Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, or more affectionately called Chessies, are talented and energetic hunting dogs that also make great family pets. They are extremely loyal to their families and love spending time with them. Here are a few more facts about Chesapeake Bay Retrievers:

1. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a Versatile Hunting Dog

With ancestry including the Newfoundland, Irish Water Spaniel, and more, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was bred to be a versatile hunting dog.

In addition to their endurance, focus, and fantastic sense of smell, this hunting dog is at home whether they are on land or in the water. This makes them a well-rounded sporting dog and one of the best gundogs and duck dogs.

2. They Are Valued as Working Dogs

Although the Chesapeake Bay Retriever was bred to be a hunting dog, their personalities and skills make them a valued working dog in a wide variety of capacities. Not only do these dogs excel as therapy dogs and as show dogs, but they are also prized in search-and-rescue work as well as bomb and drug detection work.

Because of their skills, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can be found assisting law enforcement and also working as military dogs. They can also be found in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and more as a comforting and therapeutic presence. They are also just as comfortable performing in the show ring or competing in dog sports.

3. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Are Great Family Dogs

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers may be fantastic hunting dogs and versatile working dogs, but they also make great family dogs. They are loyal and affectionate with their families and are generally open and friendly with others.

They tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can get along with other pets in the household, especially if they have been raised together. But, they do have a high prey drive, so you will need to keep that in mind and plan for extra training and socialization with other smaller pets.

4. They May Need Training Classes

Although the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is intelligent and picks up on things quickly, they are also known to have a mind of their own. They can be strong-willed, can be overzealous, and can be determined to do things their own way.

This can be a challenge for first-time or novice dog owners to handle on their own. So, puppy training classes are recommended to make sure you and your Chessie are on the same page and going in the same direction when it comes to training.

5. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Have Webbed Feet

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers love to be near water and in it! They are excellent swimmers and since they hail from the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, they are born with webbed feet!

Their webbed feet allow them to swim and easily hunt ducks. If you’re looking for an excellent swimmer, look no further. This dog is practically half-fish!

6. The Chessie is a High-Energy Dog Breed

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are a high-energy dog breed. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this breed. However, they will gladly run and play for hours if you’re up for it. So, they will likely always be up for more activity if you offer it to them.

Thankfully, they are athletic and versatile dogs, so they tend to enjoy a bunch of different activities. Once puppies finish growing and developing, you can take them for a jog or a run, start training for dog sports, play frisbee, hike, and more.

Swimming is a great low-impact activity for a dog as long as they like it. Since the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is one of the dog breeds that tend to love water, it’s a good option to try with your Chessie. You might even have trouble keeping them out of the water if you go near it!

7. They’re a School Mascot and Maryland’s State Dog

Few states have a state dog, and Maryland was the first state to pick one. They decided to make the Chesapeake Bay Retriever their state dog due to the dog’s origins in Maryland. After being declared the state dog of Maryland, the University of Maryland, Baltimore City decided to make the Chesapeake Bay Retriever their school mascot.

Their team is called the Retrievers and the Chessie has been the mascot since 1966. UMBC has a bronze statue of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named True Grit on campus where students rub his nose for good luck during finals week!

These are just a few facts about Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. If this sounds like the right dog breed for you, learn more about them, and then check out the available Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppies. You could end up finding your new furry best friend!