Chesapeake Bay Retriever Complete Breed Guide

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are hunting dogs at heart. They were bred to withstand cold water and flourish among families who will give them lots of exercise, and most importantly, take them hunting for waterfowl. The breed is affectionate toward their families, but more distrustful of strangers.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a true hunting dog that was bred to withstand the brutally cold waters on the East Coast of the United States. Waterfowl hunters love Chesapeake Bay Retrievers because they are incredibly tough and truly love hunting. The breed is known to love their family, but they have a tendency to distrust strangers, which makes them excellent watchdogs. They need lots of exercise and prefer a family that will satisfy their strong desire to hunt. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers were bred to make water retrievals, and that’s exactly what they love doing. If you’re only looking for a companion animal and won’t be providing opportunities for hunting and playing in water, you’ll be happier with a different breed.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are best-suited for families who live where there is plenty of space to roam. They need lots of exercise, and although they are affectionate toward their families, they are hunting dogs first and companions second.

Exercise & Activity

This breed craves exercise. Specifically, they want to be out hunting ducks and making water retrievals. They will hunt endlessly, and if you don’t provide them with the right opportunities, they will focus that energy on bad habits like chasing bikers or the the mailman.

There’s no way around it, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a mind of its own. They are strong-minded and assertive, so they require a kind but firm training approach. They're known to be loving toward their families, but they generally don’t care about other people or animals unless they are acting in a threatening manner. Above everything else, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers love water and have an intense desire to hunt.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s coat was designed to keep them warm when in the water. Therefore, they have an oily outer layer and a heavy undercoat. You can easily brush out anything that’s gotten caught in their hair, and you should expect them to shed more heavily in the springtime. The only time you should give them a bath is if they’ve been swimming in saltwater or a pond full of algae, otherwise you’ll want to avoid baths to keep their coats' water resistance intact.