Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a very unique double coat that is made of fur.
Their thick fur coats assist them with carrying out the purpose for which they were initially bred—survival in cold regions.
As animals whose ancestors depended on hunting in harsh winters for survival, Chesapeake Bay retrievers have fur which is insulating and water-repellent.
Why Does The Chesapeake Bay Retriever Have a Double Coat?
The fur of the Chesapeake developed as a result of crossbreeding. Chesapeake Bay retrievers are said to originate from the state of Maryland where they were bred during the 19th century.
The Chesapeake was primarily bred for hunting and sports during the winter seasons. Their thick furs keep them warm and dry during cold swims and dry winters.
The retriever’s coat begins with a dense undercoat at the base of the hair. It acts as an insulating layer that prevents water and cold winds from coming in contact with the skin.
On top of the base layer is a short but thick second coat. This coat is imbued with natural oils that act as a water repellent.
The oils prevent water from being absorbed by the fur. When a Chesapeake Bay retriever shakes after becoming wet, you will observe much less water being released from its coat.
This feature of their coat enables the Chesapeake Bay Retriever to swim in freezing waters without becoming as cold as other dogs would.
Features Of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers’ Fur
Texture
Chesapeake Bay retrievers have a distinguishing fur pattern that begins with the Chessie wave.
This tuft of wavy fur goes all the way down the neck, shoulder, and loin of the retrievers. The dog hair present on the legs and face is much shorter and straighter.
There is no wavy pattern down the sides, but there can be significant feathering on the rear hindquarters and parts of the tail. People often confuse the Chesapeake Bay retriever with the curly-coated retriever, as they are similar in appearance but have curly fur coating.
Chesapeake Bay retrievers do not have curly fur, but rather, they have loose and light or tight and kinky waves. When touched, the fur feels resilient but not too rough.
The dense, fine wooly undercoat isn’t just for appearance but has a heat-locking mechanism built in for retriever breeds to keep the dog warm.
The interwoven waves and curls create a net from the harsh outer coat that retains warmth and prevents it from escaping through the fur.
This helps keep Chesapeake Bay retrievers extra insulated.
It also prevents water from seeping through and into the first fur layer.
Color
Chesapeake Bay retrievers come in a range of gradients from yellow to brown.
Generally, their coats cover all shades of brown, which equips them with excellent camouflaging abilities.
Their dark brown shade seamlessly blends in with the dirt and silt of riverbanks and bays, while lighter variations of brown appear indistinguishable from wheat stalks and light-yellow tall grasses of the fall.
Sedge-colored Chesapeake Bay retrievers completely disappear in a landscape of sedge grasses and develop a red undertone during the fall.
Their camouflaging abilities go hand in hand with their hunting skills. Chesapeake Bay retrievers with fur coats that blend in easily with their surroundings make stealthier hunters.
The three broad colors of their fur include brown, dead grass, and sedge.
Brown ranges from anywhere between light brown and cocoa to chocolate and dark brown.
Dead grass resembles the hues of dead or dry grass, similar to a dull straw color. Dead grass spans a variety of yellowish-brown hues.
Lastly, there is a more variegated sedge color. Irish red, sedge grass color and light strawberry blond are the more frequently seen shades.
Fur And Health Conditions
A few health conditions can affect the Chesapeake’s coat—pattern baldness is one of them.
Pattern baldness, medically known as Follicular Dysplasia, is a hereditary condition affecting Chesapeake Bay retrievers’ fur pattern.
An easy sign of pattern baldness is patchy or sparse fur growth near the neck or rear limbs of a Chesapeake Bay retriever. Another indicator is excess fur shedding in the same areas and loose hair falling everywhere.
While the condition is not detrimental to a Chesapeake Bay retriever, it can lead to large amounts of fur loss.
This can be dangerous for Chesapeake Bay retrievers that live in the wild. Without their thick fur coating, affected Chesapeake Bay retrievers will not be able to retain the warmth essential for enduring cold winters or icy swims.
For those kept as pets, this poses less of a problem.
There is currently no cure or treatment for this condition.
Grooming And Fur Maintenance
Chesapeake Bay retriever fur coats are relatively easy to maintain. Grooming, bathing, and brushing are most of what you will need to do.
Grooming
One might think that because Chesapeake Bay retrievers have a thick double coat of fur, the grooming process is lengthier. However, during most seasons, Chesapeake Bay retrievers require minimal grooming to maintain their coat.
Grooming patterns can change based on the season. Shedding periods, which usually span the fall and spring, require more grooming.
Alongside grooming, it is recommended to clean ears and clip nails every four to eight weeks.
Bathing
It is better not to bathe Chesapeake Bay retrievers often. What you might consider regular bathing for one breed is the equivalent of excessive bathing for Chesapeake Bay retrievers.
Frequent bathing poses the risk of stripping the outer fur coat of its natural oils. These oils are what impart the water-repellent and resilient properties to the fur coat.
You should bathe your Chesapeake Bay retriever once every 2 to 3 months. Rinsing only with water can be done if the coat has a lot of dirt, but chemicals and shampoos that can dry their skin must be avoided.
How often you bathe your Chesapeake Bay retriever also depends on their shedding cycle. More shedding requires more frequent bathing.
It is recommended to use mild herbal shampoos that will rinse the fur coat of debris while not harming the underlying skin or natural oils of the fur.
During shedding season, you can use shedding shampoo, but it is always better to consult a veterinarian before doing so.
A Chesapeake Bay retriever with allergies will also need to be treated with itch-sensitive and non-allergenic shampoos.
Brushing
Brushing helps with cleaning the fur of debris, dust, and dry hair. It also distributes the natural oils of the fur evenly throughout the coat.
Brushing once or twice a week using a rubber glove or a hound glove is more than enough. Even during shedding season when the underlying fur layer is shed, brushing 2 to 3 times a week will do.
Final Thoughts
Chesapeake Bay retrievers have some of the most unique fur coats that are both naturally beautiful and practical. The double fur coat is an adaptive feature produced via cross-breeding.
Both sheltered and wild Chesapeake Bay retrievers have dense fur that protects them from cold and water.
If you have a Chesapeake Bay retriever, you will not be required to do regular grooming and maintenance.
If you notice any changes in fur and shedding patterns, consult a veterinarian for an expert opinion. A Chesapeake Bay retriever is a majestic animal, and its fur coat is the major contributor to such an appearance.
