Dog Facts
About the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was bred to be good at hunting waterfowl in the worst of conditions. It is therefore an extraordinary swimmer with powerful limbs and large paws. The coat of the Chesapeake is practically waterproof with an oily outer coat, and a denser undercoat. It therefore isn't bothered about jumping into any water, even if it is icy cold. It loves a good swim, and has the head and jaw of a retriever, designed to be able to carry dead game with ease in a strong grip.
The Chesapeake, or sometimes known as the 'Chessie', has very clear eyes, usually of an amber, gold or yellow hue. The double coat can be wavy in some places. It is coloured the same as the environments it thrives in: light or dark browns, red, straw, and tan, sometimes with white highlights on the breast, belly, toes or the backs of its paws. It has a wide chest which helps to smash through ice when jumping into the coldest of lakes. It also has high hindquarters compared to its shoulders.
It is a bright and happy dog, and is quite intelligent, most notably identified by its ability to mark a bird, remember where it has fallen and retrieve it. It can have an independent streak like a lot of intelligent dogs, but despite its joyful, exuberant nature outside, it can be very calm indoors.
The Chessie needs to be exercised every day. A good walk and/or a good swim will help to keep it fit. It is therefore good if you live near a large water source. It can live outside in temperate climates, but may suffer socially from being so separated from the family. Bathing the dog will break down the natural oils in its coat, and harm its water resistance.
