HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Although long hair is a disqualification in the breed, it still turns up in seemingly unlikely places. Most cases can be explained by studying further back in the pedigrees. Many newcomers to the breed may not have access to the older breed books and/or pedigrees. They would not realize that FC Bayle, a dog who gained the title in 1946, was long haired. He was also described as having great marking ability which he passed on to his pups. The most notable of these was likely Ch Bayberry Pete, the maternal grandsire of FC/AFC Atom Bob. Atom Bob likely had more influence on field trial lines and many show lines than any other dog of that era. He is behind, sometimes many times, most modern pedigrees. Is it any wonder that long hair still shows up. There were also many less famous dogs carrying the long hair gene in the background of our present day Chesapeakes.
	A long haired Chesapeake can be defined as any CBR that has a coat longer than what is called for in the standard, tail furnishings excepted. Tail feathering is often "too long" even in dogs with proper coats. Dogs can be seen in the show ring with carefully "neatened" tails. Since the beginnings of the breed there have been dogs with longer coats and, at one time, they were accepted. Long hair is considered to be a simple recessive in most, if not all, breeds. Wire hair is dominant to short hair, short hair is dominant to long hair. Being a recessive, this trait is very difficult to breed out. The German Shepherd is another breed that has the gene for long hair and also a disqualification. Long haired German Shepherds may be seen quite often as there are many lines that carry the gene. Long hair genes are fairly rare in most lines of Chesapeakes. Long hair can be found in several different patterns. It is very possible that these different patterns are different genetically. Only test breeding would answer that question. (Scary thought.)
Spaniel/Setter type: Long hair on ears, feet, back of legs and tail (fringes) Body coat is shorter and lies flat. This type usually carries less undercoat. Newfoundland type: Longer than standard, straight with ample undercoat. Fuzzy type: A coat which is a bit too long and too soft all over the body. There is ample undercoat but seems to be less guard hairs. This gives a softer feel and less water shedding ability. There is often soft hair between the toes and on the ears which seems to grow faster than the rest of the coat and will mat. Curly type: This coat is very curled and too long. The texture might be good or it might be too soft, depending on the individual.

WANTED-PICTURES OF LONG COAT ADULTS, SPANIEL/SETTER OR NEWFIE TYPE

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