|
Check out our
suggested books
for dog owners
|
|
Sporting breeds: Flat-Coated Retriever
Origin
The Flat-Coated Retriever, as we know it today, probably began breeding true in the mid-1800s in Britain. Starting out in the early 19th century as the Retriever Proper, it was not accepted as purebred. It is a crossing of many different breeds, including the Newfoundland, the Setter, the Sheepdog and the Spaniel-like Water Dogs among others. True-bred Flat-Coats were shown in England in 1864 and have been breeding true since that time.
The Flat-Coat was admitted to AKC registration in 1915. By 1918, its popularity was overtaken by the Labrador Retriever, and in the 1920s, by the Golden Retriever. The breed almost totally disappeared during World War II. After the war, it took until the mid-1960s to re-establish the breed in numbers and popularity in Britain and America. The Flat-Coat's lack of popularity has been helpful in keeping the breed free from many breeding problems. It's not a breed that is puppy-mill or backyard bred.
General description
Height: 22-24.5 inches
Weight: 60-70 pounds
Color: The color must be solid black or liver. Yellow, cream or any other color is a disqualification.
Grooming requirements
The Flat-Coated Retriever needs to be brushed with a slicker brush and a metal comb. Trouble spots for matting include the bib, tail, behind the ears and hind quarters. This breed should be brushed weekly to avoid matting. They also need their ears cleaned and nails trimmed.
Health considerations
The Flat-Coated Retriever can suffer from eye-related problems; cataracts, distichiasis, entropian or ectropian eyelids, and several other problems. The parents should be free of eye problems and CERF tested; CERF testing should be done regularly. The Flat-Coat also has a tendency toward hip dysplasia, and his parents should be OFAd.
Breed characteristics and personality
This is a large dog and needs space and exercise. This breed does not do well kenneled outside of the home. The Flat-Coat is a cheerful, devoted companion who requires living with and interacting as a member of the family. He must have a strong personal bond and affectionate individual attention.
The hallmark of the Flat-Coated Retriever is his happy tail-wagging. He has a delightful, inimitable character and temperament. He's obedient, trainable, intelligent, affectionate, and patient with children. His temperament and character is of primary and outstanding value. He's a responsive, loving member of the family. He has a desire to please with a confident, happy and outgoing attitude. Nervous, shy, hyperactive, apathetic, or obstinate behavior is totally unacceptable. Unprovoked aggressive behavior toward people or other animals is virtually unheard of in this breed.
As a family companion he is sensible, alert, and highly intelligent. Gentle with children, affectionate and a good friend. He retains these qualities as well as his youthful, good-humored outlook on life, well into old age. As an adult, he is an adequate alarm dog, but generally too friendly to be a good guard dog.
Uses
The Flat-Coat is a utilitarian breed, suited for hard work. He excels as a retriever on plains and in areas of thick trees and bushes. He has a fine intuition and an excellent nose. He is also a good swimmer and works well in marshes. He is unafraid of thick cover and cold water, shows drive and perseverance, and retrieves tenderly to hand. He's a companion hunter, preferring to work in gun-range. He flushes as well as retrieves.
Web links
AKC Flat-Coated Retriever page
The Flat Coated Retriever Club of America
| |
|
