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The Flat-Coated Retriever is a versatile family companion hunting retriever with a happy and active demeanor, intelligent expression, and clean lines. The Flat-Coat has been traditionally described as showing "power without lumber and raciness without weediness."

Short History of the Breed

Due to the increasing popularity of shooting flying birds (and the corresponding need to find the birds) in the mid 19th century, the initial Retriever breeds were developed. Some breeds, such as the Golden, were carefully bred for by a single individual, others such as the Labrador were isolated in one or two kennels for their development. Still others were developed as gundog fanciers tried breeding the "best to the best" and intermixing a wide variety of breeds and abilities. The general confusion over the origins of the Retrievers partly lies in the fact that at this time the word "retriever" referred to the function rather than the breed of dog, and so any dog that proved itself capable of retrieving was considered one, whether purebred, crossbred or mongrel.
Spaniels, setters, and waterdogs quickly proved themselves the best at this type of work and provided the foundation for all of today's Retrievers, in varying proportions. However, the exact sequence of development is in many cases lost in the distance of history; even many contemporary accounts are considered flawed and mistaken today. It seems clear that the St. John's Water Dog from Newfoundland, played a significant role in the general development of the retriever breeds, though no one is quite certain of the dogs used in developing this breed. Nancy Martin's recent The Versatile Labrador Retriever (1994) contains perhaps the most comprehensive summary of the St. John's Water Dog's known and surmised history. By all accounts, the development of the modern Flat-Coated Retriever is credited to Mr. S. E. Shirley in the early 1870s. St. John's Water Dogs, water spaniels, and possibly Scotch collies were all used to develop the Flat-Coat. He stabilized the wavy or curly-coated retriever and fixed the type of the flat coated retriever. Shirley himself did not use Setters in his development of the Flat-Coat, but it is probable that the retriever mixes at that point already had infusions of Setter blood from earlier in the century. He is known to have used Labradors once they became available outside the Buccleugh and Malmesbury kennels. Mr. Shirley is well-known also for founding the Kennel Club in 1873. The breed's close association with this man meant that they were bred at the onset for both showing and hunting unlike other breeds that were privately bred by estates with their own grounds and gameskeepers. Given the depletion of breeding stock, especially after the second World War, Flat-Coats and Labradors were widely interbred to broaden the gene pool and increase the number of dogs to a safer level. For example, the Labrador CH. Horton Max, a well-regarded Labrador at the turn of the century was actually an interbred, sired by the influential CH Darenth, a Flat-Coat. For some reason, while those breeders in Flat-Coats are aware of this mixing, many Labrador breeders are not. The next influential patron of the breed was Mr. H. Reginald Cooke, born in 1860 who saw some of the first dogs that Shirley established, their hey day during the turn of the century, their uncertain fortune through the World Wars and finally their decline in numbers afterwards. His kennel, Riverside, dominated the show scene for over sixty years. He also collected wins in field trials. This domination was both fortunate in keeping the breed on an even keel and unfortunate in keeping other patrons out. He was an advocate of a medium-sized dog as being the best for work; and was concerned about keeping the hunting ability alive in the show dogs. Contrary to popular supposition, though, Cooke purchased many dogs bred by others and there was no exclusive 'Riverside' strain of flat-coats. The Flat-Coated Retriever's decline directly coincides with the Labrador Retriever's almost meteoric post-war rise in popularity. The Labrador was considered superior to the Flat-Coat in the field trials. The domination of the Flat-Coats by the Riverside kennel may have also helped to limit the possible growth that the Flat-Coat might have otherwise enjoyed alongside the Labrador; it is unclear whether this was beneficial or detrimental to the breed in the long run. There are risks in being wildly popular or in being too rare.

Physical Description and Size

The Flat-Coated Retriever is a beautiful black or liver-colored retriever sporting a sleek, medium-length, thick, fine coat with well-feathered legs, tail and chest. His long head is molded and sleek, with a wide muzzle and barely apparent stop. The eyes are dark brown or hazel, with an intelligent expression. The moderately small ears lay flat against the head. The nose should be black for black coats and brown for liver coats. The chest is deep and wide. Its back is short and square. Its legs are muscular and the feet are round and strong. Height ranges from 56-58 cm and weight ranges from approx. 27-32kg.

Temperament

The Flat-Coated Retriever is superb with children and a great family dog. It has a very stable temperament. Smart, active and friendly, this breed loves everyone. Some may be too friendly - overwhelming guests with love and attention. This is a sweet, high-spirited dog that loves to play and retrieve. A gentle and playful tail-wagger. They are cheerful, devoted companions with a puppy-like exuberance well into their later years. It is on the go outdoors, but quiet indoors. This very sociable breed needs lots of affection and attention from his family. The Flat-Coated Retriever gets along well with dogs and other pets. This breed is obedient and highly trainable, but easily bored. Keep training sessions short and fun, without excessive repetition.

Dog Care

The Flat-Coated Retriever is not recommended for apartment life. It is relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. This breed needs to be with his family to be happy. It does best when it is allowed to live inside and play outside.
The Flat-Coated Retriever is quite active and need a daily walk or jog to be on its best behavior. It especially enjoys the chance to hunt or swim. They makes an excellent jogging companion.

The feathered coat of the Flat-Coated Retriever needs only weekly brushings and little, if any minor trimming. This breed is an average shedder.

Health Issues and Life Expectancy

Cancer is common in this breed. Hip dysplasia, PRA, CHD, epilepsy and diabetes are occasionally seen.
The Flat-Coated Retriever has an average life expectancy of 10 years.

Additional Resources

Flat Coated Retriever - Online Community
Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America