Lily’s Second Chance

Chesapeake Bay Retriever: Size, Temperament, Shedding, Lifespan and Adoption Guide

Chesapeake Bay Retriever history

The breed's story is traced to a pair of puppies, thought to be Newfoundland types, saved from an English ship that was wrecked off the Maryland coast, and they were raised as water retrievers. Their descendants were crossed with other retrievers and even local Coonhounds to produce a powerful water dog that retrieved ducks from icy bay waters. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever belongs to the Sporting Group. Today the breed draws a small but devoted following, both among duck hunters and as a companion in family homes.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever size and weight

The American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club both list males at 23-26 inches tall and females at 21-24 inches. Both clubs also give 65-80 pounds for males and 55-70 pounds for females.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever temperament: are they good family dogs?

The United Kennel Club describes Chesapeakes as independent thinkers that can sometimes be stubborn, though willing workers. Its standard calls the disposition steady and generally friendly with family members, but inclined to ignore people other than the owner. VCA Animal Hospitals describes the breed as playful and generally good with children, and as fairly good with other pets and dogs. The same source notes they are eager to please but can be oblivious to corrections, and that they do best with reward-based training involving food or retrieving. The AKC's temperament words are bright, affectionate and sensitive.

Exercise and mental needs

Chessies need daily walks, jogs, hikes or play sessions, and swimming and retrieving are favored forms of exercise. They also need mental exercise such as training or games, and with adequate exercise they can be calm housedogs. VCA notes that they love to retrieve, sometimes to the point of seeming compulsive.

Do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers shed? Coat and grooming

The coat is a dense, wooly undercoat under a harsh, wavy, oily outer coat, and the oil makes it water repellent. Brushing once a week is adequate, with more during shedding seasons. Bathing removes the protective oil, so VCA does not recommend it before cold-weather hunting that may involve swimming.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever life expectancy and health

The AKC gives a general life expectancy of 10-13 years for the breed. Chessies have a tendency to become overweight, so a balanced diet that prevents this is recommended for adults. The AKC lists hip evaluation, elbow evaluation, an ophthalmologist evaluation, and DNA tests for degenerative myelopathy, progressive retinal atrophy (PRCD) and exercise-induced collapse as breed screenings. Ask a veterinarian which of these checks suit an individual dog.

AKC breed facts

These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.

AKC group
Sporting Group
AKC recognition year
1878
Height (AKC published)
23-26 inches (male), 21-24 inches (female)
Weight (AKC published)
65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
General life expectancy
10-13 years
AKC size category
Large

AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)

  • Energy: 4 of 5
  • Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
  • Trainability: 5 of 5
  • Grooming frequency: 3 of 5
  • Shedding: 3 of 5
  • Vocalization: 3 of 5
  • Drooling: 2 of 5
  • Adaptability: 4 of 5
  • Playfulness: 3 of 5
  • Watchful or protective tendency: 4 of 5
  • Affection toward family: 4 of 5
  • Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
  • AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
  • AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5

Health screenings AKC lists for the breed

Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.

  • Hip Evaluation
  • Elbow Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test
  • Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test

Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).

Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.

References

Senior Chesapeake Bay Retriever dogs looking for homes

Each dog is listed by the shelter or rescue named on the card. Please confirm availability with them.