CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER Breed Standards
A fascinating and lucky history lies behind the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. In 1807, two pups (assumed to be Newfoundlands, one red in color and the other black) were rescued from an English brig shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland. As the pups grew they gained the reputation of skilled water retrievers, particularly suited to the cold and unforgiving waters of Chesapeake Bay. Over time, the progeny of these dogs were bred with Bloodhounds, Newfoundlands and local hound crosses to create the breed we recognize today.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s willingness to repeatedly swim through icy waters without hesitation to retrieve ducks and other waterfowl, as well as its ability to mark and remember where a hunter’s quarry has fallen, helped to spread the breed’s renown throughout the United States. In 1885, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was recognized by the American Kennel Club, making it one of the oldest AKC-recognized breeds and one of the few breeds created in the United States.
SKILLS: Equally proficient on land and in the water, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed along the Chesapeake Bay to hunt waterfowl under the most adverse weather and water conditions, often having to break ice during the course of many strenuous multiple retrieves. Frequently the Chesapeake must face wind, tide and long cold swims in its work. 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. The power though, should not be at the expense of agility or stamina. Size and substance should not be excessive as this is a working retriever of an active nature.
Distinctive features include eyes that are very clear, of yellowish or amber hue, hindquarters as high or a trifle higher than the shoulders, and a double coat which tends to wave on shoulders, neck, back and loins only.
The Chesapeake is valued for its bright and happy disposition, intelligence, quiet good sense, and affectionate protective nature. Extreme shyness or extreme aggressive tendencies are not desirable in the breed either as a gun dog or companion.
