Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers have been ranked as two of the three top US dog breeds for decades, which isn’t surprising considering their energetic, lovable personalities and their kind demeanor. Because they were historically bred for duck (or other bird) hunting, the American Kennel Club groups them in the sporting dogs category. Keep reading till the end to discover our list of the TOP 6 Dog Breeds That Are Retrievers.
While the Labrador and Golden variants are the two most popular retriever types, six breeds carry the retriever moniker. While their temperament and appearance are relatively similar, they do possess some notable differences.
Retrievers Breed Attributes
- Retrievers have been historically bred as hunting dogs. That essentially means that a hunter would bring the dog with him and once he shot a bird, the dog spots where the animal lands from the air and retrieves it for the hunter.
- Retrievers have better swimming ability than other breeds thanks in part to their webbed paws.
- The retrievers’ mouths are soft allowing them to pick up the hunted bird and retrieve it for the hunter without causing damage that would render it inedible to humans.
- Retrievers love their people and are eager to please them.
- They are smart, patient dogs, making them easy to train. This means they can serve not just as hunting assistants but also as detection dogs, therapy animals, search & rescue utilities, and even as home assistants.
- They have enough energy to expand and they are always happy to play with their humans.
TOP 6 Dog Breeds That Are Retrievers
1. Labrador Retriever dog breed
| Dog Breed Group: | Sporting (AKC) |
| Height: | 21.5 to 24.5 inches |
| Weight: | 55 to 80 pounds |
| Life Span: | 10 to 12 years |
| Coat and Color: | chocolate, Short, dense double coat comes in black or yellow |
| Price: | $400 to $1,500 |
According to AKC, the sweet-natured, high-spirited Labrador retriever has been America’s predominantly popular dog breed for over three decades. Their short fur coat is dense and appears in either black, yellow, or chocolate brown. They have very strong, otter-like tails. The average Labrador weighs between 50 and 80 pounds, with the males being larger and therefore closer to the top of that range than females.
Known for their even temperament, Labrador retrievers have been used over history, especially early on by Newfoundland fishing communities, but their popularity really saw a boom in the 1800s when they were brought back for breeding in the UK by the English nobles.
2. Golden Retriever dog breed
| Dog Breed Group: | Sporting (AKC) |
| Height: | 21.5 to 24 inches |
| Weight: | 55 to 75 pounds |
| Life Span: | 10 to 12 years |
| Coat and Color: | Medium-length, double coat; light to dark gold |
| Price: | $1,000 to $3,500 |
The third most popular breed in the US is the Golden retriever. It’s characterized by its straight muzzle and broad head. First bred in mid-19th century Scotland, the Golden retriever is an energetic, family-friendly pet that appears in three variations: Canadian, British, and American. All variations of this breed have a shaggy golden-yellow water-repellant double coat.
This coat sheds often, but more than anything, it does so during a bi-annual major shedding period. To reduce the shedding around the home, owners are encouraged to brush the dog weekly, or even daily.
3. Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog breed
| Dog Breed Group: | Sporting (AKC) |
| Height: | 21 to 26 inches |
| Weight: | 55 to 80 pounds |
| Life Span: | 10 to 12 years |
| Coat and Color: | Short, wavy, waterproof coat; comes in solid shades of brown, deadgrass, and sedge |
| Price: | $800 to $1,500 |
The powerful, stout Chesapeake retriever, also known as the “Chessie” is the largest of the retriever breed and is sturdier than its counterparts. This retriever’s name comes from its popularity among wealthy 19th-century duck club owners along the Chesapeake Bay. Its body is covered with a wavy, dense, and waterproof double coat, typically appearing in either chocolate-brown, red-gold (sedge), or straw (dead-grass) coloring, with amber or yellowish eyes.
The double coat is thick and oily, allowing the animal to withstand the cold of the chilly Bay waters. This is America’s 3rd most popular type of retriever. Like the other retrievers, the Chessie is an intelligent, kind-tempered animal.
4. Flat-Coated Retriever dog breed
| Dog Breed Group: | Sporting (AKC) |
| Height: | 22 to 24.5 inches |
| Weight: | 55 to 70 pounds |
| Life Span: | 8 to 10 years |
| Coat and Color: | Moderate length coat that lies flat; comes in solid black or brown |
| Price: | $2,000 to $3,000 |
The Flat-Coated retriever is an energetic, gentle, and happy dog breed that is named as such due to its flat-laying coat, generally either black or liver in color, with feathers on its tail and legs. This breed was the predecessor to the Labrador and Golden retrievers before those breeds became more popular. These dogs were known as “gamekeeper’s dogs” and were bred since the mid-1800s, being Britain’s most popular retriever.
During WWI and WWII, the retriever numbers fell so much it was expected that they would soon be extinct, but their popularity came back in the 1960s. This breed reaches full maturity at some point between the 3 and 5-year mark, but they take their “puppy” traits with themselves to adulthood, having earned the nickname of a retriever-based “Peter Pan.”
5. Curly Coated Retriever dog breed
| Dog Breed Group: | Sporting (AKC) |
| Height: | 23 to 27 inches |
| Weight: | 65 to 100 pounds |
| Life Span: | 10 to 13 years |
| Coat and Color: | Short, tight curls lying close to the body; solid black or liver |
| Price: | $1,000 to $1,500 |
Bred since the 1700s, the curly-coated retriever is the oldest known retriever breed. They have a black or liver coat made up of waterproof, tight curls. It also has a tapered, wedge-shaped head, which makes it different in appearance from other retrievers. While this breed is great with humans they know, being generally playful and friendly, this breed is not readily accepting of strangers. On top of that, they have an independent mindset.
Some of these notable differences come from the suspicion that the traits are leftover from their heritage, as they reportedly descend from the retrieving setter and the water spaniel, both extinct breeds, though it is suspected that the low-shedding curls on their coat are passed down from poodles.
6. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever dog breed
| Dog Breed Group: | Sporting (AKC) |
| Height: | 17 to 21 inches |
| Weight: | 35 to 50 pounds |
| Life Span: | 10 to 14 years |
| Coat and Color: | Short to medium length coat, usually straight; copper, crimson, and golden-red |
| Price: | $1,500 to $4,500 |
The Nova Scotia (the place where it was originally bred) duck tolling retriever might be the smallest of the retriever breeds, but its compact, double-coat covered, beautiful appearance, paired with its white marking across the paws, chest, and face topping its variation of red coloring makes the breed really stand out.
Its specialty is the retrieval of waterfowl, with the “tolling” term in its name referring to the fact that they draw prey toward the hunter, much in the way foxes do during hunts. Joining the AKC in 2003, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is adept at what it was bred for, moving quickly and having its curious nature lead to its accomplishment of goals.
TOP 6 Dog Breeds That Are Retrievers: Conclusion
If you plan to introduce any of the retrievers on this list to your home, make sure you find a reputable breeder or a dog rescued organization and honestly convey your home and family life situation, especially in terms of how much time you would be able to dedicate to the animal. Based on your lifestyle, schedule, and the dog’s traits, the breeder can help you in determining if the retriever will fit well into your home.
Unlike many other breeds, retrievers are a lot more adept at training. Many of their counterparts are more “independent” minded, though some people regard them as stubborn, aloof, or “bad” dogs, neither of which is particularly true. Breeds like the Chow Chow, Akitas, and Shiba Inus, for instance, are tough to train, yet are highly intelligent, though sporting an independent streak.
On another note, terriers and ratters are also adept at hunting styles, but unlike the retriever, they do not have a gentle bite or soft mouth. That means when they retrieve fowl or the hunted animal, they can mangle or destroy it by biting hard into it and shaking it roughly. That is why these other breeds were used for vermin or rat hunting, rather than for collecting fowl to be consumed by humans.
While they can make a good pet with sufficient effort, it is best to avoid rat terriers, Westies, Cairn terriers, and Jack Russel terriers when one is looking for a kind, obedient, and intelligent animal.
Since you have finished reading this amazing article of the TOP 6 Dog Breeds That Are Retrievers, we suggest to you to check this one: TOP 20 Most Expensive Dogs of all time
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do golden retrievers have dew claws?
Yes, golden retrievers typically have dewclaws on their front legs. Dew claws are small, vestigial claws located on the inner side of a dog’s leg and are thought to be remnants of an ancestral trait. While dew claws can sometimes cause problems or be prone to injury, they are generally left intact in most dog breeds, including golden retrievers.
Are golden retrievers good apartment dogs?
Golden Retrievers are not typically considered good apartment dogs due to their high exercise and space requirements. Large, active dogs need plenty of daily exercise and room to run around. However, if given enough exercise and mental stimulation, some Golden Retrievers can adapt to apartment living, but it’s important to ensure they get enough physical activity and mental stimulation.
Who makes retriever brand dog food?
The American distribution company, Tractor Supply Company, makes retriever brand dog food. The brand offers a variety of dry and wet dog food formulas, treats, and chews. The ingredients and quality of Retriever brand dog food may vary depending on the formula.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
