This breed was the unlikely product of an English shipwreck off the coast of Maryland in 1807. Thankfully, everyone on board was saved – including two Newfoundlands and dog loving owners. These dogs were carefully bred with some of the local retrievers to create a high endurance breed with legendary retrieving abilities beginning in choppy and icy Chesapeake Bay waters.

Nicknamed the Chessie or the CBR, this dog is obedient and intelligent but requires a more dominant owner to properly train and handle him. Reputed for being able to retrieve hundreds of birds in one day, this dog requires lots of exercise and time spent outside.

The Chessie is a muscular dog with amber to yellow eyes and webbed toes. Adept in cold water, this dog has a short, oily coat that repels water and dries quickly. His color may range from darker brown to a lighter tan.

Male dogs are 23 to 26 inches in height while female dogs measure between 21 and 24 inches tall. The Chessie is a decent size, with the males weighing between 65 to 80 pounds and the females weighing between 55 to 70 pounds.

Photo Courtesy of Westwind Farm Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.