Buying a Chesapeake Bay Retriever: What You Need to Know

My Chesapeake, Chelsey has been a part of our family for 6 years and she has taught us a lot about her breed. When looking to purchase or adopt a family dog, it is important that you research the dog's breed so you know what kind of dog you are getting. It is very important that the dog's personality match the activity and personality of its future home. If not, you and your new dog will be highly unhappy living together.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers were first bred in 1807 when an English boat shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland. Two Newfoundland dogs were given to a family who mated them with retrievers. This new breed of dog that resulted was used for hunting along the Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are skilled at hunting, retrieving, swimming, guarding, gathering livestock as well as a good family dog.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have many great qualities as a companion, work and family dog. These dogs are excellent swimmers and their coats repel water so they can become dry with only a quick shake. This is the reason why they made great hunters along the Chesapeake Bay. Since their coat helps repel water, they can retrieve 200 ducks in cold water in one day.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not very large dogs. Males are usually 23 to 26 inches and females 21 to 24 inches. Males weigh 65-80 pounds and females weigh 55-70 pounds.

A Chesapeake's disposition is a happy and lively one. This dog will be alert and have a willingness to work. They are intelligent dogs and aim to please their master when they understand what they should do. Chesapeakes usually do not show fear; rather they demonstrate courage in stressful situations. This is why they make good guard dogs. They are excellent swimmers, which made their job protecting the Chesapeake Bay easy when it came time to hit the water.

There are some things to keep in mind before you purchase a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. They are strong dogs who will fight for dominance as an alpha dog. Which means, that this breed will require training so that he will understand that you are alpha as well as other family members?

The Chesapeake will usually only view one family member as the master. The other family members are viewed as either equals or subordinates. So again, your Chesapeake will need training to correct this or there may be some behavioral problems later on.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers also are very guarded and may be aggressive or reserved with strangers. It is important that if you purchase a puppy to take your puppy outside around other people as much as possible so that the puppy can grow accustomed to different people.

Just as they may be aggressive and guarded with people, they can also be like this with other dogs. Especially dogs who are larger or the same size as him/her. Again, if you purchased a puppy, try to socialize your Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy with other dogs.

Chesapeakes are territorial which is the main reason they become aggressive when approached by another dog or person. It is important to understand this and correct misbehavior before the puppy learns that he is correct in guarding your home or you as he is doing. Chesapeakes are intelligent but they are slow and sometimes very stubborn at learning new things. You will have to have a little more patience with this breed as compared to others.

The best thing to do is sign up for professional puppy/dog training. This way, the trainer can interact with your Chesapeake to teach your puppy that it is not appropriate to be aggressive towards people. It will also give your puppy or dog a chance to socialize with other dogs of different breeds. The trainer will also provide ways to help show dominance over your Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Even though Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have some problems with stubbornness, territorial, and aggressiveness, it does not mean that they do not make great family dogs. Chesapeakes are very loyal, loving and protective dogs. You will just need to show your dog that you and your other family members are whom he/she needs to obey. Remember, they aim to please as long as they know what to do to please you.