A Chesapeake should very seldom be given a bath with shampoo. This is a breed that is generally considered spray and go. The dense, harsh, short haired coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush to remove the dead hairs. While the Chesapeake needs the occasional bath to prevent any noticeable odor, they should not be bathed so often that the oily texture is stripped out. The oily coat helps protect it from icy waters.

In the Spring, when the Chesapeake starts to shed their winter coat, give them a good healthy washing with a good conditioning shampoo and rinse very well. This helps to take out the dead hairs left behind from shedding.

Chesapeakes do shed their coats out twice a year, a process that generally takes about 3 weeks and is an average shedder. The Chesapeake can dry his coat with one vigorous shake! His coat is thick, short, and oily with a dense undercoat that is almost waterproof. Except during this time, grooming is minimal.

Although it is technically true that CBRs do not shed long coats and do not require professional grooming, they do "blow coat" at least twice a year and your house will be full of brown "dust bunnies" tumble weeding their way about your house.

You must realize that you should be prepared to get wet when you and your Chesapeake are near water. Because of their love of water, 20 minutes of water retrieves is usually much more intense work than an hour walking around the neighborhood nicely on the leash.

To clean a coat that has a slight odor, use a good conditioner. I suggest of Mane and Tail Conditioner. Dilute 2 parts water to one part conditioner. Cover his coat with diluted mixture then rinse it out very well.