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Retriever Dogs for Adoption in Knoxville, TN

Your guide to finding and caring for a Retriever in Knoxville

A Retriever-type dog suits South Knoxville well, where Ijams Nature Center sits on Island Home Avenue and the Urban Wilderness trails are close by. Most are Lab or Golden mixes, so expect a friendly, athletic dog who wants a job, like fetch at the Charter E. Doyle dog park or a leashed loop past the quarries. They shed, they're mouthy while young, and they do best with people who are home often enough to keep them busy.

892 Retrievers available in Knoxville and nationwide

Bring home a Retriever mix

While we don't have enough dogs near Knoxville, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Retrievers Available for Adoption Near Knoxville

About the Retriever breed

Retriever isn't a single breed but a type of gun dog, developed to find shot birds and carry them back gently. On adoption listings it usually means a Labrador or Golden Retriever mix, or a dog with that look and unknown ancestry. Chesapeake Bay, Flat-Coated, Curly-Coated and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers belong to the same family.

Most retriever-type dogs are medium to large, sturdy and food-motivated, with a water-resistant coat that sheds a good deal. Many are sociable, eager to work with people and happiest with something in their mouths. In Knoxville's humid climate with rain all year, that coat dries slowly after a swim, so expect some wet-dog smell. Because ancestry varies, meeting the dog tells you more than the label.

Weight
50–80 lbs
Height
20–25 in
Lifespan
10–14 yrs
Temperament
Friendly, Outgoing, Active
Group
Sporting
Shedding
Moderate to High

Owning a Retriever in Knoxville

Having a Retriever in Knoxville

Retriever covers many breeds and mixes, so these cards describe tendencies rather than guarantees: a people-focused dog with a strong urge to carry things, plenty of stamina and a coat that sheds. Age and ancestry decide how strongly each shows in a given dog.

Temperament

Retriever-type dogs are usually friendly with family, guests and other dogs, which suits Knoxville's greenways and dog parks. Young dogs can be mouthy, bouncy and prone to chewing, and big enthusiasm can overwhelm toddlers. Most respond well to food and praise in training, though a dog's age and history matter more than the label.

Exercise Needs

Plan on an hour or more of vigorous activity daily: long walks, fetch, swimming or hiking. Knoxville has leashed greenways open dawn to dusk, leashed trails at Ijams and more than a dozen public dog parks across the city and county for off-leash play. Scent games and short training sessions tire a retriever's mind too.

Health Considerations

Common concerns across retriever breeds include hip and elbow dysplasia, cruciate injuries, ear infections, skin allergies and weight gain. Some lines carry inherited eye disease or a higher cancer risk. Keep the dog lean and schedule regular vet checkups. In East Tennessee, copperheads are the snake local vets see most, with bites usually on the face and legs.

Living Space

A Retriever can do well in a Knoxville bungalow with a fenced yard or in an apartment, as long as daily exercise is reliable. These dogs want to live indoors with their people, not be left outside alone. Expect shed hair, a tail that clears coffee tables and a dog who delivers every shoe.

What it costs to own a Retriever in Knoxville

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$55 to $110 per month$660 to $1,320
Pet insurance$55 to $110 per month$660 to $1,320
Routine vet care$250 to $500 per year$250 to $500
Other*$590 to $1,490 per year$590 to $1,490
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$2,160 to $4,630

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* Flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, the dog license, toys and bedding, and brushing and baths for a shedding coat.

Adopt a Retriever in Knoxville.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Retrievers available.

Rescues in Knoxville with Retrievers Available

Knoxville's adoptable dogs come from the city and county shelter along with nonprofit rescues, all listed below. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Knoxville area where you can find Retrievers and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

For off-leash play, Charter E. Doyle in South Knoxville, Downtown PetSafe in the Old City and Victor Ashe Park's Dogwood dog park are city options, and Concord's dog park has a swimming dock on Fort Loudoun Lake. For leashed hikes, try Ijams Nature Center, the Urban Wilderness trails or Sequoyah Greenway. Hours run sunrise to sunset or dawn to dusk.

Yes. No breed ban is known in Knoxville's animal code, and dangerous-dog rules are based on a dog's behavior. You'll need a city license tag and a rabies tag worn at all times, rabies vaccination by six months, and a leash or visible control off your property. Up to four dogs and cats over six months are allowed without a permit.

Yes, if daily exercise is reliable. Retriever-type dogs need a long walk plus active play every day, and Knoxville's greenways and dog parks help. Large dogs may face size or weight limits, and Tennessee sets no cap on pet deposits or fees, so get pet terms in writing. A well-exercised dog is also less likely to bark and disturb neighbors.

Yes, with precautions. Knoxville sees about 36 days a year at 90°F or higher, with plenty of humidity, and a Retriever's thick coat holds heat. Exercise early or late, carry water, avoid hot pavement, and provide shade and indoor cooling. Swimming at a fenced dog park can help. Never leave a dog in a parked car.

Probably not. Knoxville's KAT runs buses only, with no rail. Service animals ride, and one KAT page allows pets in a standard carrier, but its ride guide lists only service animals, so check KAT's current rule before planning on it. A Retriever too big for a carrier can't ride either way, so plan on driving or walking.

Only on patios whose restaurants hold a city Dogs on Patios permit. Under that program the dog must stay leashed, off the furniture and out of the indoor dining room. Not every patio participates. A Retriever that settles under the table with a chew toy will manage best, and service dogs follow separate rules.

Plan on brushing a few times a week, and daily during spring and fall coat blowouts. Humid summers and year-round rain mean damp coats and ears, so dry them thoroughly after swims to head off ear infections. Baths every month or two are plenty. Professional grooming is optional, and grooming costs fall within the Other line of the cost table.

Often, for active people. Knoxville offers leashed greenways, Urban Wilderness trails and many dog parks, plus a climate that suits outdoor dogs most of the year. Retriever-type dogs do best with someone home often and a steady exercise routine. If your days are long and sedentary, a lower-energy dog may suit you better.

We have 1 rescue with Retrievers available: Young - Williams Animal Center. You can see every rescue with Retrievers available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Retrievers near Knoxville.

Expect food at about $55–$110 a month, pet insurance at $55–$110 a month, routine vet care at $250–$500 a year, and other costs such as prevention, dental care, license and grooming at $590–$1,490 a year. That puts a typical year at roughly $2,160–$4,630, before any emergencies.

Find Retrievers in Nearby Cities

Expand your search to find Retrievers available for adoption near Knoxville.

Explore Other Breeds in Knoxville

Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in Knoxville.