Breed Characteristics

You’re looking for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Hopefully it’s not because your neighbor has this really neat Golden Retriever and you’d like to get one of those retriever dogs too. Chessie are not like Golden or Labrador retrievers. The genetics between them are quite different. Because of this very basic genetic difference, a comparison between these breeds is not accurate. Most chessies have a bright and happy disposition. They are very intelligent dogs. They are protective dogs. Most have a love of water and tennis balls! Their disposition can vary given their life’s history (shelter life, family life, etc). They are very loyal dogs and will protect their property that includes their family.

There is much more information available if you are wanting to understand the characteristics of the chesapeake. The American Chesapeake Club is knows the chessie thoroughly. You will find that knowledge quite useful. American Chesapeake Club

Brown Clown

The antics of chessies are no different than any other dog, and maybe a little sillier! We have lots of nicknames for these hysterical fur-babies!

The Grinner

Chessies are very loyal to their  family members even if they prefer one member in particular. There are a few chessies that show their respect by a submissive trait. This trait is shown with a “Chessie Grin”. The grin signifies a submissive trait. Not all chessies grin, but most all chessies have that same respect but show it in a different way.

In Service

Chessies are more than Dual Purpose dogs.  They’re more like multi-purpose dogs! You’ll see chessies in all aspects of everyday life.

Family

Chessies love being members of their family. They aren’t just working dogs! This is yet another trait of their loyalty. Family is as important to them as it is to you or me.

Intelligence

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an intelligent breed and learns at a high speed. Historically considered stubborn and difficult to train, many trainers thought this breed required more physical discipline than other retriever breeds. Some trainers now recommend that the Chesapeake Bay Retriever owner use consistent, daily obedience training with play time before and after to keep the dog wanting to work with little or no physical discipline required.

Soulful

That old saying “The eyes are windows to the soul”. They eyes of a chesapeake’s eyes are that of love. It’s the love that a chessie has for his family. The desire to please. The desire to be a member of the family.

The Chessie is a working dog and the coloring of coat is nearly that of its working surroundings. The main colors that you’ll see are Brown, Sedge, Light Dead Grass and Dead Grass. Chessies generally are a solid color but you will also see a chessie with masking or a multi-brown coat.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a very unique coat. The coat has a tendency to be a bit oily (or waxy) to the touch with waves down the neck, across the shoulders and loins. The double coat consists of a short, harsh, wavy outer coat and a dense, fine, woolly undercoat containing an abundance of natural oil and is ideally suited for the icy rugged conditions of weather. The amount of wave, oil and undercoat varies from dog to dog. You can have an almost flat looking coat to a wiry coat and even highly curly coat.

Almost Flat Looking Coat

Wavy Coat

Long Coat

There is much more information available if you are wanting to understand the characteristics of the chesapeake. The American Chesapeake Club is knows the chessie thoroughly. You will find that knowledge quite useful. American Chesapeake Club