These highly healthy , fighting , and patriotic dogs are awesome adventure buddy and beloved family members .

Retrievers are a lovable bunch . So lovable , in fact , that some retriever frump strain are among themost popular breedsin the world — and for respectable cause . These innate helpers are eager to please their humans and are sure to do so thanks to their integral intelligence , athleticism , trueness , and determination . But did you know there are six different character of retriever ? We ’ll research the various breeds , so you’re able to find which retriever may be the honest primed for you and your family .

What Makes Retriever Dog Breeds Unique?

Retriever heel breeds are multi - talented in that they are hard - workers who require to put their head and vim to good employment so they can fly high . retriever love a good challenge and the chance tolearn new acquisition .

" Retrievers are a popular group of dogs that are exceptionally smart , gumptious , and cracking with masses , " says George Melillo , VMD , and carbon monoxide - founder and chief veterinary officer ofHeart + Paw . " They devolve into the sporting frank group , as they originally were bred ashunting dogsto assistance retrieve game . In doing so , it was important for the retriever to run through terrain and water to gently foot up the hunted fauna and return it intact to the Orion . This take a sure strenuosity and the power to learn promptly and partner with their handler , all of which have been breed into them over time . "

retriever are easy to train , love to play ( especiallygames of fetch ! ) , and desire to make their owners gallant . So , it comes no surprise that they make unbelievable eye tooth companions , addition to the kinsperson , andservice dogs .

owner petting their golden retriever on the head

Wang Yukun / Getty

6 Types of Retriever Dog Breeds

While retriever frank breeds share the same passion for body of work and play , they have their own unique machine characteristic that pose them apart . Keep record to find out which might be the pure choice as your next cuspid companion !

Labrador Retriever

TheLabrador retrieverhas consistently been voted as the number one most popular dog breed in the U.S. for almost 30 twelvemonth , which goes to show just how widely loved Labs are ! They are as fighting as they are forthcoming .

" [ Labs ] originated from Northeast Canada where they work with fishermen to haul in earnings and their catch , " Melillo says . " They love the water , are athletic , thinking , and eager to please . "

Labrador retriever have three primary color include black , yellow , and chocolate . sport of those color combine can result in Labs with a fox cherry-red , polar blanched , or silver gray coat .

chocolate labrador retriever in grass

otsphoto / Adobe Stock

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

TheChesapeake Bay retrieveris an adaptable strain who is willing to do anything with you . He loves to ferment his mind and dead body , so as long as there ’s a task at hand , he ’s happy .

Chessies are the only American - bred retriever , and boy , do they love toswim ! They excel in just about any physical activity and have been said to be open of think up to 300 ducks in a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . ( We would n’t put it past them . )

" Chesapeake Bay retriever come up from work dog [ Sailor and Canton ] who were ship - wrecked off the coast of Maryland , " Melillo enounce . " These dog-iron interbred , and the resultant are what we now know as Chesapeake Bay retrievers . "

Portrait of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever outdoors

fotorince / Adobe Stock

Golden Retriever

Highly reasoning , loving , and fighting , golden retrievershave been stealing hearts for century . Originally hailing from the Scottish Highlands , these playful pooches were bred to be the utter gundog . They thrive with adequate exercise and mental input . ( There ’s no wondering why Bud from ' Air Bud ' is a golden retriever , as well as why there ’s a whopping 14 films in the franchise . He could do it all ! )

Fun fact : there arethree different types of golden retrievers . Yes , really ! The dissimilar types admit the American aureate retriever , Canadian prosperous retriever , and English golden retriever .

The American golden retriever often find himself in the American Kennel Club ’s ( AKC ) top 10 most popular dog breeds . ( And truly so ! ) American lucky retriever are amazingfamily dogs . They have a sleek build and a feathery , golden coat .

Black Flat-Coated Retriever running in the water

THOMAS KIENZLE / Getty

The Canadian golden retriever is taller and thin in appearance when compared to the other two types . Their coats are generally lean and obscure in color .

And last but not least , the English ( or British ) gold retriever has unspecific feature , is typically lighter in color , and is heavier compared to their retriever opposite number .

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

William Shakespeare once compose , " Though she be but little , she is boisterous . " And that ’s perhaps the best way to describe theNova Scotia duck tolling retriever , also called a toller .

While they ’re the smallest of the retrievers , tollers are quite participating . " [ bell ringer ] originated in Nova Scotia where hunter bred and trained them to play near and in the water to attract curious waterfowl , " Melillo state .

toller feel their best when they can put their intelligence andagilityto role . They are ambitious , loving dogs who enjoy spending time with others .

black curly coated retriever wearing a blue collar with his tongue out

Sean / Adobe Stock

Flat-Coated Retriever

Theflat - coat retrieverhas an boundless love for playing . So , if you look at yourself active , a flatty may be your perfect match .

Bred in England in the mid-1800s , the flat - coat retriever accompanied the English high lodge and became known as the " gamekeeper ’s hound . " These fresh , dynamic whelp are happy to do whatever it takes to burn off vim — whether it behiking , running , swim , or just about any other outdoor activity .

two-dimensional - coat retriever are extroverted , fast , and sweet . No matter their years , they have a never - end thirst foradventure(and cuddles ) .

Curly-Coated Retriever

The curly - surface retriever is another strain known for her ability to work and play all sidereal day long . To say the curly - coated retriever is anactive dog breedmay be a monolithic understatement .

Curly - cake retrievers were breed for upland bird and waterfowl hunting in the 1800s , and agree to the AKC , were likely " the first breed used for serious retrieving oeuvre in England"—making them one of the oldest retriever breed . Thanks to their tightly curled , water - tolerant coat , these determined canines can recollect in harsh conditions , include cold water .

Much like flat - coated retriever , they are gymnastic , intelligent , youthful , and affectionate .