05/07/2024
"How many types of retrievers are there? What were these retrievers bred to do?
Retrievers were originally bred to help hunters find birds or other game and bring them back undamaged. For this sort of job, the dog needed a “soft,” gentle mouth, where he would carefully carry the prey without damaging it. Also required were strength and agility to traverse a rugged landscape or work in water, as well as intelligence and a great willingness to please and obey. With the development of the retriever breeds over the years, all these qualities combined to make some outstanding breeds, among which are deservedly the most popular in the world today.
The retriever breeds are exceptionally smart, “biddable” (willing to learn), athletic, and sweet-tempered. As these breeds were developed for their outstanding abilities in working closely with humans, it is no wonder that they are so amazing at taking on anything you ask of them — including just being fantastic companions. There’s a reason they are the most popular breed in America.
The American Kennel Club recognizes six retriever breeds in the Sporting Group. Get to know what makes each retriever breed unique:" AKC website
The Retrievers – British and North American Cousins
© Marcia R. Schlehr 2004
Excerpt….
Origins: The “St. Johns Dog” from the Newfoundland/Labrador area of Canada is behind these six retriever breeds, with various additions of other breeds or types, often to serve a particular purpose or to suit the needs and preferences of the people using them. What breeds combined to produce the St Johns Dog is unrecorded, but most likely were various spaniels and hounds, perhaps larger dogs, from Great Britain, Portugal, Spain and France.
Labrador: densely-coated ‘water dogs’ taken back to England and used as gun dogs, with an addition of pointer and foxhound for shorter coat and increased game finding and scenting ability. Developed largely in private by aristocratic families on their extensive estates. In the 20th Century, Labradors became the favored dog for field trial competition.
Flat-Coat: Retained the feathered coat of the St Johns Dog; first called the “Wavy-Coated” Retriever it was a heavier sort than today; under the influence of a few breeders and an infusion of black setter, resulted in a racier sort of dog with definite elegance of outline and a longer, sleeker, distinctive head shape. A favorite of gamekeepers.
Golden: developed from yellow “sports” born to black wavy-coats, combined with the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel with some backcrosses to wavy- or flat-coats, as well as to a few yellow Labradors. Like the Labrador, Goldens were created and developed into the true breed in private, by aristocrats, and have proved to be a most versatile breed.
Curly-Coat: probably the oldest of the British retrievers, the Curly was originally much like the Wavy-Coat, (indeed, Curlies and Wavies might be born in the same litter) but the old English Water-Spaniel contributed a more pronounced curl which has developed into the very distinctive tightly curled coat of today. Curlies were often used by market hunters and poachers; even occasionally on big game.
Chesapeake Bay: very much a native American breed, originated in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland, from two dogs from a stranded ship from Newfoundland, crossed with local hounds and miscellaneous hunting dogs. Various local sportsmen and practical hunters, market hunters and watermen, found many uses for this tough, tenacious retriever of ducks and geese in the icy waters of Chesapeake Bay.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: the smallest retriever grew from local ducking dogs working the rocky shores of Nova Scotia, whatever could do the job for practical “meat hunters.” It shares many characteristics with the Kooikerhund of Holland, including its ability at Tolling; and likely various retrievers and spaniels, possible even a farm collie or two, made contributions in forming the modern Toller.
