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Breed
History
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The unique
qualities of this American retriever were bred
and developed for specific needs of early American
market hunters and sportsman on the East Coast
of the U.S.
The market hunters shot 200-300 birds a day on
the rugged freezing coast of the Chesapeake Bay,
and the surrounding marshes. These waterfowl were
loaded into wagons and sold in the small settlements.
The Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, often referred
to as "Bay Dogs", were expected to have the determination
and perseverance to retrieve enormous numbers
of birds from icy rough waters, under severe weather
conditions, and to guard the wagons and possessions
of the hunters.
Food and housing for dogs were scarce and only
the toughest specimens survived. The Chesapeake's
origin were two Newfoundlands, a brown dog & a
black bitch. They were smaller and shorter coated
than the modern Newfoundland. This breed was used
to hunt waterfowl and to retrieve flotsam and
jetsam from the shipwrecks that occurred on the
rugged coast of Newfoundland. The brown dog and
black bitch were selected as breeding specimens
and were being exported to England from Newfoundland,
but the boat carrying them to England wrecked
off the Maryland Coast in 1807.
The dogs were rescued and purchased by Mr. George
Law. They went to different owners who interbred
them to the few hunting dogs that were available,
probably tan & yellow hounds, Otter hounds, and
water spaniels. The Chesapeake's unique retriever
qualities, are his coat, hare shaped feet, high
hindquarters, and his prideful loyalty and protectiveness
towards his owner and his possessions. He is the
toughest, tallest, heaviest, and hardiest of the
retrievers and will work hard and long under almost
any conditions. While he is sensitive and gentle
with his family, he can also be very protective
of them as well as his territory. His conformation
demonstrates a true relationship to the performance
expected of him. His short, harsh, oily, wavy,
coat is unique in the dog world and enables the
Chesapeake to work in almost any cover without
picking up brambles, burrs, or other debris. It
retains very little water and does not easily
ice up. His heavy undercoat enables him to work
under harsh weather conditions. His hare shaped
feet enable him to dig in and climb steep, muddy
banks.
His high, well muscled hindquarters provide the
strength to work in thick, deep marsh mud and
the tremendous power needed to swim against strong
winter winds and water currents. His small ears
are placed high on his head to help prevent water
from entering his ear canals. His tail is strong
and slightly curved with moderate feathering in
order for him to negotiate water turns easily.
His chest is deep and wide and his ribs are well
sprung to provide the great air capacity needed
for endurance. His strong bone and balanced conformation
further contribute to his working ability. Although
used throughout the world for hunting waterfowl
under rough conditions, the Chesapeake is very
versatile. He loves to work and is at his best
when working for his master or the family. He
is an excellent guard and a quiet calm house pet.
He will kennel well as long as he has plenty of
human companionship.
Chesapeakes have been successfully trained and
used to do search and rescue work, as guide dogs
for the blind, for tracking humans and animals,
and for competing in obedience and agility trials.
In Europe Chesapeakes are used for pulling carts
and sleds for the handicapped, tracking elk, hunting
rabbits, upland game, and waterfowl.
In Canada and Alaska they are especially prized
for hunting large geese, ducks, as sled dogs and
for hunting Kodiak bear. The 1500 member American
Chesapeake Club is devoted to maintaining the
original purpose and conformation of the breed.
An ideal Chesapeake Bay Retriever should be able
to hunt, show in breed or obedience rings, run
Gundog tests, field trials, and be a loyal and
gentle family pet. The Club tries hard not to
have the breed separated into two distinct types:
show retrievers and field retrievers, as seen
in some of the other retriever breeds.
Excerpted. Written by Nancy Lowenthal, Berteleda
Kennels, Mill Valley, California
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