|
 Good
natured and energetic, this retriever not only is excellent with kids, but
also has an interesting history.
In 1807 a British ship was
shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland. Two of the survivors were the
ship's dogs - named Sailor and Canton, a male and female who
proved later to be excellent water retrievers. These dogs were bred with
some of the local sporting dogs and a new breed developed from this hearty
stock.
Named for the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, these dogs love the
water and are very powerful swimmers. They are great duck retrievers and
have long been known to rescue children in trouble in the water.
They stand
just about 23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh roughly 65 to 75
pounds. The females are usually slightly smaller and lighter. Their
coat is thick with a short undercoat that makes them very well insulated
from cold water and freezing temperatures - their oily coat also means that
they can usually shake themselves dry very quickly.
A good owner for these
loyal and energetic dogs knows that they shed heavily and need to be brushed
daily as well as given lots of outdoor exercise. |
