Flat coated retriever – character, disposition, price

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The Flat Coated Retriever, sometimes referred to as “Peter Pan’s dog” because of his eternal youthful attitude, is a breed that deserves to be fully understood and appreciated. Sharing on an informative level, this breed with its short and shiny coat has an unusual combination of intelligence, devotion and exuberant energy that attracts and charms dog owners around the world.

Flat coated retriever – breed description and appearance

The Flat Coated Retriever is a medium-sized, elegant and harmoniously built breed. Its silhouette is proportional, and its movements are smooth and light. Adult individuals reach 58 to 62 cm at the withers in females and 59 to 61.5 cm in males. The weight of a Flat Coated Retriever fluctuates around 25-34 kg.

They have vibrant, sparkling eyes that are usually dark brown. The ears are medium-sized, drooping and well attached to the head. The head is elongated, with a well-defined stop.

The Flat Coated Retriever has a short, dense, waterproof coat, which can be black or liver-colored. The hair is straight and protects the dog well from harsh weather conditions.

Character of the Flat coated retriever dog breed

Skills – what should you know?

The Flat Coated Retriever is a versatile dog that was originally used as a dog for fetching game on land and in the water. He is intelligent and an easy learner, making him an excellent candidate for various forms of training and activities, such as obedience, agiliti, search and rescue. His natural willingness to work and contentment with his owner make him a pleasure to work with.

What kind of personality does he have?

The Flat Coated Retriever is a dog with an extremely friendly and open character. They love people and are usually very sociable. Their temperament is full of joie de vivre, and they are also very energetic and active. Flat Coated Retrievers are also known to be very protective and patient with children, making them excellent family dogs.

Flat coated retriever – how to train and raise?

The Flat Coated Retriever is an intelligent and eager dog, but it requires consistency and a positive approach to training. It requires regular mental and physical stimulation to maintain its curiosity and contentment. With proper training, it is capable of learning a wide variety of commands and tricks.

Who is the Flat coated retriever suitable for?

The Flat Coated Retriever is ideal for active individuals and families who appreciate long walks, hikes or outdoor play. It is also an excellent dog for lovers of dog sports such as agility, flyball or frisbee. This breed is not suitable for the elderly or those with limited mobility, as they are high energy dogs that require regular exercise.

Flat coated retriever – price

The price of a Flat Coated Retriever depends on many factors, such as the origin, the reputation of the breeder, the quality of the pedigree, etc. In USA, the price of a puppy of this breed usually fluctuates between $1,500 to $2,500. Remember, however, that the purchase of a dog is not the only cost – there are also costs associated with nutrition, veterinary care, training and accessories.

Advantages and disadvantages

Disadvantages

Like any breed, the Flat Coated Retriever also has its disadvantages. They are high-mobility dogs that need daily, intense exercise. They also tend to jump on people because of their exuberance and joie de vivre, which can be a problem, especially when they are young. This breed is also prone to various health problems, such as hip and elbow dysplasia and cancer.

Advantages

The advantages of owning a Flat Coated Retriever far outweigh the disadvantages. They are intelligent dogs, easy to train and very devoted to their owners. They are sociable and get along well with other dogs and animals. They are also great family dogs who understand children well. In addition, the Flat Coated Retriever has beautiful, smooth fur that is easy to keep clean.

Flat coated retriever – Health, diseases and grooming

Nutrition

The Flat Coated Retriever’s nutrition should be balanced and full of essential nutrients. This breed responds well to a diet rich in protein, a small amount of fat and an adequate amount of carbohydrates. The diet should be tailored to the dog’s age, weight and activity.

Grooming

The Flat Coated Retriever’s grooming is not complicated, but it does require regular combing – at least once a week to remove dead hair and keep the coat in good condition. These dogs also like to swim, so regular bathing is recommended, but no more than once a month so as not to dry out the skin.

Diseases

The Flat Coated Retriever, like most large breeds, is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. Other potential health problems include heart disease, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, as well as cancer. Regular visits to the vet and proper examinations are key to keeping your dog healthy.

Accessories and equipment or how to prepare for this breed?

When preparing to welcome a Flat Coated Retriever into your home, you should think about the right equipment. Dogs of this breed need sturdy toys for chewing and active play. You should definitely invest in a good quality leash, collar or harness, as well as a bowl for water and food. When choosing a bed, remember that the Flat Coated Retriever is a large breed, so it should have enough room to spread out.

History of the Flat coated retriever dog breed

The history of the Flat Coated Retriever, like many other breeds, is shrouded in mystery and has many unknown sides. Some claim that it originated in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Britain as a breed specializing in fetching, thanks to the combination of various breeds of hunting dogs, such as Setters, Spaniels and Newfoundlands.

The Flat Coated Retriever, also known as the “flat-haired fetcher,” became famous as an indispensable hunting helper, able to find and fetch injured or killed animals both on land and in the water. Due to its fetching abilities, as well as its intelligence and ease of learning, the breed quickly gained popularity.

The development of the breed is attributed to Edward Laverack, a breeder and dog lover who dedicated himself to breeding these remarkable dogs in the mid-19th century. It was thanks to him that the Flat Coated Retriever received the status of a full-fledged breed and gained an established position in hunting circles.

Unfortunately, after World War I, the breed significantly lost popularity, in favor of other breeds such as the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever. The situation was so serious that the Flat Coated Retriever was on the brink of extinction. The breakthrough didn’t come until the 1960s, when enthusiasts of the breed took steps to restore it.

Today, although the Flat Coated Retriever is not as popular as other foster breeds, it is steadily gaining in popularity. It is valued for its intelligence, versatility and unflagging willingness to work, both as a hunting and companion dog.

Flat coated retriever dog breed standard

The Flat Coated Retriever, according to the FCI standard, is a dog with an elegant, graceful build that exudes strength and energy. The dog of this breed has a long, proportional body, well-muscled, with a deep chest and strong back, which allows it to fetch effectively, both on land and in the water.

The Flat Coated Retriever’s head is long, with an arched forehead and a well-defined stop. The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, dark brown, and the gaze is full of intelligence and kindness. The ears are of medium length, set high, hanging down and attached to the head.

Particularly noteworthy is the beautiful, dense coat, which is smooth and glossy, and its texture resembles silk. The Flat Coated Retriever has a well-developed undercoat, which provides additional protection from the cold and damp. There are two accepted coat colors – black and liver.

The tail of this breed is strong, always carried cheerfully, but never at the level of the back. In movement it resembles a “pebble brush”, which is characteristic of this breed.

The Flat Coated Retriever is a breed with pronounced sexual dimorphism. Males are definitely larger and stronger than females. The height at the withers of males ranges from 58 to 61.5 cm, while in females it ranges from 55 to 58 cm.

The appearance of the Flat Coated Retriever is uniform and harmonious. It expresses joy in life, and its vigorous movements are evidence of the breed’s sporting and hunting abilities.

Flat coated retriever – interesting facts about the breed

  1. Peter Pan: The Flat Coated Retriever is often referred to as the “Peter Pan dog” because of its perpetually youthful attitude. These dogs are full of energy and enthusiasm throughout their lives.
  2. Unique colors: This breed is unique because of its two accepted coat colors – black and liver. The latter is less common, but equally beautiful.
  3. Master swimmers: The Flat Coated Retriever is one of the best swimmers among dogs. Their love of water comes from their ancestors, who were water dogs.
  4. Confusion with Labradors: This breed is often confused with the Labrador Retriever due to similarities in body shape and temperament, but they are completely different breeds with different traits and abilities.
  5. Adorable smile: Flat Coated Retrievers are known for their distinctive “smile.” When they are happy and content, they often “smile” by exposing their lower teeth.
  6. They love to play: These dogs are extremely energetic and love to play. They can play for hours without showing signs of fatigue.
  7. Late maturity: Flat Coated Retrievers mature later than other breeds, often retaining their puppy-like behavior until they are 3-4 years old.
  8. Family attachment: These dogs are extremely attached to their families and are only happy when they can spend time with them. They feel uncomfortable being alone for long periods of time.

Emily Carter is an experienced pet enthusiast and writer, with over a decade of experience caring for and working with animals. From her early days volunteering at animal shelters to becoming a pet care advisor, Emily has dedicated her life to understanding the unique needs of pets and helping pet owners provide the best possible care for their furry companions. She is especially passionate about topics like pet nutrition, behavior, training, and animal welfare.

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