Retrievers are some of the most popular dog breeds among pet parents. In fact, the Labrador retriever was the reigning champion in the most popular dog breed category for over three decades — until being toppled by the French bulldog. The versatility of retrievers is impressive; from gun dogs to assistance dogs to loyal family pets, they can do it all.
Types of Retrievers
There are six retriever breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Some of them you will know well, but there may also be a couple of breeds that aren’t quite as familiar to you. All of them are duck-hunting breeds (hence the retriever name) and share similar personalities. We have summarized a short history and general characteristics of each breed below.
Golden Retriever
Let’s start with one you probably know well. The golden retriever is a friendly, highly adaptable, all-around sporting dog. The first golden retrievers were bred from a yellow retriever and a Tweed water spaniel in the Scottish highlands, and they’re now one of the most popular breeds.
Golden retrievers are friendly and love to learn, which makes them an ideal breed for search and rescue work or for careers as therapy dogs. If they don’t have a job to do, goldens need to have their mind exercised along with their body. Swimming is a great option for a golden retriever as they have webbed feet that help them swim well. Their webbed feet also help them excel as a waterfowl hunting partner.
Labrador Retriever
There is a reason the Labrador retriever was the most popular breed for 31 years. These happy dogs with patient and gentle natures make wonderful family dogs, as well as reliable hunting partners. Labrador retrievers are thought to be related to the now extinct breed St. John’s water dogs, and were originally bred to retrieve ducks for hunters and fish from trawler nets.
The Labrador retriever comes in three recognized coat colors — black, chocolate and yellow. They are one of the heavier retriever dog breeds, growing up to 80 pounds and 24 inches in height. These lovable dogs want to be doing whatever their family is doing, and as an intelligent breed, love having a job to occupy their minds.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Although they have “retriever” in their name, Chesapeake Bay retrievers are not related to these other retriever dog breeds. They are an American breed that started with two pups rescued from a sinking ship. According to an account posted by the American Chesapeake Club, the pups were rescued by George Law from the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland in 1807. The unrelated pups were both of Newfoundland descent and were eventually sold off to separate parties, but their offspring formed what is now known as the Chesapeake Bay retriever breed.
Chesapeake Bay retrievers are typically a red or rusty color, but they can be chocolatey brown or a color called “deadgrass.” They make great family pets and their willingness to train makes them great hunting partners, too.
The Chesapeake Bay retriever is one of the biggest retrievers, weighing up to 80 pounds and standing at around 2 feet high. They have a thick, double coat with a waterproof inner layer which helps them while retrieving waterfowl. If you like outdoor sports and have time to give them exercise and mental stimulation, the Chesapeake Bay retriever can be a great option for your family.
Curly-Coated Retriever
The curly-coated retriever is the largest of these retrievers (on average), standing up to 27 inches high and weighing up to 100 pounds. They are believed to be developed from crosses with spaniels and, like the Labrador retriever, curly-coated retrievers may also be related to the St. John’s water dog. Poodles may have contributed to their curly coat that comes in black or reddish brown.
They are a low-maintenance breed that is suitable for an active family. The curly-coated retriever is easily trained, but like all of these retrievers, they need lots of daily exercise and mental stimulation.
Flat-Coated Retriever
Similar to other retriever dog breeds, the flat-coated retriever weighs up to 80 pounds and grows up to 24 inches at the shoulder. Not surprisingly, the flat-coated retriever gets its name from its flat-lying coat that can be black or liver colored. They are used by hunters to retrieve waterfowl, but they were originally bred to be land retrievers.
Following the retriever trend, flat-coated retrievers make good family pets and are friendly with other dogs. They could use daily grooming to keep their coats looking good. Flat-coated retrievers do well if they have a job to do and have an outlet for their abundant, puppy-like energy. They love their humans, water and retrieving!
Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
They may have the longest name, but the Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever has the shortest stature of these retriever dog breeds, typically maxing out at 21 inches tall and weighing up to 50 pounds. Nova Scotia duck-tolling retrievers are great for families but need lots of mental stimulation and exercise to use up some of their excessive energy.
Their red coat color and white markings make them look similar to a fox, and it’s this unique feature and a special ability that gives them their duck-tolling name. Ducks would see the Nova Scotia duck-tolling retriever playing on the shore (like a fox does) and be curious enough to get closer, right into gunshot range. The dogs would then retrieve the downed birds and bring them back to their owner. That’s one clever trick!
The Perfect Pet for Active People?
If you’re looking for a loyal family pet or a reliable waterfowl hunting partner, and you have the time to wear out their brain and their body, these retriever breeds fit the bill. The retrievers’ intelligence, friendly personalities and willingness to work will probably always make them some of the most popular dogs of pet parents.
