Is it the time for you to get a new pet, and you have fallen in love with the Chesapeake Bay Retriever? I don’t blame you; they are stunning animals, but before you get any pet, it is best to do your research to make sure you are making the right choice for a long-term commitment.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, fondly called Chessies, came about in the 1900s in the USA in the Chesapeake Bay area. They were bred as retrievers and were part of the hunting, gundog, and sport breed groups. They are known to have bright and happy personalities.
Before getting any animal, you need to know if it will be the right fit for your lifestyle and personality and your needs; once you commit, you have a new family member.
Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Good House Dogs?
These stunning dogs were bred to hunt and retrieve and even, in some cases, rescue fishermen. They are very loyal dogs with great instincts. They may somewhat resemble a Labrador, but they are in no way related to the Labrador; they are in a breed of their own. They are great dogs to have in a home, although they would need some space.
If you do not have a home with ample yard space or stay in an apartment, you can still get one of these beautiful retrievers, although you would need to do some extra effort on your part to make sure your dog is well exercised. You may have to take your retriever on multiple walks a day, depending on their energy levels.
The Chesapeake Bay Retrievers love to be around their family, and if you are not willing to have a dog who sleeps in the house and makes themselves cozy on the couch, these dogs might not be the choice for you. You might be able to train them to stay off the couch, though.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do need a lot of training, and it’s not a suggestion; it is a necessity. They need to be shown who’s boss and be taught to submit to their owners. As mentioned, they are very loyal dogs, and when well trained, they will follow you and obey you to the end of time.
A fantastic thing about having a well-trained Chesapeake Bay Retriever is that they would be able to do extraordinary with you and will listen to you. You could walk down the street with them off-leash and have no issues, no worries about them running away or chasing cars because they obey the command you have given.
They are great with other pets in the household already, but they might be more reserved, protective, and possibly even slightly aggressive when it comes to strange dogs and other animals. You would need to reassure them that they are still the pet you love in these situations.
Do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Shed?
You would expect a dog with such a similar coat to a Labradors to shed excessively, yet they shed significantly less than most of the larger breeds of dogs. It makes them even more of an ideal house dog as you won’t constantly have to be cleaning up dog hair from everywhere.
They require minimal coat care. A good brush through with a rubber brush once a week and a bath once every two to three months with a mild shampoo. If you bathe them too regularly, they can develop dry skin, which is difficult to correct once it happens, and the dog would be very uncomfortable for a while.
Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Good With Kids?
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are fantastic dogs to have as family companionship. Still, if you are only just starting a family and want to have one of these fantastic creatures join your family, it might be wise to wait a few years. Chessies can be a little territorial when it comes to their toys and their food.
It will not be an issue with slightly older kids, kids who attend grade school, and they will have a fantastic companion. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are amazing dogs; they might be a bit more comfortable with older kids rather than toddlers.
It is the kind of dog you give your kid on their 8th or 10th birthday who will spend the rest of your kid’s childhood being their best friend, protecting and loving them. This dog is loyal to a fault and will have your kid’s back in any situation. They will have many adventures, and you never have to worry as they will always be safe.
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Health Issues
They do have some health issues that are possibilities, unfortunately. One of these issues is exercise-induced collapse, which is common in sporting dogs like retrievers and spaniels. It simply means that they collapse after a period of intense exercise; this is a genetic disorder that some Chesapeake Bay Retrievers may struggle with.
They can also be prone to type 3 Von Willebrand disease, a hereditary blood clotting disease that occurs in both humans and several different breeds of dogs. It happens because of a deficiency of a particular protein that is required for platelet adhesion.
They could also suffer from hip dysplasia and some issues with their eyes which may cause them to go blind prematurely. However, most Chesapeake Bay Retrievers live long, happy lives; they get to be around ten years old. I would happily take ten years with a fantastic companion even if they need some extra help along the way.
Conclusion
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers make excellent house dogs. They do, however, need a lot of space, and if they do not have space, they will need to be exercised regularly, going on multiple walks a day. Thankfully they don’t shed as much as other large breed dogs meaning it won’t be constant cleaning having them inside with you.
They are excellent dogs, but they are better with slightly older children rather than toddlers. They may look similar to Labradors but aren’t related to them. They may have some health issues, sometimes even serious health issues, but that does not mean they would not be excellent pets.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Bay_Retriever
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exercise-induced_collapse
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Willebrand_disease
- https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever
- https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever#:~:text=Personality%3A-,Chesapeake%20Bay%20retrievers%20are%20not%20as%20gregarious%20as%20most%20other,demonstrated%20aggression%20toward%20other%20dogs
- https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever/
- https://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/chesapeake-bay-retriever/
