Chesapeake's were first bred on the East Coast of America at Chesapeake Bay. Originally, hunting was the first line of duty for the Chesapeake. Their thick, short oily coat and dense, fine woolly undercoat protect them when working and retrieving in the icy cold waters of Chesapeake Bay. Because of the rough conditions they were bred to be tough, independent, hearty and good-natured companions.

These extremely versatile dogs are accomplished in many areas beyond the field and hunting of which they are famous for. They are perceptive and sensitive dogs and are deeply devoted to their family. They also excel in competition in obedience trials, shows, field and hunt trials

Characteristics & Temperament

The Chesapeake is a multi-purpose dog, a marvelous companion, and an individualist. His coat requires little grooming and no clipping. A good rinse with fresh water after a swim in the pond, or marsh will retard bacteria from multiplying, the bacteria causes the characteristics smell. A warm bath - given only when necessary - but especially when the dog is shedding, will loosen dead hair and keep the coat in top condition. The Chesapeake becomes firmly attached to his owner and family. He often has a special affinity for children, and will tolerate much "roughhousing".

A prospective owner should use a fair but firm hand both in training and discipline to win the respect of a Chesapeake. Expect the Chesapeake to challenge your authority.

Good manners throughout his life start in his puppyhood, with patient teaching from his master or mistress he will soon learn what is and is not acceptable. Chesapeake's have a tendency to be uninterested though tolerant of other dogs and generally will not generate aggression towards others but neither will they take aggression from others lightly, though the reputation for being aggressive is greatly exaggerated in Chessies of today. He is a good family dog and loves nothing better (except to work) than being at the centre of his human family, but, he is still predominately a working dog and is at his happiest in such an environment.
 

Hunting

Chesapeake's are first and foremost superb hunting dogs well known for their love of water. Equally proficient on land and in the water, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed along the Chesapeake Bay to hunt waterfowl. With minimum training, he will retrieve geese, duck, quail, partridge, pheasant, snipe, woodcock, rabbit and hare and any other oddity you care to ask of him.

They are excellent game finders with a superb nose and remarkable memory for multiple falls. They will not give up easily on a fall and in the case of wounded game instinct tells them this is the first priority in a retrieve.
 

Field Trial Awards

Arnac Bay Endurance WD - First MALE Chesapeake in the UK to gain a Field Trial award.
Westering Brown Sugar of Chesepi WD - 7 Field Trial awards.
Chesepi Amigo Mio WD - a Field Trial award.
Chesepi Ghost Buster - Hunting Test winner and all round hunting dog.
Chesepi Just Wait'N'See, Chesepi Let's Fly Away, and Chesepi Pocahuntas - all currently working on local shoots in the season

Working Gundogs

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was originally bred for retrieving ducks from the icy waters of the bay.

A large majority of Chessies in the UK are what we term as wild fowling dogs and are used only for ducks and geese, though, they are equally at home working on upland game ie: pheasants and partridge etc. on driven shoots. Occasionally Chessies compete in gundog working tests with the other retriever breeds, and within the Chesapeake Club where they are tested on canvas dummies or cold (dead) game which will also include rabbits, hares and pigeons.




Between 1984 and 1997 twelve Chessies in the UK have competed and gained awards in field trials licensed by the Kennel Club and are therefore entered in the KC Stud book (the only way as yet that they can get a KC Stud Book Number).

Of the twelve, we have owned two, Arnac Bay Endurance and Westering Brown Sugar of Chesepi and bred one Chesepi Amigo Mio an achievement in itself as these dogs were used for all aspects of gundog work and not just as a field trial dog as is often the case.
All three of these dogs also hold the American Chesapeake Club Working Dog Certificate.

All of our own Chesapeake's are working gundogs.
The Chesapeake is the ultimate wild fowlers dog if you have the courage to try one.