Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Group 8 brings together retrievers (Golden and Labrador Retrievers), flushing dogs (cockers, springers) and water dogs. Cheerful, easy to train and very sociable, they are among the best family dogs, as long as they get plenty of exercise.
FCI Group 8, 17 breeds, from the most registered with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025 to the rarest.
Rank these breeds to fit your life-
Golden Retriever
Scotland · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Large · high energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
English Cocker Spaniel
England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Small · high energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Labrador Retriever
Great Britain · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Large · high energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
English Springer Spaniel
England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Lagotto Romagnolo
Romagna region, Italy · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · high energy · high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
German Spaniel
Germany · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Nova Scotia, Canada · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · boundless energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Flat-Coated Retriever
Great Britain · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · high energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
American Cocker Spaniel
United States · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Small · moderate energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Spanish Water Dog
Spain · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · high energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Barbet
France · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · high energy · very high coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
Netherlands · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Small · high energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Wales · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · high energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Clumber Spaniel
England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · calm · average coat care
Sheds a lot -
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Maryland, United States · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Large · high energy · low coat care
Struggles when left alone -
Field Spaniel
England · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · moderate energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone -
American Water Spaniel
Wisconsin, United States · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Medium · high energy · average coat care
Struggles when left alone
