A retriever is a type of gun dog that retrieves game for a hunter. Generally gun-dogs are divided into three major classifications: retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds. Retrievers were bred primarily to retrieve birds or other prey and return them to the hunter without damage. Although spaniels and some pointing breeds routinely retrieve game, and many retrievers are skilled in finding game, retrievers are distinguished in that non-slip retrieval is their primary function. As a result, retriever breeds are bred for soft mouths and a great willingness to please, learn, and obey. A soft mouth refers to the willingness of the dog to carry game in its mouth without biting into it. "Hard mouth" is a serious fault in a hunting dog and is one that is very difficult to correct. A hard-mouthed dog renders game unpresentable or at worst inedible.

Als Retriever oder Apportierhunde bezeichnet man Jagdhunde, die geschossenes Nieder- oder Feder-Wild finden und anschließend zum Jäger zurückbringen. Diesen Vorgang bezeichnet man als Apportieren.

Le nom de retriever (signifiant littéralement « rapporteur ») désigne des races de chiens dressés à trouver, poursuivre et rapporter le gibier (chiens courants), ce qui impose de la part de ces chiens un bon dressage emmenant à une grande obéissance.

Retriever är samlingsnamnet på sex hundraser som alla är apporterande fågelhundar. Namnet retriever är engelska och kan direktöversättas som apporterare. Enligt Internationella hundorganisationens (FCI) rasgruppsindelning ingår retrievern i grupp 8, stötande och apporterande hundar, sektion 1, apporterande hundar. Samtliga sex retrieverraser är besläktade med varandra.

Labrador Retriever – jedna z ras psów, należąca do grupy psów aportujących, płochaczy i psów wodnych, zaklasyfikowana do sekcji psów aportujących.