<Li> Type 3 von Willebrand disease </Li> <Li> Regional Alopecia in both sexes </Li> <P> A UK Kennel Club survey puts the median lifespan of the breed at 10.75 years (average 9.85). A US breed club survey puts the average lifespan at 9.4 years . 1 in 4 lived to 13 years or more while 1 in 5 don't live past 5 years . </P> <P> Chesapeake Bay Retrievers trace their history to two pups who were rescued from a foundering ship in Maryland in 1807 . The male "Sailor" and female "Canton" were described as Newfoundland dogs, but were more accurately Lesser Newfoundland or St. John's water dogs . These two lived in different parts of the bay area and there is no record of a litter being produced together . They were bred with area dogs, with more consideration given to ability than to breed, to create the beginnings of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed . There are few records of the breeds of these early dogs, but spaniels and hounds were included . Dogs from both Chesapeake Bay shores were recognized as one of three types of Chesapeake Bay Ducking Dog in 1877 . In 1918 a single type, called the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, was recognized by the American Kennel Club, and there have been few changes to the breed standard since then . </P>

What is the life expectancy of a chesapeake bay retriever