Flat Coated Retriever
General
This bred developed from crossing such breeds as Newfoundlands, sheepdogs, spaniels, water dogs and various setters. On first looking at you, one may think that this breed resembles the Golden Retriever, however it is a distinctive breed which was developed as a dual-purpose gun dog, to go after game, both on land and water. It is affectionately called a Flattie.
It is an intelligent breed and gets on well with other dogs and also children. It is a working dog, so does need a lot of daily exercise so that it does not get bored and frustrated, which could result in behaviour problems.
They have an excellent sense of smell and love to please their people and have a job to do. Due to these two factors are often used as drug-sniffer dogs and in the UK they are being used in a breeding program for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in the UK. This is both as an independent breed and as breed crosses with the Labrador Retriever.
This bred developed from crossing such breeds as Newfoundlands, sheepdogs, spaniels, water dogs and various setters. On first looking at you, one may think that this breed resembles the Golden Retriever, however it is a distinctive breed which was developed as a dual-purpose gun dog, to go after game, both on land and water. It is affectionately called a Flattie.
It is an intelligent breed and gets on well with other dogs and also children. It is a working dog, so does need a lot of daily exercise so that it does not get bored and frustrated, which could result in behaviour problems.
They have an excellent sense of smell and love to please their people and have a job to do. Due to these two factors are often used as drug-sniffer dogs and in the UK they are being used in a breeding program for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in the UK. This is both as an independent breed and as breed crosses with the Labrador Retriever.
Eager and quick to learn, they are best trained in short intervals, as they may bore with repetition.
Is this the right dog for you?
Bearing in mind that the British Kennel Club recommends that this breed needs about 2 hours a day, it is not for everybody!
They are intelligent and love to learn, however due to their intelligence, they get very bored if you keep on repeating the same exercises, and do better with very short training sessions throughout the day.
They do not cope well with being alone, and are prone to separation anxiety. This can result in the barking and being totally destructive. To avoid this, training for Alone Time should start as a pup and be continued throughout their lives.
They mature much later in life (about 3 - 5 years), so you will have a puppy like dog, with all the puppy excitement and exuberance that goes with it!
They do tend to be rather 'mouthy' and this should be trained out of them when pups. They also tend to pick up things and take off with them, so training the Swap, Leave and Real Reliable Recall is a good idea.
Should you have 2 of the same, or 2 pups together?
On average the Flat Coated Retriever does not tend to be aggressive to other dogs, however you must make sure that your dog has been well socialized so that it will accept another dog into the home.
When it comes to which sex get on better, your best bet is one male and one female (both sterilized), or 2 males together. Never two females. The vast majority of the time two females will get on well until about 8 - 9 months of age and thenm fighting for position tends to occur. When males have the odd altercation, it tends to be over quickly, but with females, it just intensifies and often the only solution is for one of the females to be rehomes. This is not just for this breed, but in general.
Having two pups from same litter is not a good idea. Most people think that the pups will be happier with a playmate and won’t fight if they are family.Your pup should be at least 5 months old, before you consider bringing in another pup. This allows the pups to grow to their full potential and not become over dependent on one another. The truth of the matter is that your two pups are likely to:
Bond with each other to the exclusion of you
On average the Flat Coated Retriever does not tend to be aggressive to other dogs, however you must make sure that your dog has been well socialized so that it will accept another dog into the home.
When it comes to which sex get on better, your best bet is one male and one female (both sterilized), or 2 males together. Never two females. The vast majority of the time two females will get on well until about 8 - 9 months of age and thenm fighting for position tends to occur. When males have the odd altercation, it tends to be over quickly, but with females, it just intensifies and often the only solution is for one of the females to be rehomes. This is not just for this breed, but in general.
Having two pups from same litter is not a good idea. Most people think that the pups will be happier with a playmate and won’t fight if they are family.Your pup should be at least 5 months old, before you consider bringing in another pup. This allows the pups to grow to their full potential and not become over dependent on one another. The truth of the matter is that your two pups are likely to:
Bond with each other to the exclusion of you
- Will stress without the other dog being around
- Fight with each other
- Be more destructive and boisterous
- Two pups together often leads to one being more assertive and the other more submissive. This could well end up in a situation where the more submissive dog will never develop its full potential.
- Mature later
Do they get on with other dogs?
On average they do, however this is very dependent on good breeding and early socialization from being a pup. It should never be assumed that a particular breed is a social butterfly!
Do they get on with other dogs?
On average they do, however this is very dependent on good breeding and early socialization from being a pup. It should never be assumed that a particular breed is a social butterfly!
Do they get on with other animal
With early socialiazation they can get on with small animals, however they should be supervised as they are a hunting dog and prey instinct is strong.
With early socialiazation they can get on with small animals, however they should be supervised as they are a hunting dog and prey instinct is strong.
eAre they good with children?
On average they do extremely will with kids and nothing will make this breed happier than having somebody to throw a ball or a frisbee - for sure it will be the child that tires first! They are very bouncy and energetic dogs, so care must be taken with small children so that they do not get bowled over. By the same token, children must be taught how to interact with dogs and to respect them.
On average they do extremely will with kids and nothing will make this breed happier than having somebody to throw a ball or a frisbee - for sure it will be the child that tires first! They are very bouncy and energetic dogs, so care must be taken with small children so that they do not get bowled over. By the same token, children must be taught how to interact with dogs and to respect them.
Health
Breed health concerns may include cancer, hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, entropion, distichiasis, micropapilla, glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy. Hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and malignant histiocytosis are particularly troublesome and seem to occur at higher rates in Flat-Coated Retrievers than in many other breeds.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Breed health concerns may include cancer, hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, entropion, distichiasis, micropapilla, glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy. Hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and malignant histiocytosis are particularly troublesome and seem to occur at higher rates in Flat-Coated Retrievers than in many other breeds.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Do’s and Dont’s
Do’s
Don’t
Do’s
- Do get your pup from a KUSA registered breeder and do read the articles on Breeders and also choosing a pup
- Sterilize at approximately 6 months of age.
- Do take your pup for socialization - pups should start at 8 weeks of age and this should not be missed - lays the foundation for future social interactions.
- Do continue the socialiazation - keeps solid social skills in place
- Give daily, regular exercise which this breed really needs - at least an hour per day
- Supply chew toys and mental stimulation when left alone.
- Allow your dog to be part of the family
- Do train Alone Time exercises so that separation anxiety does not develop.
- As these dogs tend to be 'mouthy' in general, good idea to teach the Leave, Swap and Real Reliable recall for when the dogs dashes off with an object in its mouth.
- Give regular brushing and annual vacs.
- Supply mental games such as behaviour games, scenting games etc in the garden to mentally stimulate this breed.
- Do be aware that you will have a 'puppy like' dog for at least 3 - 5 years.
- Take your dog for basic training and keep simple house rules in place
Don’t
- Don't use aversive training methods.
- Leave this breed outside alone – behaviour problems will develop