I have heard that Chesapeakes smell and have very oily coats. Is this true?
They do not smell any more or less than most breeds of dogs. Dogs smell because they are dirty. Their coat does contain natural oils like most dog breeds. However, the more the dog is swimming especially in cold water, the oilier its coat gets. If the dog is doing a lot of swimming, an occasional bath will a good all-purpose shampoo is recommended.