History: In 1807 a British ship was shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland.  Two of the survivors were the ship’s dogs -  named Sailor and Canton, a male and female who  proved later to be excellent water retrievers. These dogs were bred with some of the local sporting dogs and a new breed developed from this hearty stock. Named for the Chesapeake Bay in  Maryland, these dogs love the water and are very powerful swimmers.
Appearance: 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 that tends to wave on shoulders, neck, back and loins. The head is proportionate to the body, and the medium to large eyes offer an intelligent expression. The small ears hang loosely on the head, and the muzzle is tapered. The teeth meet in either a scissors or level bite. The tail is 12-15 inches (30-37 cm) long. The coat of this breed is generally short and thick, and it features a dense, yet fine, wooly undercoat. This breed comes in a variety of colors, including browns and sedge.
Size: Height – Dogs 23-26 inches (58-66 cm); bitches 21-24 inches (53-61 cm)
Weight – Dogs 65-80 pounds (29-36 kg); bitches 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg)
Temperament: The Chesapeake is valued for its bright and happy disposition, intelligence (in fact, the breed is considered by most to be the smartest of all the retrievers), quiet good sense, and affectionate protective nature. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are affectionate and good with children. The Chesapeake tends to recognize only one person or family as master. All other people are considered by the dog to be either equal or subordinate. They love to swim and retrieve. They are courageous, willing, loving and trainable although they may be a little slow to learn.. The breed is very tolerant of pain, which makes it difficult to tell when they’re injured.
Health: Prone to eye problems and hip dysplasia.
Life expectancy: about 10-12 years.
Grooming: The dense, harsh, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush to remove the dead hairs. Bathing is seldom necessary, and the oil in the coat should be maintained. Washing the coat too often can destroy the water resistance. This breed is an average shedder.
Puppy price: $300.00 - $1.500.00