Chesapeake History

The unique qualities of this American retriever were bred and developed for specific needs of early American market hunters and sportsman on the East Coast of the U.S. The market hunters shot 200-300 birds a day on the rugged freezing coast of the Chesapeake Bay, and the surrounding marshes. These waterfowl were loaded into wagons and sold in the small settlements. The Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, often referred to as “Bay Dogs”, were expected to have the determination and perseverance to retrieve enormous numbers of birds from icy rough waters, under severe weather conditions, and to guard the wagons and possessions of the hunters. Food and housing for dogs were scarce and only the toughest specimens survived.

The Chesapeake’s origin were two Newfoundlands, a brown dog & a black bitch. They were smaller and shorter coated than the modern Newfoundland. This breed was used to hunt waterfowl and to retrieve flotsam and jetsam from the shipwrecks that occurred on the rugged coast of Newfoundland. The brown dog and black bitch were selected as breeding specimens and were being exported to England from Newfoundland, but the boat carrying them to England wrecked off the Maryland Coast in 1807. The dogs were rescued and purchased by Mr. George Law. They went to different owners who interbred them to the few hunting dogs that were available, probably tan & yellow hounds, Otter hounds, and water spaniels.

The Chesapeake’s unique retriever qualities, are his coat, hare shaped feet, high hindquarters, and his prideful loyalty and protectiveness towards his owner and his possessions. He is the toughest, tallest, heaviest, and hardiest of the retrievers and will work hard and long under almost any conditions. While he is sensitive and gentle with his family, he can also be very protective of them as well as his territory.

His conformation demonstrates a true relationship to the performance expected of him. His short, harsh, oily, wavy, coat is unique in the dog world and enables the Chesapeake to work in almost any cover without picking up brambles, burrs, or other debris. It retains very little water and does not easily ice up. His heavy undercoat enables him to work under harsh weather conditions. His hare shaped feet enable him to dig in and climb steep, muddy banks. His high, well muscled hindquarters provide the strength to work in thick, deep marsh mud and the tremendous power needed to swim against strong winter winds and water currents. His small ears are placed high on his head to help prevent water from entering his ear canals. His tail is strong and slightly curved with moderate feathering in order for him to negotiate water turns easily. His chest is deep and wide and his ribs are well sprung to provide the great air capacity needed for endurance. His strong bone and balanced conformation further contribute to his working ability.

Although used throughout the world for hunting waterfowl under rough conditions, the Chesapeake is very versatile. He loves to work and is at his best when working for his master or the family. He is an excellent guard and a quiet calm house pet. He will kennel well as long as he has plenty of human companionship. Chesapeakes have been successfully trained and used to do search and rescue work, as guide dogs for the blind, for tracking humans and animals, and for competing in obedience and agility trials. In Europe, Chesapeakes are used for pulling carts and sleds for the handicapped, tracking elk, hunting rabbits, upland game, and waterfowl. In Canada and Alaska they are especially prized for hunting large geese, ducks, as sled dogs and for hunting Kodiak bear.

Written by Nancy Lowenthal, Berteleda Kennels, Mill Valley, California

Read more about Sailor and Canton at: www.amchessieclub.org/Sailor.html