Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a large-sized dog breed from the Retriever, Gundog, and Sporting breed groups. The members of this breed also called Chessie, CBR, or Chesapeake. The breed was developed at the United States Chesapeake Bay area during the 19th century. Historically used by area market hunters to retrieve waterfowl, it is mostly a family pet and hunting companion.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are often known for their love of water and their capability to hunt. It is a medium to large sized dog breed similar in appearance to the Labrador Retriever. Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a curly coat, rather than the Labrador's smooth coat. They are defined as having a positive and happy nature, courage, willingness to work, attentiveness, intelligence, and love of water are some of their characteristics.
Appearance
The unique topographies of the dog comprise eyes 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 waterproof coat feels somewhat oily and is often accompanying a small musky odor. Three basic colors, usually seen in the breed are; brown (includes all shades from a light to a deep dark brown); sedge (differs from a reddish yellow through a bright red to chestnut shades); and dead grass (in all its shades, varying from a faded tan to a dull straw).
Coat and Colors
The Chesapeake should be well balanced with a good coat. The hair on face and legs should be very short and straight with a tendency to wave, never curl on the shoulders, neck, back, and loins only and nowhere over 1.5 inches long. Moderate feathering on the rear of the hindquarters and tail is allowable while not longer than 1.75 inches. Dense double-coat is significant in protecting the dog from cold water and icy environs. The oil in harsh outer-coat and woolly under-coat resists water, keeping the dog dry and warm. The maintenance of coat is negligible and mostly involves brushing with a short-tooth brush once in a week. It is difficult to get the dog thoroughly wet, but they should be bathed after 3 to 4 months using a mild shampoo, then dried thoroughly. The coat color must be similar to the working environments. Any color of brown, sedge or dead grass is allowed and one color is not preferred over another.
Three basic colors are usually seen in the breed: Brown which contains all shades from a light cocoa (a silvered brown) to a deep bittersweet chocolate color; Sedge which differs from a reddish yellow through a bright red to chestnut shades; Deadgrass which includes all shades of dead grass, changing from a faded tan to a dull straw color. The nearly white and ash/taupe/gray shades are not generally seen in the breed but are acceptable.
A white spot on the breast (not extending above the sternum), belly, toes or back of the feet is allowable, but the smaller spot is better. White beyond these areas and black anywhere on the body is not permissible in the breed standard.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Temperament
The typical Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a bright and happy temperament, intelligence, quiet good sense, and an demonstrative protective nature. Some can be quite vocal when happy, and some will 'smile' by showing their front teeth in an odd smile. This is not a threat but an indication of joy or obedience. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can make excellent family dogs when socialized properly. Some dogs are assertive and willful and may be kept with the strangers, but others are passive and outgoing with people.
Training
Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a multipurpose breed contending in field trials, hunt tests, conformation shows, obedience, agility, and tracking, yet remains true to its roots as a hunting dog of great stamina and ability. The breed is very intelligent and learns quickly. Generally considered stubborn and hard to train, various trainers believe that the breed needs more physical discipline than other retriever breeds. Some trainers suggest that the owners of Chesapeake Bay Retriever must use constant, daily obedience training with play time before and after to keep the dog wanting to work with little or no physical discipline required.
History
The history of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can be traced from two pups who were rescued from a sinking ship in Maryland in 1807. The male ‘Sailor’ and female ‘Canton’ were designated as Newfoundland dogs but were more precisely Lesser Newfoundland or St. John's water dogs. These two lived in different parts of the bay area and there is no record of a litter being produced together. For the beginning of the breed, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers were produced with area dogs, with more consideration given to the ability than breed. There are insufficient records of the breeds of these early dogs, but spaniels and hounds were included. The dogs from both Chesapeake Bay coasts were recognized as one of three types of Chesapeake Bay Ducking Dog in 1877. In 1918 a single type, called the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, was documented by the American Kennel Club (AKC), and there have been few changes to the breed standard since then.
In 1964, it was confirmed the official dog of Maryland. It is the symbol of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.