Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is one of the few breeds whose origins began in the United States. The breed descended from two Newfoundland dogs from England. The dogs were survivors of a shipwreck that occurred on the shore of Maryland.

Over time, the two surviving dogs began to breed with the local retrieving and hunting dogs, including the Irish Water Spaniel, the Coonhound, the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Curly-Coated Retriever. The resulting breed was used for hunting in the Chesapeake Bay and did so well they were eventually given the name "Chesapeake Bay Retriever". The breed standard was established in 1885 and in 1933 the American Kennel Club gave the Chesapeake Bay Retriever official recognition.