Chesapeake males measure 58 to 66 cm at the withers for a weight of 29,5 to € 36,5 kg. Females measure 53 to 61 cm for 25 to € 32 kg. The coat is short (about 4cm) and tight, with a dense, woolly undercoat. The coat is usually unicoloured in shades of brown, rush or dead grass, like its natural environment. The tail is straight and slightly curved. The small, hanging ears are set high on the skull.

The Chesapeake is classified by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale among the retrievers of game dogs. (1)

The Chesapeake is native to the United States, but the founders of the breed, the male, “Sailor” and the female “Canton” were intended to sail from the New World to England. It is the sinking of an English sailboat, in 1807, off the coast of Mayland, which will decide otherwise. The two dogs, who turned out to be talented retrievers, were kept by the improvised locals and rescuers of Chesapeake Bay.

Subsequently, it is not clear if any puppies were really born from the union of Sailor and Canton, but many dogs in the area have been crossed with their offspring. Among the breeds at the origin of the Chesapeake, we often mention the English Otterhound, the curly-haired retriever and the flat-haired retriever.

Until the end of the XNUMXth century, the inhabitants of the Chesapeake Bay continued to develop dogs that specialized in hunting waterfowl and able to withstand the cold waters of this region of the northeastern coast of the United States. United.

The American Kennel Club recognized the 1878 breed and the American Chesapeake Club, was founded in 1918. Maryland has since designated the Chesapeake as the official state dog in 1964 and the University of Maryland has adopted it as well. as a mascot (2-3).

The Chesapeake shares many character traits with other breeds of retrievers. He is a very devoted dog, loyal to his owner and of a cheerful disposition. The Chesapeake, however, is emotionally more complex than most hunting dogs. It is thus easy to train, but is nevertheless very independent and does not hesitate to follow their own instinct.

He is the protector of his masters and in particular of children. While he’s not reluctant to interact with strangers, he’s not openly friendly either. He therefore makes an excellent watchdog and an incomparable trusted companion.

He has a natural talent for hunting.

The Chesapeake is a hardy dog ​​and, according to the UK Kennel Club’s 2014 Purebred Dog Health Survey, more than half of the animals studied showed no signs of illness. The most common cause of death was old age and among the most common conditions we find alopecia, arthritis and hip dysplasia. (4)

Arthritis should not be confused with osteoarthritis. The first is an inflammation of one or more (in this case, it is called polyarthritis) joint (s), while osteoarthritis is characterized by the destruction of the articular cartilage.

Alopecia is an accelerated loss of hair on more or less important areas of the body. In dogs, it can be of different origins. Some are hereditary, others, on the contrary, are the consequence of infections or skin diseases.

The Chesapeake is also susceptible to developing hereditary diseases, such as cataracts and Von Willebrand’s disease. (5-6)

Coxofemoral dysplasia

Coxofemoral dysplasia is an inherited disease of the hip. The hip joint is malformed, causing painful wear and tear, localized inflammation, even osteoarthritis.

Affected dogs develop symptoms as soon as they grow, but it is only with age that the symptoms develop and worsen. The diagnosis is therefore often late and this can complicate the management.

The hip x-ray can be used to visualize the joint in order to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the damage. The first symptoms are usually a limp after a period of rest, as well as a reluctance to exercise.

Treatment is mainly based on the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce osteoarthritis and pain. Surgery or the fitting of a hip prosthesis are only considered for the most severe cases.

In the majority of cases, good medication is sufficient to improve the dog’s comfort. (5-6)

Cataract

Cataracts are clouding of the lens. In the normal state, the lens is a transparent membrane that acts as a lens and, together with the cornea, allows light to be focused on the retina. In the pathological state, clouding prevents light from reaching the back of the eye and therefore leads to total or partial blindness.

The disease can affect only one eye or both. Cataracts are easy to spot because the affected eye has a white or bluish sheen. Usually an eye exam is sufficient to confirm the diagnosis.

There is no effective drug treatment, but, as in humans, surgery can remove the diseased lens and replace it with an artificial lens. (5-6)

Von Willebrand’s disease

Von Willebrand’s disease is a genetic disease that affects the clotting of the blood. It is the most common of these diseases in dogs.

It is named after the major coagulation element that is affected, Von Willebrand factor. Depending on the achievement of this factor, there are three different subtypes (I, II and III). The Chesapeake is affected by type III. In this case, the Von Willebrand factor is completely absent from the blood. It is the most serious form.

The clinical signs orient the diagnosis towards a coagulation disease: increased healing time, bleeding, ect. Haematological examinations then confirm the disease: the bleeding time, the clotting time and the determination of the amount of Von Willebrand factor in the blood.

There is no definitive cure and dogs with type III do not respond to the most common treatment with desmopressin. (5-6)

The Chesapeake has a woolly and thick undercoat, as well as a coarse, thick outer coat. The two layers of hair secrete an oily layer which serves for protection against the cold. It is important to brush and maintain them regularly.