Chesapeake Bay Retriever: The Complete Australian Guide

The story begins in autumn 1807 when a British brig left Newfoundland bound for Poole, England, carrying codfish. Off the Maryland coast, it encountered a severe gale and began taking on water. The ship’s boats had been swept away in the storm. When George Law boarded from the Canton to rescue the crew, he found them “in a state of intoxication” — having resigned themselves to death.⁴

Among the cargo were two puppies, carefully selected and destined for an English estate. They were described as “Newfoundland” dogs, though they were more accurately St. John’s Water Dogs (or Lesser Newfoundlands) — the same stock that would later develop into the Labrador Retriever in England. Law purchased them for a guinea each.

Sailor, the red male, went to John Mercer of West River, then was traded to Governor Edward Lloyd for a Merino ram — worth “many hundreds of dollars” during the Merino sheep craze. His offspring became known as “the Sailor breed.” Canton, the black female, went to Dr. James Stewart of Sparrow’s Point. Neither dog was ever bred to the other, but both were crossed extensively with local dogs — likely including Irish Water Spaniels, hounds, and other retrievers.⁵

The Chesapeake Bay was brutal territory for waterfowl hunting. Market gunners needed dogs that could retrieve hundreds of ducks daily from icy, rough waters. The descendants of Sailor and Canton were bred with a single purpose: survive and retrieve in conditions that would kill lesser dogs.

By 1877, three distinct types of “Chesapeake Bay Ducking Dogs” were recognised. In 1884, the American Kennel Club registered the breed — making it one of the first retrievers to receive formal recognition. The breed standard has changed little since 1918. In 1964, Maryland named the Chesapeake Bay Retriever its official state dog.⁶

Famous Chesapeakes: Sailor Boy, owned by President Theodore Roosevelt, descended from the original Sailor bloodline. General George Custer was known to bring his Chessies into battle. True Grit serves as mascot of the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

The Chessie’s coat is unlike any other retriever’s. The outer coat is short, harsh, and distinctly wavy — particularly across the shoulders, neck, and back. The undercoat is dense and woolly. But the real secret is the oil. The coat feels slightly greasy to the touch, and this natural oil makes it remarkably water-resistant. A Chessie can emerge from icy water and shake dry in moments.

Important: Never over-bathe a Chesapeake. Bathing strips the natural oils that make the coat waterproof. Most Chessies only need bathing every 2-3 months, or when truly dirty. Some owners avoid bathing before cold-weather hunting that involves swimming.

Chessie colours are named for their hunting environment — designed for camouflage in marshes and dead grass:

• Brown: Deep chocolate to lighter shades
• Sedge: Reddish-brown shades
• Dead Grass: Tan to straw colour — like the winter marsh grass where they work

The Chesapeake’s eyes are distinctive — clear yellow or amber, giving them an intelligent, penetrating expression. These striking eyes are a direct inheritance from Sailor, the original shipwreck dog.⁷

Where a Labrador greets strangers like long-lost friends, a Chessie sizes them up. Where a Golden wants to please everyone, a Chessie is loyal to its family. Where most retrievers are happy-go-lucky, a Chessie is serious about its work and its people.

Key temperament traits:

• Intensely loyal to family — bonds deeply
• Protective — makes an excellent watchdog (unlike Labs)
• Independent thinker — makes decisions, not always yours
• Reserved with strangers — not hostile, but not effusive
• Strong-willed — can be stubborn
• High drive — needs a job to do
• Territorial — takes property guarding seriously

Chessies are often described as “one-family dogs.” They form intense bonds with their people and can be aloof or wary of others. According to PetMD, this protective nature makes them excellent watchdogs — they’ll alert you to anything unusual and will defend their family if necessary.⁹

A forum contributor captures it well: “If someone broke into your house, a Lab would show them the money, your best silver, and help them carry it to the car. A Chessie? Different story.”

Chessies can be good with children, particularly children who are respectful and calm. They’re better suited to older kids who understand boundaries. Their size and intensity mean supervision is essential with young children.

Early socialisation is crucial. Chessies may not always welcome other dogs, particularly dogs they perceive as challenging. They can coexist with other pets when raised together, but their independent nature means they don’t necessarily need canine companionship. The RSPCA recommends early and extensive socialisation for all breeds with protective tendencies.¹⁰

Joint dysplasia occurs when the joints develop abnormally, leading to pain, lameness, and arthritis. It’s common in larger, athletic breeds. Signs include difficulty rising, limping, and reluctance to exercise. Treatment ranges from weight management and joint supplements to surgery in severe cases. Reputable breeders screen breeding dogs via hip and elbow scoring.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach fills with gas and twists. Deep-chested breeds like Chessies are at higher risk. Signs include a distended abdomen, unproductive retching, restlessness, and excessive drooling. This is a medical emergency — without treatment, GDV can kill within 30 minutes. Use slow feeders, feed smaller meals, and avoid vigorous exercise around mealtimes.¹²

PRA causes gradual vision loss, typically becoming apparent around ages 8-9. Early signs include difficulty seeing in low light. There is no cure, but affected dogs can adapt well to blindness. DNA testing can identify carriers.

Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid causing weight gain, lethargy, and coat problems. Manageable with daily medication.

Von Willebrand Disease: A bleeding disorder where blood doesn’t clot properly. Can be tested for.

Degenerative Myelopathy: Progressive spinal cord disease affecting mobility. Typically appears in older dogs.

The ideal Chessie owner has previous dog experience, particularly with strong-willed breeds. They’re active, outdoorsy people who can provide serious exercise and mental stimulation. They want a loyal, protective family dog — not a golden retriever in brown fur — and have the time for training and socialisation.

Living Requirements:

• Home Size: House with secure yard strongly preferred
• Activity Level: Active household, regular outdoor activities
• Access to water: Highly beneficial (they live for swimming)
• Time at home: Bonds closely with family, needs presence

• Active families with older children
• Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts
• Experienced dog owners
• Those wanting a protective family dog
• Homes near water (lakes, beaches, dams)
• People who want a dog with personality and opinions

• First-time dog owners (get a Lab first)
• Sedentary households
• Apartment dwellers
• Those expecting Lab-like friendliness with everyone
• People unwilling to invest in training and socialisation
• Those wanting an easygoing, biddable dog

Primary Sources:

1. AKC — Chesapeake Bay Retriever History: 1807 shipwreck account
2. AKC — George Law’s firsthand account of the rescue
3. AKC breed standard; Dogs Australia
4. AKC — Detailed shipwreck and rescue story
5. Wikipedia — Chesapeake Bay Retriever; Sailor and Canton history
6. Gundog Journal — Born in the USA: Chesapeake Bay Retriever
7. AKC — Sailor’s amber eyes inheritance

Health & Care Sources:

8. CBR Rescue — Breed characteristics: cbrrescue.org
9. PetMD — Chesapeake Bay Retriever health and care: petmd.com
10. RSPCA Australia: rspca.org.au
11. American Veterinary Association: ava.com.au
12. PetMD — Bloat/GDV risk in deep-chested breeds
13. American Kennel Club: akc.org
14. Dogs Australia: dogsaustralia.org.au