Description: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a medium to large sized dog with good musculature. The dog will be 23 to 26 at the shoulders and the bitch 21 to 24 . The maximum weight for the dog is about 80 pounds and for the female, 70 pounds. The coat of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever consists of a wavy, oily outer coat and a wooly and dense undercoat. The color of the coat is usually brown or reddish. The eyes of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are amber or yellow. This dog will live for 10 to 12 years on average. Other names for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are Chessy Dog and Chessie.

History: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a dog developed here in America. In 1807 a British ship, the Canton, was shipwrecked off the Maryland coast. Fortunately, everyone aboard was saved, including two Newfoundland Dogs. The captain of the ship sold the dogs to local people around Chesapeake Bay and they were eventually bred to various dogs in the area. Combining the blood of the Otterhound, the Flat-Coated Retriever, and the Curly-Coated Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever came into being.

Temperament: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a loyal and protective dog with its human family, but will often be reserved with strangers. This dog tends to be assertive and confident and will need a firm, but kind master to bring out the best in it. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever should be socialized with family pets from an early age. Due to its somewhat dominant nature, this dog probably will do better with older children. This breed loves to go in the water.

Health Issues: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever can suffer from hip dysplasia and several eye disorders, including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. Von Willebrand's Disease is also present in this breed, so it is important to make sure your dog comes from stock free of this type of hemophilia. As with most large breed, bloat or stomach torsion can occur, in which case, immediate veterinary help is called for. Feeding the dog 2 or 3 small meals a day can help prevent bloat.

Grooming: The coat of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever should be brushed with a bristle brush once a week. This dog has a very oily coat, which helps with water resistance, so it is advisable not to over-brush the coat and remove the oil. As this dog has a rather distinctive odor, they should be shampooed every once in a while.

Living Conditions: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a dog that loves to be outdoors and especially near water. It enjoys cool weather. This dog is probably not a good choice for apartment living, it needs too much exercise and its dominant nature might make it too much dog in a small space. It needs a lot of daily exercise and will become frustrated and destructive if deprived of this. This is an outdoor dog that would do best with a family who participated in outdoor sports, especially those pertaining to water. A hunter would be an excellent choice for the owner of this dog.