Where are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers from?

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are from the Chesapeake Bay area in the United States. They were developed in the 19th century to help hunters retrieve waterfowl from the icy waters of the bay. The breed’s resilience and strong swimming abilities made them well-suited for this challenging environment. They are known for their distinctive oily coat that helps insulate them in cold water, as well as their loyal and hardworking nature. 

There is a popular origin story that Chesapeake Bay Retrievers come from two Newfoundlands rescued from a sinking ship, with an infusion of various Irish Water Spaniels to account for the breed’s wavy coat, but there is no historical documentation to support this.