Hall of Fame
AM &CAN BISS CH. Chesabar's Downeast Cruiser
BIS BISS AM.CH. Silverbar's Wind on the Water (BISS Nat Specialty 2002)
History
In 1964, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, named after the famous bay region of the breed's origin, was declared the official dog of Maryland (Chapter 156, Acts of 1964; Code State Government Article, sec. 13-303). A working dog bred to recover waterfowl for hunters, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is one of only a few breeds actually developed in the United States. Nonetheless, the history of this dog is unclear. Legend tells of an English vessel shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland in the early nineteenth century. Among the survivors were two young dogs of a Newfoundland breed. Supposedly bred to local coonhounds, they evolved into the present-day Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The American Kennel Club registered its first Chesapeake Bay Retriever in 1878. By then, a definite type had evolved with characteristics suited to the often rigorous duckhunting conditions around Chesapeake Bay. Dogs of the breed are intelligent with powerful bodies of moderate size and strong jaws. Their double coats, with a coarse, wavy outer coat and a fine woolly undercoat containing lots of natural oils, protect them from icy waters. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers may be brown, sedge, or deadgrass, colors which blend with their hunting environment. Retrievers are characterized by their versatility, strength, endurance, and loyal devotion. These dogs excel in field and obedience trials. As service dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are found working with drug enforcement agencies, and visiting hospitals and nursing homes. Some are trained for search and rescue work, even as avalanche or sled dogs. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the official mascot of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Very few sporting breeds of dogs have had as interesting a history as the Chesapeake Bay Retriever -- which in 1964 became the official dog of the State of Maryland. It is well documented that in the year of 1807, an English ship, trading between Newfoundland and England, was wrecked off of the coast of Maryland. The cargo and crew were rescued by an American ship on its way to Baltimore. Among the cargo taken aboard the American ship CANTON, were two Newfoundland puppies. The male dog was subsequently named "Sailor," and the bitch was named "Canton," after the rescuing vessel. The dog, which was red in color became the property of John Mercer of West River, Maryland. The bitch which was black and was given to Dr. James Stuart of Sparrows Point, Maryland, in gratitude for the hospitality shown the sailors of the wrecked brig. Both Mercer and Dr. Stuart were ardent hunters of waterfowl and soon discovered that the two dogs were exceptional retrievers. Their retrieving abilities made their offspring much sought after by local duck hunters. By the mid-1800s the breed was clearly distinguishable.
These dogs soon became legendary for their skill and stamina working in the ice-choked waters. Ducks and geese were abundant, but the icy water and rough seas of the Bay area made gunning a tough game. During the mid to late 1800s the Carroll Island Gun Club, along the Gunpowder River northeast of Baltimore, was host to dignitaries from all over the world. Presidents and statesmen along with wealthy sportsmen who came to shoot over the famous dogs and watch them work. The club members bred "Chesapeakes" exclusively and the Carroll Island Gun Club held the pedigree of the "Chesapeake Bay Dog" for many years. Unfortunately, near the turn of the twentieth century a fire at the club destroyed all of the breeding records. Many great lines of Chesapeake Bay dogs were taking shape as early as 1880. The breed went by many early names. The Chesapeake Bay Duck Dog, the Brown Winchester, the Otter Dog, the Newfoundland Duck Dog and the Red Chester Ducking Dog were but a few, but by 1887 a definite strain had evolved which were almost always dark brown, shading into a reddish brown. In 1890 the name was finally given as the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. This is when breeding records were started and Baltimore's Chesapeake Bay Dog Club was formed. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever was started by chance and developed out of the necessity for a special American purpose. The breed wasn't developed in a structured breeding program by the wealthy as the Labrador was.
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BISS. WORLD. AM. CAN. PR. CH. Silvercreek I Love Lucy
