The coat sheds profusely in the spring and requires daily brushing. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers love to run and swim, and need exercise. As they are very strong dogs, training and discipline are essential. This loyal dog will do anything to please. While the Chesapeake Bay Retriever originated in this country, he came from stock destined to sail from England.
Theories regarding later development are entirely supposition, lacking, as yet, definite proof.
In the year 1807 an English brig was wrecked off the coast of Maryland and crew and cargo were rescued by the American ship Canton. Presented to the gentlemen who gave hospitality to the sailors of the wrecked brig, the two dogs were found to possess wonderful qualities as retrievers. Many of the nondescript dogs then used for retrieving were bred to them, although we do not know whether Sailor and Canton themselves were ever mated together. Eventually other outcrosses were used, and of these, the English Otter Hound has been claimed as one of the most influential. However, such a cross would probably have produced different results, since the Chesapeake shows no trace of hound.