Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Canis Lupus

Last updated: February 6, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Keith Rousseau / Creative Commons / Original

Bright and happy disposition!


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Chesapeake Bay Retriever Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis Lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Conservation Status

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Locations

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Locations

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Facts

Diet
Omnivore
Common Name
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Slogan
Bright and happy disposition!
Group
Gun Dog

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Physical Characteristics

Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
13 years
Weight
34kg (75lbs)

Chesapeake Bay Retriever as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
High
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$900 to $5,000
Dog group
Sporting
Male weight
65-80 lbs
Female weight
55-70 lbs

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Chesapeake Bay retrievers are a type of gun dog that were bred for duck hunting along the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia.

This sporting breed is a mix of Newfoundlands, hounds, water spaniels, setters, and some other breeds. Because the Chesapeake Bay gets so cold during the winter months, the dogs were bred to have a thick and waterproof coat to keep them warm and dry as they ran and swam in the icy water. Chesapeake Bay retrievers, or “chessies” as they’re often called, may have been able to retrieve as many as 100 or more ducks in just one day.

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In addition to making an excellent hunting companion, Chesapeake Bay retrievers also make great therapy dogs. Some are even used by law enforcement to detect drugs or bombs because they have very acute scenting capabilities.

Chessies can make great family dogs when they are provided with proper socialization and plenty of exercise. They are very sensitive, intelligent, and loving dogs.

Evolution

The Chesapeake Bay retriever descended from two Lesser Newfoundland Dogs named “Sailor” and “Canton” who were rescued from an impending shipwreck in 1807, off the Maryland coast. The ship was bound for England with a cargo of fish and the two prized retrieving dogs. Lesser Newfoundland dogs were prized by fishermen for their ability to haul lines and nets of fish back to their boats. Their coats were thick and water resistant and their dispositions were happy and enthusiastic.



The two dogs stayed aboard the Canton (the female dog was named Canton after the ship that rescued her) and journeyed to Maryland with their new owner, George Law. Sailor, the male, was considered to be quite beautiful because of his light-colored eyes. The dogs had been chosen from two different families and meant to be bred – but that never happened. They were sold to two different individuals who bred them with other breeds such as the coonhound, to improve their scenting ability. The progeny of Sailor and Canton developed into such skilled retrievers that they were able to retrieve hundreds of birds in a day.

In 1888, the breed, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, was recognized by the American Kennel Club, with the unique yellow and amber eyes of Sailor becoming the breed standard.

Health and Entertainment for your Chesapeake Bay Retriever

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Pros!Cons!
Training
In general, Chesapeake Bay retrievers are relatively easy to train. You will want to make sure you start training your dog from a very early age and provide them with plenty of socialization for the best results.
Exercise
Chesapeake Bay retrievers require a lot of exercise. They do best when they are able to swim, run, hike, and play on a regular basis. If you won’t be able to provide opportunities for these types of activities, a Chessie may not be the best dog for you.
Friendly
Chessies are very affectionate and friendly dogs, especially with people they know and trust.
Shedding
Chesapeake Bay retrievers shed more than some other dog breeds, so be prepared to have fur around your home.
Playful
Since they are a high-energy dog breed, Chesapeake Bay retrievers enjoy playing. If you are looking for a playful pup, they’re a good breed to consider.
Need companionship
Chessies are not a good breed to get if you will be away from your home for extended periods of time. They do best when someone is home with them and could develop anxiety if left alone for too long.

Chesapeake Bay retriever

©Erik Lam/Shutterstock.com

Size and Weight

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are a large-sized dog breed. Males are typically a little larger than females. Male Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are between 23 and 26 inches tall and weigh between 65 and 80 pounds. Females are generally between 21 and 24 inches tall and weigh 55 to 70 pounds.

HeightWeight
Male23 inches to 26 inches65 pounds to 80 pounds
Female21 inches to 24 inches55 pounds to 70 pounds

Common Health Issues

Chesapeake Bay retrievers face a few common health issues. A number of these health issues are hereditary, which is one of the reasons it is important to adopt this breed from a responsible breeder. Breeders will be able to run different tests to check their breeding stock for these more common health concerns.

Chesapeake Bay retriever in the grass

Like most large dog breeds, Chessies may develop hip dysplasia.

©Kerrie T/Shutterstock.com

One ailment that these dogs may face is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is when a dog’s hip joint doesn’t form correctly. The ball and socket of the joint rub against each other and wear one another down. Over time, this becomes very uncomfortable for the dog and may cause them to limp. Check with your breeder to ensure that they completed a hip evaluation on both parents of the puppy you are looking at. You can also ask your veterinarian to evaluate the hips of your puppy before or after you adopt him.

Von Willebrand’s Disease is another health concern for this breed. It is a blood disorder that impedes the dog’s clotting process. Symptoms of this disorder include nose bleeds, prolonged bleeding after surgery or an injury, and bleeding gums. Most times, dogs are diagnosed with this disorder between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. While the disease is not curable, suturing or cauterizing injuries, avoiding some medications, and transfusions can help manage the disease.

Chesapeake Bay retrievers may also suffer from a degenerative eye disorder called progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). PRA causes dogs to lose photoreceptors at the back of their eyes, which over time will lead to blindness. If you purchase your Chessie from a reputable breeder, it will be less likely that your dog will suffer from this condition since they do not breed dogs that have PRA.

Chessies can also be affected by gastric dilation-volvulus, also known as bloat. This is a very serious condition that dogs with deep chests suffer from. When dogs eat a large meal followed by lots of vigorous exercise, their stomach may become distended and filled with gas. The stomach also sometimes twists. Your dog will be noticeably bloated and should be rushed to an emergency vet if you notice any of the signs of bloat.

In review, here are some of the main health concerns that Chesapeake Bay Retrievers may face:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Von Willebrand’s Disease
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Bloat (gastric dilation-volvulus)
Three Chesapeake Bay retrievers in a grassy setting

Chessies are affectionate and loving toward their family but can be aggressive around strangers.

©Kerrie T/Shutterstock.com

Temperament

While many chessies are hesitant or even aggressive around strangers, they display a very affectionate and loving personality with their family members. They also often display protective traits, which means you could train a Chesapeake Bay retriever to be a good watchdog.

These are very intelligent dogs and can be independent or even stubborn at times, but they can make great family pets. Their very friendly behavior and protective instincts help them watch out for the people they love. When properly trained and socialized, they can also learn how to be very careful with younger children.

How to Take Care of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever

If you’re considering adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever, there are a few considerations you’ll want to take into account. A care plan for a Chessie will be different from other dogs due to the specific health concerns, dietary needs, and temperament of this breed.

The Best Dog Food for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

It is important to look for high-quality dog food. High-quality foods from trusted brands will contain a better mix of nutrients that will help keep your dog healthy and make sure its nutritional needs are getting met. Cheaper foods often have fillers or animal by-products that won’t offer the same health benefits for your dog.

Since these dogs can suffer from bloat, pay attention to ensure they don’t eat too fast or too close to exercising.

Adult chessies should eat between 2 and 2.5 cups of dry food each day. With most dogs, you’ll want to divide their food into two meals. The exact amount of food your Chesapeake Bay Retriever will need will depend on his metabolism, age, activity level, and other factors. You can always consult with your veterinarian if you’re not sure how much you should be feeding your dog.

Puppies have smaller stomachs, so they will need to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Puppies between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks will need to eat four small meals, and puppies between the ages of 3 and 6 months should eat three small meals. By the time your puppy is 6 months, it should be fine eating just two meals a day.

Our choice at A-Z Animals of the best dog food for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers is Victor Super Premium Dog Food – Performance Dry Dog Food – 26% Protein.

This is a premium, high-protein kibble with a broad nutritional profile. Real beef and chicken meat are natural sources of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine for mobile joints. There are probiotics to ease digestion and taurine which promotes heart health and keeps the eyes in good condition.

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Best Gluten Free Blend
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  • 26% multi-protein, gluten free dry dog food
  • Aids in dog's digestion, immune system function and healthy skin and coat
  • Contains selenium yeast, prebiotics and probiotics, and mineral complexes for optimum health
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Maintenance and Grooming

Maintaining and grooming a dog of this breed is relatively easy. They have a softer undercoat with a thicker outer coat. If you brush your Chesapeake Bay retriever one time a week, it will limit the amount of hair that is left around your home. If they aren’t regularly brushed, expect this breed to shed a fair amount.

In addition to regularly brushing your dog, you will also want to be sure to keep their nails trimmed. If their nails get too long, it can make it uncomfortable for them to walk or run.

Types of Retriever Dogs

A Chesapeake Bay Retriever is born to spend time in the water, and like the ducks they often help hunt, they have webbed feet to help them swim in the waters of the bay.

©cindylindowphotography/Shutterstock.com

Training

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are intelligent dogs that are relatively easy to train. You will want to make sure you begin training your puppy from an early age for the best results. Enrolling your dog in obedience classes will also help with the training process and make sure they learn how to act appropriately.

Exercise

If you’re thinking about bringing home a dog of this breed, make sure you’re prepared to give it plenty of exercise. As a sporting breed, Chessies have a lot of energy and need regular exercise. These dogs love hiking, swimming, running, and hunting. You can also train this breed to do well with tracking, agility, or other dog sports. As hunting dogs, they also make a great companion on a hunting trip or when doing work out in the field.

Puppies

If you’re looking for a Chesapeake Bay retriever puppy to adopt, you should try to schedule a time when you can visit with the puppy or puppies that are available. Look for a puppy that is playful and curious, but not one that seems too aggressive towards the other dogs with him or her.

Before bringing your puppy home, make sure that your home is puppy-proofed. Move anything that could be potentially hazardous to your new dog as well as anything of value to you. Once your new pup is home, be sure to start training it right away. Early training and socialization will help ensure your puppy learns what is and isn’t acceptable and grows up to be a friendly and well-mannered dog.

You should also make sure that you give the puppy plenty of time to play and exercise. Once your dog is close to 6 months old, you can also start teaching him how to swim.

Chesapeake Bay retriever puppy in the grass

Chessies enjoy playing with children but should be closely supervised until trained.

©Kerrie T/Shutterstock.com

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Children

Chesapeake Bay retrievers can be a good dog breed to have around children as long as the dog is properly trained and socialized and the children are old enough to know how to treat a dog correctly. Chessies enjoy playing with children and can be very careful around them. However, they are less likely to put up with children pulling their tails, grabbing their fur, or annoying them in some other way.

Most likely if your dog is feeling bothered, he will simply walk away from the child. However, you should always closely supervise your children when they are with this or any dog breed.

Dogs similar to Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

  • Labrador retriever: Labrador retrievers and Chesapeake Bay retrievers are both large-sized gun dog breeds. They are of comparable size, with both breeds weight around 70 pounds and standing 22-24 inches tall on average. Additionally, both dogs have above-average intelligence and can be easy to train. One difference is that Labrador retrievers can be more sensitive and social than chessies.
  • Golden retriever: Golden retrievers are another gun dog breed, so like chessies, they were bred to help hunt. As their name implies, Golden Retrievers are golden brown in color, while Chesapeake typically has a little darker coloring. Both dogs can be very playful, though a Golden Retriever will need more social interaction than a Chesapeake Bay retriever.
  • Curly-coated retriever: Curly-coated retrievers are also large-breed gun dogs. They are typically just a few inches taller than a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, but both breeds weigh around 70 pounds. While their coat is very different in appearance, both dogs are relatively easy to groom and shed, but not a ton. Curly-coated retrievers are not as intelligent or playful as chessies, but they are often more affectionate.

Some popular names you can consider for your Chesapeake Bay retriever include:

  • Chessie
  • Chewbacca
  • Hunter
  • Jake
  • Bear
  • Anna
  • Caramel
  • Cami
  • Cinnamon
  • Crimson

Famous Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is the official dog of Maryland. It is also the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s mascot. Additionally, chessies have been a favorite pet of many famous individuals. Here are a few examples of famous Chesapeake Bay retrievers:

  • Paul Walker’s Chesapeake Bay retriever named Boone
  • Tom Felton’s Chesapeake Bay retriever named Timber
  • President Theodore Roosevelt’s Chesapeake Bay retriever named Sailor Boy
  • John McCain’s Chesapeake Bay retriever named Burma

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About the Author

After a career of working to provide opportunities for local communities to experience and create art, I am enjoying having time to write about two of my favorite things - nature and animals. Half of my life is spent outdoors, usually with my husband and sweet little fourteen year old dog. We love to take walks by the lake and take photos of the animals we meet including: otters, ospreys, Canadian geese, ducks and nesting bald eagles. I also enjoy reading, discovering books to add to my library, collecting and playing vinyl, and listening to my son's music.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How much does a Chesapeake Bay retriever cost to own?

If you’re looking to bring home a Chesapeake Bay retriever, the amount you pay can vary significantly depending on whether you adopt your dog from a rescue organization or buy one from a breeder. Adopting a dog will likely cost about $300, while buying from a breeder will be at least $900, but possibly as much as $5,000.

In addition to the breeder costs or adoption fees, be sure to also budget for buying food, toys, a crate, a leash and collar, and all the other supplies you’ll need. You will also want to save money up for veterinary bills and health insurance for your dog. These expenses could easily add up to $1,000 or more for the first year. After the first year, you’ll want to budget $500 or more for yearly expenses.

Is a Chesapeake Bay retriever a good family dog?

Chesapeake Bay retrievers can be great with kids. However, they will do best with older children who know to be respectful to a dog. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers will often walk away from a stressful situation, but you will want to closely supervise young children to make sure they don’t provoke your Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Do Chesapeake Bay retrievers shed?

Yes, Chesapeake Bay retrievers shed. However, if you keep up with brushing them about once every week, they won’t drop too much hair in your home.

What is the life expectancy of a Chesapeake Bay retriever?

Chesapeake Bay retrievers typically live to be between 10 and 13 years old.

How often should you bathe a Chesapeake Bay retriever?

Chesapeake Bay retrievers should not be bathed too often as doing so can remove the protective oils from their coat. This can cause their coat to lose its water-resistant properties. A good time to bathe your Chesapeake Bay Retriever is during shedding season since it can help remove dead hair to make room for new hair.

What is the average weight of a Chesapeake Bay retriever?

The average weight of a male Chesapeake Bay retriever is 65 pounds, and the average weight of a female Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 55 pounds.

Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to the class Mammalia.

What phylum to Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to the family Canidae.

What order do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to the order Carnivora.

What type of covering do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are covered in Hair.

What genus do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers belong to the genus Canis.

What is an interesting fact about Chesapeake Bay Retrievers?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have bright and happy dispositions!

What is the scientific name for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

The scientific name for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is Canis Lupus.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever/
  2. Dogtime, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever#/slide/1
  3. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay_Retriever
  4. Petfinder, Available here: https://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever/
  5. Vetstreet, Available here: http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/chesapeake-bay-retriever
  6. DogNamed.com, Available here: https://www.dognamed.com/names/chesapeake-bay-retriever-names#full
  7. Dogell, Available here: https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever-vs-golden-retriever-vs-german-shorthaired-pointer
  8. NBC News, Available here: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/cindy-mccain-reveals-details-how-her-husband-s-dog-died-n1002446
  9. Animal Care Tip, Available here: https://animalcaretip.com/chesapeake-bay-retriever-care-tips/
  10. CBR Rescue, Available here: https://cbrrescue.org/resources/breed-info-menu/cbr-info-menu/dont-buy-a-cbr/#:~:text=Chesapeake%20Bay%20Retrievers%20are%20the,and%20protecting%20the%20day's%20catch

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