The Flat-Coated Retriever

As any pet owner knows, dogs love to play and explore, no matter what the weather is like outside. However, as their caregiver, it’s important to be aware of when your dog is cold and needs to come back inside. There are a few things you can look for to tell if your dog is too cold. For example, they may start to shiver or their movements may start to slow down. If their body temperature starts to drop, their skin may feel cool and dry to the touch. If your dog is showing any of these signs, it’s time to head back inside and warm up. Additionally, it’s important to never leave your dog unattended in a car, as temperatures can quickly become too extreme for them, even on mild days. So next time you and your furry friend are enjoying some winter fun, make sure to keep an eye out for signs that they’re getting too cold.

For more on keeping your companion animal safe in the winter, check out these article: How to keep your pet warm in winter

Flat-Coated Retriever
Weight: 60 — 70 lbs
Height: 22” — 25”
AKC Rank 2008 #96
Lifespan: 10—12 yrs
Group Sporting
Origin: England

Dog Breed Info – Flat Coated Retriever

Breed Overview

Origin: 1800’s. Original function: Water retrieving. Today: Water retrieving. Colors: Black or liver.

Early retrieving dogs helped fishermen retrieve fish in the nineteenth century. These retrieving dogs were common with Cod fishermen around Newfoundland. They were using a Wavy-Coated Retriever but it was though a smooth coated dog would shed the water better. In England in the nineteenth century, crosses were made with the Irish Setter, Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundland’s. The resulting offspring was very popular up to WW One when things fell apart. Efforts were made to restore the breed, now called the Flat-Coated Retriever and by 1915 the American Kennel Club recognized the breed. However, popularity has been less than mediocre.

Flat Coated Retriever Puppy

Trainability

Very trainable. Eager to learn anything you want to teach. The breed is responsive to clicker training as well as positive reinforcement techniques and wants to learn. Give this a try.

Crate Training

Want to crate train your Flat-Coated Retriever puppy? It’s easy and if you’re interested, take a look and you’ll see what to do. Crate training your puppy will save many headaches and problems.

Potty Training

The Flat-Coated Retriever and her puppies are usually easy to house train, potty train, toilet train, housebreak or whatever you want to call it. If you have a puppy, decide if you want to crate or paper potty train it. For the best results, we have a page at Crate vs Paper Potty Training which will help you decide and from there you can get all the information you need to get the job done. Always praise the pup profusely when she goes potty in the RIGHT PLACE so she knows she has done a good thing. Either method will work for this breed.

If you have an older dog, take the dog outside every two hours until she gets the idea which door leads to her potty area. Older dogs catch on to the potty or housebreaking pretty fast once they are shown what to do.

Temperament

Flat-Coated Retrievers are sweet, friendly, intelligent, happy family oriented house dogs and get along with children quite well. They love water and swimming. They love to play, chase, retrieve and are very active. The Flat-Coated is a devoted companion and best friend to her master and a true family pet. She needs regular exercise to remain healthy and to be on the best behavior. This dog is known for it’s happily wagging tail!

If you happen to get a Retriever with a separation anxiety problem, that can be dealt with by investing a few hours of work on your part and some “tough love.”

Friendly Toward Other Dogs

Moderately friendly with strange dogs. Can be wary of some dogs. Will pick and choose her dog friends.

Friendly Toward Other Pets

Does will with other pets in the house. Generally, gets along well with cats and other dogs in the house, especially if raised with them. This is a friendly breed.

Friendly Toward Strangers

Friendly. Bring on the relatives, neighbors and friends for a backyard cookout. Your dog will be in the middle of the whole show.

Flat Coated Retriever

Playfulness

Yes, loves to play—Especially fetch balls and sticks. She loves anything where she can run or swim and retrieve.

Yes—Very affectionate. She excels here. She loves people and life and loves to play and have fun with her family.

Good with children

Good with older kids, 6 or 7 and up. Supervise closely with young children under 6. This is a very active dog that could accidently injure a small child.

Good with Seniors over 65?

Maybe. If the senior can walk a mile or two a day and throw a ball or stick a half hour a day, this is an affectionate, playful and loving dog that is a great companion and friend for the lonely. The senior would have time for the grooming needs and exercise requirements so all should be okay.

Living environment

Apartment, condo, farm, ranch all okay for the Flat-Coated Retriever as long as she can get our outdoor exercise and play time. She’s not aggressive so apartment living is fine as there will be no conflicts in meeting other dogs on stairs or elevators. She needs the indoor close-association with her family as she’s very sociable.

Energy level

Moderate. Rate her 6 bars out of 10.

Exercise needs, daily

Moderate. Flat-Coated Retrievers love to hunt and swim. A good walk or two and throw a ball or stick or Frisbee for her and she should be good. Just as long as she can stretch her legs and run a bit each day.

Pretty good watchdog. Will announce incoming outsiders.

Fair. Not really aggressive enough to be a killer guardian but will stand up for her family.

Brush the long coat once a day. Use a standard bristle brush. The dog will love the extra attention. Suggest limited clipping several times a year to keep the shape.

Suggested Reading For The Flat-Coated Retriever

The book on the right is by the American National Red Cross and deals with dog emergencies, illnesses and injuries. It’s a valuable reference manual for all dog owners and should be kept close at hand. ________________________________________________

Flat-Coated Retriever Breeders

In the event you decide to go looking for Flat-Coated Retriever puppies, be SURE to find reputable breeders that really know what they are doing. Be sure the puppy has been well socialized and started in obedience training. This breed is not easy to find in the USA. Also, try this site, as they list worldwide:
Flat Coated Retriever Breeders with puppies for sale.

Flat-Coated Retriever Rescue

In the event you are seriously considering the adoption of an older dog and are looking for a Flat-Coated Retriever Rescue group or groups in your state, here are several links that might help:
Petfinder – Dog Rescue – (Nationwide) At the time of this writing, Petfinder is showing only a little over 200 Flat-Coated’s available for adoption in the entire country. That figure is subject to change of course.
Adopt A Pet This is an interesting site but you will probably have to go online and search for Flat-Coated Retriever Rescue groups or kennels or foster homes. This breed is not that easy to find around here.

Health Issues For The Flat-Coated Retriever
Below are the illnesses or medical problems listed for the Flat-Coated Retriever by various vets.

This is basically a healthy breed. Don’t let the list below scare you! Your own dog will probably never have ANY of these problems. These are medical issues the Flat-Coated Retriever is prone to that have been listed by various veterinarians at different times over the past decade or so and some pertain to puppies and very young dogs that a breeder would deal with.

The information contained herein has been gathered from numerous books by veterinarians and is intended as general information only. Every dog and situation is different. You must see your vet. Our information is for general interest only and not intended to replace the advice provided by your own veterinarian.

Gastric Torsion—Sometimes called Dog Bloat or “Twisted stomach.” Mainly in larger, deep-cheated dogs. Here’s a brief description of the problem:
Symptoms include excessive drooling, nervous pacing, agitation, weakness, attempt to vomit, bulging stomach area, heavy breathing, retching and gagging, shock or total collapse.

Other health problems could occur with your Flat-Coated Retriever. If you notice any problems with your dog, take it to the vet immediately. This website is for general information only and is not intended to, in any way, be a medical guide

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