Flat-Coated Retriever
Gundogs

Group:

Gundog

Size:

large

Lifespan:

10-14 years

Exercise:

medium

Grooming:

low

Trainability:

very high

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

low

Area of Origin:

England

Date of Origin:

1800’s

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

water retrieving

History

The Flat-Coated Retriever was developed in the 1800's by crossing several already established breeds, including the Irish Setter, Labrador, Water Dog, and the St. John's Newfoundland, though one source also mentions the Collie. The breed became popular in Britain amongst the gamekeepers due to its excellent working ability. Due to the two World Wars there was a decline in numbers despite a small group of dedicated breeders maintaining the viability of the breed, until the return of many gamekeepers from World War Two. Since then, numbers have steadily increased. The Flat-Coated Retriever deserves more attention, as he is not only an excellent bird dog and swimmer but also an outstanding family dog. These dogs are gifted with a fine intuition and an excellent sense of smell. The Flat-Coated Retriever is used above all for retrieving on plains and in areas thick with trees and bushes. They are good swimmers and also work well in marshy areas.

Temperament

This good-natured intelligent breed loves making friends. With its stable temperament, the flat coated retriever makes an excellent family dog and loves being around children. They have a puppy-like demeanor throughout their lives. The Flat Coated Retriever is quiet indoors and very active outdoors.

Upkeep

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.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
A bright, active dog of medium size with an intelligent expression, showing power without lumber and raciness without weediness.

Characteristics:
Generously endowed with natural gundog ability, optimism and friendsliness demostrated by enthusiastic tail action.

Temperament:
Confident and kindly.

Head and Skull:
The head should be long and nicely moulded. The skull flat and moderately broad. There should be a depression or stop between the eyes, slight and in no way accentuated, so as to avoid giving either a down or a dish-faced appearance. The nose of a good size, with open nostrils. The jaws should be long and strong, with a capacity of carrying a hare or pheasant.

Eyes:
Should be of medium size, dark-brown or hazel, with a very intelligent expression (a round, prominent eye is a disfigurement) and they should not be obliquely placed.

Ears:
Should be small and well set-on, close to the side of the head.

Neck:
The head should be well set in the neck, which latter should be long and free from throatiness, symmetrically set and obliquely placed in shoulders running well into the back to allow easy seeking for the trail.

Forequarters:
The chest should be deep and fairly broad, with a well-defined brisket, on which the elbows should work cleanly and evenly. The legs are of the greatest importance, the forelegs should be perfectly straight, with bone of good quality carried right down to the feet and when the dog is in full coat the legs should be well feathered.

Body:
The fore-ribs should be fairly flat, showing a gradual spring and well-arched in the centre of the body, but rather lighter towards the quarters. Open couplings are to be ruthlessly condemned. The back should be short, square and well ribbed up.

Hindquarters:
Should be muscular. The stifle should not be too straight or too bent, and the dog must neither be cow-hocked nor move too widely behind; in fact he must stand and move true on legs and feet all round. The legs should be well feathered.

Feet:
Should be round and strong with toes close and well arched, the soles being thick and strong.

Gait:
Free and flowing, straight and true as seen from front and rear.

Tail:
Short, straight and well set on, carried gaily, but never much above the level of the back.

Coat:
Should be dense, of fine quality and texture, flat as possible.

Colour:
Black or liver.

Weight and Size:
Should be between 27.2 and 31.8 kg (60 - 70 lb).

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.