BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION
Pond Hollow Oregon Trail "Paige"
Photo courtesy of Mallardsway Reg'd |
Breed Registries:
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The all-breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.
* — The FCI is the World Canine Organization, which includes 84 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 339 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The "owner" countries of the breeds write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.
Origin:
U.S.A.
Height:
Males: 23 to 26 inches (58-66 cm)6 — Females: 21 to 24 inches (53-61 cm)
Weight:
Males: 65 to 75 lbs (29.5 to 43 kg); — Females: 55 to 65 lbs. (25 to 29.5 kg)
Breed Profile:
In 1807, among the survivors of a British ship wreck off the coast of Maryland, were two Newfoundland pups, one male and one female. Both were excellent water retrievers and were mated to local sporting dogs, including the Curly Coated and Flat Coated Retrievers. The breed that transpired became known as the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and proved to be without equal in cold and rough water, was a powerful swimmer and an excellent duck retriever.
The Chessie is brave, alert, willing to work, intelligent, and always has a happy disposition. He is strong and powerfully built, loves water and has a great deal of stamina and agility.
The Chessie is also well known for his fondness of children and several have been honoured for saving toddlers from drowning.
The most distinctive feature of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is his coat. He has a harsh, thick and short outer coat that is slightly oily and has a tendency to wave. The Chessie's coat resists water much like a duck's feathers. The colours of his coat can vary from dark brown to a faded tan. Another distinctive feature are his eyes which are very clear and of a yellowish or amber hue.
Health Issues
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, as with other breeds, are susceptible to some health problems, some of a genetic nature, others viral. Some of the known health concerns include:
- Hip Dysplasia and other Joint Problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy — The form of PRA found in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers is known as "progressive rod-cone degeneration". This form of PRA has a late onset with dogs being an average age of between four and seven. The first symptom is night blindness and, eventually, complete blindness will occur. It is imperative that breeding stock be checked annually by an eye specialist until the age of 8 or 9. However, because the type of PRA in Chesapeakes is of late onset, an eye clearance at an early age does not guarantee that the dog is free of this disease.
- Gastric Torsion (Bloat) — As with many large and giant breed dogs, the occurrence of Bloat or Gastric Torsion is a real possibility in the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. If you are not familiar with this condition, it is absolutely necessary to learn about it and know the symptoms — This is a real emergency and a life threatening condition that requires immediate Veterinary attention. See Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV) — Bloat in the Health and Nutrition section of Canada's Guide to Dogs for more information and First Aid for Bloat for an article describing some of the things you can do if you are faced with this situation.
If you are considering the adoption of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Additional Health Resources:
- American Chesapeake Club - Health
- Health and Nutrition — Growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website which includes information on several health and nutrition related issues.
- Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
- AKC Canine Health Foundation — Working towards developing scientific advances in canine health.
- Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
- Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
- University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip)
- HealthGene — HealthGene Corporation is the leading provider of veterinary DNA diagnostic services in Canada.
Breed Standards
- CKC Breed Standard
- AKC Breed Standard
- UKC Breed Standard
- The Kennel Club (U.K.) Breed Standard
- FCI Breed Standard No. 263
Grooming Information
- Grooming — This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.
Training Resources
- Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
Additional Information
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Pedigree Database
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
- Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.
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Select from the following links to view Breeder listings; Breed Clubs; Rescue Organizations; as well as Books and other Merchandise specific to the breed: |
