Chesapeake Bay Retriever - breed description and dog character

To date, there are quite a few varieties of retriever, each dog is unique in its own way. But there is one certain similarity - everyone is ranked as a hunter. They are smart, they can make decisions independently, they feel great on land and in water. With regards to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, individuals of the represented breed group are considered more serious representatives. Their content must be approached responsibly, special attention is paid to training, health, and feeding. Let's consider everything in order of priority.

Historical data

Considering the origin of this group of dogs from the historical summary, the first mention of the breed dates back to 1807. In those days, a yacht crashed in Maryland. The guests were rescued by sailors and the captain by the passing ship. As a sign of gratitude, a couple of dogs got onto the ship, which, according to their external data, resembled Newfoundland.

Since these representatives in nature have excellent swimmers' skills, hunters began to take dogs when they went to a waterfowl.

Over time and, as a result, breeding, dogs have changed dramatically. They were crossed with retrievers, kunhounds, setters, and also according to some sources - Irish spaniels.

Closer to the 19th century, the breed was almost formalized, breeding work stopped. The individuals were nicknamed the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. In 1878, the first dog was registered, an amateur club was established in 1917.

However, in the vastness of our homeland, these dogs are not very common, unlike their relatives from other groups. A large number of dogs of this breed are concentrated in the United States of America and Finland.

Breed description

Dogs are harmoniously built, strong, muscular and hardy. They look heavy and confident, but they are not without maneuverability. They confidently and quickly move due to muscular and strong limbs.

1. Height Weight. If you follow global standards, then growth and weight are given special attention. Individuals of male gender should not go beyond the borders in body weight of 29–36 kg., Females smaller - 25–32 kg. As for growth, males are 58–66 cm, females 53–61 cm. All measurements are made at the withers.
2. Body. Developed and completely harmonious, the whole body looks harmonious, nothing catches your eye. Proportionality is important. The neck is muscular, not too long, but also not shortened. Rather average. The withers are pronounced enough, the back is wide and short, with a developed muscle corset. The lumbar region is short, the chest is deep and wide, oval in shape.
3. Tail. As expected, compacted in the base zone, elongated, gently flows to the narrowed tip. In terms of external characteristics, the tail seems heavy and thick. May be lowered or sheer. The format is saber or straight, but not twisted into a ring.
4. Limbs. The front ones are parallel to each other, stable, straight, placed correctly on the body. The shoulders have a certain slanting, the middle ones along the length of the metacarpus are inclined. The hind legs are much more powerful and slightly longer. They are famous for strong bone tissue and well-developed muscles. The hips are beautifully distinguished, elongated, the joints are strong and wide. For working-class dogs, removal of lucrative fingers is mandatory. But domesticated pets can depart from this requirement.
5. Head. Oversized, with a wide frontal section, moderate transition to the muzzle.Narrowed to the nose, in this area is blunt in its format. Lips selected and thin, do not sag, tightly pressed to the jaws. Complete set of teeth, white and scissor bite correct. If in general the dog is folded correctly, then bite deviation is allowed, it can be tick-shaped or straight. The nose is rectangular, medium, mobile and sensitive. The ears are compacted, but not thick, soft, pressed against the skull or cheekbones. Hanging in format, strictly not upright. The eyes are oval, medium sized, set apart from each other. Look attentive and expressive, iris - all shades of brown.

Wool and color

1. Dogs have a certain passion for the aquatic environment, partly for this reason, their coat is endowed with certain features. The structure of the main hair is dense and stiff, not too long. The undercoat, on the other hand, is soft, impregnated to protect it from moisture. Dogs when they are in water almost never get wet.
2. On the face and limbs, the hair is even shorter, harder and straighter. In the zones of the cervical region, shoulder joints, back, lumbar region there are wavy sections. However, curls are not allowed by generally accepted standards. Scabs may be present in the hips and tail, but wool should not exceed 4 cm in length in these areas.
3. The color of the animal matches the shades of nature as much as possible, that is, it can be brownish, straw, golden, dark. If you follow, again, the standards, the presence of white blotches (spots) in the abdominal region, legs and sternum is allowed.

Dog character

1. If the owners of the animals were asked to briefly describe their pet, everyone would answer with one voice - strong, independent, faithful. Dogs are hardy, can stay in very cold water for a long time, and after going ashore they will dry in literally 5 minutes.
2. Dogs do not welcome outsiders very cordially, constantly look alert and ready to protect the owner. Similarly treat strangers or yard dogs, do not admit anyone. The solid character encourages many people to use animals as excellent service or guard dogs. They constantly go around the territory, and also drive and bring game.
3. Fans of the breed are advised to bring the puppy to the house in which the children have already grown up. The dog will quickly make friends with the younger generation, and will also indulge all pranks and support the game. Pets like to run for a stick, play ball. Therefore, they are recommended for maintenance by active people, and not by lovers lying on the couch.
4. Dogs are dominant in nature, so the owner must have a solid character. If a person has no experience in dealing with such breeds, then it is highly not recommended to start chesapeake. Unlike other retrievers, these animals have a stronger character.

Health

Despite the fact that dogs can be in ice water for a long time and go semi-dry from there, they still have some tendencies to breed diseases. Dogs rarely catch a cold, but can suffer from epilepsy, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and intestinal inversion. With regard to life expectancy, Chesapeake delight owners 10-12 years.

Training

1. If you previously had no idea about this breed of dog, it is worth noting that it is quite independent. It is for this reason that during education and training you may experience difficulties of a certain nature. In this educational process should be exclusively the owner and no one else.
2. If you do not know how to raise such a dog, you can always get professional advice from a specialist.Preparatory courses must be taken, especially if you will use your pet for hunting. They do an excellent job with waterfowl.
3. In this case, the dog’s loyalty to the owner must be vaccinated from puppyhood. For the cooperation to be as fruitful as possible, the owner and the dog must have a trusting relationship. Do not forget that such a pet needs regular caress and attention.
4. In order for the dog to obey and do everything you tell her, it is highly recommended that classes be played in a playful way. As a result of such training, everyone will be happy. The breed in question has excellent memory, so they even absorb complex teams without problems. The main thing is to praise the pet in time and indulge in treats.
5. If you notice that the dog begins to regularly show stubbornness during upbringing and training, it is worth knowing that these are mistakes only of the owner. Therefore, before the establishment of such a pet, it is very important to know the characteristic features of the breed. It is for the same reason that you must have experience in raising dogs. If you can’t cope with her in puppyhood, nothing good will come of it.

Care

1. It is worth noting that chesapeake have a dense coat. Therefore, caring for it does not require any special skills. The only thing to note is that the dog is recommended to comb out with a massage brush every day. In addition, the pet is simply crazy about such procedures.
2. The animal does not need frequent water procedures. It is enough to bathe the pet up to 4 times a year. If you carry out such manipulations too often using shampoos, the dog will break the natural protective layer of the skin and coat.
3. As for the usual bathing in water during the warm season, there are no restrictions. On the contrary, swimming your pet will only benefit. Special attention should be paid to the teeth of the pet. Inspect them regularly and clean them 2-3 times a week. Otherwise, the formation of tartar is inevitable.
4. Do not forget to regularly check your ears, eyes and claws. Often, the latter grind naturally. Keep in mind that if a dog hunts, it will inevitably come into contact with wild animals. Therefore, be sure to conduct timely vaccination. Also do not forget about prevention from worms.

Feeding

1. Chesapeake are quite mobile and active dog breeds. For the same reason, protein foods should prevail in their diet. In addition, these pets need a sufficient amount of incoming calcium. They need to have healthy and strong bones, teeth.
2. If you decide to cook food for your pet yourself, be sure to give him special vitamin supplements. The considered individuals have excellent appetite and are not picky in food.
3. If you do not keep track of how much your dog eats, he may soon have problems in the form of obesity. Therefore, the issue of feeding should be approached with all responsibility. You can choose your own food option.
4. The dog can be given natural food. In this case, you will need to independently calculate the diet, based on how much energy the pet spends. Also consider the size of the individual and gender. The basis of nutrition should include 70% of meat and offal.
5. To greatly simplify your task, it is recommended to transfer your pet to premium finished foods. This option is considered optimal. The feed contains all the necessary substances, in addition, the composition is completely balanced.

Content

1. Do not forget that the chesapeaks have a rather thick coat with a very dense undercoat, therefore it is recommended to start a dog in a cool climate. In the heat, the pet will be very uncomfortable. Do not be surprised that the dog will constantly look for the opportunity to cool in the pond.
2. For the same reason, it is best to walk with the pet in the heat near the water. In addition, it is recommended that the dog be kept in a private house with a personal plot. The pet should always be able to walk around the yard. They are strictly forbidden to keep on a chain and in a booth.

Chesapeake is not the kind of dog a beginner needs to get. In addition, the breed belongs to the hunting. The pet will always need physical activity and active walks. In addition, the dog must be properly educated and understood. You can not treat the animal rude and disrespectful. In addition, you must have a private house with its own territory. Provide your dog with a good and balanced diet.

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