About the Breed

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is friendly, intelligent and obedient. It is energetic outdoors but calm indoors if sufficiently exercised. Some Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are quite vocal when happy or tend to bare their front teeth in a grin; both are sometimes mistaken as a sign of aggressiveness.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a tendency to chase cats, but can learn to live with them if socialized when young. It can get along with other dogs but may try to dominate other males. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are suspicious of strangers and become aggressive quickly when they feel their owner is threatened.

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an active dog which needs substantial daily exercise. It enjoys playing field sports and swimming, especially in cold water. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever can be satisfied with life in an apartment if sufficiently exercised.