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Naturally active and
alert, Retrievers make likeable, well-rounded companions. Remarkable for
their instincts, many of these dogs actively participate in
hunting, as guide dogs, search and rescue, drug detection and many other
activities. Potential owners of Retrievers need to realize that most
require regular, invigorating exercise.
Labrador
Retriever
Labrador Retriever Club
of America
General
Appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized,
short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced
conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog;
the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for
long hours under difficult conditions; the character and quality
to win in the show ring; and the temperament to be a family
companion. Physical features and mental characteristics should
denote a dog bred to perform as an efficient Retriever of game
with a stable temperament suitable for a variety of pursuits
beyond the hunting environment.
The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever
are its short, dense, weather resistant coat; an "otter"
tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop;
powerful jaws; and its "kind," friendly eyes, expressing
character, intelligence and good temperament.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the prime
breeds selected as guide and rescue dogs.
The Labrador Retriever is gentle with children and the elderly. It
is not an aggressive dog, but it will bark to ward off strangers.
If it is intended as a pet, keep in mind that Labrador puppies are
full of energy.
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Golden
Retriever
Golden Retriever Club of America
General
Appearance
A symmetrical, powerful, active dog, sound and well put together,
not clumsy nor long in the leg, displaying a kindly expression and
possessing a personality that is eager, alert and self-confident.
Golden Retrievers are used successfully in field trials, hunting,
obedience, and as guide dogs for the blind.
Renown for its reliable temperament, the Golden Retriever makes a
great hunter, family pet or show dog. Although they can adapt to
living in a small apartment they need to be given plenty of
exercise daily. The Golden Retriever's dense water repellent coat
ranges in color from light to dark shades of gold.
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Chesapeake
Bay Retriever
American Chesapeake Club
General
Appearance
Equally proficient on land and in the water, the Chesapeake Bay
Retriever was developed along the Chesapeake Bay to hunt waterfowl
under the most adverse weather and water conditions, often having
to break ice during the course of many strenuous multiple
retrieves. Frequently the Chesapeake must face wind, tide and long
cold swims in its work. The breed's characteristics are
specifically suited to enable the Chesapeake to function with
ease, efficiency and endurance. The double coat consists of a
short, harsh, wavy outer coat and a dense, fine, wooly undercoat
containing an abundance of natural oil and is ideally suited for
the icy rugged conditions of weather the Chesapeake often works
in. This coat sheds profusely in the spring and requires daily
brushing. In body, the Chesapeake is a strong, well-balanced,
powerfully built animal of moderate size and medium length in body
and leg.
The Chesapeake is valued for its bright and happy disposition,
intelligence, quiet good sense, and affectionate protective
nature. It loves to run and swim and requires supervised exercise.
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Flat-Coated
Retriever
Flat-Coated Retriever Society of
America
General
Appearance
The
Flat-Coated Retriever is a versatile family companion hunting
retriever with a happy and active demeanor, intelligent
expression, and clean lines. The Flat-Coat has been traditionally
described as showing "power without lumber and raciness
without weediness." The distinctive and most important
features of the Flat-Coat are the silhouette (both moving and
standing), smooth effortless movement, head type, coat and
character. In silhouette the Flat-Coat has a long, strong, clean,
"one piece" head, which is unique to the breed. This utilitarian retriever is well balanced,
strong, but elegant. The coat
is thick and flat lying, and the legs and tail are well feathered.
A proud carriage, responsive attitude, waving tail and overall
look of functional strength, quality, style and symmetry complete
the picture of the typical Flat-Coat.
As a pet, the Flat-Coated Retriever adapts easily to city
life, but requires considerable amounts of exercise and activity.
Since the Flat-Coat is a working hunting retriever, he should be
kept in good physical condition.
The Flat-Coated Retriever loves to play. Because he is a strong
dog, supervision is needed around small children.
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Curly-Coated
Retriever
Curly-Coated Retriever Club of
America
General
Appearance
This smartly upstanding, multi-purpose hunting retriever is
recognized by most canine historians as one of the oldest of the
retrieving breeds. Developed in England, the Curly was long a
favorite of English gamekeepers. Prized for innate field ability,
courage and indomitable perseverance, a correctly built and
tempered Curly will work as long as there is work to be done,
retrieving both fur and feather in the heaviest of cover and the
iciest of waters. To work all day a Curly must be balanced and
sound, strong and robust, and quick and agile. Outline, carriage
and attitude all combine for a grace and elegance somewhat
uncommon among the other retriever breeds, providing the unique,
upstanding quality desired in the breed. The Curly is wickedly smart and highly
trainable and, as such, is cherished as much for his role as loyal
companion at home as he is in the field.
The Curly-Coated Retriever has an easy to care for coat. It's
curls stay in place with little to no attention.
The Curly-Coated Retriever's curious nature may lead him to many
amusing escapades that call for an owner with a sense of humor.
The Curly-Coated Retriever learns rapidly and performs willingly
almost any task.
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