The Chesapeake Bay retriever is a great hunting dog, companion, watchdog and family pet. Their love of the water makes them invaluable for hunting near or in the water. They are such fantastic hunters that years ago, it was nothing for the Chessie to hunt and retrieve 100 ducks in one day.

A fact that many people don't know is that the Chesapeake Bay retriever got their name because it was in the Chesapeake Bay area that the dog first became popular with the public and showed what a great water-hunting dog they are capable of becoming.

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is the state of Maryland's state mascot. They are also the mascot of the University of Maryland in Baltimore County. The Chesapeake Bay retriever started in the United States.

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is also given the nickname "Chessie". The AKC has many competitions for dog and the Chesapeake participates in every category. They are a multi-talented dog that excels in whichever area they are entered. The very first Chesapeake Bay retrievers were "Sailor" and "Canton", which were actually Newfoundland dogs. They were rescued from the American Canton ship in Maryland and interbred with other breeds because of their great retrieving ability. The result of this breeding is the Chesapeake Bay retriever.

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is the best duck-hunting dog in the world. Their sleek oily coat makes them so successful at breaking through the ice and maneuvering through the water. The webbed feet of the Chessie also make swimming so easy for them, adding speed to their retrieval of game.

The Chessie is one dog that will always remember what they have been taught and will often try to teach other dogs in their pack. They are the "leaders" of the pack and consider the entire hunting crew as something they want to follow their lead.