How much exercise does a Chesapeake Bay Retriever need?

Adults need 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day, and they are happiest with a purpose: retrieving, swimming, dock diving, hunting tests, tracking or obedience. They are powerful swimmers and will happily keep fetching in water cold enough to stop most other breeds. A dummy thrown into a lake twenty times does more for a Chessie than an hour of aimless walking.

Without enough to do, a Chessie may become restless, destructive or more reactive toward passing dogs and people. Overdoing it is a risk too, particularly with young or unfit dogs, so look out for lagging, heavy panting or lameness the next day. On hot days, swap running for swimming and avoid the middle of the day altogether.