The term retriever is used to summarize hunting dog breeds whose most outstanding characteristic is the joy of retrieving. The name of these races is derived from the English "to retrieve" (bring back, retrieve). Most of the Retriever breeds known today probably go back to dogs used by fishermen and hunters on the coast of North America (Newfoundland Labrador). They were there at the beginning of the 19th century as “St. John's "dogs known. The English nobility recognized the excellent qualities of these dogs for hunting small game and water.

The retriever breeds known today were created by crossing different English hunting dog breeds (water spaniel, Irish setter). The appearance of the Labrador is likely to resemble its "ancestor" most closely.
But also a forerunner of the Flat Coated Retriever was already in the middle of the 19th century. known as a Weavy-Coated Retriever.
As much as the genesis of the early retriever breeds is in the dark, it is well known in the Golden Retriever. Exact breeding records of Lord Tweedmouth (1886 - 1890) exist here.

A yellow weavy-coated, tweed water spaniel, black retriever, Irish setter and a sand-colored bloodhound appear in his line of ancestors. Many of the distinctive traits of today's retriever breeds are explained by their past and origins.
So was

Although most of the retrievers bred today can no longer practice their traditional "profession", these essential characteristics should be taken into account when selecting breeding animals.

Retriever-appropriate training and retriever-appropriate tests also make sense to check and maintain these systems for breeding. Of course, the majority of all retrievers lead a life as a family companion due to their friendly and balanced nature.