Flat-coated retriever: Dog breed characteristics & care

👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Flat-Coated Retrievers Bear; Cooper is the 2nd most popular male name. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Flat-Coated Retrievers love Luna, then Bella.

• “The gamekeeper’s dog” and “the smooth-coated retriever” are only a couple nicknames out of many monikers. Like other retrievers, flat-coated retrievers were originally bred to hunt, which is how they earned their title as the hunter’s companion.
• The flat-coated retriever enjoyed a century of enormous popularity. This breed was the most popular retriever on English estates during the 1800s. Their popularity declined around the turn of the 20th century in favor of the Labrador and golden retrievers.
• Today, you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $3,000 for a purebred. In modern times, other breeds have eclipsed the flat-coated retriever, driving the prices into the thousands.

Among the happiest creatures on the planet, Flat-coated retrievers greet pet parents, strangers, and other dogs alike with the pleasant nature of a gracious host. Their floppy tongue and playful gait may give them a goofy expression, but their sleek coat counteracts their clownish behavior with poise and dignity.

Out of the six types of retrievers, flat-coated retrievers are unique because they have a smooth coat. However, their fur isn’t completely straight like the Labrador. Instead, their fur forms gentle waves at their legs and they have a plumed tail like the golden retriever.

According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, black and liver are the only acceptable colors for a Flat-coated retriever. They also don’t have any patterns or markings.

The flat-coated retriever is a medium-sized dog with a sleek black or liver-colored coat according to the American Kennel Club’s breed standard. Solid black or solid liver is acceptable, and the ideal coat is straight and flat lying. We teamed up with FidoTabby Alert, and according to their database, a common coat color for the flat-coated retriever is (87%) black.

Responsible breeders should screen for genetically influenced health conditions before breeding, such as hip dysplasia and eye problems. Not all cases can be prevented by selectively breeding, though, because there are many risk factors. In addition, the flat-coated retriever may also be more susceptible to diseases more prevalent in larger breeds, like gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat).

• Hip dysplasia. This condition is a malformation of the joints which leads to chronic pain and osteoarthritis. Genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of hip dysplasia, and unfortunately, it’s more common in large breeds.
• Cancer. According to this UK study Trusted Source PubMed Central Archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature. Go to source , cancer is a common killer for flat-coated retrievers, especially as they get older.
• Eye problems. In addition to screening before breeding, it’s also recommended to have your flat-coated retriever checked for eye problems annually such as cataracts and glaucoma.

Cost of caring for a flat-coated retriever

Health insurance may help pay for any accidents or chronic illnesses your flat-coated retriever may develop. By paying a low monthly price and an annual deductible, you can save on the big vet bills when they do arise. Early enrollment provides the greatest benefits because some companies may limit coverage to dogs once they’re past a certain age. If a pet insurance policy isn’t an affordable option, you might try creating a pet savings account instead.

During the mid to late 1800s, the flat-coated retriever was known as the gentleman’s best friend across the United Kingdom. They were excellent at catching small game and waterfowl, making them the favorite sport dog for land and water. Although their exact origins aren’t known, it’s speculated that they’re closely related to the other retrievers and setter-type dogs, as well as the Newfoundland.

As trends progressed away from noble estates and rural life, their popularity dwindled in favor of the golden and Labrador retrievers. By the time World War II ended, the flat-coated retriever was a relatively obscure breed.

Soon after their adoption, you’ll have to take your flat-coated retriever for their first trip to the vet and schedule their vaccinations. As they go through their housebreaking and teething phases, you’ll need to puppy-proof your home. Puppies are prone to mischief and may accidentally slip away. FidoAlert provides a free Fido ID and tag so you’re prepared just in case. Here are some other things you’ll need to consider when bringing home your flat-coated retriever:

Exercise

As a master retriever of waterfowl and small game, flat-coated retrievers possess boundless energy. They have vigorous exercise requirements that can be met by games of frisbee, long walks, and even swimming in hot weather. Flat-coated retrievers need at least two hours of exercise a day.

Grooming

The flat-coated retriever has a desirable combination of the plumed tail like the golden retriever with a sleek appearance similar to the Labrador. In addition to daily toothbrushing and occasional nail trims, they’ll need their fur brushed at least once a week in order to stay shiny and tangle-free.

Your flat-coated retriever only needs a bath every three months, or as needed. Avoid over-bathing them so that you don’t strip their coat.

Diet and nutrition

A well-balanced diet is a vital key to a healthy lifestyle. Talk to your vet about finding a food that’s appropriate for your dog’s individual medical needs and life stage, whether they’re a puppy, adult, or senior.

Flat-coated retrievers typically weigh around 60 to 70 pounds, which qualifies them as a large dog. They’ll need food that’s formulated for large breeds, and will likely eat between 3½  and 4½ cups of dry food per day, depending on the formula.

👉It might be tempting to purchase less expensive foods, but they usually aren’t as nutritious as higher quality foods, which means you’ll have to feed them more to get the nutrients they need.

Young puppies may have stubborn streaks, but overall flat-coated retrievers are highly intelligent and eager to please. With patience and persistence, you can successfully housetrain your pup, and teach them to perform commands such as “fetch” and “stay.” Retrievers are notorious for gobbling scraps off the floor, so you’ll want to teach them “drop it,” too.

Not quite sure that a flat-coated retriever is the best choice for you? Here are a few similar breeds you might want to consider:

• Labrador retriever. Voted as America’s favorite dog from 1991 until 2022, the Labrador has enjoyed almost unrivaled popularity.
• Irish setter. The red-colored Irish setter has wavy locks similar to the legs and tail of the flat-coated retriever.
• Golden retriever. Families have spent many happy years with this classic honey-hued favorite. Golden retrievers are known to be caring and loyal to their people.