Are you thinking of adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever? There are many things to consider before doing so. Chesapeake Bay retrievers are fantastic dogs and serve many purposes. But what should you know before buying a Chesapeake Bay Retriever?
Before adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever, there are many things to consider, such as their size, temperament, exercise needs, and shedding. In addition, you should evaluate each puppy before deciding which one to adopt, and the parents should be registered and cleared of any diseases.
This guide will share everything you should know before adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever. A person’s biggest mistake is simply adopting a dog because they are cute. Instead, you should thoroughly research the characteristics and needs of a dog breed to determine if they suit your lifestyle. This is the ultimate guide to adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever.
Considerations Before Adopting A Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Before you visit a breeder or shelter to choose a Chesapeake Bay retriever to bring home, you must first establish if you will provide a suitable home for this dog. While Chesapeake Bay retrievers are low-maintenance dogs, they require a lot of exercise to be healthy and happy.
Before adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever, here are some things you must consider.
1. Chesapeake Bay Retriever Temperament
Chesapeake Bay retrievers are energetic and friendly dogs. However, they aren’t as friendly towards strangers and don’t get along with pets they aren’t used to as other retrievers. These characteristics make a Chesapeake Bay retriever a good guard dog.
However, if you often have strangers over or take care of other people’s pets, this might not be the best dog for you to adopt. Chesapeake Bay retrievers can be stubborn and difficult to discipline, especially if you don’t start when they are young.
2. Chesapeake Bay Retriever Shedding
This is one of the drawbacks of adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever. They are above-average shedders and shed even more during spring. Therefore, if you don’t like having pet hair around your house, or if someone in your home is allergic to dogs, a Chesapeake Bay retriever is not the dog for you.
Fortunately, there are many ways to manage how much a Chesapeake Bay retriever sheds around the house. You can manage its shedding to some extent. So, if the shedding doesn’t bother you, this shouldn’t be a problem.
3. Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Good With Children?
Chesapeake Bay retrievers can be good with children if you train them well. Unfortunately, Chessies will often try to dominate other members of their household. Therefore, everyone must assert dominance and discipline the Chesapeake Bay retriever, including the kids.
Overall, Chesapeake Bay retrievers get along well with older kids who don’t need as much attention from their parents. Chessies can sometimes get jealous of kids if they feel they are being neglected. It’s crucial to establish the ground rules starting from day one when you have a Chesapeake Bay retriever and children.
4. Chesapeake Bay Retriever Exercise Needs
Chesapeake Bay retrievers were initially bred as gun dogs. They were used to retrieve waterfowl in the Chesapeake Bay. Chessies require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy. They need at least one hour’s exercise daily once they reach maturity.
Chesapeake Bay retrievers also don’t adjust well to small spaces like apartments. Therefore, having a backyard is essential when adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever. If you cannot provide your Chessie with the necessary exercise, it will not be a good fit for you.
5. Chesapeake Bay Retriever Health Problems
Chesapeake Bay retrievers don’t have too many health problems. However, as they get older, they might develop some health conditions, such as cancer, hip dysplasia, or eye diseases. When adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever, you should consider these potential health problems. Then, decide if you can afford to treat them should your Chessie become sick.
Chesapeake Bay retrievers live between 10 and 13 years, making them a long-term commitment. If you don’t want to commit to caring for a pet this long, you shouldn’t adopt any pet.
6. Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Easy To Train?
We’ve touched on the trainability of Chesapeake Bay retrievers, but it deserves a dedicated section. Chesapeake Bay retrievers can be stubborn and difficult to train if you aren’t strict with them as a puppy. Many Chessie owners prefer taking them to a professional trainer to make the training process easier.
When training your Chesapeake Bay retriever, it’s essential to be strict, so the dog learns to respect you and others in your household. Then, a Chessie will learn to obey and protect you and be a wonderful addition to your home.
What To Consider When Choosing A Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Suppose you haven’t reconsidered adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever from reading the above; congratulations! You are closer to welcoming a gorgeous new puppy into your home. Now you must consider how and where you will adopt a Chesapeake Bay retriever.
Shelters and dog protection organizations often have older dogs up for adoption. We strongly urge you to consider adopting an adult Chesapeake Bay retriever. In this case, you will know exactly what to expect from your dog as you can observe them when visiting.
However, if you are set on adopting a Chesapeake Bay retriever puppy, shelters may also have some of them. Or you can consider adopting a puppy from a private Chesapeake Bay retriever breeder. So what should you consider when looking for a Chessie puppy?
1. The Right Breeder
First, you must find a reliable and registered breeder. With so many online scams and liars, finding a trustworthy breeder to buy your Chesapeake Bay retriever puppy can be challenging. We recommend searching for a breeder registered with the Chesapeake Bay retriever breeder club. You can also find purebred Chesapeake Bay retriever puppies on the AKC directory.
In addition, you should ask to see that both parents have the following certificates:
- A clear PRA status certificate.
- BVA/KC eye testing certificate that shows there aren’t any eye diseases.
- Testing Results for Degenerative Myelopathy.
Once you have chosen the breeder from whom you would like to purchase your Chesapeake Bay retriever puppy, you must consider which puppy you would like to adopt.
2. Choosing The Right Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy
When you first see the litter of puppies, you’ll likely fall in love with all of them. However, experts recommend carefully considering which puppy you choose to adopt. When looking at the entire litter, observe their behavior. For example, which puppies are boisterous and pack leaders? Which puppies are shy?
Then, spend time with each available puppy alone to see how they react when not with the group. This will give you a clear sense of which puppy to adopt. You’ll ultimately want a puppy that isn’t too demanding but isn’t too shy. They often have the best temperaments when they are adults.
Conclusion
There are so many considerations when adopting a puppy. Before settling on a Chesapeake Bay retriever, you must consider if this dog is a good fit for your lifestyle. Then, you must consider where you want to adopt your Chesapeake Bay retriever and which puppy to adopt. You must be sure that you can take care of a Chesapeake Bay retriever and give it the exercise and attention it needs. Chessies live up to 13 years, so they are a long-term commitment. Are you ready for such a big responsibility?
