6 Types of Retriever Dog Breeds, Including Goldens and Labs
These dog breeds are not only friendly but also very task-oriented.
The Spruce / Kristie Lee
Although there are six types of retrievers, two retrievers have ranked in the top three dog breeds in the U.S. for decades: Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers. These breeds have historically been used for hunting birds (particularly ducks and other waterfowl), but they are also well-known for being excellent family pets. Retrievers are incredibly popular for their sweet demeanor and energetic personalities.
Here are the six main retriever dogs to consider.
What is a Retriever Dog?
Retrievers include six breeds of dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Classified as sporting dogs, retrievers are bred to assist hunters by bringing back small game during the hunt.
Golden retrievers and Labs may be the most well-known types in this group, but there are several other dog breeds under this classification. They are similar in look and temperament but have some distinct differences.
Tip
If you plan to introduce a dog into your family life, seek out a reputable breeder or dog rescue organization. Be honest with the breeder or organization about your home life situation, including the time you can spend with the dog. They can help you determine if the dog's traits will fit well with the lifestyle you lead.
Breed Characteristics
Retrievers are hunting or gun dogs. When a hunter shoots down a bird, the dog spots them in the air and retrieves them. Retrievers have webbed paws that enable better swimming ability. They also have soft mouths, which means when they grab a bird with their mouth, they don't bite down, which could render the prey inedible for their human companions.
Retrievers are great at following directions and are eager to please their people. They are patient, intelligent dogs that learn quickly. These qualities make them suitable as working dogs for assistive service, therapy, detection, and search and rescue. And, if you plan to play fetch with your dog, as you can probably guess, these dogs are always game.
Labrador Retriever
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Labrador retrievers have been one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. since 1991, according to the AKC. Labrador retrievers are high-spirited and sweet-natured. They have yellow, black, or chocolate brown coats and weigh between 55 to 80 pounds, with males usually weighing more.
This type of retriever is known for a short, dense fur coat, an otter-like tail that's incredibly strong, and a good temperament. Labrador retrievers have a long history as the canine friend of Newfoundland fishermen and women. Their quick rise to popularity began in the early 1800s when English nobles brought the breed back to the U.K.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 21.5 to 24.5 inches
Weight: 55 to 80 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Active, companionable, friendly
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Short, dense double coat; black, chocolate, or yellow
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Golden Retriever
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Golden retrievers are another one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. The breed's hallmark physical characteristic is a broad head and straight muzzle. They're also full of energy and a friendly family pet.
Goldens were first bred in Scotland in the mid-19th century. There are three breed variations—British, American, and Canadian, and they all feature a golden-yellow shaggy coat. Goldens require regular grooming. Their water-repellant double-coat regularly sheds, particularly during the twice-a-year major shedding event. Daily or weekly brushing reduces shedding around the house.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 21.5 to 24 inches
Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Intelligent, trustworthy, playful
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Medium-length, double coat; light to dark gold
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
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Also known as "Chessie," the Chesapeake Bay retriever is a powerful, stout dog. This breed is larger and sturdier than the other retrievers. Their coat is dense, wavy, and waterproof. They come in three colors—chocolate brown, sedge (red-gold), and dead grass (straw). Their eyes are always a yellowish or amber hue.
The name comes from the breed's popularity among wealthy owners of duck clubs along the Chesapeake Bay during the 19th century. Sporting an oily, thick double coat, these retrievers could withstand the chilly waters of the Bay. Chessies are the third most popular type of retriever in America and have a similarly bright, happy disposition and noted intelligence as goldens and Labs.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 21 to 26 inches
Weight: 55 to 80 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Loyal, active, energetic
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Short, wavy, waterproof coat; solid shades of brown, deadgrass, and sedge
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Flat-Coated Retriever
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The gentle, cheerful, and energetic flat-coated retriever has, as the name suggests, a flat-lying coat that's either black or liver and feathers at the legs and tail. Like golden retrievers, you should brush this breed weekly to mitigate shedding.
Flat-coated retrievers were first bred in the mid-1800s and called the "gamekeeper's dog" until the Lab and golden took over in popularity. Flat-coated retrievers had been the top retriever in Britain. Their numbers plummeted during WWI and WWII when it looked like the breed would go extinct. Their popularity began to rise again in the 1960s.
Flat-coated retrievers are usually quick to train, but they don't reach full maturity until 3 to 5 years old. They're known as the "Peter Pan" of retrievers because they seem never to grow up, showcasing their puppy ways into old age.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 22 to 24.5 inches
Weight: 55 to 70 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, playful, energetic
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Moderate length coat that lies flat; solid black or brown
Life Span: 8 to 10 years
Curly-Coated Retriever
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The curly-coated retriever is the oldest of the retriever breeds. It first appeared in the late 1700s. Their coat, either black or liver, consists of tight, waterproof curls. Unlike other retrievers, the curly-coated type features a tapered, wedge-shaped head.
Although this type of retriever is friendly and playful with loved ones, they're more independent than other varieties and a little less friendly to strangers. Curly-coated retrievers reportedly descended from two extinct dog breeds, the English water spaniel and the retrieving setter. Some suspect that the distinctive, low-shedding curls may come from a cross with poodles too.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 23 to 27 inches
Weight: 65 to 100 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, confident, intelligent
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Short, tight curls lying close to the body; solid black or liver
Life Span: 10 to 13 years
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
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The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is the smallest of the retrievers. They're a beautiful, compact dog with a dense double coat that's golden red to dark copper red on the body with white markings on the face, chest, and paws. The tolling retriever requires weekly brushing most of the year and daily brushing during the shedding season because of their double coat.
This retriever was bred in Nova Scotia. They have a curious nature and quick movements to catch waterfowl. The term "tolling" refers to drawing waterfowl toward the hunter in the style of a fox, which the breed is known for. Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers joined the AKC sporting group in 2003.
Breed Overview
Group: Sporting (AKC)
Height: 17 to 21 inches
Weight: 35 to 50 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, outgoing, intelligent
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Short to medium length coat, usually straight; copper, crimson, and golden-red
Life Span: 10 to 14 years
Breeds to Avoid
Dogs that are harder to train and seem more aloof or stubborn are the exact opposite of retrievers. These dogs aren't "bad," they're just more independent (like spitz breeds), and in most cases, some of the smartest dogs since they seem to have a mind of their own. These dogs include:
Another characteristic that's indicative of retrievers is their soft mouth or gentle bite. Dogs like terriers and ratters have a contrary form of hunting style: they catch, roughly shake, mangle, and destroy the rats or other vermin they were tasked with dispatching. You'd likely want to avoid:
Frequently Asked Questions
Are retrievers good family dogs?
Yes, retrievers are active, energetic dogs that get along well with family members of all ages.
What are retrievers known for?
Retrievers are known for being loyal, affectionate, trustworthy, and eager to please.
What's the difference between a golden retriever and a Labrador retriever?
While they are both fantastic dogs, the biggest difference between the two is that the golden retriever is more relaxed, needs more grooming, and can be less expensive than the Labrador. On the other hand, Labs are easier to train (and quicker to pick up new tasks) and tend to have a more muscular build, leading them to weigh a bit more.
Read Next: 20 Easiest Dogs to Train: Best Breeds for Obedience
Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.
