The Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake is a strong, muscular dog with a short, thick wavy coat. He comes in any shade of brown and has yellow or amber coloured eyes. Compared to the Labrador, he is slightly bigger in stature and has a very different personality.
A Chesapeake is a very devoted dog, and is totally loyal to his owner and family. He will make friends with others but he will always follow his owner. If left alone, he will guard your home or car and has been known to protect his human family from threat.
The Chesapeake has been bred for generations as a working gundog and he excels in his job, especially retrieving waterfowl. Chesapeakes have also been trained for other jobs; obedience, working trials, agility, tracking and even drug, explosive and immigrant detection.
This is one of a few breeds where the working and show sides have not drifted apart. Most of the UK show dogs work in one way or another, often working one day and showing the next. A good rinse in fresh water is all he needs to prepare him for a show. The breed standard describes a dog that is structurally sound and built for a hard days work; it is this standard that dogs are judged on in the show ring.
Because the Chesapeake is a strong dog, he needs the right kind of home and owner. His main need is an owner who is firm but fair, someone he can admire and look up to. He is NOT suitable as a pet dog treated as an equal. Expect him to challenge your authority. If he admires you then he will work for you and love you as only a dog can. Whilst he can be a devoted housedog, it is best combined with an active lifestyle or a working life where both his brain and body are exercised. He craves company and should not be in a home where he is left alone or kennelled for much of the day. Most people who have lived with a Chesapeake will usually consider having no other breed.
Health
Chesapeakes are generally a healthy breed; however as with all pedigree dogs (and many non pedigree dogs), inherited diseases do occur. Before purchasing a puppy ask the breeder to confirm that both parents of the litter have been checked for the following inherited conditions;
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- HC (Hereditary Cataracts) – Annual KC / BVA Eye Test
- PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) DNA Test
- DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) DNA Test
- Other DNA Tests available (optional);
- EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
- EdSf (Ectodermal Dysplasia – Skin Fragility)
- IVDD / CDDY (Intervertebral Disc Disease / Chondrodystrophy) – Pictures of Basil the dwarf chessie who we rescued in 2006
Contact us!
Email: oakmarshchesapeakes@gmail.com
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