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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+5
Dogs
# The Chesapeake Bay Retriever: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United States
A powerful, courageous and hardy retriever, particularly at ease in the water and with an active family.
Size LargeLife expectancy 10–13 yearsBudget ≈ €140/monthPuppy €800 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 1](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=chesapeake-bay-retriever)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Robust and hardy: Its build and double coat allow it to face cold, humidity and sustained activities.
- Excellent retriever: It has strong aptitudes for working in water and for search and retrieve games.
- Affectionate family companion: It is close to its family, playful with children and calm after having exercised enough.
- Intelligent and willing: Its taste for work and play makes positive and consistent training easier.
- High exercise needs: He cannot be satisfied with short walks and requires frequent long outings.
- Apartment living not well suited: He prefers a spacious, fenced environment close to nature.
- Heavy shedding: Hair loss can become abundant during shedding periods.
- Hereditary predispositions: Dysplasia, certain eye and neurological conditions require serious screening.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active people: He willingly accompanies available owners for long outings and regular activities.
- Sporty families: His affection, his energy and his love of play suit a dynamic household.
- Water activity enthusiasts: His protective coat and natural abilities make him a partner particularly at ease in the water.
- Households with a fenced garden: A secure space makes his daily exercise easier without replacing walks.
Not recommended for
- Very sedentary people: Its need for exercise and stimulation is incompatible with a low-activity daily routine.
- Households limited to brief outings: Simple short walks do not meet its physical and mental needs.
- Owners looking for little shedding: Its double coat can shed a lot at certain times.
- Owners unavailable for training: Its early socialization and recall training require time and consistency.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
60 cmChesapeake Bay Retriever
- Height at the withers
- 53–66 cm
- Weight
- 25–36 kg
- Coat
- Short, close, harsh and dense
- FCI group
- 8
- Origin
- United States
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Chesapeake Bay Retriever in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The breed is said to have originated in the shipwreck, in 1807 off the coast of Maryland, of a ship coming from Great Britain. Two surviving Newfoundland-type dogs, the male Sailor and the female Canton, distinguished themselves by their swimming abilities and their aptitude for retrieving water game in the difficult conditions of the Chesapeake Bay. Local hunters crossed them with various water game retrievers in order to obtain dogs that were hardy, determined and enduring. The Curly Coated Retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Irish Water Spaniel are among the breeds cited in its development in the 19th century. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed as early as 1884. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale classifies it under standard number 263 and recognized it definitively in September 1964.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a moderately long, well-proportioned and powerful body, with a short back, a strong and broad chest. Its skull is broad and rounded, its stop moderate and its jaws powerful. Its light eyes, from yellowish to amber, express intelligence and liveliness. Its small pendant ears are set high. Its tail, of medium thickness and length, is straight or slightly curved. Its short and dense coat combines a harsh outer coat with a dense and woolly undercoat, which protects it from water and ice. The coat is preferably solid-colored, in shades of brown, sedge or deadgrass, with sometimes a small white marking permitted on certain areas.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Alert, intelligent and affectionate, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a willing worker who likes to stay active, play and please his owner. He is close to his family and playful with children. His protective instinct is marked without being associated with aggressiveness. He has a fine sense of smell, particularly appreciates water and knows how to remain calm and composed outside of activities.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
This retriever needs long, frequent outings and cannot be satisfied with brief walks. Retrieving games, object search, and activities in large open spaces suit its natural abilities well. It prefers a house with a large fenced garden, close to the countryside, woods, or bodies of water. City life remains possible if its needs for walks and stimulation are truly met, but an apartment suits it less.
Training
## Training and socialization
Naturally drawn to work and play, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is trained with patience, consistency and positive methods. Rewards and encouragements foster his obedience. Socialization must begin early, as must recall training, essential to allow him to exercise safely. Any brutality must be avoided.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The purchase price varies depending on the breeder, the bloodline and the guarantees provided. Annual maintenance is also estimated between 500 and 600 euros, excluding exceptional expenses.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/chesapeake-bay-retriever/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has overall robust health. Its double, dense and protective coat allows it to withstand cold and bad weather and to dry quickly after working in water. The breed nevertheless remains predisposed to several joint, ocular and neurological conditions that justify careful selection and regular veterinary monitoring.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/chesapeake-bay-retriever/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The diet must meet the needs of a sporty and active dog while avoiding excesses. Nutritional quality and adjusting portions to daily activity are essential to maintaining its physical condition.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/chesapeake-bay-retriever/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is also known by the names Chesapeake Bay Retriever and Chessie. Its history is closely linked to the duck hunters of the Chesapeake Bay, who were looking for a retriever capable of facing cold water, ice, tides and wind.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever suitable for apartment living?
It can adapt to city life if its high needs for outings and stimulation are met, but it prefers a house with a large fenced garden, close to nature and bodies of water.
### Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever suitable for children?
Yes, it is affectionate with its family and is playful and energetic with children. As with any dog, interactions must remain supervised and respectful.
### What grooming does its coat require?
Weekly brushing is generally sufficient, with increased frequency during shedding periods. Baths should remain infrequent in order to preserve the protective oily layer of the coat and skin.
### How much exercise does it need?
It needs frequent long outings and stimulating activities, particularly retrieving and searching games. Short walks alone are not enough.
## Find a Chesapeake Bay Retriever breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Chesapeake Bay Retriever breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Chesapeake Bay Retriever breeders by country
[24 breeders of Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever/germany) [6 breeders of Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever/italy) [2 breeders of Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever/austria) [2 breeders of Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever/denmark) [1 breeder of Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Czechia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever/czechia) [1 breeder of Chesapeake Bay Retriever in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever)
[All breeders of Chesapeake Bay Retriever in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever)
## Ready to welcome a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-chesapeake-bay-retriever)
## Discover other breeds
[Curly-Coated Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/curly-coated-retriever)
[Flat-Coated Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/flat-coated-retriever)
[Golden Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/golden-retriever)
[Labrador Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/labrador-retriever)
[Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/nova-scotia-duck-tolling-retriever)
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