Share now: Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more. Home » Outdoor » Hunt / Fish » Hunting Dog Profile: The Chesapeake Bay Retriever The Chesapeake Bay retriever is one of the best duck dogs in the world. But it’s not a dog for the faint of heart. The powerful and beautiful Chesapeake Bay retriever — commonly known as a “Chessie” — is a true workhorse of a hunting dog. Bred to take on the frigid, rolling waves of the mid-Atlantic off the coast of Maryland, there may not be a tougher waterfowling dog out there.