This information has been designed to show the different Retriever breeds.  You will see there are many differences between Goldens, Flat-Coated, Curly-Coated, Chesapeake Bay and Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retrievers.  Please remember that this is a BRIEF description of the different breeds.  AZRR recommends that you research extensively whatever breed you feel is perfect for your family. 

Golden Retriever:  Golden Retrievers are loveable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with great charm.  They are easily trainable with consistency, and are loyal, sweet and eager to please.  Goldens need to be around people, if isolated from human contact, or left alone for long periods of time, the Golden may become mischievous, over-exuberant and destructive.  Their color can range from blonde to red and they range in height from 20-24” and weigh 50-90 lbs. Goldens need moderate daily exercise. They are prone to hip dysplasia, cancer and congenital eye defects.  Skin allergies also sometimes present a problem  

Flat-Coated Retriever:  The Flat-Coated Retriever is superb with children and a great family dog.  It has a very stable temperament, is smart, active and friendly.  They are highly trainable, but easily bored with training.  Some may be too friendly – overwhelming guests with love and attention.  They are cheerful, devoted companions with a puppy-like exuberance well into their later years.  This very sociable breed needs lots of affection and attention from his family or may become destructive. 

Flat Coated Retrievers should only be black or liver colored, range in height from 22-23” and weigh 60-70 lbs.  Flat Coated Retrievers are NOT recommended for apartment living.  They need daily exercise to be on their best behavior.  Cancer is fairly common in Flat Coated Retrievers with hip dysplasia, epilepsy and diabetes being less common.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever:  Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are friendly, intelligent and obedient dogs with a mind of their own.   Chessie’s are good with children, and love to swim and retrieve.  The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not recommended for an inexperienced new dog owner.  Willful and powerful, this breed can be prone to dominance problems if not properly trained and socialized.  The Chesapeake is different than other retrievers in that he can be more aggressive, willful and reserved with strangers, and combative with other dogs.  These are very strong dogs and have a tendency to be territorial and require firm training and good management.  Chessie’s come in a variety of colors from dead-grass straw to deep reddish brown, range in height from 21-26” and weigh 55 and 85 lbs.  NOT recommended for apartment living, Chessie’s need a GREAT DEAL of vigorous exercise and training.  They are prone to hip dysplasia and eye problems.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever: The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever looks somewhat like a small Golden Retriever.  They make great companion dogs as long as they get enough exercise to fulfill their energetic needs.  Tollers are clever and hardworking and enjoy being with their master.  Toller’s  make excellent family pets and are very patient with children.  Tollers may be a bit reserved around strangers. Various shades of red or orange with lighter feathers and at least one of the following white markings – tip of tail, feet, chest and face.  The pigment of the nose, lips and eye rims is flesh-colored, blending in with the coat.   They range in height from 17 to 21” and weigh 35-51 lbs.  Tollers will do OK in apartment settings if sufficiently exercised.  They have very few health problems, but occasionally will have thyroid and autoimmune disorders.

Curly Coated Retrievers:  Curly-Coated Retrievers are a large, hardy, athletic retriever with a distinctive crisp curly coat.  The Curly-Coated Retriever is easy to get along with, loyal and eager to please.  They tend to be very intelligent and trainable, clever and mischievous, but sensitive.  This breed is not for everyone; they need early, gentle, but firm obedience training.  They like to do things their own way.  They are affectionate, loving and excellent with children.  If not properly socialized at an early age, they tend to be timid and reserved with strangers.  Curly Coated Retrievers should only be black or liver, range in height from 24-27” and weigh 65-80 lbs.  High-energy dog that needs tons of exercise  - NOT recommended for apartment living needs tons of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy.  Prone to hip dysplasia, epilepsy and eye problems.