Attention: open in a new window.

The Retriever – A popular house pet, this calm and loyal gundog is more significantly recognised for his abilities to assist hunters in finding and retrieving game that has been shot.

These abilities work alongside the retriever’s eagerness to seek his ‘find’ and return his quarry undamaged to his owner – a key asset that makes this dog so special. His soft mouth and careful holding of birds and prey, without ‘biting down’, are very characteristic of a well-bred retriever, and a feature that a hunter will look for when choosing a hunting companion.

Other retrievers are also equipped with special coats and even webbing, for water use and retrieving waterfowl. The retriever’s excellent ability to locate and return can be attributed to his physical build and, unlike the hound breeds – which will use ground scent to find his prey – the gundog and particularly the retriever, will hunt using air scent, keeping his head up high in anticipation for falling game.

Here are a selection of articles highlighting the characteristics of different retriever breeds. Be sure to check back regularly for more!

• Flat Coated Retriever