The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a big, strong retriever originally bred to retrieve ducks from the icy Atlantic waters off Chesapeake Bay, USA.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a big, strong retriever originally bred to retrieve ducks from the icy Atlantic waters off Chesapeake Bay, USA. It is larger than the Labrador retriever and has a strong, muscular frame. It is renowned for its waterproof coat, which is made up of a fine and woolly undercoat and tough top coat which is oily to the touch and comes in the camouflage colours of brown, sedge or straw colour. They also have distinctive yellow-amber eyes. As with other retrievers, the Chesapeake is bright, good-natured and makes a wonderful companion, however, they are generally more aloof with strangers than the more gregarious retriever breeds. They will adore their family and are good with children whom they will be strongly protective of, and their desire to please makes them easy to train. This is a high-energy breed that needs lots of exercise and ample opportunities to run and retrieve. They should also be able to swim as often as possible.
History
This breeds history began in 1807 when an English ship was wrecked off the coast of Maryland and the survivors included two puppies of the St John’s Newfoundland breed. The dogs proved to be excellent duck retrievers and their offspring soon became known for their courage and success in the icy cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay. These dogs were crossed with other breeds including water spaniels, and curly and flat-coated retrievers. It is reported that by the 1880s, the breed was retrieving an impressive 300 ducks a day and became known as the Chesapeake Retriever.
