The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a dog that is named after the Chesapeake Bay where it was bred. It is known for being a gun dog that will hunt in all types of weather and can even break through the ice to retrieve game. The nickname given to this breed of dog is the Chessie.
History of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was first bred for being a water dog in the early part of the 1800s. According to information obtained by the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club, the dog has a history linked with the Newfoundland dogs that were rescued from a ship in the very early part of the 1800s. The two dogs that were found were bred and the result was dogs that were very strong, had an excellent muscular carriage and a broad frame. The dogs were well known along the eastern shore and were soon named after the Bay where they were founded. The early history of this breed was called the Chesapeake Bay Ducking Dog because of its ability to retrieve ducks in all types of water, including the cold waters of the north.
It is considered to be the official dog of the state of Maryland and has been bred in the United States for over 200 years.
Appearance Of The Chesapeake Bay Retriever
This breed of dog has a large carriage and has a distinctive coat that is may feel oily that helps with water repellence. The coat of the dog usually is a variation of several shades of brown. There is usually a reddish hue to the coat that can vary from a yellowish red to a deep chestnut shade. The breed has a broad head that is very round and has small ears. The short and distinctive coat of the breed as well as a long tail make it distinctive from other types of retrievers, mainly the Labrador.
Use of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a dog that makes an excellent retrieving dog in inclement weather. Because of its powerful strength, it has been known to even break through the ice to retrieve water foul. It makes an excellent and powerful retrieving dog with the only drawback being the fact that the slightly oily coat can sometimes give off a somewhat musky type odor. The breed can live peacefully with the family, although you may find that this dog is a bit more protective and slightly more aggressive than other retrievers. Some dogs are more assertive and can be willful, but others are much more outgoing with other people. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever should be trained in similarity with other retriever dogs and will train just as easily as labs or goldens.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever loves water and swimming and can bear cold weather better than most retriever dogs. It is a breed that is recognized by the AKC in the sporting dog category. In Field Training, the dog is in Group 8. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is known as an excellent gun dog that likes to swim and can work well in cold weather. A hunter who is seeking a hunting companion to retrieve in the cold weather can do well with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
