The retriever breeds are among the most popular breeds in the US. The American Kennel Club ranks the most popular dog breeds every year, and there is usually a retriever breed at the top. These dogs were originally bred to retrieve game from places difficult for humans to access.
This meant that retrievers needed to have a soft mouth to be able to bring the game back without damage. They also needed to be smart enough to reach the game, collect it, and return. They also needed to be hardy enough to move through rough terrains and even water bodies.
These qualities were bred and refined until we now have a specific set of skills that the retriever breeds have. They are smart, eager to complete tasks, athletic, and incredibly sweet-tempered dogs. They are suited for work in detection, search and rescue, as well as therapy dogs.
Most Popular Retriever Dog Breeds
1. Labrador Retriever
These are one of the most popular dogs in the world. Medium dogs with a maximum height of 25 inches at the shoulder, these dogs are muscular and athletic, with a large, strong head, deep chests, powerful tails, long legs, and a water repellent double coat.
Labrador retrievers are usually black, chocolate-brown, and yellow, and make for friendly and loving pets. They love to swim, hike, and are always good hunting companions for hunting waterfowl.
These social animals are good around children, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. They are not typically considered good guard dogs, but they are an extremely easygoing pet to have. Their high energy means that they need stimulation, and are prone to chew things when bored.
The average Labrador retriever will need at least an hour of exercise daily, including additional games to entertain their active minds. Grooming is needed 2-3 times a week, according to PetMD, mainly to control shedding
2. Golden Retriever
These golden boys of the retriever breeds are another hugely popular breed. They are a medium-sized dog with a maximum height of 24 inches and a weight of 75 pounds. They have a wide head that tapers to a snout, folded short ears, a long, powerful tail, and strong legs. They are known for their elegant, long, silky, fluffy, golden coats.
These are ideal family dogs as they are social, friendly, and get along with everyone. They have a puppy-like eagerness to please and love to play, and are very easy to train.
As working dogs, they love to perform tasks and be praised for it. As family pets, they need to be well-exercised and mentally stimulated with games and toys. They need at least an hour and a half of exercise, walks, and games, ideally off-leash.
Their water repellent coats need maintenance to avoid shedding. Purina recommends that brushing at least 2-3 times a week will be necessary.
3. Flat-Coated Retriever
This retriever breed has a flat lying coat and feathering around the legs and tail, like golden retrievers. These are usually a solid black or liver in color and look like a different colored golden retriever. They were referred to as the gamekeeper’s dogs and have a long history of retrieving behind them
They grow up to 24.5 inches and can weigh up to 70 pounds. These are affectionate and playful, like most retriever breeds. Like most of their retriever breeds, these pups remain energetic dogs and will require a lot of exercise and games to keep them happy.
Training is needed to ensure good behavior, as they will act naughtily if they are not mentally stimulated. Grooming needs are moderate as 2-3 weekly brushings will help to control their double coat’s shedding.
4. Chesapeake Bay Retriever
This is another retrieving setter that is popular among duck clubs. These are slightly larger and more sturdy compared to the other retriever breeds. They grow up to 26 inches and can weigh as much as 80 pounds.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a wavy, thick double coat and is usually shades of brown, dead grass, and sedge. They have the standard retriever looks with folded down ears, dark eyes, webbed paws, and strong legs and tails.
These dogs have the same sunny and warm disposition that the Labrador and golden retrievers have. Exercise and mental stimulation needs are also similar. However, due to their short, denser coats, weekly brushing is enough to control shedding.
5. Curly-Coated Retriever
This is one of the older retriever breeds with a slightly different physique. Apart from their thick curly coats, they have a slimmer, longer head because of their black or liver coats.
They have a less eager-to-please disposition compared to other breeds and are less unsuspecting of strangers, according to the American Kennel Club. Early socialization and training are recommended to help them adjust to being around strangers.
These dogs are excellent family dogs and do well around children and other pets. The curly-coated retriever is an excellent bird hunter and has high energy needs. They will need exercise and stimulation in the form of games, chasing, and frisbee playing.
6. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
These small retriever breed reaches just 21 inches and weigh about 50 pounds. Bred in Nova Scotia, these are waterfowl hunters and have a dense, thick coat well-suited for retrieving ducks.
These intelligent dogs range from golden red to dark copper and have white markings on their faces and chests
These are just slightly less energetic than the other retriever breeds and make for great pets for active families. They need weekly grooming to remove loose fur and more intense sessions during the spring and fall shedding seasons.
7. English Cream Retriever
These are a rarer breed, also very similar to golden retrievers in their looks and mannerisms. These dogs, however, have a whitish to cream colored coat, which makes them look like lighter colored goldens. Almost all the other characteristics are the same.
These dogs were originally bred in the UK and are less common in the US. They also make for great family dogs and have similar grooming needs to the other, more popular breeds. They bond quickly with their families and do well in families with children and other pets.
These intelligent dogs also need regular grooming to control shedding and need mental stimulation as well as exercise to help them thrive.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the retrievers on this list are among the friendliest and most loving pets you can have. They are highly intelligent and eager to please and make for excellent pets, especially if you have an active lifestyle and can take your dog along.
These loyal dogs do well in country living, as they enjoy walking, hiking, and would love to jump in the nearest pond to chase after ducks and other waterfowl. They also do well in urban living, provided they are well-exercised. You will need to train them properly to obey commands.
