Retrievers were specially created to retrieve game such as fowl and other animals while hunting, and they are revered for their obedience and trainability. So how many retriever breeds are there? Altogether, there are six official retriever breeds, and in this article, we’re going to take a look at each breed, and what you’ll want to know about them!
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was first developed in Canada, where it was used to lure birds toward their hunters. They also make excellent swimmers, and even have webbed feet to help them in the water! The medium-length, silky coat of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever comes in either solid buff, buff and white, solid red, or red and white.
This medium-sized dog is the smallest of the Retrievers, but this breed has a big personality! While incredibly affectionate family dogs, they do require lots of exercise and attention and are best suited to an active family who can keep up with this bundle of energy!
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers originated in 16th-century Newfoundland Canada, where their ancestors helped fishermen retrieve nets and pull carts. This old breed was then crossed with hunting dogs of England, creating the Labrador Retriever we all know and love today!
Their calm and obedient personalities make them well-suited to a wide variety of jobs, and they are especially popular as service dogs and guide dogs. They are social animals who fit right into any family! Labrador Retrievers have short coats that can come in black, chocolate, liver, or yellow. This hardworking, gentle, and intelligent dog is one of the most popular dog breeds in America!
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever breed is one that has remained incredibly popular for years. Believe it or not, however, when the breed was first introduced, it was incredibly unpopular! At the time it was created in the late 1800s, its golden coat was viewed as undesirable.
However, the breed’s gentle nature and incredible obedience, along with its skill in retrieving game over all kinds of terrain, won over the hearts of many dog fanciers. Today, Golden Retrievers are often used as guide dogs and service dogs, and are highly social creatures that get along well with people of any age. Golden Retrievers have dense, medium-length coats that come in either gold, golden, or cream.
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
This American Retriever breed can trace its ancestry to two St. John’s Water Dogs from Newfoundland. They were rescued from a ship located in Maryland and were soon bred with local dogs, creating a breed that could excel in even the coldest of waters. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have wavy, oily coats, which makes them well-suited to water.
They can come in six official colors: Ash, light brown, brown, dark brown, deadgrass, and sedge. While they are best suited to retrieving ducks, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever makes a wonderful companion for any kind of hunting. They are also popular as watchdogs and family companions.
Flat-Coated Retriever
Flat-Coated Retrievers were developed in the mid-1800s. They were quite popular at the time but were sadly overtaken by the charms of Labrador and Golden Retrievers. While less popular today, they are still beloved companions. They were bred for their versatility at retrieving game both on land and in water.
Their athleticism and trainability mean that this breed is also popular in agility and obedience training. Flat-Coated Retrievers have longer heads than other Retrievers, as well as a lean and elegant shape. Their feathery, medium-length coat comes in either black or liver.
Curly-Coated Retriever
The Curly-Coated Retriever is the oldest of the Retriever breeds, developed in the 1700s. True to their name, Curly-Coated Retrievers have tightly-curled, oily coats that come in either black or liver. They were originally bred to retrieve ducks, so their coat makes them perfectly suited to water.
While they tend to be wary of strangers, they are incredibly playful and devoted companions towards their family members. Similar to other Retriever breeds, Curly-Coated Retrievers excel in obedience and have lots of energy and endurance. They require plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy!
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