The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed worldwide. But the remaining retriever species are also statistically relatively high in the ranking:
- 4th place: Golden Retriever
- 50th place: Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- 90th place: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
- 102nd place: Flat Coated Retriever
- Place 159: Curly Coated Retriever [1]
They owe their name to their original work. In the past, these dogs were primarily used to bring back the birds they had shot to the hunter. [2]
The verb “to retrieve” means something like “to bring back” in German. At the same time, they were taught to only gently put the prey they shot into their mouths.
Since I grew up with a Labrador Retriever myself, this really struck me. Because my dog often took my arm in his mouth without biting.
Below you will learn about all 7 retriever breeds, their special features and what purposes they are best suited for.
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#1 Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The retriever species “Chesapeake Bay Retriever” from the USA is a so-called water dog. This explains why this breed has a waterproof coat. [3]
Thanks to its oily skin and webbed feet, this four-legged friend is an ideal swimmer. No wonder! It was originally bred as a waterfowl hunting dog.
This breed is cheerful and loyal in nature. He is well suited as a family dog, but should be in experienced hands and needs strict training in order to obey.
The active four-legged friend is not particularly suitable for keeping in an apartment. He reacts very skeptically to strangers and finds it very difficult to stay alone.
The four-legged friend sometimes shows very stubborn behavior. As a beginner this can be very stressful. In addition, he rarely gets along with strange dogs.
Caution is advised as Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are powerful, strong four-legged friends. The breed gets along very well with cold and high temperatures.
If you are looking for a bright guard dog with enough space, then this retriever breed is for you! With enough use it is a great companion.
Fun fact: Although the fur of these dogs is considered waterproof, without regular care it often begins to smell fishy.
#2 Curly Coated Retriever
The Curly Coated Retriever is a lively, playful, curly-haired dog from England. It was primarily bred as a hunting dog for land and waterfowl. [4]
The beautiful retriever species also makes an ideal family dog. Loyalty to family and children is one of the most beautiful qualities of this breed.
In addition, the four-legged friends also get along very well with strange dogs. They love to romp around with other dogs or children. They are ideal playing partners.
The beautiful animals shed moderately heavily, are highly trainable and have a very strong hunting instinct. In addition, they need plenty of exercise and activity.
Their fur is considered easy to care for. Brushing is hardly necessary with these curly dogs. These sensitive four-legged friends are often reserved towards strangers.
This retriever breed is less suitable for keeping in an apartment. They are so intelligent that they get bored easily. So you have to keep them mentally occupied a lot.
Fun fact: Curly Coated Retrievers not only love mental activity, but also physical exercise. They especially like to carry things around in their mouths. You should definitely take an “apportel” with you on every walk.
#3 Flat Coated Retriever
The Flat Coated Retriever is a beautiful breed of retriever from England. This breed of dog was also bred to hunt land and waterfowl. [5]
For several years now, this breed has also enjoyed popularity as a family or drug detection dog. The long-haired dogs are one of a total of 6 retriever species.
The four-legged friends are born either black or brown. This type has the longest fur among the retrievers. Nevertheless, the four-legged friends do not shed excessively.
The animals are very open to the family. They love their owners and especially children. They get along excellently with other dogs.
The four-legged friends are even friendly towards strangers. Unfortunately, they have difficulty staying alone. Flat Coated Retrievers have no problems with heat or cold.
This retriever breed has a moderate prey instinct and is known for its insistent barking. Nevertheless, they are completely unsuitable as guard dogs. They are simply too friendly.
Fun fact: “This Labrador mix is cute. What long-haired breed was he crossed with?” – Um. This is a purebred Flat Coated Retriever.
#4 Golden Retrievers
The Golden Retriever is a submissive four-legged friend from Scotland. Like all retriever species, it was bred as a hunting dog and is one of the top 10 most popular dogs.
This four-legged friend is presented in three species: British, American and Canadian. The four-legged friends have differences in their fur length and character traits. [6]
The four-legged friend is very loyal and can be trained very well. He has a moderately strong hunting instinct and sheds heavily. Nevertheless, he is very popular as a family dog.
But the intelligent “Goldie” is also welcome as a rescue and service dog. He is one of the top 10 most intelligent dog breeds worldwide.
The four-legged friends tend to bark insistently, but are generally friendly to all strangers. They get along great with children and strange dogs.
Golden Retrievers need a lot of attention and want to be kept busy. They are great swimmers and love exercise. Without this, they quickly tend to become overweight.
Like any popular breeding dog, Goldies are prone to various hereditary diseases. Cancer is the most common cause of death for them, accounting for 50%.
Fun fact: If you want a four-legged friend who retains his playfulness and will always remain a dog child, then Goldie is exactly the right one for you. This retriever breed maintains its puppy-like behavior until its death.
#5 Labrador Retrievers
The Labrador Retriever is a gentle, agile dog from England. The four-legged friend's temperament is active and sociable. It is very versatile. [7]
The retriever species was originally bred as a tracking dog for hunting. Accordingly, he has a strong hunting instinct and is generally very energetic.
This four-legged friend's good nose is particularly evident as a sniffer dog for drugs, bombs or as a rescue dog. The Labrador Retriever also makes a great therapy dog.
In general, the four-legged friend can be trained very well. He usually gets along well with children and other animals. But occasionally he tends to be hyperactive.
Noises are often reported and commented on insistently by the four-legged friends, but overall they are not loud animals. They are unsuitable for keeping as guard dogs.
Labrador Retrievers are great swimmers. They have webbed toes and, with a little training, can even learn to fish on their own.
The four-legged friends shed a lot and need a lot of exercise. Since they are almost always hungry, they quickly tend to become overweight if you don't give them enough physical exercise.
Fun fact: This retriever breed is ticklish by the hair between his toes.
#6 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever comes from Canada. The beautiful dog is loving, patient and alert. He is easy to train and needs a lot of exercise. [8]
The breed has a strong hunting instinct, sheds a moderate amount and barks a lot. It is the smallest of 6 retriever species. She was bred as a hunting dog for ducks.
The intelligent four-legged friends live up to 14 years and are suitable as family dogs. They are suitable for beginners and can easily be kept in the apartment.
These easy-care animals cope well with heat and cold. They are trusting towards the family and get along very well with children or other dogs.
They love to gnaw on things and dig for their lives. Especially when they are underutilized, they let off steam on various pieces of furniture or on the garden bed.
Accordingly, it is important that this retriever breed is well exercised and gets plenty of exercise. Of course, swimming is also a lot of fun for these four-legged friends.
Fun fact: The barking of these little hunting dogs sounds neither like a “woof” nor a “woof,” but rather a scream.
#7 Retriever mixes
Due to their popularity, mixed breeds of Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are also among the most popular dogs in the world. You can find more information here:
Mixes with other retrievers, on the other hand, are rare. In addition, almost all other retriever species are less common in Germany. Things look different in the USA.
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