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Dog Breeds

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Dog Breed.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever training, care, history, temperament, and characteristics

Group: Sporting

Weight: male: 65-80, female: 55-70 lbs

Height: male: 23-26 female: 21-24 inches

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History

During the winter of 1807, an English ship with two Newfoundland dogs on it wrecked off the coast of Maryland. Everyone on the ship was saved and the two dogs were given to a family of dog lovers. These dogs were later mated with local retrievers. This new breed of dogs, which was first used for hunting in the Chesapeake Bay, proved to be outstanding dogs. Much careful breeding over the years has created an exceptional retriever with incredible eagerness and stamina. The Chesapeake Bay retriever has been known to retrieve about 200 ducks in a single day in cold waters. This energetic, passionate hunter will come out of a river or marsh with only a few drops of water remaining on its coat - these they then quickly get rid of with a shake. The breed does very well in obedience training and tracking. They also do well in hunting tests and field trials. They also make a very fine family companion.

Characteristics

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are the most rough and dominant of the six retriever breeds. These dogs are true nature lovers. They are attentive, bright, brave and very versatile. The Chesapeake Bay retriever is an autonomous, tough, and possesses a lot of determination. They are hard workers; heroic and athletic.

Temperament

A loyal, strong-minded, and level-headed breed, the Chesapeake Bay retriever is a dog that is very loyal to his family and also very protective. This makes them very effective watchdogs. These dogs can be very defensive and can therefore be hostile toward strange animals and suspicious around strangers. The Chesapeake Bay retriever gets along well with thoughtful children. The Chesapeake Bay retriever is a sure and sometimes dominant breed. They are therefore best suited to those with some experience of dog ownership.

Care

The thick, short-haired coat is fairly easy to groom. It can be brushed with a firm bristle brush to remove the dead hairs. These dogs do need the occasional bath to prevent any noticeable odours - but they should not be bathed so often that the oily surface is stripped out. The greasy coat helps protect it from icy waters. This breed of dogs sheds averagely. For more detailed info, take a look at the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Grooming page.

Training

These dogs are fairly slow to mature. They are also wilful and obstinate. The Chesapeake Bay retriever must have a skilled owner. Early socialization and obedience training are an absolute must for these dogs. They do not respond well to cruel or rough methods. Training must be done with firmness, justice, persistence, admiration and consistency. This breed displays strong talents in tracking, hunting, competitive obedience, field sports and in hunting.