02/04/2026
Sharing for educational benefits .
BEWARE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY RETRIEVER IS NOT A DOG FOR EVERYONE ! I say this because a Chesapeake "Cota" won the second highest honor at the Westminster KC last night. He displayed a vivacious and happpy personality-a bit goofy at times. BUT he is also a dog that was selectively bred, well trained, socialized and under control. It is a breed that takes work-NOT a LAB or GOLDEN in attitude. PLEASE READ BELOW. ONLY DEAL WITH EXPERIENCED BREEDERS-the breed has health issues that must be tested for too. RESEARCH. Dyane
About The Breed
The Chesapeake Bay retriever is one of the few dog breeds developed in the United States. They were bred to retrieve ducks and geese in cold water of Chesapeake Bay often under harsh weather conditions. While primarily used as a hunting dog, the breed is versatile- Chesapeakes do drug & bomb detection work, search & rescue, pet therapy, and competition in every type of AKC events for retrievers. They were developed to think things out on their own, be a guardian of a day's shoot and have physical toughness and endurance. Chesapeakes are usually excellent companions for children. They do have a watchdog nature but proper temperament is intimidation not aggression. Be aware that the watchdog instincts sometimes do not appear until the dog is older which is why training must start in puppy-hood. Extreme shyness, aggression or protectiveness are not correct traits for this breed. Puppies & dogs that exhibit any of these behaviors are the results of either bad breeding, bad training or both. If you DO NOT want a dog with any potential watchdog tendencies and you DO NOT want to take time to find a reputable breeder, you DO NOT want a Chesapeake.
The breed is valued for its bright and happy disposition, quiet good sense and affectionate, protective nature. They are quite intelligent, very loyal and learn quickly. Combine all this with the previously mentioned watchdog traits, physical toughness and independent thinking, it is IMPERATIVE that the breed is trained and socialized from puppy-hood. If you DO NOT have time to train and socialize your dog, you DO NOT want a Chesapeake.
In general, a Chesapeake is a calm, sensible and capable dog tending to be low energy indoors and active outdoors. They are VERY affectionate and like to be with their owners, often following you from room to room. Training requires that you establish the proper dominant leadership role with your puppy/dog from the beginning. Puppy kindergarten and formal obedience classes are highly recommended. They also like to mouth clothing, hands and their leash as puppies-these are behaviors which must not be allowed to continue. Be sure to have things available to give them that they are allowed to carry. DO NOT play tug of war with your puppy or dog. Besides ruining a dog for retrieving work, it is also a game that can give the dog the wrong idea of who is the "boss" if you let him win. Chesapeakes like to be with "their" people and blossom the more attention and affection they receive. They will love you back in return more than you can imagine. If you DO NOT have time for your dog, you DO NOT want a Chesapeake. They are NOT a breed to buy and stick in the backyard. In this type of setting, both you and the dog will be unhappy with each other.
Chesapeakes are wonderful companions for someone who likes to do outdoor activities; who wants a close relationship with their dog; who enjoys training and working with a dog of high intelligence; understands the watchdog nature of the breed; wants a dog who does not require a lot of grooming; wants a dog who loves to swim and has or will make the time to be with their dog. The affection and devotion this breed can bring to you is more than I can describe. If at the end of reading this, you are hesitating about the breed- you DO NOT want a Chesapeake. When it is the right dog for you, you are definite this is the dog.
