Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the toughest, hardiest, most strong-willed and protective of all of the retrievers. This breed is well renowned for its unique retrieving skills, one of which is its uncanny ability to mark and remember where a bird has fallen. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has webbed feet for speed in the water, and oils in its coat that enable it to withstand even the iciest water- in fact their coat is virtually waterproof!

Families that spend ample time in the great outdoors are most suited to this breed. They are slow to mature and need the firm handling of an experienced dog owner. If you plan on having cats in the house, be sure to socialize your new Chesapeake Bay Retriever at the earliest possible time, to ensure a good relationship develops. If you plan on owning this breed, remember that the most important thing to a Chesapeake is WATER, WATER, WATER!

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is unique in that it shares the honours with the American Water Spaniel of being one of only two breeds developed entirely in North America. In the winter of 1807, an American ship rescued the crew and cargo of a British ship off of Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, USA. As a thank you, the sailors gave a local dog lover two rescued Newfoundland puppies whose names were Sailor and Canton. These dogs were bred with local varieties, including possibly the English or Irish Water Spaniel, and the Otterhound. The actual breeding program is unclear but it is clear that by 1885 the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was refined enough to become one of the first breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.