Erakina

Menu
Pet

Chessie – Erakina

February 3, 2022 4 Mins Read
1.1K Views
66 Comments

Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chessie

It is a peerless duck dog
  • Weight Range:
  • Male: 65-80 lbs.
  • Female: 55-70 lbs.
  • Height at Withers:
  • Male: 23-26 in
  • Female: 21-24 in.
  • Coat:
  • Length: Short
  • Characteristics: Curly
  • Colors: Brown, sedge, dead grass
  • Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate
  • Exercise Requirements: 20-40 minutes/day
  • Energy Level: Average
  • Longevity Range: 10-13 yrs
  • Tendency to Drool: Low Tendency to Snore: Low
  • Tendency to Bark: Low
  • Tendency to Dig: Low Social/Attention Needs: High

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chessie, is a peerless duck dog of the Mid-Atlantic, is an American original who embodies the classic traits of a good retriever: loyal, upbeat, affectionate, and tireless. The Chessie is famous for his waterproof coat. Chessies are strong, powerfully built gundogs standing anywhere from 21 to 26 inches at the shoulder. A male can weigh up to 80 pounds. The distinctive breed trait is a wavy coat that is oily to the touch. Chessies are solid-colored, either chocolatey brown, sedge, or deadgrass, with keen yellow-amber eyes that nicely complement the coat. Chessies are more emotionally complex than the usual gundog. Chessies take to training, but they have a mind of their own and can tenaciously pursue their own path. They are protective of their humans and polite, but not overtly friendly, to strangers. Chessies make excellent watchdogs and are versatile athletics. A well-socialized. Chessie is a confident companion and world-class hunting buddy.

chessie swims

They are trained very well for swimming.

History

The Chesapeake Bay retriever history began in 1807 when two Newfoundland puppies were rescued from a distressed British ship off the coast of Maryland. The dogs proved to be excellent duck retrievers and were crossed with other dogs, possibly flat-coated and curly-coated retrievers. The offspring also were excellent retrievers. By the mid-1880s, the breed was reportedly used to retrieve up to 300 ducks daily and became known as the Chesapeake Bay retriever. Enthusiasts of the breed informally refer to this breed as “Chessies.”

The breed received AKC recognition in 1885. Although the Chesapeake Bay retriever is a sporting dog, the breed also has been used as a guide dog for the blind and is considered to be an excellent companion.

Habitat

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are sporting dogs and require a considerable amount of exercise. Consequently, they do very well living in areas where they can romp, swim and hunt. However, they can adapt to urban life if the guardian is willing to provide long walks. Occasional trips to places where the dog can swim and fetch toys or sticks is ideal, since these dogs are avid water lovers and retrievers.

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are protective of their guardians and are considered moderately good watch dogs. They require minimal coat care, but grooming with a rubber brush occasionally is advised to help keep the coat in good condition and to control oil in the coat. Chessies shed, but less than many other large dogs.

Personality

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are not as gregarious as most other retriever breeds. Nonetheless, they generally like children and most are friendly to strangers. They also tend to get along with other animals, although some Chessies have demonstrated aggression toward other dogs.

The breed does not bark excessively, nor are Chessies considered particularly excitable. In fact, the breed is considered to be even-tempered.

Some breed experts report that Chesapeake Bay retrievers are easy to train and housebreak. Others say that some of these dogs can be strong-willed, that obedience training is strongly recommended, and that the Chessie may not be the best breed for novice dog guardians.

Characteristics

Males range from 23 to 26 inches in height and about 65 to 80 pounds (29 to 36 kilograms); females range from 21 to 24 inches and weigh from about 55 to 70 pounds (25 to 32 kilograms).

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are gracefully proportioned. The head is round and broad. The jaws are long enough to grasp game birds, and short enough to ensure a strong grip. The hanging ears are smallish and set well up on the head. The body and tail are medium in length. The chest is deep and wide. A distinctive feature is that the hindquarters are at least as high, and often higher, than the shoulders.

The breed is known for its water-resistant, double coat. The outer coat is short and wavy; the undercoat is fine and wooly and contains natural oils that help protect the dog during the long cold swims required for duck retrieving. The coat ranges in camouflage colors from dark brown to tan or the color of dead grass. Some Chessies have white spots. The Chesapeake Bay retriever also has a characteristic yellowish or amber eye color.

Highlights

  • Chessies require a great deal of exercise, including swimming if possible. If they don’t receive adequate exercise, they can become frustrated and destructive.
  • Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not recommended for inexperienced or first-time dog owners.
  • They can be prone to dominance problems if not properly trained and socialized. You must provide strong leadership without being harsh.
  • Chessies can be more aggressive, willful, and reserved with strangers than other retrievers.
  • Chesapeake Bay Retrievers may be combative toward other dogs.
  • Chessies are strong dogs, slow to mature, with a tendency to be territorial. They need firm training and management.
  • To get a healthy dog, never buy a puppy from a backyard breeder, puppy mill, or pet store. Look for a reputable breeder who tests her breeding dogs to make sure they’re free of genetic diseases that they might pass onto the puppies, and that they have sound temperaments.

–Sanjana Pal

 09-12-2021

Erakina

Tags:

Share Article

Other Articles

Related Posts