The New Complete Chesapeake Bay Retriever by Daniel Horn, Janet Horn (1994)

Published in 1994, "The New Complete Chesapeake Bay Retriever" is a 271- page book, co- authored by Janet Horn and Dr. Daniel Horn. This book covers all the information that you would need to know about this type of dog. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers rank 43rd in popularity, according to the American Kennel Club, and their numbers are growing.

Basic Contents of This Book:

There are a total of twenty- one chapters in this book, beginning with an overview of the origin of this breed of dog. As you probably guessed, this breed was named after the Chesapeake Bay, in Maryland, where the breed was first developed. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is one of the few breeds that originated in the United States.

Chapters one through five cover the standards for this breed, including the exact measurements, color, and other specifications that are expected for this breed. The exact standards are specified, along with characteristics that will get some dogs disqualified, if they are in a dog show.

In the next three chapters (six through eight), the authors discuss what to look for when buying a puppy; how to train your new puppy; and what personality characteristics you can expect with this breed of dog. If you are considering adding a Chesapeake Bay Retriever to your household, you should make it a point to read this section of the book first. I have a male Chesapeake Bay Retriever myself, and I can tell you from experience that this is not a breed of dog that is suitable to everyone s lifestyle! First of all, this breed of dog is extremely active and it approaches everything with enthusiasm and vigor. A person with a sedentary lifestyle would not be able to handle this breed. Also, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are very muscular and powerful, and you have to be firm with them and show them that YOU are the boss. If they think you re a wimp, they will take advantage of you.

The authors go on to describe the personality of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. They are bold, a little suspicious of strangers at first, territorial, very active, playful, affectionate, sensitive, and perceptive. This breed is more active and more aggressive than the other types of retrievers, like Labrador Retrievers, Flat- Coated Retrievers, etc., and it has better guard dog capabilities.

Chapters nine through thirteen explore one of the main reasons why people select a Chesapeake Bay Retriever in the first place: for its hunting prowess. Chesapeake s are among the best of all hunting dogs, and they are expert swimmers and retrievers of water fowl. This breed loves water, and will not hesitate to leap into a lake or pond to take a swim. The tireless work that Chesapeake Bay Retrievers exhibit, make them an ideal hunting companion.

In chapters fourteen through nineteen, the authors discuss how to properly groom and train your dog. This breed of dog is a heavy shedder, so there is no need to have its hair trimmed. It naturally falls out, all day long, everywhere it goes. This is an important factor to consider, if you have allergies to pet hair. Besides that inconvenience, there isn t much else involved in grooming. Just a few brushes every now and then, to keep the coat clean and smooth, is all that is needed.

The final part of the book talks about the growing popularity of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers in other countries. This breed has only recently been "exported" to other countries. It s main attractiveness, to potential owners, is for hunting. You will most likely find this breed of dog in countries where hunting is popular.

Final Thoughts:

This book is very thorough and complete, covering all aspects of this breed of dog, from buying a new puppy, to training, to grooming and preparing for a dog show. If you re intrigued by this breed of dog, just keep in mind that this is a very active breed of dog, and its activity level can drive some people bonkers!

I m happy with my Chesapeake Bay Retriever, but he can be quite a handful at times. My dog, through daily spoiling, weighs around 100 pounds, which is about 15 pounds larger than the average male of this breed. He isn t fat, just more muscular than average, which makes him even more fun to handle!

If you are interested in knowing more about this breed of dog, then this is an excellent book to buy. It will quickly familiarize you with the basics of this breed, and let you know what you can expect if you decide to add a Chesapeake Bay Retriever to your household.