It is well suited for a family that enjoys the outdoors. It has a short coat that none-the-less needs to be brushed on a regular basis because of the oil in the double coat, which is protective.

Coat

The outer coat is short, rough, thick, and oily.  It resists the weather. The undercoat is wool-like.

Color

The colors are brown, dead-grass, and sedge.

Locomotion

The movement is powerful, free, and looks like no effort is expended.

Personality

The disposition is joyful with a brightness to the attitude. He is alert, brave, affectionate, and protective.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI9SWw91ZQg

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