Longevity
Life expectancy
Its usual life expectancy is between 10 and 13 years. A diet adapted to its activity, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise and veterinary follow-up help preserve its quality of life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its powerful build, endurance and protective coat make it a robust dog, suited to work in difficult weather conditions. This overall sturdiness does not exclude the hereditary predispositions known in the breed.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Particular attention must be paid to the joints, the eyes and neurological or exertion-related diseases. Breeding dogs should undergo the recommended screenings and any sign of pain, reduced vision or abnormal intolerance to exercise must lead to a veterinary consultation.
Hip dysplasia: This joint condition is among the breed’s main predispositions and warrants screening of breeding dogs.
Elbow dysplasia: This joint development abnormality can cause pain and lameness and should be looked for in bloodlines.
Progressive retinal atrophy: This hereditary eye disease can lead to a progressive deterioration of vision.
Exercise-induced collapse: Episodes of weakness or collapse may occur during intense exertion in affected dogs.
Degenerative myelopathy: This progressive neurological condition is among the occasional predispositions reported in the breed.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Thanks to its dense, woolly undercoat and its protective topcoat, it tolerates cold, humidity and bad weather very well. It also shows good tolerance to heat, without this removing the need to provide it with water, shade and activities suited to high temperatures.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Portions must remain reasonable and correspond to the real needs of this athletic dog in order to prevent overweight. The ration must be adjusted according to its weight, age and activity level, with the veterinarian's advice if necessary.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the breeding dogs’ hips and elbows screened.
- Plan an ophthalmological examination suited to the breed’s predispositions.
- Find out about tests for exercise-induced collapse and degenerative myelopathy.
- Inspect and clean the eyes and the inside of the ears regularly.
- Brush the teeth and trim the nails when they do not wear down naturally.
- Increase brushing during shedding periods.
Vaccination
Chesapeake Bay Retriever vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Chesapeake Bay Retriever need? Like all dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Chesapeake Bay Retriever vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Chesapeake Bay Retriever booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Chesapeake Bay Retriever need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Recommended screenings concern the hips, elbows and eyes, as well as exercise-induced collapse and degenerative myelopathy. The monitoring of breeding dogs makes it possible to better take into account the breed’s main predispositions.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
