From Goldens to Labs, American has a proven love of retriever dog breeds. Keep reading to explore the unique characteristics of each retriever breed and what makes them special. 

Golden Retriever

Height: 21.5-24 inches

Weight: 55-75 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

With their long gilded coats and friendly faces, it’s hard to resist falling in love with every Golden Retriever you pass on the street. The best part is that these pups are just as sweet and social as they look. Adopting a Golden Retriever means having a friend for life. 

Though Golden Retrievers seem all-American, these dogs hail from the Scottish Highlands. In the mid-1800s, Lord Tweedmouth perfected the Golden Retriever breed for 50 years. He aimed to develop the perfect gundog that could work and hunt in Scotland’s stormy weather. Through decades of cross-breeding with spaniels, setters, and bloodhounds, the Golden Retriever was born. 

Today, you’re more likely to see a Golden Retriever working as a service, search-and-rescue, or law enforcement dog. These dogs also thrive as loyal companions to their human family. No matter their purpose, dog lovers of all ages will love having a Golden Retriever by their side. 

Did you know there are multiple types of Golden Retriever breeds? You can choose from the American, Canadian, or English Golden Retriever breed varieties. An English Golden Retriever has a light white coat. American and Canadian Goldens have a much deeper gold or red coloring. 

Labrador Retriever

Height: 21.5-24.5 inches

Weight: 55-80 pounds

Life Expectancy: 11-13 years

The lovable Labrador Retriever is likely the only breed that lives up to the Golden Retriever standard. Labs have a similarly sweet disposition, high intelligence level, and affinity for cuddles. But where Goldens have long shiny locks, the Labrador Retriever has a shorter and more durable coat. 

Until 2023, Labs had a 30-year streak as the most popular dog breed in the United States. The first place title now belongs to French Bulldogs, though Labs still rank in the top five. People love having a Labrador Retriever because they can mesh with many different lifestyles. 

Are you a natural athlete or adventurer? A Labrador Retriever would love to be your running, hiking, or swimming partner. If you’re more of a couch potato, Labs are one of the best breeds to cuddle and have a lazy day with. Foodies can find companionship with a Lab Retriever, as they are very food-motivated. 

Labs are also highly adaptable and love to play with small children. A Lab Retriever can also be sensitive to human emotions and have natural emotional support instincts that other breeds lack. As long as your Labrador Retriever gets daily walks and mental stimulation, they are happy campers.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Height: 17-21 inches

Weight: 35-50 pounds

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

If you’re looking for a more athletic retriever breed, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is your ideal match. Tollers can play, run, hunt, swim, or hike for hours. These pups have a natural athleticism that stems from their origins as hunting dogs. 

In the 1800s, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was bred to look and act like a fox. This fox-like behavior would lure in ducks and geese. Unbeknownst to the waterfowl, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was purposely herding them to close shooting range. Once the birds had been shot, the Toller would retrieve the game and bring it back to their human hunting companions. 

Outdoorsy dogs parents will love adding a Toller to their family. This breed is also a great choice for frequent travelers. Tollers are smaller compared to other retriever breeds, only weighing around 50 pounds at the most. 

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Height: 21-26 inches

Weight: 55-80 pounds

Life Expectancy: 10-13 years

Though these dogs look like wavy-coated Labs, they have a much different personality. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is more protective of their human family and less social with other dogs. There’s no need to worry about aggression with these dogs, but don’t expect the overly friendly behavior you might see from a Lab or Golden Retriever. 

Chessies are natural hunters, originating as duck dogs in the Mid-Atlantic. With a waterproof coat, they can easily run through grass, mud, or rivers to hunt down waterfowl. If you need an agile hunting companion, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever will be your best friend. 

Even if you’re not into hunting, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever can fit with your lifestyle. The secrets to caring for a Chessie are training, patience, and exercise. Chessies can be stubborn, so obedience training is a must. They can get a lot of mental stimulation from agility training and dog sports, as well. 

Retriever Breed Nutrition

A cute characteristic of retriever breeds is their love of food. The Labrador Retriever, in particular, is extremely food-motivated and will eat just about anything. If you are a retriever dog parent, odds are you don’t have to worry about picky eating. But how can you ensure your Lab or Golden Retriever is getting quality nutrition? 

We recommend feeding your pup Sundays for Dogs. Each Sundays recipe is 100% human-grade and has whole food ingredients like real meat, fruits, and veggies. By using real food ingredients, Sundays naturally balances the nutrients and calorie intake without the use of synthetic or artificial ingredients. 

Plus, Sundays is gently air-dried to preserve the natural vitamins, minerals, and flavors of each ingredient. That means it tastes better than your average kibble and has the jerky texture of a treat. Your hungry pup will mistake their dinner for a bowl full of treats. 

If you’re skeptical, give your retriever pup a taste of Sundays and see for yourself. You can subscribe to Sundays to save 20% on every automatic reorder. Cancel anytime – no penalties, fees, or contracts required.