Learn About Flat Coated Retriever
Flat-Coated Retrievers comprise a breed of medium-
to large-sized dog that originated in England during
the 19th century. They were initially bred to work as
gundogs, retrieving birds on land or in water. They
are believed to have been bred from the now extinct
St. John's dog, an ancestor of Labrador Retrievers,
as well as Newfoundlands, collies, and setters. Today,
Flat-Coated Retrievers are moderately popular as pets
and as show dogs, and often work as drug-sniffing dogs
and guide dogs.
On average, Flat-Coated Retrievers measure roughly
22-25 inches in height and weigh 55-75 pounds. As with
many breeds, they are sexually dimorphic in that males
tend to be larger than females. They are known for their
unique head shape; a Flat-Coated Retriever's head is
said to look like it is one continuous piece due to
their flat skulls and cheeks, and their strong muzzles
that are filled in around their eyes.
Flat-Coated Retrievers have long, silky, shiny, straight
coats. Their coats are moderately dense and full, but
lie flatly on their skin and therefore do not detract
from the dog's slender, athletic, and elegant appearance.
Flat-Coated Retrievers' fur feathers on their legs and
tails. Their coats may be black, liver, or yellow or
cream in color. Yellow coats are excluded from the breed
standard.
Flat-Coated Retrievers are adventurous, exuberant,
and sweet. They possess great enthusiasm, and love to
have fun and be active. Though their high energy may
sometimes border on boisterousness, they ultimately
love to please, and learn quickly and eagerly. Keeping
with their youthful attitude, Flat-Coated Retrievers
can be impatient, and may become bored easily. Their
excitement about life and childlike disposition are
known to last with a fervor even into their old age.
As retrievers, Flat-Coated Retrievers require a great
amount of exercise. They also need to be engaged often
and have a fairly high attention requirement, meaning
that Flat-Coated Retriever owners must be able to dedicate
a fair amount of time to their dog. Flat-Coated Retrievers
have low grooming requirements, needing only to be brushed
once per week, and rarely, if ever, needing to be trimmed.
They shed moderately.
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