Chesapeake Bay Retriever—a noble, devoted, and smart breed that puts its loved ones on a pedestal. How can you not love Chessies?
Many pet lovers consider owning this large-sized, interesting dog but want to learn more about them before making a decision.
When it comes to owning dogs, one of the most important things to consider as an owner is the ability of the dog breed to swim, which will help you better meet the unique requirement of your furry friend.
So, are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers good swimmers? In this article, we’re going to give a comprehensive answer to this important question, as well as the best, most fun activities you can do with your doggo. Let’s get right into it!
Can Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Swim?
Absolutely! As the name suggests, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a natural ability to swim in cold parts of the world without any problems.
With naturally strong legs and webbed feet, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are inherently Olympic swimmers!
These hard workers are bred to retrieve seabirds after being shot over Chesapeake Bay’s ice-cold waters. As a result, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are strong creatures with high levels of energy, stamina, and endurance.
Unlike many other breeds that cannot withstand tough conditions, Chessies can swim for several hours and handle strong currents. These hearty pups are covered with a waterproof coat that helps them stay warm in the coldest areas, including the estuary of Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland.
Irish Water Spaniels and Newfoundlands—2 other swimming breeds—are even thought to be among the ancestors of the Chessie. Interesting!
In comparison to some other dog breeds, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can get hip dysplasia more easily. Luckily, one of the best ways to avoid this is swimming, which makes their hip muscles stronger without pressuring their joints.
Are You Qualified to Adopt A Chessie?
If you plan to own a Chessie (or already have one), you have to keep in mind that this breed is high-maintenance—they need socializing, effective dog training, and frequent exercise.
While this energetic breed is passionate about all dog sports, water sports have a special place in their heart. Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a highly-trainable breed that should be trained to swim depending on each pup’s unique characteristics.
Chessie, who genuinely cares about their loved ones, deserves to live the best life by being allowed to play and swim on the beach or in the swimming pool.
For at least an hour each day of rigorous activity, these lively and devoted dogs require a regular exercise routine to make them happy and preserve their lean bodies at the same time.
Chessie is a water pup that requires the company of pet owners who are active and can take it to any water source. A huge farm where it may run around and swim in rivers and lakes would also make it feel over the moon!
If you’re a Chessie owner who lives in a suburban area, we recommend that you consider agility, dock diving, flyball, hiking, canine surfing, and obedience. Remember, an owner who’s outgoing and active is the ideal owner for a Chessie who’s going to fill its life with the joy it needs and deserves!
Two Most Fun Activities to Do with Your Big Boy!
Owning a Chessie is a blessing itself, and we’re sure your pup feels the same about you being its companion in life.
As a dog owner, you know too well that most dogs cannot lead a healthy life without playing. This is just something in their genes that makes us fall in love with these friendly creatures!
As we already mentioned, Chessie is one of the most outgoing breeds that thrive in an active, happy environment. If you still don’t have an idea about the most fun activities that you can do with your Chessie, we’ve got you covered.
Here are 2 most fun dog activities that will give your pooch an unforgettable time and strengthen your bond with it at the same time:
1. Swimming
Nothing makes a Chessie happier than playing and swimming in water all day long. So you have to satisfy its hunger for swimming if you want your Chessie to smile from ear to ear.
If this is the first swimming activity to do with your pooch, it’s a good idea to find an indoor swimming pool that offers qualified technicians who can assist your dog in getting used to the water.
Plus, a decent indoor pool is typically free of bacteria and bugs that can cause harm to your precious pup.
But if you want to make your furry friend swim outside, you have to carefully pick the place first. You want the water to be both clean and clear so your dog can safely swim and play. You also want to make sure that the posted signs in the location do not warn against dog swimming.
Water, this is dog, dog, this is water, this is pretty much all it takes! When introducing your Chessie to water, it’ll be more than happy to dive in due to its natural love for the water, which is one perk of owning a Chessie that many owners of other breeds will envy you for!
It’s playtime once your pup becomes confident swimming through the water. Some dogs find that swimming is a form of self-satisfaction, so you may find your Chessie aimlessly paddling around for a long period of time—this is actually normal and healthy!
2. Skijoring
While swimming is Chessie’s favorite activity, this energetic dog breed can still find fun in playing outside of the water.
Skijoring is a euphoric sport that gained a lot of popularity in the Nordic countries. Players in this sport wear skis and are pulled along by a dog, horse, or vehicle.
Although the Northern Sled dog breeds are frequently thought to dominate this sport, your powerfully-built Chessie has all the requirements that qualify it to play Skijoring with you: a thick, protective coat and super strong chest and legs.
However, you don’t want to play this sport with your Chessie in a freezing cold environment since it’s less suited to extreme conditions than Northern dog breeds.
Keep in mind that Skijoring is an inherently dangerous sport, so you want to make sure you ensure safety and protection from possible dangers before you start if you don’t want your fun experience to turn into a miserable one.
You also want to teach your pooch the necessary commands before both of you start playing to ensure a safe journey.
While Chessies are typically fast learners who can pick up most of your commands, you want to make sure to train your pet on foot first before skis. Once you make sure that it has learned how to play the game, it’s time to hit the trail and have some unforgettable, fun moments with your furry friend!
Final Thoughts
So now that you know that your Chessie is a natural Olympic swimmer who can handle water and the best activities you can do to enrich your precious pooch’s life, nothing can stop you from being the perfect Chessie owner that your pooch will always adore and be loyal to
