Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed Profile

Description

The breed's characteristics are specifically suited to enable the Chesapeake to function with ease, efficiency and endurance. In head, the Chesapeake's skull is broad and round with a medium stop. The jaws should be of sufficient length and strength to carry large game birds with an easy, tender hold. The double coat consists of a short, harsh, wavy outer coat and a dense, fine, wooly undercoat containing an abundance of natural oil and is ideally suited for the icy rugged conditions of weather the Chesapeake often works in. In body, the Chesapeake is a strong, well-balanced, powerfully built animal of moderate size and medium length in body and leg, deep and wide in chest, the shoulders built with full liberty of movement, and with no tendency to weakness in any feature, particularly the rear.

Coloring

Any color of brown, sedge or deadgrass, self-colored Chesapeakes being preferred. A white spot on the breast, belly, toes, or back of the feet is common.

Temperament

They show a bright and happy disposition with an intelligent expression. Courage, willingness to work, alertness, nose, intelligence, and loves of water.

Origin

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a new breed, being the product of a shipwreck of the coast of Maryland. On board were two NewfoundlandÆs that were given to a local family that bred them with local retrievers. The name was given because the breed was first used for hunting in the Chesapeake Bay.

Care Level

Easy