The origins of the name
The Chesapeake Bay has made the fortune of novelists and television screenwriters. This inlet which is located along the East coast of the United States and which includes the territories of two different states (Maryland and Virginia to be precise) fascinates with its breathtaking views, without forgetting the historical value of this place. Right here, in fact, one of the most famous battles in American history took place (in 1781), the event that effectively marked the end of the War of Independence. But the bay also gave its name to a retriever dog that loves water and is in no way afraid of the cold. We are talking about the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
A story that began in the 800th century
Its history is simple. It is a breed selected during the 19th century when a capable animal was needed for hunting ducks and other waterfowl. The Chesapeake Bay was the backdrop for the initial selection, an area known for its harsh winters and icy waters where hunting these birds would otherwise have been impossible. To be even more precise, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever shares its origins with two other breeds : the Flat-Coated and the Curly-Coated. The current breed is a cross between two Newfoundlands. The Flat and Curly breeds have largely determined their character and morphology. There is even a very peculiar legend surrounding the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, namely that the breed was created by some sailors who supposedly survived a shipwreck in 1807. It should be noted right away that this breed is not very well known outside the United States, but it is nonetheless very fascinating.
Peculiar characteristics
Efficiency and resistance: these two peculiar characteristics have made the Chesapeake Bay Retriever the ideal dog for hunting. The skull, in fact, is broad and round, while the jaws impress with the strength that allows the breed to carry even large birds with a grip that appears substantially soft and simple. The fur, on the other hand, is short and rough on the outside, with a series of undulations, while the innermost part is woolly and rich in natural oil. It is precisely this last peculiarity that makes Chessie (the nickname by which it is also known) the perfect breed for working in extreme climatic conditions. Characteristic features include the eyes, which are very light, of a yellowish or amber shade, the hindquarters, which are as high as the shoulders or a little more, and a double coat that tends to wavy only on the shoulders, neck, back and kidneys. With a weight that can reach 36 kg, it is one of the strongest and most muscular dogs. The retriever's coat colors are made to blend into the undergrowth. That's why they range from dark brown to straw-colored. However, there are also shades tending towards light red (sedge) and grey-brown (tan). In short, he is a solid color dog with light shades of color.
A bubbly character
It is the temperament that makes aquatic hunters particularly appreciate these specimens. It is not uncommon for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever to start swimming with its center reversed and even in rough seas, the clearest evidence of the fact that no adverse weather conditions scare it. The character is therefore positive and energetic as never before, even if it does not disdain affection and protective instincts. It is worth underlining, however, that the dog in question is quite different from other Retrievers, but this does not prevent it from becoming attached to a single owner, a loyalty that often makes the difference when hunting. There is a lot of hunting activity in his destiny, even if domestic life cannot be forgotten. He is in fact a dog that adapts without problems, he likes to play with his family and knows how to be very sweet and affectionate with children, despite the need for a lot of daily space for his movement needs. There is also a detail that is not at all secondary and which can be understood from the fact that he can resist the cold so well. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever gets sick very rarely, therefore it does not need special care and has a decidedly long average life expectancy.
Not just the United States
Popularity outside the States, as already mentioned, is very low. However, there are some exceptions. In European countries the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not very well known, although some specific breeders have been developing for some time now. It is the consequence of a growing passion towards such a particular breed. In fact, awareness of its rapid rise in territories other than the American ones is growing, above all because the characteristics of these specimens are often eagerly sought after by the most demanding dog lovers.
Nutrition and training
At this point all that remains is to understand what diet is most suitable for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The diet in this case, as happens for the majority of breeds, must be divided according to the period of development. During puberty, for example, you should not overindulge in high-energy foods, even though it may seem like the right choice for a breed of this type. Feeding it in this way means causing growth problems and consequently not exactly insignificant damage to the skeleton and joints. In the case of puppies, therefore, priority should be given to foods capable of providing vitamins and minerals. Once grown, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers prove to need an energy intake that is much higher than that of any family dog. Obviously age, size and physical activity are determining factors in understanding how to adjust. One last piece of advice concerns training. The latter must be constant for a very precise reason: dogs like the one just described are stubborn and independent, therefore any hierarchy must be clarified and imposed from the first moment not to mention the balance it needs to manage resistance and hunting instinct.
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