A retriever is a type of dog bred to find and bring back things, especially birds that hunters have shot. Golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers are the most famous breeds, known for their gentle mouths that can carry a duck or goose without damaging it.

These dogs love having a job to do. If you throw a tennis ball, a retriever will race after it and bring it straight back to you, over and over, sometimes until your arm gets tired. They're bred to swim through cold water, push through tall grass, and search until they find what they're looking for. That strong instinct to fetch and return things makes them wonderful family dogs: they're patient, loyal, and eager to please.

Retrievers need lots of exercise and mental challenges. A bored retriever might retrieve things you didn't want retrieved, like your shoes or the TV remote. But give them plenty to do, and they become devoted companions who genuinely seem happy just being helpful.