Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppies for Sale

overview of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Dog Breed

Are you looking for a tough, all-weather dog that loves to swim and retrieve?

Check out our Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppies for sale below!

Bred for retrieving waterfowl on the Chesapeake Bay in the winter months, this breed is said to be the toughest of the retriever breeds. Strong, intelligent, and stubborn, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, or Chessies, are confident and hardworking. They have a unique wavy, water-repellent coat that protects them in rough conditions. 

High energy, independent, and protective, they make excellent guard dogs but are not recommended for first-time dog owners. 

Adopt your Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy today and welcome home this talented, strong, and intelligent breed! 

You can also check out a few of our other dog breeds for sale on our “all breeds page.”

Chesapeake Bay Retriever temperament

Tireless Swimmer: Build to retrieve in the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, or Chessie, is an incredibly tough, muscular dog and it is said they can retrieve up to 200 waterfowl a day! They have a well-insulated, water-repellent coat that protects them in the winter weather. 

Guard Dog: Always alert to their surroundings and protective of their family, the Chessie is an excellent guard dog. That means socializing these dogs as pups is absolutely essential. They need to learn what situations are normal and what situations are threats. 

Reserved with Strangers: They tend to be reserved or aloof around strangers. Early socialization is crucial to ensure they are well-behaved in various social settings.

Determined: Chessies have a strong work ethic and are determined to complete tasks. This determination and drive make them excellent hunting dogs.

High Work Drive: The Chessie is energetic and smart. They have a high prey drive and will work tirelessly at whatever you assign to them—whether it’s agility, fly ball, search and rescue, or duck hunting. No job for your Chessie? He’ll find his own work to do, like digging in the yard, chewing furniture, and generally destroying things. Owners of these high-capacity dogs need have to an exercise and training plan so their Chessie can truly shine. 

Sensitive: It’s said that the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is more emotionally complex than other gundogs. 

Intelligent and Independent: This breed was built for hard work. It sure knows how to work, and it also likes to think for itself. This can be a positive or negative thing. Intelligent, independent dogs display problem-solving skills. However, independence and intelligence also give the Chessie a stubborn streak. They need firm, consistent training. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not recommended for first-time dog owners.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed history

One of the only dog breeds originating in America, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was created during the 19th century by wealthy duck hunters along the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay hosts about a third of all migratory waterfowl wintering on the east coast. Ducks hunters wanted a dog that could tirelessly retrieve waterfowl in the shallow, icy waters and withstand the winter winds in the bay. 

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever can trace its roots back to two Newfoundlands that were shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland. The Newfoundlands were bred with local dogs. The Flat-Coated Retriever and Curly Coated Retriever are also thought to be part of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s makeup. 

Sometimes called the most rugged of the Retrievers, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, or Chessie, has a dense coat that is oily and water repellent. Their broad chest can push through ice and their webbed feet enable them to swim and retrieve in tough winter conditions. 

In 1878, the first Chesapeake Bay Retriever, named Sunday, was accepted by the AKC. 

The American Chesapeake Club was founded in 1918. 

Today the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is ranked 41 out of breeds registered with the AKC.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are similar to Golden Retrievers, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Newfoundlands.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Average size

Male Chesapeake Bay Retrievers measure 23-26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 65-80 pounds. Females measure 21-24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 55-70 pounds.

Average Chesapeake Bay Retriever lifespan

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers usually live for about 10-13 years.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever body features

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a strong, solid build.

Their most distinctive physical feature is probably their curly or wavy coat. Their wavy coats are thick, oily, and surprisingly water repellent. 

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are solid-colored and can be shades of chocolate and light brown with amber-colored eyes. 

grooming Your Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a soft, thick undercoat with a rough, oily outer coat which is water-repellent. They shed, especially in the spring, and a thorough brushing once a week will help to keep shedding at a minimum.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers shouldn’t be bathed too often, but you can rinse them with water after they’ve been in the mud or a swamp. 

Keep their ears clean and dry and watch for redness or irritation which can be signs of an ear infection. 

Your dog will also need its nails trimmed and teeth brushed regularly. 

Keeping Your Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy Healthy

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are generally healthy, but it’s important to be aware of conditions that may affect your dog. 

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia 

Like all dog breeds, they are at risk for hip and elbow dysplasia, two of the most common health issues in dogs. 

Hip and elbow dysplasia occurs when the thigh bone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip and can result in limping, lameness, or arthritis if it’s not addressed.

Hip and elbow dysplasia can be genetic, or it can be caused by environmental factors such as overeating or injuries. 

Here are some ways to prevent hip dysplasia in your puppy: 

1. Ask the breeder for an OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Hip Clearance. Dogs with hip dysplasia shouldn’t be bred. 
2. Talk to your vet about the right food for your puppy and stick to the correct amount to prevent unhealthy growth. 
3. Keep your puppy from running or jumping excessively on hard surfaces and from standing on their hind legs.  

Bloat in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

Bloat, also called gastric dilatation-volvulus or gastric torsion, can affect any large breed dog and is a life-threatening condition. 

Bloat is when the stomach becomes twisted, and the gases in the stomach are unable to escape. The pressure from these gases affects the blood flow to the heart, and it can be fatal. 

To prevent bloat:

1. Avoid feeding your dog right before or after heavy exercise.
2. Feed them a few smaller meals a day instead of one large meal to prevent bloat.
3. Learn to recognize the symptoms of bloat so you can take action immediately.

Some owners choose to have surgery done to tack their dog’s stomach in place and prevent it from twisting. 

Other Conditions

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can also be affected by Progress Retinal Atrophy, Von Willebrand’s Disease, and Epilepsy. 

Protect Your Dog from Obesity 

You can protect your dog from one of the most common health problems: obesity. One of the best ways to extend your dog’s life is by feeding them the correct amount of food and giving them adequate exercise.

Typical Chesapeake Bay Retriever Allergens

First of all, what causes allergies? 

Allergens are caused by dander, which is dead skin cells. Both animals and humans shed these dead skin cells. Dander is attached to the fur that dogs shed. 

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are moderate shedders and are not considered an allergen-friendly breed. Allergens can be lowered with regular brushing and bathing. 

If you or someone in your home has animal allergy concerns, please consult your health provider before adopting a puppy.