How long do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers live?

The median lifespan of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 11.6 years, based on the 2024 McMillan et al. study of 584,734 UK dogs.

Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever a healthy breed?

On the Breed Health Score the Chesapeake Bay Retriever scores 64 out of 100 (grade B), compared with an average of 71 across 155 breeds.

64/ 100

Chesapeake Bay Retriever Grade B

Q: What health problems do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have?

Commonly reported conditions in the Chesapeake Bay Retriever include Hip dysplasia, Progressive retinal atrophy, Exercise-induced collapse, Degenerative myelopathy, Elbow dysplasia.

Median lifespani 11.6 yr · large · 25-36 kg

⇆ Compare Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a large breed with a median lifespan of 11.6 years, which places it among the shortest-lived third of the 155 breeds we rank for longevity. Commonly reported health conditions include Hip dysplasia, Progressive retinal atrophy, Exercise-induced collapse, Degenerative myelopathy. Its overall Breed Health Score is 64/100 (grade B), against an average of 71/100 across all breeds.

Score breakdown

Longevityi 65%

Conformationi 20%

100

Hereditary burdeni 15%

Higher is healthier. See methodology.

Common & hereditary conditions

Hip dysplasia Progressive retinal atrophy Exercise-induced collapse Degenerative myelopathy Elbow dysplasia

Red marks a life-threatening or major-welfare condition. Click a condition to see which breeds it affects. This list reflects commonly reported conditions, so better-studied breeds may show more; hereditary burden is the lightest-weighted part of the score. Source: RVC VetCompass / AKC / PDSA (indicative).

Thinking of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever? A breed's health profile affects insurance cost. Comparing pet insurance early, before any conditions become pre-existing, usually gets the best cover.

Compare with similar-size breeds

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Data & citation. Median lifespan: McMillan, K.M. et al. (2024) "Longevity of companion dog breeds", Scientific Reports (584,734 UK dogs). Data CC-BY 4.0. Source. Machine-readable: developer API. These are independent estimates for comparing breeds, not veterinary advice. Photo: Gundula Vogel via Pexels.