meet the...Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 11: Gun Dog Breeds
Sub-group 11-C: Retrievers and Waterdogs
Origin Country United States
Weight Males: 65-80 pounds. Females: 55-70 pounds.
Height Males: 23-26 inches. Females: 21-24 inches.
Other Name(s) Chesapeake, Chesapeake Bay Ducking Dog, Chessie
Breed Type Pure
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Origins
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed along the icy shores of the Chesapeake Bay, descending from various dogs of the Chesapeake Bay area. The most famous contributors to the breed were two shipwrecked puppies named Sailor and Canton, both of which were rescued in Maryland in 1807. They were believed to be Lesser Newfoundlands and St. John’s Water Dogs, which were the most common working dogs in the area at the time. These dogs were bred with other local duck dogs, Irish Red Winchesters, Irish Water Spaniels, and other spaniels and hounds. The resulting dogs, Chesapeake Ducking Dogs, were found to be as excellent at being water dogs as land retrievers. In order to preserve this breed, hunters and breed enthusiasts came together. By 1918, the type was set, and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever name was settled.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s coat is renowned for its natural camouflage, which resembles the colors of the bay’s fauna, including wild rice and reeds. During fall and winter, these plants become shades of gray, taupe, tan, and brown, with the retriever’s textured coat being an almost perfect match.Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is broad, approximately as broad (measured across the top in front of the ears) as long (from stop to occiput). It is just slightly arched when viewed from the front or in profile. The head exhibits good muscling, bone, and substance, tapering slightly from the broad back skull to the end of the muzzle. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and may be set slightly oblique. They can range from light amber to hazel, gold, or medium brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size, set level with the line of the eyes, and capable of being pulled higher when alert. They are drop and broad at the base and mid-portions. They hang with the inner edge close to the head. The ears are never long, overly large, or fly away.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented in a liver-based color (light-brownish pink to dark brown). The nostrils are well-opened.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for good head carriage and strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Body: Moderate length, compact, solid, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Feet should be well-webbed.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried up over the back. The tail is of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, sabered, or gently curved.
Movement: Energetic, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: Although similar in appearance to the Labrador Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever truly is a breed all its own. While Labs are known to work very closely with hunters and depend on their direction, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed to be able to work things out for themself. Their independent nature and intense work drive are sometimes surprising to first-time dog owners. When properly placed with families that allow them to exercise their natural drives instincts, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are known to be exceptional working and sporting companions. They are highly intelligent and take to training readily (with proper motivation). They bond closely with their families, taking on the role of protector. They are known to be somewhat standoffish toward strangers and have a great guarding instinct not found in many other gundog breeds. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 11: Gun Dog Breeds
Proportions: Square to off-square, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being just slightly greater than the height at the withers. The length-to-height ratio is between 5:4 and 10:9. Females may be slightly longer. The body is well put together, with good substance and sturdy bone. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderate in size and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is broad, approximately as broad (measured across the top in front of the ears) as long (from stop to occiput). It is just slightly arched when viewed from the front or in profile. The head exhibits good muscling, bone, and substance, tapering slightly from the broad back skull to the end of the muzzle. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: Intelligent, keen, and watchful.
Stop: The stop is moderate.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between 1:1 and 4:5, with the topskull being equal to, or just longer than, the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well-developed, approximately equal in length, and have good bone substance, never appearing snipey or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are fairly clean and well-fitted over the teeth and jaws. The upper lips should not fall below the lower plane of the lower jawline.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented in a liver-based color (light-brownish pink to dark brown). The nostrils are well-opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks are well-developed and well-muscled. They should not appear chiseled or coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level or scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to almond in shape, and may be set slightly oblique. They can range from light amber to hazel, gold, or medium brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Medium in size, set level with the line of the eyes, and capable of being pulled higher when alert. They are drop and broad at the base and mid-portions. They hang with the inner edge close to the head. The ears are never long, overly large, or fly away.
Body and Tail
General Description: Moderate length, compact, solid, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderate length to allow for good head carriage and strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut, without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows.
Topline: May be level from withers to croup or elevated (almost imperceptibly) at the croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The back is somewhat short, never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad, powerful, and gently sloped. The croup may be level with, or just slightly higher than, the withers.
Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level but never tucked or carried up over the back. The tail is of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight, sabered, or gently curved.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are fairly long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of sturdy bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are fairly long, equal in length, strong, of sturdy bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Feet should be well-webbed.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: Dense, short, harsh, double coat with natural, protective oil. The outer coat on the neck, shoulders, chest, back, sides of the body, and loins is longer than the hair on the face (not exceeding 2 inches) and may be straight or range from loosely waved to tightly waved to slightly curled. The back of the thighs and tail may be slightly to moderately feathered. The coat on the face and legs is short, fine, and close.
Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes two color varieties of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed: the standard and nonstandard.
Standard Variety: All shades of liver to recessive red, ranging from mahogany to cream, including light to dark tan, various shades of liver-red, all shades of liver-based sable, or sedge, Isabella, or “dead grass.” Small patches of white are permissible on the toes, feet, breasts, and belly. All with or without liver-based masks or with or without darker shadings.
Nonstandard Variety: Black; black-based tipped sable; tan pointed; brindle; exhibiting excessive white markings.
Movement
Energetic, effortless, and efficient, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
Although similar in appearance to the Labrador Retriever, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever truly is a breed all its own. While Labs are known to work very closely with hunters and depend on their direction, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed to be able to work things out for themself. Their independent nature and intense work drive are sometimes surprising to first-time dog owners. When properly placed with families that allow them to exercise their natural drives instincts, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are known to be exceptional working and sporting companions. They are highly intelligent and take to training readily (with proper motivation). They bond closely with their families, taking on the role of protector. They are known to be somewhat standoffish toward strangers and have a great guarding instinct not found in many other gundog breeds. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
