Mastapeake 

The Mastapeake is a designer dog, a deliberate cross between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, an exceptional hunting dog that specializes in retrieving waterfowl from the icy ocean waters of the Chesapeake Bay, and the English Mastiff, an intimidating but good-natured giant of a dog. Mastiff-type dogs have been portrayed in artwork dating as far back as 2500 BC in Asia and were recorded as accompanying the armies of Hannibal, marching alongside them as they crossed the Alps. As accomplished hunting companions and naturally protective guard dogs, they were favored both by peasants and by landholders in England due to their easy-going and steadfast natures. World Wars I and II had an unfortunate impact on the population of Europe’s canine’s however, particularly in regards to the more massive dogs like the Olde English Mastiffs. This breed’s very size put them in a double jeopardy; they were large, steadfast, and strong enough to be utilized to pull munitions carts out to the front lines, resulting in the loss of many dogs, and as a pet and farm dog they were too big for the general population to feed during periods of rationing. By the end of both of the wars, the numbers of English Mastiff dogs was significantly reduced and at one point there were just fifteen dogs that were found worldwide that were able to contribute to the gene pool. Mastiff puppies had to be imported into England from the limited populations of both the United States and Canada to help revive the breed. They have seen a resurgence in popularity since then and are currently the 28^th most popular breed according to the AKC. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a much newer breed than the Mastiff and is one of just a few breeds developed in the United States of America. The history of this breed can be traced back to two unrelated St. John’s Newfoundland dogs that were saved from a shipwreck off the coast of Maryland in the early 1800s, a red colored male named Sailor who was rehomed and a black female named Canton. Both dogs were exceptional retrievers in the icy cold waters of the Chesapeake Bay and were bred extensively for their skill, although not to each other. They were often mixed with Flat-Coated and Curly-Coated Retrievers, and the result was the creation of a well-built brown dog that was an exceptional swimmer and an unending drive to retrieve, sometimes retrieving as many a one hundred ducks a day from the frigid waters.