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Sandhill Chesapeakes
Quality Hunting Chessies
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The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the only sporting breed developed in the United States and has a very colorful history. In 1807 an English ship, trading between Newfoundland & England, was wrecked off the coast of Maryland. An American ship on its way from Baltimore to Liverpool rescued the cargo and crew. Among the cargo taken aboard the American Ship were two Newfoundland puppies.
Although there is no record that these two were ever mated to each other, they were both bred to local dogs.
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Their retrieving abilities made them much sought after by local duck hunters. By the mid-1800s the breed was clearly distinguishable. These dogs soon became known 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. Many tales have been told of these dogs giving up their lives to the icy waters before they would let a killed or crippled duck drift away with the tide. After a day of hunting the duck shooters would retire to their favorite pub for some refreshments. Their dogs were expected to wait with the boats and the days harvest to protect it and his master´s guns.
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