Chesapeake Bay retrievers or Chessies are purebred retriever breeds from the Chesapeake Bay area in the U.S. They were bred to retrieve game birds from water sources.
Chessies have a short, wooly double coat containing natural oils that repel water, keeping them dry.
Despite having a short coat, Chesapeake Bay retrievers shed a lot of hair all year. Shedding is a natural process in dogs, but excessive shedding is something you should take care of.
Keep reading to know all about Chesapeake Bay retrievers shedding, why it happens, and ways to stop excessive shedding,
How Much Do The Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Shed?
Chessies undoubtedly have excessive shedding daily, but not as much as other large dog breeds with thick coats and fur.
Vacuuming the household for dead fur once a week is essential if you keep a Chessie as a pet dog. Knowing how much hair your pooch sheds will inform you of how often you need to wash them.
Are Chessies Heavy Shedders?
Chesapeake Bay retrievers shed heavily, especially during spring and fall. Sometimes excessive shedding during this time occurs so they can stay comfortable in the hot summer weather.
Despite their thick, wooly double coat, they don’t need a lot of grooming. To take care of excessive shedding during fall, brush Chessies daily and vacuum as you’ll probably have fur end up all over the house.
Daily brushing during the shedding season can keep the loose hair at bay. Don’t forget to collect the hair after you’re done. If you still notice excessive shedding even with regular brushing, take your pet to the vet for an examination.
There are plenty of reasons why Chesapeake Bay retrievers shed that we’ll cover later on. Chessies are not ideal for people who can’t tolerate fur around their household or have allergies.
Taming them to follow commands and providing them with their own space within the home also limits hair spread.
Causes of Excessive Shedding And Remedies
Shedding is a typical process that peaks during shedding seasons, especially around the summer, but excessive shedding can occur for plenty of other reasons:
Poor Nutrition
Feeding your dog a diet deficient in calories and nutrients can trigger severe health disorders. These include allergies, parasite infestations, shedding, and much more.
Due to poor nutrition, you will notice one or more signs like dandruff, dull coat, fur loss, frequent infections, flatulence, etc.
You can eliminate many issues your dog is likely to face by providing them with a nutritious and proper diet. The food they require depends on age, metabolic rate, size, build, and activity level. The quality of food you provide to Chessies also matters.
Make sure you give them high-quality dog food that provides all the essential nutrients required to thrive. If you are unsure about what to feed them, take them to the vet and discuss which type of diet will benefit your pet the most.
Food allergies can also trigger the shedding of hair. Nevertheless, taking recommendations from a vet is necessary.
Using The Wrong Pet Products
The Chesapeake Bay retriever’s grooming routine is simple. A brushing routine and bathing once a month using a mild shampoo will suffice.
Chesapeake Bay retrievers have oils that keep their coat water-resistant.
Using products like shampoo dries up these natural oils, making the hair brittle and the skin dry. Harsh chemicals can also damage skin that favors shedding.
If you use the wrong shampoo, their fur and skin dry quickly. Make sure you pick the correct type of products to prevent unnecessary shedding of hair.
Parasite Infestation
If your Chessie has developed a parasite infestation, you’ll notice them excessively scratching their body.
Common skin parasites include ticks, mites, and fleas. Increased itching and scratching can result in skin inflammation and bacterial infections.
Several medicated cleaning products are available out there to prevent parasite infestation.
Talk to your vet for recommendations on preventive measures for better control. Your vet will recommend certain medications and treatments to follow to get rid of those pesky little creatures.
Health Issues
Several underlying diseases, hormonal imbalances, and terminal diseases like cancer are significant causes of hair shedding in dogs.
You’ll see shedding on specific areas of the body alongside skin discoloration. Besides exhibiting this shedding pattern, the dog will experience a loss of appetite, feel exhausted, and demonstrate a poor mental state.
Whether it’s a minor skin infection or a terminal illness, determine your options when providing the required care. Your vet will guide you if your pet is facing a disease or a condition that requires management.
Stress
Shedding also occurs when the pet dog experiences a sudden change in its routine. It can be moving out to a new home o a change in activity.
Never make abrupt changes to your pet’s routine, as it induces stress. For instance, if you must travel abroad but can’t take your dog with you, parting ways all of a sudden will eventually trigger stress.
The best approach is to plan ahead and start making changes gradually. Find a caretaker willing to adopt your dog or keep them for a while until you return.
Introduce your dog to the caretaker frequently, so they develop a bond to help your pet thrive. In severe cases, veterinary specialists advise supplements, drugs, and several activities so your loyal mate gets the required relief.
Grooming Your Chesapeake Bay Retriever to Control Shedding
This dog breed is easier to groom than several other breeds. They can be groomed at home and seldom require a professional groomer unless you opt for it.
Brushing Routine
Brushing them regularly during the shedding season and bi-weekly on regular days is enough to keep their fur clean and shiny. Keep in mind that their coat is different from other breeds in texture.
The top skin of a Chessie is thick and short, whereas the undercoat is dense and wooly. Both coats are covered with water-repellent oils, allowing them to navigate and hunt in extreme terrains.
Their thick waterproof coat makes it more challenging to brush than other breeds.
You might need to put in some extra legwork to ensure you are removing all the dead hair, debris, and dirt accumulated in the coat. A rubber hound glove or a hard-bristled brush is best for brushing Chesapeake Bay retriever’s thick fur.
Bathing Your Dog
These fun-loving hunting dogs don’t need to be bathed often. Their coat contains oils that repel water.
Bathing them often makes their skin dry and even results in excessive shedding and strips their natural oil from the body. This waterproof coat naturally protects the skin and losing it only worsens matters.
Take Them For a Swim
Chessies have similar traits to Spanish water retrievers. They love swimming and can easily retrieve game birds from virtually any terrain.
Letting them swim once a week will help them shed excess hair naturally. You don’t have to bathe your dog after a swim, but rinsing them off with water will remove any dirt or debris accumulated.
Brush their coat as well to loosen clumped hair.
Taking Them to a Groomer
There will be times when visiting a professional groomer becomes necessary. Even with regular brushing, their thick and wooly fur can get clumped and unruly.
Visiting a groomer also becomes essential if your dog is shedding excessive hair. They can provide hair-friendly treatments to control shedding.
Final Thoughts
Chessies are tireless and energetic, making them sought-after hunting buddies. They can also be kept as family dogs because of their traits like affection, loyalty, and protection of their guardians.
Using the information we provided on shedding will assist you in keeping your loyal Chessie happy, healthy, and thriving.
