The retrieve: A seemingly simple act, it is the culmination of a retriever's genetic heritage; it's training and faith in you.

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Photo © Michael Furtman

The bird is out there, and the dog knows it. Just waiting for the word to go, the dog will take off like a wheel-smoking dragster and soon resemble a four-footed Olympic long-jumper.

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Photo © Michael Furtman

A retrieve is an action-adventure story as well as a journey of reward.

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Energy, desire and stamina - the great ones have the fire that has burned in their spirit for generations.

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Ducks and geese fly eternally in the daydreams of sleepy retrievers.

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The team of waterfowl hunter and retriever has been around for hundreds of years.

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The unconditional devotion to their owners and true passion for retrieving keeps them in the blind and by their owner's side - even through extreme weather and when they are not happy about being camouflaged.

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Intently gazing upon the downed bird, many retrievers shiver with anticipation as they wait for you to release them.

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Bird-in-mouth is the reward - and it shows as many dogs hold their heads high, mouths full of feathers.

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Ducks, doves, geese - it truly makes no difference.

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Waterfowl dogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

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It's a miracle that these tiny balls of fur transform into muscle-laden, ice-breaking, mud-sloshing, retrieving machines.

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They become waterfowl hunters... not because we want them to do so, but because it's in their blood.

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Retrievers become our hunting companion, friend and even part of our family. These dogs are as much a part of what, and why, waterfowlers go afield as the birds themselves.