Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is the only retriever and one of only a few breeds to have been developed in the United States. According to legend, an English ship with dogs abroad was shipwrecked on the Maryland shores of the Chesapeake Bay in 1807. The dogs were presented by the ship's crew to their rescuer, who were impressed with the dogs' retriever abilities. The Chesapeake Bay retriever is almost certainly descended from English curly and flat coated retriever. By the end of the 19th century, the breed had been established in its present form - large, brown colored, and heavy coated. A water dog with an only outer coat that sheds water, the Chesapeake is used primarily to retrieve ducks and geese from icy waters, but it is also used to hunt on land.

The Chesapeake stands from 53 to 66 cm (21 to 26 in) high at the shoulder and weighs up to 34 kg (75 lb). A tough, intent dog, it retrieves enthusiastically but requires firm handling.