Retrievers are bred primarily to help hunters retrieve birds, other prey, or play other games and return them undamaged. Retrievers have a soft, gentle mouth that helps them carry their prey without damaging it. Retrievers tend to please and obey their owners. In addition to the six recognized retriever breeds, there are other breeds with good retrieving skills, you can find out in this article.
#1 – Labrador Retriever
Height: 22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
The Labrador Retriever is a medium-large breed of retriever-gun dog originating from United Kingdom and Canada. The Labrador Retriever has a short and stiff coat, and is very thick, which helps them stay warm and dry quickly when in water. In addition, the Labrador Retriever also has webbed feet like a perfect propeller when swimming. Previously, the Labrador Retriever has been used to help fishermen, who jumped into the water to retrieve fish that had fallen out of the net. The Labrador Retriever is a intelligent, playful, easy to train, human-friendly dog that is suitable for making friends with all ages. They are often used as therapy dogs and they are also people who work hard in support and rescue work.
#2 – Golden Retriever
Height: 23-24 inches (male), 21.5-22.5 inches (female)
Weight: 65-75 pounds (male), 55-65 pounds (female)
The Golden Retriever is a Scottish gundog with great beauty. Golden Retrievers are friendly, smart, devoted friends, docile, easy to train and have love in life. They are eager to please and suitable for making friends with all ages, from children to the elderly. If you want to cuddle with somebody then Golden Retrievers are a great option. However, Golden Retriever also shed a lot, requires exercise and is also prone to separation anxiety, so they will not be suitable for allergy sufferers and families that aren’t home for long periods of time.
#3 – Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Height: 18-21 inches (male), 17-20 inches (female)
Weight: 35-50 pounds
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a medium-sized gundog bred primarily for hunting originating from Canada (Nova Scotia). It is the smallest of the retrievers, and is often mistaken for a small Golden Retriever. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are known to be very intelligent, alert, curious, outgoing, and high-energy dogs. They are affectionate, eager to please, busy, and get along well with children. They are good family dogs, however during the decision process potential owners should be wary of the physical and mental commitment that is required in order to keep a Toller busy.
#4 – Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Height: 23-26 inches (male), 21-24 inches (female)
Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a large-sized breed of retriever dog that originated in United States of America. Chesapeake Bay Retriever has a Labrador Retriever-like appearance with wavy coat that is waterproof and oily to the touch. in addition to being able to swim and hunt well, this dog is also known for its ability to break underwater ice when hunting ducks with powerful chest. Today, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is known as the intelligence, affectionate, happy, bright, quiet, sensitive dog, but they are also a bit stubborn and difficult to train.
#5 – Flat-Coated Retriever
Height: 23-24.5 inches (male), 22-23.5 inches (female)
Weight: 60-70 pounds
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a gundog breed originating from the United Kingdom. It was developed as a retriever both on land and in the water. The Flat-Coated Retriever is an active, multitalented bird dog with a strong desire to please people. Exuberant, confident, and outgoing, they make a loving family pet and can be companions to small children, provided adults are nearby to direct this dog’s boisterous enthusiasm.
#6 – Curly-Coated Retriever
Height: 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
Weight: 60-95 pounds
The Curly-coated Retriever is a medium-large breed of retriever-gun dog originating from England. The Curly-coated Retriever looks quite similar to the Labrador Retriever covered by a layer of curly hair. In the past, the curly-coated retrievers were bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting because they are agile, flexible, strong, endurance and very good at swimming. The Curly-coated Retriever is an intelligent, affectionate, loyal, lively and fun-loving dog and sometimes aloof from a stranger. The Curly-coated Retriever also needs mental stimulation and regular exercise to avoid boredom and keep them calm and comfortable in the home environment.
Other dog breeds with good retrieving skills
Poodle
American Water Spaniel
American Cocker Spaniel
Newfoundland
Clumber Spaniel
Weimaraner
German Shorthaired Pointer
Barbet
English Cocker Spaniel
Boykin Spaniel
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
Blackmouth Cur
Brittany
German Water Spaniel
Blue Lacy
Dutch Partridge Dog
Épagneul Bleu de Picardie
German Longhaired Pointer
Epagneul Pont-Audemer
Portuguese Water Dog
Frisian Pointer (stabyhoun/stabij)
German Wirehaired Pointer
Gordon Setter
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Irish Setter
Hungarian Vizsla
Irish Water Spaniel
Italian Spinone
Tibetan Terrier
Pointer
Spanish Water Dog
Sussex Spaniel
Wire-haired Pointing Griffon