The Retriever Expert Expert Care Tips For Your Retriever
One of the world’s best-known canine species is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a breed of dog that stands out for its unique characteristics, such as its thick fur coat that keeps it warm in the winter and its webbed toes that allow it to swim well.
They were originally created to help people and are still put to use in that capacity today, along with other outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers aren’t as popular as some other breeds of dog, but they’re nevertheless kept as pets by many people.
Read this material thoroughly before bringing home a Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy. How to take care of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, what they eat, and other important differences from other dog breeds will all be covered in this guide.
History of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was first made in the early 1800s in the Chesapeake Bay area of Maryland and Virginia in the United States. This dog, also called a “Chessie,” is a hybrid of the Newfoundland, the Curly-Coated Retriever, and the Flat-Coated Retriever. The Chessie Puppy can trace its lineage back to these dogs.
There are hardy breeds that thrive in the severe climate of Chesapeake Bay, a significant estuary in the United States. The original purpose of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed was to hunt ducks, geese, and swans in the Chesapeake Bay, as was explained above.
The Bay Retriever breed became known as “water dogs” due to their exceptional swimming skills, instinct to retrieve anything lost in the water, and love of the water. Additionally, Chesapeake Bay retrievers served as wartime rescue dogs. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Chesapeake Bay Retriever as a distinct breed of retriever in 1888.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Measurements
The size of these puppies is comparable to that of a Labrador retriever. The average height of a male Chessie is 23 inches, whereas a female Chessie is 21 to 24 inches. Moreover, they are quite robust, with males weighing in at 65–80 pounds and females coming in at 55–70 pounds. According to the breed standard, a Chessie should have bright yellow or amber eyes.
How Long Can a Chesapeake Bay Retriever Live?
Whether you already have or are considering getting a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, it’s crucial to be aware of the average age at which these dogs pass away. Many dog owners struggle to find an answer to the question, “How long do Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs live?”
Understanding the risks of old age and the typical lifespan of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever is crucial because we all know these dogs won’t be around forever. A Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s expected lifespan depends on its size, breed, and general health, among other things.
Life Expectancy
The average lifespan of an adult Chesapeake Bay dog is 10–13 years. When compared to other canines, these dogs have an exceptionally long lifespan. But, like all animals, it has a lot to do with how good its environment is. If you keep an eye on any potential health problems, feed your Chesapeake puppy the right food, and train it well, it should have a long and happy life with you.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Health Problems:
Even though they are usually thought of as a healthy breed, they can get the same genetic problems that all dogs and people can. Although the illnesses listed below are common, it is very unlikely that the same dog will have more than one of them.
Canine Hip Dysplasia:
When the thigh is not properly aligned with the hip joint, disease might develop. Pain and lameness may result from this, but they need not. As dogs mature, they often develop arthritis. It’s possible that environmental factors, like trauma, set off this condition in the first place. There are signs that the disease started with both fast growth and a diet high in calories.
Gastric Torsion:
Large, deep-chested dogs are particularly susceptible to this common but fatal illness. To bloat, the stomach must first expand with air, then twist in on itself. The dog’s blood vessel system is blocked, so he can’t burp or throw up to get rid of the air in his lungs.
The dog’s blood pressure suddenly plummets, and it goes into shock. The dog is in critical condition and needs medical attention right away. When a dog consumes too much food or water in a short period of time, this can occur. Exercise immediately after a meal can have the same effect.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):
The condition is a degenerative one that leads to blindness. Fortunately, dogs adapt well to blindness since they rely on their other senses, mainly hearing and smell, to get around. All breeding dogs should have their eyes tested, and those that show any signs of disease or damage should not be used to produce offspring.
Dental Abnormalities:
It’s not uncommon for dogs, even purebred ones like your CBR, to be born with a tooth or two that doesn’t quite fit the mold. A terrible bite, often known as a malocclusion, can be caused by either an overbite or underbite. A lack of teeth, or oligodontia, is a medical disorder in which there are just a few teeth visible. Tooth misalignment is another common dental issue that can be fixed with braces or separations. (Orthodontic treatment for dogs is possible!) Your friend’s teeth will be watched closely as they grow to make sure they stay healthy.
Thyroid Problems:
CBRs often have hypothyroidism, which means that their bodies don’t make enough thyroid hormone. Signs could include dry skin, hair loss, a tendency to get different skin diseases, weight gain, nervousness, hostility, or other changes in behavior. Each year, we’ll check for the illness by drawing blood. Hormone replacement therapy is a basic treatment option.
Bleeding Disorders:
A 6-month-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever was found to have a bleeding disorder similar to von Willebrand’s disease in people. It had repeated, long-lasting gum bleeding that stopped quickly when it was given fresh, whole blood.
Only 18% of the dog’s plasma factor VIII was able to stop the bleeding, and the dog was bleeding for a long time. With ristocetin-cofactor or polybrene-cofactor activities, neither the factor VIII-related antigen nor the von Willebrand factor could be found in the plasma.
Factor VIII-related antigen was significantly depleted in the dog’s mother’s plasma (32% vs. 85%). Both the antigen and the polybrene-cofactor levels in the sire’s plasma were below the usual range. These results revealed that this dog’s von Willebrand illness was likely hereditary.
Pattern Baldness:
Follicular dysplasia is the medical term for pattern baldness, and it is genetic in both humans and animals. Your Chesapeake Bay Retrievers fur may start to look sparse or spotty on their neck or hind legs if the hairs are falling out and not growing back. This illness is not dangerous or painful, but there is currently no effective treatment or way to avoid getting it. It is similar to baldness in humans. Put on a stylish sweater to keep warm.
Hernia:
A flaw or opening in the abdominal wall near the umbilicus (the belly button) is called an umbilical hernia. Most of the time, it looks like a slight bulge in the middle of the abdomen, where fat and sometimes the intestines can be seen. Most canine hernias are present at birth, so Chessie has a higher chance than most of getting this condition. Usually, a light massage will be enough to force the protruding stomach contents back into place, but if the intestines become trapped in the hernia, you’ll need to take your pet to the vet right away. At your newborn’s first visit to the doctor, we will screen for this congenital condition and talk to you about possible treatments.
How to Care for Your Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy:
A Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s care isn’t hard, but it does take time and work. Some advice on how to take care of your Chesapeake Bay Retriever:
Healthy Feeding
If you care about the health of your Chesapeake Bay Retriever, you must provide it with a balanced diet. A protein- and fat-rich diet with few carbohydrates is ideal for Chesapeake Bay retrievers. To prevent your Chesapeake Bay Retriever from becoming overweight, you shouldn’t give it any human food, either.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Exercise
In addition, Chesapeake Bay Retriever pups need regular physical activity to thrive. Long walks, runs, and dog sports are great ways to keep your Chesapeake Bay Retriever active. Swimming is a favorite activity for them, so you can take them there.
Field Work
Outdoor activities, particularly swimming, are popular among chessies. If you let a young Chessie swim, he will grow up to be a strong, intimidating swimmer who can use his spine as a rudder. While he does rather well in frigid temperatures, a Chessie who plans on spending time outside during the summer should have access to a swimming pool.
Firm Training
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a smart breed of dog that needs to be trained in a consistent, firm way. The use of praise and treats is very effective with Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Keep in mind that your Chesapeake Bay Retriever is still a dog and should be treated as such during training. Training your Chessie puppy will not only give them the mental stimulation they need, but it will also keep them from getting into trouble with other pets.
Early Training
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are smart but notoriously challenging to teach. Changing the Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s behavior will take time, so be patient. It is common wisdom that while you can issue commands to a Labrador or a Golden, you will need to bargain with a Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever gets better as it learns to obey its master and respect his or her authority. Training in obedience is very recommended.
Sporting Dog Training
As a great gundog, the Chessie is a natural hunter with a keen sense of smell. His dogged determination is a valuable trait when looking for dead animals. Legend has it that certain dogs of this breed have recovered as many as one hundred ducks in a single day. The CBR is very flexible and can be trained to do a lot of different things, such as hunting, hunting tests, and competitive field trials.
Keeping Up a Healthy Figure
Beyond a weekly brushing, there isn’t much maintenance involved in caring for these dogs. Similar to other dog breeds, Chesapeake Bay retrievers shed extensively at all times of the year. During the seasonal shedding, a deshedding brush could be useful.
In addition, Chessie dogs need to be washed once a month, or more often if they tend to get dirty quickly. This dog’s greasy, wavy coat gives it a distinct musky scent. To tell when your dog’s nails need to be trimmed, check them regularly.
Pet Toys
Don’t think twice about picking up some high-quality playthings for your Chessie pup from the local pet store. Toys are great for cerebral exercise and for encouraging interaction with other animals.
Looking for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? Look at These Potential New Parents!
Here are a few breeders you can contact if you’re interested in purchasing a Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy:
Skywatcher Chesapeakes
The American Kennel Club gave the Breeder of Merit award to Skywatcher Chesapeakes in Washington state because of the high quality of their dogs and how well they take care of their clients. There are a number of kennel clubs that Skywatcher Chesapeakes is a part of. These include the American Chesapeake Club, the Evergreen Chesapeake Bay Retriever Club, and the Neuwauki River Retriever Club.
This breeder of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers is known for producing high-spirited, healthy pups. Their main focus is on breeding dogs for human companionship, service, and display. All of the breeding stock at this kennel goes through a lot of health checks and scientific tests to make sure that the Chesapeake puppies they sell are healthy and come from real parents.
Silver Creek, Chesapeake
The Silvercreek family has been breeding and rearing Chesapeake Bay Retrievers since 1989. The AKC has awarded this breeder the prestigious Platinum Breeder of Merit designation. Because of this, you can have full confidence in the superior quality of their puppies.
They have bred and trained Chesapeakes that have won numerous awards in dog sports hosted by the AKC and other international and worldwide kennel groups. They focus mostly on Chessies, both for competition and for service.
Their Chessie is versatile and can be taught to perform a variety of tasks, including working as a care, pet treatment, emergency management, bomb, and narcotics detection dog. Silvercreek Chesapeakes also sells dogs for other purposes, such as pets or competitions. Finally, all of their puppies are AKC-approved.
Desert Winds Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
Founded in 1993 by the same family that still runs the business, Desert Winds Chesapeake Bay Retrievers is a small but reputable breeder. The AKC has named Desert Winds CBR as a Breeder of Merit, despite the fact that the majority of the business is made up of relatives. This breeder places a premium on canine temperament, coat quality, and lineage.
The local wildlife authority and the AKC regularly check their clean facility to make sure the dogs in their care are safe. In this way, they ensure that their Chesapeakes will always be happy and healthy. Puppies from Desert Winds CBR all come from lines of proven winners in the canine show ring. Furthermore, both the OFA and CERF have approved these puppies.
Does That Mean That Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Don’t Get to Have Fun?
The ability to play is a major selling point for dogs as pets. Still, generally speaking, some dog breeds are more sociable than others. The most fun-loving dog breeds were identified after a thorough examination of breed profiles in the name of good times. Consider the fact the majority of these types are not introverts or slackers.
Instead, it requires a great deal of exercise and mental challenge to prevent boredom. Keep in mind that every dog is a unique personality; some Labs may not be crazy about playing fetch, while others Portuguese Water Dogs may not be big fans of being wet.
Breed FAQ
How many puppies are in a typical Chesapeake Bay Retriever litter?
On average, a litter of Chesapeake Bay retrievers will produce about 10 healthy pups. Despite the CBR’s prowess in the field, most of the breed is developed for the sake of friendship.
What other retrievers does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever resemble?
No. The Chessie may have some similarities to other retrievers, but he is not a subset of the Golden or Labrador families.
When should I take my Chessie to basic obedience training?
Obedience training should begin early with the Chessie because of the breed’s strong will. In fact, you can start teaching him the basics as soon as he walks through the door. After his first round of shots and deworming, your dog should take an 8- to 10-week course in basic obedience. As the old adage goes, “Give a dog an inch, and he’ll take a mile,” thus it’s crucial to maintain uniformity in the home with regards to the dog’s rules.
Why do Chessies ‘smile?’
It’s just a quirk of their personality, but Chessies often smile from ear to ear, showing off their pearly whites. Chessies sometimes show their happiness through their own vocalizations, which is usually seen as a sign of happiness.
Conclusion
There are six different retriever dog breeds that make up the Chesapeake Bay retriever. This breed is known by the nickname “cheesie” This dog can be expected to live for around ten to twelve years. This breed is easily identified by its oily, pungent coat.
A cheesie’s wholesale price is determined by its country of origin. Basically, it produces fewer droppings. Whether or not they are of comparable height, women and men have different body masses. The typical price of a Chesapeake Bay retriever is $800.00.
