He is medium to large-boned, powerfully muscled, big, and strong. Height is 21-26 inches, weight ranges from 60 to 90 pounds. They have a high activity level and require a moderate level of exercise, but little grooming. Their brown or tan coat is short, water-resistant, and insulating. They are easy to groom and are about average in terms of shedding.
Grooming involves regular brushing, bathing, nail clipping, and ear cleaning.
The Chessie needs a house with a fenced yard, and a strong, consistent owner. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was developed in Maryland in 1807 from a pair of Newfoundland puppies that were rescued from a shipwreck off the coast of Maryland. No one knows what dogs were crossed with the original two, but the result was a water-fowling dog capable of heavy duty work in cold water. Their basic function is retrieving ducks out of cold, rough water. Chessies love retrieving and swimming, and they love just being active with their owner.