Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are very hard working, intelligent and alert. Their natural calm nature combined with their athletic tendencies and stamina suit the breed well for their original use as a hunting dog as well as service dogs in law enforcement with bomb and drug detection, search and rescue, and disability assistance.

They require both physical and mental stimulation in the family environment with their endurance stemming from the Chesapeake Bay Retriever's hunting origins. Dog sports such as tracking, hunting, field trials, agility, pulling sleds or carts, and obedience as sport can provide this stimulation while strengthening the dog's bonds with its family. They throughly enjoy retrieving items such as tennis balls and floating toys can also meet these needs while taking advantage of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever's excellent swimming ability.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever History:

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is one of the few breeds in the world whose origins began in the United States. They are descended from two Newfoundland dogs who came over from England. The dogs were survivors of a shipwreck that occurred on the shore of Maryland.

The two surviving dogs, over time, began to breed with the local retrieving and hunting dogs, including the Irish Water Spaniel, the Coonhound, the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The resulting breed was used for hunting in the Chesapeake Bay and did so well they were eventually given the name "Chesapeake Bay Retriever". In 1885, the breed standard was established and in 1933 the American Kennel Club gave the Chesapeake Bay Retriever official recognition.