Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The history of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever contains one of the most interesting stories concerning the development of a canine breed. It is believed to descend from two "lesser" Newfoundland-type puppies rescued from a shipwrecked English brig near the coast of Maryland in 1807. One black and the other one brown in color, these puppies reportedly grew up to be excellent hunters and were crossed with Labradors, Otterhounds, Irish Water Spaniels, Bloodhounds, Newfoundlands, Curly-Coated Retrievers and local working dogs of Chesapeake Bay, creating one of the most capable water retrieving breeds in history. The Chessie maintained its popularity ever since it was standardized in 1885, and is commonly found in America, Canada, Britain and Europe.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an excellent swimmer and bird dog, praised for its resilience and remarkable scent-tracking and marking ability. Reserved with strange people and dogs, it is better suited for rural life, but can be seen kept as a family pet in many cities.

The water-resistant coat is oily, wavy and rough, accepted in solid brown, red, tan and shades of dead-grass and straw colorings. Average height is around 24 inches.