The Retrievers: Their Story & All You Need to Know

The Retrievers are one of the most loved and popular dog breeds in several countries across the globe. These sweet-faced, super-ebullient companions are always up for extra hugs, kisses, and love from their family. Their eyes sparkle with mischief and love, and their temperament is mostly easygoing as long as their activities are well-managed, and they make amazing family members. They pretty much bond with everyone and are good fits in houses with children as well. Let’s explore all about this fun and bright-eyed breed in this comprehensive guide.

The Story

The Retrievers were traditionally bred as waterdogs in Newfoundland, Canada. They gained popularity during the early 19^th century when a few English men spotted them on a tour in Canada. They brought one of these doggos back home to England, where they further refined the breed and that is how the Retrievers descended into the world of petting.

The Labrador and Golden Retrievers are identified as the most devoted breeds, ideal for making them part of the family. The Retrievers originally worked as dogs who would retrieve fish off the trawl. In addition to their mild yet robust temperament, they also gained popularity as the doggo with sharp instincts and ideal for the ice-cold ambiance of the North Atlantic.

What’s a Retriever Breed Like?

Temperament

The Retriever has the character and temperament of being the perfect family companion. They are energetic, full of exuberance and vibrancy, and love to swim and retrieve things and enjoy outdoor activities. Their energy can easily turn into hyperactivity or destructive behavior if they do not get the required playtime to let it all out. They enjoy participating in tracking and diving sports. Many retrievers even make a fair living as search-and-rescue dogs. They also fare well as service and assistance dogs.

Features

The Retrievers are naturally strong built and belong to the medium-sized category of doggos with a sound and athletic frame. They have a weather-resistant coat, an ‘otter tail (thick and tapered), a broad back skull, and strong jaws. A Retriever has the kindest eyes that express character, keenness, and exude intelligence, all classic traits of a Retriever’s personality. They have style and elegance that comes naturally to them without any pretension. 

Colors

A majority of Retrievers are spotted in Black, Golden, and Chocolate Yellow colors with white markings.

Health

The Retrievers are healthy and happy doggos. If the breeders are careful and screen them well before mating, then certain hereditary conditions in these furries can be avoided. Some of these conditions are Heart disorders, weakness in the muscles, vision problems, hip dysplasia, etc. Owing to their large chests, they can develop certain stomach-related illnesses such as bloat. Get their hips, elbows, and eyes evaluated by a vet regularly.

When to Visit the Vet?

Like every doggo, regular vet visits are recommended for Retriever furries too, especially for keeping their vaccination record up to date. Take them to Zigly vets for the above-mentioned conditions and indications.

A healthy full-grown adult doggo requires a visit to the vet for a basic health checkup once or twice a year. Puppies need to be monitored for growth; hence, they require more frequent visits to the vet. The senior furries should be taken to the vet once or twice every 6 months or as advised by their vet.

You can visit your nearest Zigly Experience center for all your vet-related needs across all stages of your dog's life. From vaccinations, preventive care, prescription diets, and surgeries, Zigly is your partner in pet parenting

Caring for a Retriever

Grooming

The coat of a Retriever furry sheds, but is water-repellant, so it is not prone to monsoon-related skin issues so much. They have a double coat which keeps them warm during the winter and hot during the summer season. To maintain the quality of their coat, get them professionally groomed at your nearest Zigly Experience Center with best-in-class grooming services.  regularly once a month and brush their coat with a good quality brush every alternative day. This will ensure that your furry coat is devoid of loose hair. Regular brushing also enhances blood circulation and regulates sebum production as well.

Also, keep checking for ticks and fleas as they are prone to catching them like any other furry. Regular paw care and nail trimming are recommended as part of the pet grooming session once a month.

Training & Behaviour

Owing to a Retriever’s hefty physical strength and hyperactive levels, it is good to get them to socialize at an earlier stage. Training a Retriever puppy as early as 8 weeks old is vital. You can take them to professional pet trainers and behaviorists who are certified to train these puppies.

Zigly offers certified dog trainers for South Delhi locations. You can reach out to support or visit any Zigly Experience Center to enquire about the same. Training a puppy at home can be cumbersome and lacks the appropriate skills as well. Retrievers are intelligent and devoted companions who love to be part of family activities. With proper training with Zigly trainers, you can enhance their understanding of you and vice versa. Enrolling them in Obedience training at 7 weeks and up to 4 months of age is recommended for them to grow into well-mannered and well-adjusted furries.

Choosing the Right Food for Retriever

The Retrievers strive well on homemade as well as dry dog food or wet dog food from leading brands like Royal Canin, Drools, Arden Grange, Orijen, Acana. If you don't like to serve your dog dry kibbles, you can switch to Fresh for Paws fresh food which is packed with all the right nutrients and a perfect meal for weight management. Retrievers are prone to weight gain and hence, their diets need to be monitored along with adding proper activities to their schedule.

Giving them dog treats for reward-based training methods is good, but do not overdo the treats as treats can lead to unhealthy gums and weight gain. Always read the care label on the food packets before making a purchase, if you are trying out new foods for your fur baby. Consult Zigly vet before making any major dietary changes. Keep their water bowl full at all times and in different corners of the house for the furry to gain access to clean and fresh water at regular intervals.

We have curated an entire list of dog toys, dog treats, and dog food on Zigly which will be a perfect fit for your retriever baby. When it comes to pets’ care, with Zigly #NoCompromise.