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Origin: The history of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever began in 1807 with the wreck of a British ship off the coast of Maryland. Among the survivors were two Newfoundland pups, a male named 'Sailor' and a female later named 'Canton' in honour of the American rescue ship. Both proved to be excellent water retrievers and were mated to local sporting dogs that may have included both Curly and Flat-coated Retrievers among others. The breed that emerged from this mixture proved to be one without equal in cold and rough water. A powerful swimmer and an excellent duck retriever, the Chessie has always been valued for his talents rather than his appearance.
Temperament: The breed should display courage, alertness, a willingness to work and a happy disposition. Noted for their fondness for children, several Chessies have been honoured for saving toddlers from drowning.
Activity Level: The breed is deeply endowed with a love of water. The strong, powerfully built Chessie exhibits a great deal of stamina and agility. This breed does best in country or seaside settings with lots of outdoor exercise.
Height/Weight: Males will stand 23-26 in (58-66 cm) in height with females ranging from 21-24 in (53-61 cm). Weight may vary from 65-75 lb (29.5-34 kg) for males and 55-65 lb (25-29.5 kg) for females.
Coat: The coat is the breed's most distinctive feature. The harsh, thick and short outer coat is slightly oily and has a tendency to wave. The soft undercoat also has an oily feel to it. The result is that a Chessie's coat resists water much like a duck's feathers. One good shake after a plunge into an icy bay and the Chessie's coat is almost dry.
Colour: The colour should be similar to the breed's working surroundings. It varies from dark brown to a faded tan described as 'dead grass.'
Grooming: A weekly brushing with a stiff slicker will help to remove dead hair.
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