Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Breed Group: Toy Group

Size Group: Large Dog Breeds

Origin: United States

Height: 23”-26” (male) 21”-24” (female)

Weight: 65-80lbs (male) 55-70lbs (female)

Color: Brown, Dark brown, Dark deadgrass, Deadgrass, Light brown, Light deadgrass, Sedge, Tan

Lifespan10-13 years

Temperament: Energetic, affectionate, intelligent, devoted

 

Overview

Crabcakes and football…. That’s not all Maryland does. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever began as the perfect waterfowl retriever for the frigid winter temperatures of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, for which they were named. This pup is known for its oily to the touch waterproof coat and amber eyes. They have evolved into wonderful family dogs and even better hunting dogs. Chessies are incredibly alert and make wonderful watchdogs.

They require minimal grooming, and lots and lots and lots of exercise.

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Celebrity Owners

Socialite Evalyn Walsh McLean and the Owner of the Hope Diamond

Fun Facts

Because of Affen’s mischievous nature, the French refer to them as “diablotin moustachu” which translates into mustached little devil.

The first Affens in America came from Germany in 1935, traveling to NYC by steamship across the Atlantic and onward to Chicago by train.

Health

Some health concerns you should be aware of include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and degenerative myelopathy. Before you bring a new pup home, always request health screening of both parent pups.

While you always hope your pet will live a long and healthy life, it is always a good idea to invest in pet health insurance.

Keeping your dog’s mouth clean and problem free goes a long way to your pup’s overall health. Dental hygiene can be the cause or can be the byproduct of other serious health issues.

Visual inspections can be performed to keep track of the signs of potentially waning oral health. These signs can be anything from bad breath to abnormal chewing to loss of appetite.

Keeping ahead of these warning signs can pay dividends. A preventative approach can delay and stop many of the common dental problems from arising.

Oral health can be tackled in five basic steps:

  1. Brushing your dog’s teeth to prevent an undesirable buildup of plaque
  2. Feed your dog a diet where the high quality dog food has dental benefits
  3. Regularly give your dog dental toys and treats
  4. Use mouthwash, to help where brushing misses
  5. At the sign of any abnormalities, consult a vet. You can even do it virtually, from the convenience of your home.

Dogs are just like humans in that they can experience anxiety. The degree to which they are susceptible to anxiety and how they deal with anxiety is breed specific. Left unchecked, initial signs of anxiety could give way to an anxiety disorder. The symptoms of anxiety disorders can lead to a myriad of behavior issues.

Knowing the signs and symptoms will best equip you to keep ahead of it and to nip it in the bud at the earliest signs. There are options available to help with anxiety.

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Grooming

You will need to brush your Chessies weekly. Be sure to gently remove matts and tangles. These pups shed a medium amount with two increased seasonal sheds. You should increase to daily brushing during these periods to help contain the hair loss. This breeds oily coat will always have a musty scent. They only need bathing every couple of months, or when they are exceptionally dirty. Keep their eyes and ears clean and clear of debris. Clip your pup’s nails regularly and brush their teeth several times per week.

Cost

$900 – $5,000

Exercise

Chessies are very high energy. Plan on spending 1-2 hours in pup activity per day. Swimming is their favorite, but they also will be happy walking, hiking, jogging and play fetch.

Nutrition

Your fully grown Chessie will eat around 3 cups of food per day over two meals. The exact requirements for your dog will vary with age and activity level.

 

We’ve taken a look at some premium dog foods, high in nutrition here.

Are You Feeding Your Dog The Best Food?

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Training

As with all dogs, early socialization with humans and other pups is essential. Chessies need obedience training to become well-mannered. Start your training as early as you can so you are not working against bad habits. Be consistent with training. Fill your sessions with lots of positive reinforcement and fun activities. Avoid harsh reprimands as this breed is known to be sensitive.

Proper training is essential to ensuring the safety of your dog and those around you. Having your dog come when they should, and in general having them listen is something you want to address early in your pup’s life, as it will pay dividends down the line. There are many tried and true training programs to accomplish this training – faster and better than you might think!

Unless you’re living on a farm, or have the space, a yipping dog, or one that barks all day when you are gone could be an issue with the neighbors and/or landlord. Historically, dogs would bark to communicate with the rest of the pack when hunting and bark as a warning shot to predators eyeing up their flock. Barking is deep rooted in dogs and manifests itself in many ways and for a variety of reasons.

Just like any habit or instinct, there are effective ways you can train this issue away.

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Supplements

A solid Glucosamine Supplement for hips and joints will go a long way to helping your furry friend.

Other helpful supplements include full-spectrum hemp oil or CBD oil. Fish oil skin and coat supplement.

Ensuring a comprehensive preventative vitamin and mineral plan is essential to keeping your dog healthy. Truth is, there are vitamins and minerals that your dog needs, but doesn’t produce naturally. While many of these vitamins and minerals can be found in your dog’s current diet and dog food, the question becomes, are there enough vitamins to ensure they aren’t deficient.

Poor nutrition can lead to some of the most common health issues, such as weak joints, compromised immunity, increased allergies, and low energy.

Vitamins play a vital role in your pet’s health and overall life expectancy. Here are some multivitamin and joint relief options.

As regulations around marijuana have eased, the emergence of CBD oils for humans and dogs have sprung up.

Just to begin to dispel the negative stigma, CBD extract comes from Hemp, marijuana’s cousin. Unlike its cousin, there are no psychoactive qualities in CBD oil. An emerging number of clinical and institutional studies have shown the wide variety of healing qualities in CBD, including pain management, and the containment of seizures and epileptic episodes.

Explore this remedy further to see all the health benefits that have transformed the lives of so many dogs to date.

Have You Tried CBD For You Dog's Health?

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The Good

Easy grooming maintenance
Strong hunting companion

The "Ruff"

High exercise needs
Can be stubborn
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Annual Vet Bills: $1,500+

Be Prepared for the unexpected.