Which is Better between the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever? A Very Detailed Review.

Bracco Italiano versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever

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Bracco Italiano Versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Bracco Italiano and for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bracco Italiano or the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Bracco Italiano versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever: Overview

A very important difference between the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bracco Italiano is a large-sized dog while the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Bracco Italiano versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bracco Italiano to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Bracco Italiano Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 3/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Height 22 to 26 inches 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the s
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 55 to 90 pounds 55 to 80 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2500 $1060
Price Range $2500 – $2500 $850 – $1200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bracco Italiano in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Bracco Italiano is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 65 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Bracco Italiano is a better pet than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. So, you should get the Bracco Italiano!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Below is a list of where the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are most different:

  • Bracco Italianos get along well with other dogs. However, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • The Similarities Between the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    The Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are most similar:

  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are very playful.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Bracco Italiano versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

    Bracco Italianos weigh 55 to 90 pounds when fully grown. Bracco Italianos are 22 to 26 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Price of Bracco Italiano versus Price of Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    The average price of the Bracco Italiano puppy is $2500. The price of the Bracco Italiano typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of a Bracco Italiano can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 Bracco Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy is $1060. The price of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever typically ranges from $850 – $1200. However, the price of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever can be as low as $400 and as high as $2300. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 126 Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bracco Italiano is more expensive than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

    Bracco Italiano Chesapeake Bay Retriever
    Average Price $2500 $1060
    Price Range $2500 to $2500 $850 to $1200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bracco Italiano and Chesapeake Bay Retriever. For different price points, the charts show how many Bracco Italiano puppies or how many Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bracco Italianos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bracco Italianos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

    A breakdown of the prices of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bracco Italiano puppy or the Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Bracco Italiano versus Health Problems of Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Bracco Italiano.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever than for the Bracco Italiano.

    4 health tests are recommended for Bracco Italiano while 8 tests are recommended for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bracco Italianos and in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

    Bracco Italiano Health Problems

    Bracco Italianos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bracco Italiano puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bracco Italiano puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bracco Italiano breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bracco Italianos for:

  • DNA Repository
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exam recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bracco Italianos here.

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever Health Problems

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chesapeake Bay Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chesapeake Bay Retrievers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Bracco Italianos and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Bracco Italiano Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Bracco Italiano ranks 31 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 96 Bracco Italianos, 2 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Bracco Italianos, and how common these diseases are in Bracco Italianos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 31 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 35 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 109 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Chesapeake Bay Retriever ranks 6 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, 1 of them had Shoulder problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and how common these diseases are in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 6 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 20 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 42 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 46 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 47 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 57 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 94 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Bracco Italiano and in Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever:

    Disease Bracco Italiano Rank Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rank
    Eyes problems 31 out of 182 dog breeds 94 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 35 out of 144 dog breeds 57 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 109 out of 198 dog breeds 47 out of 198 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 6 out of 22 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 20 out of 70 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 42 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 46 out of 115 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Is the Bracco Italiano Better for Apartment Owners than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

    Bracco Italianos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bracco Italiano or the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

    Bracco Italianos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which one drools more, the Bracco Italiano or the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Bracco Italianos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers drool moderately.

    Do Bracco Italianos Bark and Howl? What about Chesapeake Bay Retrievers?

    Bracco Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bracco Italiano versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Bracco Italianos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bracco Italianos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Bracco Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bracco Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Do Bracco Italianos shed more than Chesapeake Bay Retrievers?

    Bracco Italianos shed moderately.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Is the Bracco Italiano Easier to Train than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

    Bracco Italianos are fairly easy to train.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are fairly easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bracco Italiano vs. Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Bracco Italianos have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    How Kid-friendly are Bracco Italianos and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers?

    Bracco Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Are Bracco Italianos good family dogs? What about Chesapeake Bay Retrievers?

    Bracco Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bracco Italiano or the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

    Bracco Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bracco Italiano or the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

    Bracco Italianos are very easy to groom.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Bracco Italiano Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever?

    Bracco Italianos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Bracco Italiano

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Chesapeake Bay Retriever:

  • Hovawart (74 percent match with Chesapeake Bay Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Bracco Italiano vs Hovawart.
  • Boerboel (76 percent match with Chesapeake Bay Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Bracco Italiano vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Bracco Italiano that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Bracco Italiano:

  • Black Mouth Cur (79 percent match with Bracco Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback (80 percent match with Bracco Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Bracco Italiano and how the Chesapeake Bay Retriever compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Bracco Italiano and of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever to other breeds:

    Bracco Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Bracco Italiano versus French Spaniel     Bracco Italiano versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Bracco Italiano versus Gordon Setter     Bracco Italiano versus Shiranian     Bracco Italiano versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Bracco Italiano versus Toy Fox Terrier     Bracco Italiano versus Miniature Poodle     Bracco Italiano versus Pharaoh Hound     Bracco Italiano versus Aussiedoodle     Bracco Italiano versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Shichon     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Briard     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Irish Terrier     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Miniature Poodle     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Bearded Collie     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Kuvasz     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Affenhuahua     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Cesky Terrier     

    Conclusion: Bracco Italiano versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Bracco Italiano and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever better suits you and your family.