Page 29 - ShowSight Presents - The Chesapeake Bay Retriever
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not be restricted in the water or forced into a stooped position on the ground.
In examining components of the head, the skull is approximately 5"-6" wide from root to root of the ears. Overly wide skulls should be avoided. Skull and muzzle are approximately the same length (each is about 43⁄4"-5" long). The muzzle is strong and gradually tapers to a pointed look at the tip without being extreme or to give the appearance of a sharp cutting affect. The muzzle should not be blunt, short or snipey. The medium stop implies that the Chesa- peake should not be down, dish face or have an abrupt appearance, but rather a clean look. The above describes a head capable of grasping and carrying large game.
The lips should be thin, not pendu- lous. Thick heavy or fleshy lips, poised without visible support and heavy jowls,
all have a tendency to retain feathers – thus, are not desirable.
The ears are to be small, approximately 41⁄2"-5" in length. They are to be set high on a rounded skull, above the eye level but not so high up like a terrier and not high on an undesirable flat skull. Naturally the ears appear a little lower than the skull and the skull appears rounded. When baited and the ears are raised, the appearance is higher. Ear leather should not be too thin or too thick. The ears should hang loosely.
The eyes are medium large and very clear. An oval/oblong eye is implied. Eyes are wide apart in accordance with a 21⁄2"- 23⁄4" width. Wider could cause eyes to project, thus exposing them to brush and brambles and possible injury.
A tight lid, open lid, round eyes and/or protruding eyes are undesirable. The color of the eye is specified as yel-
lowish or amber. Amber allows darker shades of yellow that include orange, gold, and light brownish shades of yel- low. It is desirable that eye color blends somewhat with the color of the dog to enhance the camouflage desired within the working environment.
The Chesapeake should have a pleasing head that projects a bright and happy dispo- sition and an intelligent expression. Good disposition, a willing to work attitude, and devotion to companion are essential.
Structural Points
Heights are dogs 23"-26" and bitches 21"-24". Note that the Chesapeake has a two-inch difference in the ranges. Most sporting breeds have one. Thus there can be a 5" difference or a 24" bitch can be one- inch taller than a 23" male.
“THIS IS A WONDERFUL BREED
with good attitude and working ability.”
