Flat-coated Retriever Dog Breed

Below are details and specs for the Flat-Coated Retriever.

This is a medium sized breed. An adult male Flat-Coated Retriever will stand 23 to 24.5 inches tall from ground to shoulder; a female will stand 22 to 23.5 inches. The average weight of an adult Flat-Coated Retriever is 55 to 70 pounds. Their medium size makes them great all-around dogs; they are strong, quick, and robust.

These dogs are very spirited, warm, and sociable. They love being around people and will get along with most anyone they meet, including children and other dogs. They might bark at strangers approaching their territory but should not be relied upon to put up an aggressive defense.

This is a medium maintenance breed. These dogs are very energetic and will require a large amount of daily exercise in order to keep their health and behavior in check. The coat, however, is very easy to maintain and should require a minimal amount of brushing, plus occasional clipping and bathing.

The Flat-Coated Retriever was first bred in the mid-1800's in the United Kingdom. Hunters sought a hard-working bird dog, and fishermen needed an able swimming dog capable of retrieving their catch from the water. These needs led to the cross-breeding of Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, and perhaps the now extinct St. John's water dog, in order to create an all-around sporting dog that excelled in swimming and retrieving.

The first Flat-Coated Retriever is said to have been shown around 1859, though the breed was not established as a stable type until some years after that. In 1915, the American Kennel Club opened registration to the breed. During these years, the popularity of the breed was growing rapidly, but by the 1920's the Labrador Retriever as well as the Golden Retriever had surpassed it in number. When World War II came to a close, the Flat-Coated Retriever was so rare that some thought the breed would go extinct. Fortunately, a man named Staley O'Neill, said to be one of the great authorities of the breed, went to task about reviving the breed, and in the 60's these dogs began to see a resurgence. Today the breed is once again prospering both in the United States and the United Kingdom, though it has not regained the popularity it saw during the pre-World War I years. Several of these dogs have won awards in the last two decades, including a 9.5 year old Flat-Coated Retriever named Vbos The Kentuckian (nicknamed Jet) who won Best in Show at Crufts in 2011.

This breed is known for its medium-long, flat-lying coat. The coat is silky and features feathering on the legs and tail. It is both elegant and functional; the coat protects the dog from cold water, ground fauna/debris, and inclement weather. The Flat-Coated Retriever has a rectangular shaped, athletic, lean frame that gives it strength and agility. Their tail is long and tends to swish back and forth with great vigor when the dog is excited. These dogs have a long, angular head with dark almond eyes that give it a thoughtful and warm expression. The ears are floppy and fall down to the side of the head. Their gait is confident and graceful.

In addition to "humorous" and "energetic", this dog is often described as youthful or as the AKC says, "Forever young". These dogs mature somewhat slower than other retriever breeds and it shows in their playful, mischievous behavior. Some owners have said this makes them a bit trickier to train, as these dogs will only respond well to short intervals of training that rely mostly on positive reinforcement. Don’t let that dissuade you from this breed, though. Flat-Coated Retrievers are terribly friendly and love to be around people and even other dogs. They make for great family pets in addition to great workers, though if they aren’t being worked they will need a fair amount of exercise to keep their energy stores in check. They are very capable in a number of fields, from hunting to service work. They are great for active owners or families who want a dog that can accompany them on runs, hikes, swims - just about anywhere!

Flat-Coated Retrievers have a higher risk of cancer than most dogs. According to studies done by the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America (FCRSA), Flat-coated Retrievers have an expected life span of only about eight to ten years, with a high percentage of deaths due to cancer. On the bright side, this breed has a very low rate of hip dysplasia and luxating patellas when compared to other medium-sized breeds.