Health Issues – The Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed can be prone to hip dysplasia, Willbrand’s disease, entropy, and retinal atrophy. As with any breed of dog, it is very important that they receive their yearly boosters and heartworm preventatives. Also be sure to visit the vet at least twice a year for a checkup.
Grooming: Bathing is OK, but only if really necessary, as the oils in their fur can scratch. This breed needs weekly brushing just to remove hair and debris.
Living Conditions: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog is not recommended for apartment living. He needs a good size yard as he is an active dog. This dog enjoys sleeping outdoors, but needs to be a member of the family. They love nothing more than swimming and recovering. It must be remembered that this is a working dog and therefore needs constant leadership. However, a gentle approach is the best way for this dog to learn, this breed is not recommended as a first dog.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog breed can be very dominant, so it needs an experienced handler who offers training, and lots of it, on a consistent basis or this breed can become stubborn. If the balance is maintained as the human, a good strong leader with the dog firmly but right where it belongs, and the human as the alpha, both the dog and the owner will be happy and content. This breed is slow to mature. This is a dog that is happy, and you can show it by “talking” greetings to him. Socialize this dog well, which will help him gain skills and accept new things.