Sporting Group

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a large dog in the Sporting Group. Adult weight is 65–80 lb (male), 55–70 lb (female), height is 23–26 in (male), 21–24 in (female), and the listed lifespan is 10–13 years. AKC describes the temperament as Bright, Affectionate, Sensitive.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog
Photo: Original uploader was Keith Rousseau at en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Lifespan10–13 years
Weight65–80 lb (male), 55–70 lb (female)
SizeLargeGroupSporting Group

Height

23–26 in (male), 21–24 in (female)

Energy

4 / 5

Shedding

3 / 5

Grooming

3 / 5

Trainability

5 / 5

Good with kids

3 / 5

The breed record

Across 119 single-size large breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 11.5 years is about 1.1 years shorter than the 12.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 67.5 lb is about 8.3 lb heavier than the 59.2 lb average for those large breeds.

The listed origin is United States. The coat is described as wavy, wiry, medium. The AKC energy score is 4 out of 5, close to the group average of 4.1 for the Sporting Group. Shedding scores 3 out of 5. Grooming scores 3 out of 5. Trainability scores 5 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 3 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 56 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in up to 24 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): larger breeds require up to 24 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Hip Evaluation, Elbow Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test, and Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

Frequently asked

Questions from the breed record

The verified adult weight for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 65–80 lb (male), 55–70 lb (female).

Sources

More Sporting Group breeds

All Sporting Group breeds

More large breeds

All large dog breeds

Related calculators

Discuss on PawTalk

Got a question the chart doesn't answer?

Ask on PawTalk, our community for pet owners, and compare notes on feeding, age, and day-to-day care.