Flat Coated Retriever Black, Yellow, Temperament, and Lifespan

Flat Coated Retriever Dog Breed Introduction

Flat Coated Retriever is a medium-sized gundog from England bred for retrieving both on land and water. They were the most popular retrievers in England prior to their dethroning in the early 20th century by Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. The Flat Coated Retrievers are known for their wagging tails and flat-lying coat that is either black or liver. Although, some are yellow-coated but they may not participate in conformation shows.

The Flat Coated Retrievers have slow maturity rate as they reach their full maturity between the age of 3 to 5 years. This breed maintains its puppy-like look into its senior years. As a natural breed, Flat Coated Retrievers enjoy participating in natural activities such as dogging, playing in mud, and even rolling in feces.

These dogs are outgoing, confident, and cheerful making them loving family pet and companions to small children provided an adult is present to direct the boisterous enthusiasm of the dog. A Flat Coated Retriever also gets along with other dogs and cats. In the UK, Flat Coated Retrievers are used as a breed and cross-breeds with the Labs for The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

Flat Coated Retriever Origin | History

The Flat Coated Retrievers were developed in the mid-1800s in England. Following their development, these dogs became the most popular retrievers. However, their fame was short-lived after the introduction of Labs in 1918 and Golden Retrievers in 1920.

Some of the breeds that are believed to have contributed to the development of this breed include St. John’s Dog, Spaniel-like water dogs, Setter, Newfoundland, and Sheepdog. Over the years, the breed has been referred to as Smooth-Coated Retriever, the Black Wavy Retriever, and Wavy-Coated Retriever. The breed almost became distinct after World War I and II. The breed’s fanciers brought him back although he has not been able to regain his lost fame. The Flat Coated Retrievers have been AKC recognized since 1915.

Flat Coated Retriever's Photo — **A Photo of a Black Flat Coated Retriever**

Flat Coated Lifespan

The Flat Coated Retrievers have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

Flat Coated Retriever Grooming | Grooming Needs

The Flat Coated Retrievers have a medium-length coat that sheds at moderate levels throughout the year and heavily in Spring and Fall. Weekly brushing using a slicker brush and metal comb will suffice to remove dirt, loose hairs, and keep the coat looking healthy. During the shedding season, the dog will need two to three brushings per week to keep shedding to a minimum.

The Flat Coated Retrievers need an occasional bath unless they roll into something stinky. Use a canine shampoo and conditioner to bath and moisturize the coat. Always rinse off the grooming products from the coat until the water runs clean to prevent skin irritation. Clip the Flat Coated Retriever’s nails every 3 to 5 weeks using nail clippers and grinders. Brush the teeth twice a week using a tasty canine toothpaste and toothbrush to remove tartar buildup. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls to remove excess wax and debris.

Flat Coated Retriever Shedding

The Flat Coated Retrievers shed all-year round at moderate levels and heavily while experiencing seasonal change in Spring and Fall.

Flat Coated Retriever Hypoallergenic

The Flat Coated Retriever is not a hypoallergenic breed. It has a moulting coat that sheds heavily twice a year and moderately throughout the year. A shedding coat permits dander and fur to spread around the house aggravating allergies. Apart from dander and fur, dog’s saliva, urine, and mucus also contain a protein allergen that triggers inflammation.

Flat Coated Retriever Training

The Flat Coated Retriever are responsive, friendly, eager to please, and intelligent making them highly trainable. They thrive if they training sessions are short, upbeat, and challenging spread throughout the day. The Flat Coated Retriever is a sensitive breed that responds well to positive training methods like verbal praise, giving treats and interactive toys, petting, and playtime. However, they will shut down during training if harsh corrections methods like yelling, beating, punching, shoving, and kicking.

These are social dogs that if regularly left alone for long periods may have behavior issues such as excessive barking, scratching the walls, and chewing. To raise well-mannered and well-adjusted Flat Coated Retrievers, socialization is key. This training exposes the dog to a wide variety of people, animals, places, situations, experiences, and sounds such as lawn mowers, door bells, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, sirens, and whistles.

Enrolling Flat Coated Retrievers in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. Start teaching basic commands words like come, sit, stay, lie down, wait, heel, etc. immediately a Flat Coated Retriever joins you home. The Flat Coated Retrievers are effectively housebroken by creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training.

Flat Coated Retriever Temperament | Personality | Traits

Cheerful.
Eager to please.
Energetic.
Friendly.
Outgoing.
Alert.
Sensitive.
Responsive.
Versatile.
Affectionate.
Loving.
Lighthearted.
Good-natured.
Confident.

Flat Coated Retriever Exercise

These are versatile gundogs that require ample exercise on a daily basis for physical and mental stimulation. Exercise can be in form of swimming, long daily walks, and play sessions in a yard. Participating in tracking, obedience, rally, and agility keeps Flat Coated Retrievers happy and stimulated.

Flat Coated Retriever Barking

The Flat Coated Retrievers use an assertive bark as a means of protecting their families and properties, however, they are not likely to back up the barking sounds with actual aggression.

Flat Coated Retriever Height

Female Flat Coated Retrievers have a height of 22 to 23.5 inches ( approx. 56 to 60 cm ) while their male counterparts have a height of 23 to 24.5 inches ( approx. 58 to 62 cm).

Flat Coated Retriever Weight | Weight Chart

Male Flat Coated Retrievers have a weight of 60 to 79 pounds ( approx. 27 to 36 kg ) while female Flat Coated Retrievers have a weight of 55 to 71 pounds ( approx. 25 to 32 kg ).

Flat Coated Retriever Size

The Flat Coated Retrievers are medium-sized dogs with a height of 22 to 24.5 inches ( approx. 56 to 62 cm ) and a weight of 55 to 79 pounds ( approx. 25 to 36 kg ).

Flat Coated Retriever Health Issues | Health Problems

Breeders of Flat Coated Retrievers have the sire and dam tested for hereditary conditions like deafness, hip dysplasia, and eye conditions like glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy. Occasionally, epilepsy is also observed in the breed. As compared with other dog breeds, Flat Coated Retrievers have a higher risk of cancer than most dogs including osteosarcoma, Hemangiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, and malignant histiocytosis.

These dogs also have a low rate of luxating patellas and hip dysplasia as compared with other medium-sized dogs. Due to large size and deep chests, Flat-coated Retrievers are also prone to gastric torsion volvulus.

Other dog breeds include:

Briard.

Barbet.

Flat Coated Retriever Names

A Flat Coated Retriever dog owner may find a name for the dog before it joins them home from the breeder or days after the dog settles home to understand its personality. Parents may source names from the English heritage of the breed, their coat color, personality, books, celebrity Flat Coats, movies, food, songs, historical figures, and nature.

Parents should ensure the name chosen won’t be a source of embarrassment, does not rhyme with the command words, and it is not too long. Some of the names that Flat Coated Retrievers owners give to their pets include:

Phantom.
Licorice.
Raven.
Eagle.
Lily.
Mason.
Kane.
Bruiser.
Alpha.

Flat Coated Retriever Black | Yellow | Colors

According to the breed standard, the permitted coat colors that a Flat Coated Retriever should have is lustrous Black or Liver. However, some Flat Coated Retrievers have a Yellow Coat and participate in other venues but not conformation shows.

Flat Coated Retriever Allergies

The Flat Coated Retrievers may suffer from various forms of allergies:

Contact allergies – This allergy causes inflammation once the skin comes in contact with the allergen. Some of the contact allergens that affect Flat Coated Retrievers include lawn chemicals, plastics, carpet cleaning detergents, grooming products, latex, bed linens, certain fabrics, etc.

Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergens that affect Flat Coated Retrievers include grass, trees, pollen, ragweed, dust and dust mites, fleas, and house molds.

Skin allergies – This allergy causes itchiness, redness, excessive scratching and biting due to food, contact, and environmental allergies that manifest on the skin.

Flat Coated Retriever Tail

The Flat Coated Retrievers have a well-set tail that reaches the hock joint. When in motion, the tail is carried happily with no curl.

Flat Coated Retriever Price | Cost | Price Range

The price of Flat Coated Retrievers is $1000 to $3000 depending on the proximity of the breeder as well as age and pedigree of the dog.

How Much Does A Flat Coated Retriever Cost

The average cost of Flat Coated Retrievers is $1000 to $3000.

Do Flat Coated Retrievers Shed

Yes. Flat Coated Retrievers shed all-year round at moderate levels and heavily in spring and fall when experiencing seasonal change.

Are Flat Coated Retrievers Hypoallergenic

No. The Flat Coated Retrievers are not hypoallergenic since they have a moulting coat that spreads dander and fur around the house aggravating allergies.

How Long Do Flat Coated Retrievers Live