It’s incredible how quickly a Chessie puppy will grow. From a cute little pup to being skinny and awkward, turning into a robust and handsome dog. The definite changes in stature, weight, personality, and nutritional needs are all part of their growth phase. But when do Chesapeake Bay retrievers stop growing?
A Chesapeake Bay retriever stops growing at 12 to 18 months. Although physically mature, its emotional, behavioral and mental level still needs development. The dog’s growth rate depends on the genes inherited from its parents, its gender, the quality of food, and if the retriever is healthy.
This article discusses the many stages of a Chesapeake Bay retriever’s growth and the factors that could influence the growth level. Enjoy the read!
At What Age Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Fully Grown?
Being a large breed dog, Chesapeake Bay retrievers take longer to fully develop in height and weight. This is because they have more muscle and bone that needs to develop before reaching the standard size for their breed.
Most retrievers will be fully grown by the age of 12 to 18 months. However, they will be physically grown at this age but will take longer to mature emotionally, behaviorally, and mentally. Genetics, nutrition, and general health will also affect their growth rate.
Factors That Could Affect A Retriever’s Growth Rate
Three factors could affect the growth rate of your Chesapeake Bay Retriever. These are:
Gender And Genetics Plays A Part In A Retriever’s Growth Rate
A female Chesapeake Bay retriever will weigh less and be shorter than a male Chessie. Genetics also plays a part in the growth rate of your pup. Learning more about your puppy’s parents will give you an idea of how big your dog will grow.
Below is the standard size of a male and female Chesapeake Bay retriever:
| Standard Size Of A Chesapeake Bay Retriever | ||
| Gender | Male | Female |
| Weight | 65 to 80 lbs | 55 to 70 lbs |
| Height | 23 – 26 inches tall | 21 to 24 inches tall |
| Full Grown Age | +/- 12 to 18 months |
Nutrition And Growth Rate Of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
A reasonable growth rate for a Chessie will also be determined by the food you feed your dog. This breed needs well-balanced puppy food in the early stages and good-quality dog food in adolescence. Give your Chesapeake Bay retriever 2 to 2.5 cups of dry food divided into two daily meals. Always have fresh drinking water for your pet.
Good Health And Exercise Is Best For A Retriever’s Growth Rate
Keeping your retriever puppy in good health, and getting enough exercise will help them grow into strong adults. Being a high-energy breed, Chesapeake Bay retrievers need lots of exercises. You can take your Chessie for walks, on hiking trips, for a short jog, and for swimming. They will love outdoor activities, and it’s an excellent way to maintain their ideal weight.
The Growth Rate Of A Chesapeake Bay Retriever
You will notice a few growth stages in your retriever, from a tiny pup to a fully grown, healthy adult.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever – The First 2 Weeks
This is the newborn stage when your Chessie puppy depends on its mother for nutrition, grooming, and warmth to regulate body temperature. At this stage, the pup is blind and deaf as its ears and eyes are closed and not yet fully developed. Your retriever puppy will spend most of its time eating and sleeping.
- After the first week, your little puppy should double its birth weight.
Week 3 To 12 Weeks Of A Retriever’s Growth Phase
Your Chesapeake Bay retriever pup opens its eyes and ears at 3 weeks and will become aware of its surroundings. At 4 weeks, you will notice your puppy has some teeth; at this stage, it can start eating small amounts of solid food. Your puppy will also become highly active on its legs and will start to roam around the sleeping area or try to climb out of the whelping box.
At 8 weeks, your puppy can be weaned from its mother and can now rely on only puppy food for its nutrition. This is the age when you can interact with your pup by introducing housetraining, socializing, and other forms of training. Your little Chessie will by now be barking during his playful sessions.
You can slowly introduce your Chessie to some exercise to maintain a healthy weight during the next phase of their growth. Your puppy can be dewormed and vaccinated at this stage, so consult your veterinarian. At this stage, you can feed your pup three meals per day.
- The estimated weight for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever at 12 weeks is 13 to 22.4 lbs.
A Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s Adolescence Stage
This stage takes place at ages 4 to 9 months, and your retriever will lose its puppy look and will begin to resemble a mini version of its parents. This stage can also be described as the ‘naughty stage.’
Your Chessie will sometimes be disobedient and stubborn and will be territorial and show some form of dominance. Socializing and training are essential at this stage, so the pup knows its position within the family. Your retriever will also learn to trust you at this stage of its growth.
A retriever pup’s permanent teeth will emerge during this phase, and they will try to chew on almost everything. Getting some edible chew treats that clean the teeth is a good idea. Your retriever will have reached at least 2/3 of its adult weight at about 6 months. At 7 months, you can begin feeding your pup 2 meals per day. And at this stage, the dog will look a lot like a miniature adult.
Consult your veterinarian for the best advice before deciding on spaying or neutering your Chessie that is between 6 and 9 months.
- The estimated weight of a 4-month-old retriever is from 21.4 to 35.2 lbs
- The estimated weight and height of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever at 6 months are:
Height: Males – 16.5 inches Females – 15.5 inches
Weight: Males – 37.5 – 44lbs Females – 30.0 lbs
A Chesapeake Bay Retriever at 10 to 18 Months
Your Chessie pup can transition from puppy food to adult food at this age. A Chesapeake Bay retriever will show character and personality at this stage. Your dog will become obedient, friendly, and good-natured or strong-willed. More educational training could be required at this stage to instill these traits and remain a part of your pup as they grow into adulthood.
- The estimated weight and height of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever at 12 months are:
Height: Males – 20.5 inches Females – 19.0 inches
Weight: Males – 55.0 – 64 lbs Females – 45.0 lbs
A Chesapeake Bay Retriever Reaches Adulthood
Retrievers reach adulthood between 12 and 18 months and are considered sexually and physically mature at this stage. To help your pet continue to develop emotionally and mentally, give them the best nutrition and regular exercise to ensure a healthy and balanced life.
- The estimated weight and height of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever at 18 months are:
Height: Males – 24.5 inches Females – 22.5 inches
Weight: Males – 70.0 lbs Females – 60.0 lbs
Conclusion
A Chesapeake Bay retriever, being a large dog breed, will stop growing between 12 and 18 months. Although physically and sexually mature at this age, their mental, behavioral, and emotional level is not fully developed. The growth rate for Chessies, from a pup to adulthood, depends on the genes, gender, the nutrition the dog receives, and general health.
