Depends on the dog itself and if you spend enough time training to retrieve,, I got coursing bred bitch and she retrieves,, I was just lucky that she wanted to do it so from the first throw of a ball she brought back to hand,, when she does catch she brings back live to hand which is pretty good hasn't been from very long distance but still a retrieve is a retrieve,, just stick with it make it fun and reward thoroughly, it should get there