Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)
Group: Gundog
Size: Large
Coat length: Short
Grooming required: Once a week
Coat sheds: No
Home size: Large House
Garden size: Large
Lifespan: Over 10 Years
Exercise: More than an hour per day
They are a muscular dog with quite a broad head and amber/yellow eyes. They have webbed feet and a wavy but short coat. They come in shades of reds and browns.
It is said that in the early 1800s two Newfoundland-type dogs were rescued from a shipwreck off the coast of Maryland and later bred with other local dogs to produce the best water-retrieving dog around. They are more independent than most retrievers and so less easy to train but they are brave, intelligent and keen, if a little slow, to learn. They can be affectionate, loving and friendly and good with children. They are normally OK with strangers and other dogs and should be fine with cats in the home but may chase other mammals. They are strong and energetic, they need plenty of exercise and opportunities to swim, if possible. Heat makes them uncomfortable but icy water presents no problem.
They need regular brushing but should not be bathed too often as it removes the protective oils in the coat which give it a distinctive smell. They are prone to eye problems and hip dysplasia.