{"id":15688,"date":"2026-03-15T10:43:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T09:43:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.retriever-klub.cz\/chesapeake-bay-retriever\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T22:04:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T20:04:30","slug":"chesapeake-bay-retriever","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.retriever-klub.cz\/en\/chesapeake-bay-retriever\/","title":{"rendered":"Chesapeake Bay Retriever"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a powerful and resilient working gundog, developed to retrieve waterfowl under demanding conditions. Renowned for its endurance, courage and determination, the breed excels at retrieving in water, harsh weather and difficult terrain. Its strong, athletic build and purposeful, energetic movement reflect its exceptional working ability. Compared with other retriever breeds, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is typically more independent and naturally reserved, yet forms an exceptionally strong bond with its owner and remains a dependable, tenacious working partner. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Breeding Requirements<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Health and Genetic Testing<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How to Qualify Your Dog for Breeding<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Responsible Breeding<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Breed Standard<\/h2>\n\n
<\/th>Overview of the FCI Breed Standard<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Country of Origin<\/td>USA<\/td><\/tr>
Height<\/td>Height at the withers:Dogs: 58\u201366 cmBitches: 53\u201361 cmDogs outside these height limits should be severely penalised. <\/td><\/tr>
General Appearance<\/td>A medium-sized, powerful, well-muscled dog with strong bone. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The chest is deep, reaching at least to the elbows. The overall impression is one of strength, endurance and the ability to work under demanding conditions, particularly in water.<\/td><\/tr>
CoatColour<\/td>The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed to work in all types of adverse weather conditions, often retrieving over ice and through snow. Its harsh outer coat and dense, woolly undercoat are naturally oily, providing excellent protection against cold water by preventing it from reaching the skin, while also drying quickly. The coat should be as water-resistant as a duck’s plumage; after leaving the water and shaking itself, the dog should retain virtually no water in its coat.The coat colour should blend as closely as possible with the natural environment in which the dog works. Any shade of brown, sedge or deadgrass is acceptable. Solid colours are preferred, although small white markings on the chest, belly, toes or the back of the feet are permissible.<\/td><\/tr>
Gait<\/td>Smooth, free and effortless, displaying great power and drive. Viewed from the side, there should be no restriction of reach in the forequarters and strong drive from the hindquarters, without weakness at the pasterns or hocks. Coming towards the observer, the elbows should show no tendency to turn out. Moving away, there should be no sign of cow hocks. As speed increases, the feet tend to converge towards the centre line.<\/td><\/tr>
Head<\/td>Head: Medium-sized, with an intelligent expression.Skull: Broad and rounded, with a moderate stop.Muzzle: Of medium length, approximately equal in length to the skull; wedge-shaped, but not pointed.Jaws: Strong and sufficiently powerful to carry game.Lips: Thin and close-fitting.<\/td><\/tr>
Dentition <\/td>Strong. A scissors bite is preferred; a level bite is acceptable.<\/td><\/tr>
Eyes<\/td>Medium-sized, clear, set well apart. Yellowish to amber in colour.<\/td><\/tr>
Ears<\/td>Small, set high, hanging loosely, of medium thickness.<\/td><\/tr>
Neck<\/td>Of medium length, strong and well-muscled.<\/td><\/tr>
Body<\/td>Back: Of medium length, strong and well-muscled, tapering towards the shoulders. The topline shows the hips level with, or slightly higher than, the shoulders.Loin: Short, strong and firmly coupled.Chest: Of medium length, deep and well developed.<\/td><\/tr>
Tail<\/td>Of medium length, heavy at the base and tapering towards the tip. It may be straight or slightly curved. It should not be carried over the back or curled to either side. The coat on the tail is short and without feathering.<\/td><\/tr>
Limbs<\/td>ForequartersGeneral Appearance: Straight, strong and well-muscled.Shoulders: Well laid back, allowing free and unrestricted movement.Forearms: Strong and straight.Pasterns: Strong and slightly sloping.Feet: Strong and compact, with well-developed pads and pronounced webbing between the toes.HindquartersGeneral Appearance: Exceptionally powerful, providing the principal driving force for swimming.Stifles: Well bent.Metatarsi: Of medium length and strong.Feet: Compact and strong, with well-developed webbing between the toes.<\/td><\/tr>
Temperament<\/td>Intelligent, courageous and possessing a strong desire to work. Deeply devoted to its owner, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is renowned for its endurance, excellent nose and strong affinity for water. In breeding and selection, working ability, resilience and willingness to work should always be given the highest priority.<\/td><\/tr>
Faults<\/td>Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, the seriousness of which should be in exact proportion to its degree.<\/td><\/tr>
Disqualifying Faults<\/td>Overshot or undershot bite.Curly or excessively wavy coat over the entire body.Coat longer than 4.5 cm (1\u00be in).Black colouring anywhere on the body, or white in any area other than those permitted by the standard.Dewclaws on the hind legs.<\/td><\/tr>
Note<\/td>Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n
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A Brief History<\/h2>\n\n
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The Chesapeake Bay Retriever originated in the United States as a hardy working retriever developed for the demanding conditions of waterfowl hunting around the Chesapeake Bay. The breed was primarily used to locate and retrieve game from water, often in freezing temperatures, strong winds, icy waters and challenging coastal terrain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breed’s origins date back to the early 19th century. It was developed from dogs used by local hunters and fishermen, most likely including Newfoundland-type dogs and other water and working breeds. The aim was to create a powerful, resilient and independent working dog with an exceptional desire to work, an excellent nose and a distinctive water-resistant coat capable of protecting it in the harshest conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever remains highly valued as a tough, dependable working dog with remarkable endurance and a strong bond with its owner. In addition to its traditional role in the field, it also excels in a variety of canine sports and working disciplines, making it an excellent companion for experienced owners who appreciate its intelligence, independence and strong working instinct. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Breeding Requirements<\/h2>\n\n
<\/th>pes \/ fena<\/th><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Required Height at the Withers<\/td>58 \u2013 66 cm \/ 53 \u2013 61 cm<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Dentition<\/td>Scissors or level bite. Missing teeth are permitted, except for incisors and canines.*<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Show award obtained after 12 months of age<\/td>At least two show results are required. One of them must be obtained at a Club Show or Specialty Show with the CAC title on offer (a Regional Club Show does not fulfil this requirement), organised by Retriever Club CZ or Klub chovatel\u016f loveck\u00fdch sl\u00eddi\u010d\u016f (KCHLS).The required minimum qualification is Very Good (VD) at both shows.The second qualifying show may be obtained at any International Show, National Show, Club Show, Specialty Show or Regional Club Show. <\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Working Trials<\/td>Retriever Working Aptitude Trial (OVVR) or any hunting working trial or competition that includes a retrieving assessment.**<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Hip and Elbow X-ray Examination (DKK + DLK)<\/td>HD A\/A to C\/C**ED assessment mandatory, max. 1\/1***<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n