Flat-Coated Retriever Guide
Sporting Dog Breeds
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"Power without lumber and raciness without weediness" is the traditional description of the flat-coated retriever. It is strong but elegant, never cobby, among the most streamlined of the retrievers. It is slightly longer than tall, of moderate substance. The head is distinctive, long and of "one piece," all parts flowing smoothly into each other. The gait is ground-covering, smooth and efficient. The coat is thick and flat, of only moderate length, providing protection without adding weight. These attributes have resulted in a versatile and athletic hunter capable of retrieving over land and water.
The flat-coated retriever is a sweet, exuberant, lively dog that loves to play and retrieve. It is on the go outdoors, but quiet indoors. This breed is among the most devoted and companionable of dogs, a true family dog. It needs regular exercise to be on its best behavior, however. It is a sensitive breed and very responsive to training. Its hallmark is its wagging tail.AKC RANKING 103
FAMILY gundog, retriever, water dog
AREA OF ORIGIN England
DATE OF ORIGIN 1800s
ORIGINAL FUNCTION water retrieving
TODAY'S FUNCTION water retrieving, retriever field trials
AVERAGE SIZE OF MALE Height: 23-24.5 Weight: 60-70
AVERAGE SIZE OF FEMALE Height: 22-23.5 Weight: 60-70
OTHER NAME none
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Energy level Medium energy
Exercise needs Medium
Playfullness Very playful
Affection level Very affectionate
Friendliness toward other dogs Friendly
Friendliness toward other pets Very friendly
Friendliness toward strangers Very friendly
Ease of training Hard to train
Watchdog ability High
Protection ability Not very protective
Grooming needs Low maintenance
Cold tolerance Medium tolerance
Heat tolerance Medium tolerance
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This active dog needs daily exercise and fun, and especially enjoys the chance to hunt or swim. This is a family-oriented dog that does best when allowed to live inside and play outside. Its coat needs only weekly brushing and little, if any, minor trimming occasionally.• Major concerns: none
• Minor concerns: CHD
• Occasionally seen: PRA, epilepsy, diabetes
• Suggested tests: (hip), (knee), (eye)
• Life span: 10 – 14 years
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One of the earliest uses of retrieving dogs was to help fishermen retrieve fish and objects from the water. In the 19th century, such retrieving dogs were especially popular with the cod fisheries around Newfoundland. Of these dogs, the most popular breeds were the Labrador (not to be confused with the present Labrador retriever) and several sizes of Newfoundlands. With the development of more advanced firearms, hunters were increasingly able to shoot "on the wing," but they needed a dog to mark the fallen bird and bring it back. The fishery dogs were unrivaled swimmers and natural retrievers, and crosses between them and British breeds, such as setters or pointers, honed the dog's bird sense. The result was the wavy-coated retriever, and it became quite popular in America and England. In fact, it was among the earliest breeds to be shown at English dog shows. Near the end of the 1800s, crosses with a straighter-haired breed were made because the wavy coat was thought to be less water-repellant. The resulting flat-coated retrievers became tremendously popular. The breed was not recognized by the AKC until 1915, by which time it had already begun to drop in popularity. By the end of the Second World War, the number of flat-coats had dwindled to the point that the breed was threatened with extinction. Concerted efforts to bring the breed back slowly succeeded, and the flat-coat now enjoys modest popularity.
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