Flat Coated Retriever

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Low maintenance
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms Gillian Holmes (Blacqlabel)

holmes.gl@live.com
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History

Specifically bred to retrieve upland game and waterfowl, the Flat Coated Retriever, or Wavy Coated Retriever as it was originally known, was a popular companion for gamekeepers on large estates in England.

Thought to have come from stock imported from North America, the first examples of the breed were introduced around 1860. The final type was established around twenty years later under the patronage of Mr S E Shirley MP, who is also credited as the being the founder of the UK Kennel Club.

Temperament

The Flat Coated Retriever is an active, multi-talented land and water Retriever with a strong desire to please people. Confident and outgoing, the breed makes a loving family pet, outstanding showdog and exceptional companion.

The Flat Coated Retriever requires stimulation to help channel its natural sporting energy. The breed has an inherent love of water and will happily work in any weather conditions, from dawn to dusk.

Eager to please and quick to learn, the Flat Coated Retriever is best trained in short intervals as it can become bored with repetition.

Appearance

The most important feature of the Flat Coated Retriever is its unique head, which is often described as being ‘moulded’ or ‘one-piece’.

The breed is exceptionally well balanced and strong, but always pleasing to the eye; never cobby, short legged or rangy. The single coat, black or liver in colour, is thick and lustrous and as flat as possible. Full feathering on maturity completes the elegance of a good dog.

Health & Suitability

All stock are required to be hip scored and eye tested prior to breeding. Through plenty of exercise, engagement and mental the actions of responsible breeders, the majority of health issues that have affected Flat Coated Retrievers in years gone by have diminished.

In England and Europe the breed can be seen in Conformation, Obedience, Agility, Field Trial and Tracking and as valued family companions. In Australia, numbers are slowly rising, however the Flat Coated Retriever is still outnumbered by other Retriever breeds.

Given our climate and active, outdoor lifestyle, it is difficult to understand how the breed is not more popular; the Flat Coated Retriever makes a wonderful companion and is ideally suited to the Australian way of life.

Words: Peter King

Image: justusdogs

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Flat Coated Retriever, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Flat Coated Retriever and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 03 Aug 2008)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

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 friendliness demonstrated by enthusiastic tail action.

Temperament

Confident and kindly.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Head, long and nicely moulded. Skull, flat and moderately broad with a slight stop between eyes, in no way accentuated, avoiding a down or dish-faced appearance. Nose of good size, with open nostrils. Jaws long and strong, capable of carrying a hare or pheasant.
Eyes	Medium size, dark brown or hazel, with a very intelligent expression (a round prominent eye highly undesirable.) Not obliquely placed.
Ears	Small and well set on, close to side of head.
Mouth	Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth sound and strong.
Neck	Head well set in neck, the latter reasonably long and free from throatiness, symmetrically set and obliquely placed in shoulders, running well into the back to allow for easy seeking of trail.
Forequarters	Chest, deep and fairly broad, with well defined brisket, on which elbows should move cleanly and evenly. Forelegs straight, with bone of good quality throughout.
Body	Foreribs fairly flat. Body, well ribbed-up showing a gradual spring and well arched in centre but rather lighter towards quarters. Loin short and square. Open couplings highly undesirable.
Hindquarters	Muscular. Moderate bend of stifle and hock, latter well let down. Should stand true all round. Cowhocks highly undesirable.
Feet	Round and strong with toes close and well arched. Soles thick and strong.
Tail	Short, straight and well set on, gaily carried, but never much above level of back.
Gait/Movement	Free and flowing, straight and true as seen from front and rear.
Coat	Dense, of fine to medium texture and good quality, as flat as possible. Legs and tail well feathered. Full furnishings on maturity complete the elegance of a good dog.
Colour	Black or liver only.
Size	Preferred height: Dogs 58 - 61cms (23-24 ins)Bitches 56 - 58 cms (22-23 ins)Preferred weight in hard condition: Dogs 27 - 36 kg ( 60 - 80 lbs)Bitches 25 - 32 kg (55 - 70 lbs)

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.