How Much Does A Chesapeake Bay Retriever Weigh?

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are loving, hardy gundogs with even tempers and beautiful, wooly coats. However, like all large dogs, it’s best to know how large they can grow before bringing one into your family. So, then, how much does a Chesapeake Bay retriever weigh?

Male Chesapeake Bay retrievers weigh up to 80 lb (36kg), while females are lighter at a maximum of 70 lb (32 kg). On average, a male Chesapeake Bay retriever weighs 72.5 lb (32.5 kg) and stands at 24.5 in (62 cm), while a healthy female will weigh about 62.5 lb (28.5 kg) and be 22.5 in (57 cm) tall.

Now that we know the sizes of Chesapeake Bay retrievers, we can look at this topic in more detail. Read on to find out how quickly these dogs grow up and what food and exercise they’ll need. Before you know it, you’ll want a Chessie, too.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Size

The American Kennel Club classifies the Chesapeake Bay retriever as a large dog in the sporting group, specifically a gundog. And that’s for a good reason.

Initially, hunters used Chesapeake Bay retrievers to catch waterfowl, hence their oily, waterproof coats. However, that meant that these dogs couldn’t be small. They had to carry ducks and geese between their jaws, after all.

So, you can expect a full-grown Chessie to weigh roughly 67.5 lb (30.5 kg). Usually, males outweigh females by about 10 lb, but neither sex makes for a good lap dog.

These dogs aren’t short, either. Like other retrievers, Chessies are graceful and well-proportioned. They’ve got deep, broad chests, medium-length tails, and a round head. Not only that, but their hindquarters can rise higher than their shoulders.

Because of these features, you can expect an adult Chessie to stand at about 23.5 in (60 cm).

Remember that the Chessie’s size comes with specific responsibilities, too. Although they’re laidback, they’re still big animals. Because of that, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve trained them properly, especially around children.

Chesapeake Bay retrievers aren’t likely to attack, but a little caution goes a long way. They can be standoffish around unfamiliar animals or people, and their size makes them naturally threatening to some. Therefore, it’s best to avoid any accidents.

Fortunately, they’re easy to train. Chessies are retrievers, after all. Although they’re calmer than other retriever breeds, their personalities don’t differ otherwise. Chessies are easygoing, intelligent, and friendly dogs.

So, it shouldn’t be hard to socialize them from an early age and give them good obedience training– then their size won’t give you any trouble.

Last, remember that large dogs need plenty of food. And, like any other family member, you’ll want your Chessie to eat well, too.

A full-grown Chesapeake Bay retriever needs three to four-and-a-half cups of kibble daily. Divide this dry food into morning and evening meals, so your dog won’t get hungry throughout the day.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Weight Chart

Although all dogs grow at slightly different rates, a healthy Chesapeake Bay retriever should fall in a specific range of weights.

Below is a chart showing the appropriate size of this breed at each stage in their lives. As we can see, puppies start out reasonably small (25 lb) but quickly grow into hefty adults. Chessies stop growing after sixty weeks, so you won’t need to worry about getting a larger bed for the next decade.

AgeAverage WeightWeight Range
15 Weeks25 lb (11.5 kg)19-32 lb (8.5-14.5 kg)
20 Weeks37 lb (17 kg)28-45 lb (12.5-20.5 kg)
25 Weeks45 lb (20.5 kg)35-56 lb (16-25.5 kg)
30 Weeks52 lb (23.5 kg)40-63 lb (18-28.5 kg)
35 Weeks57 lb (26 kg)44-69 lb (20-31 kg)
40 Weeks60 lb (27 kg)47-73 lb (21-33 kg)
45 Weeks62 lb (28 kg)49-76 lb (22-34.5 kg)
60 Weeks67.5 lb (30.5 kg)51-78 lb (23-35 kg)

How Much Exercise Do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Need?

Chesapeake Bay retrievers are intelligent, energetic animals, so they’ll need plenty of exercises. Although they aren’t as demanding as sighthounds, these working dogs need daily engagement. Give them a job.

We don’t mean a brisk walk, either. While that might be adequate for an older Chessie, younger adults and puppies need much more. These dogs love to move, so feel free to take them running or hiking.

Chessies can swim well, too. As well as that, their coats are waterproof. So, don’t be afraid to let your Chessie frolic in the lake or by the beach.

Remember that Chessies were originally hunting dogs, so don’t be afraid to challenge them. Chesapeake Bay retrievers love to play fetch, whether with a ball, frisbee, or stick.

Similarly, playing tug-of-war or teaching them tricks is a great way to entertain a Chesapeake Bay retriever. These gundogs learn quickly, excel at dog sports, and appreciate attention.

Not only that, but these dogs are bright. Chessies need regular exercise and engaging tasks, or they’ll become bored. And, like all dogs, a bored Chessie is a destructive Chessie. Save your furniture and shoes by giving this pet a workout.

Last, if you are a hunter, feel free to train your Chesapeake Bay retriever for that, too. That’s what they love to do. Even if you already have a hunting companion, another won’t hurt, and a backup partner is always helpful. Your Chessie will love to play fetch with natural prey.

How Can I Tell If My Chesapeake Bay Retriever Is Fat?

The quickest way to tell if your Chesapeake Bay retriever is fat is to look at them. A fat dog won’t have visible ribs if you look at it from the side. Also, an overweight Chessie’s belly won’t hang above the ribcage but can droop below it.

Likewise, if you stare at a fat dog from above, it won’t have a clearly defined waist or a straight build. Instead, the dog will be oval-shaped.

You can also pay close attention to your Chessie’s behavior. Obese animals are less active than their healthy counterparts. Fat retrievers struggle to run or move fluidly and often have trouble breathing after exercise.

Remember that you know the correct weights for Chesapeake Bay retrievers, too. If Chessie dog weighs more than 80 lb or 70 lb – depending on their sex – then they’re overweight.

Luckily, you can quickly help a Chessie slim down. These dogs love to be active and move around, even if they’re too plump.

Conclusion

To conclude, Chesapeake Bay retrievers are big dogs. On average, an adult weighs 67.6 lb (30.5 kg). But don’t be intimidated by this size, though. Chessies are relaxed and affectionate animals, so they’re easy to train and comfortable around other people or animals.

Remember to exercise them, however. Because Chessies are working dogs, they need to move around daily, or they’ll risk becoming overweight or naughty.

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