gamey and puppy - like , bouncy 2-dimensional - coated retrievers are a rare stock but prized as focused hunting fellow , terrific show dogs , and loving family pets .
Affectionately referred to as the ' Peter Pan ' of breeds , one of the appealing aspects of flat - surface retriever puppy is when they grow up , they retain that same youthful exuberance . respectable - natured , playful , devoted to their preferred human , and quite magical , unconditional - coats — or ' flatties ' as they ’re often call — have energy to spare !
Those who make good companion for vapid - coats are dynamic , outdoorsy , and eager to drop hours roaming around with their dogs . Hunters love this retrieveras a marsh and woodland partner because he was multiply to convey waterbird and diminished game . A flatty pet parent also understands howpositive reward trainingaccentuates all of this sporting blackguard ’s good qualities and keep him mentally and physically shrill .
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Appearance
A straight - coated retriever ’s colors avail him blend into the rude earth well . Mostly substantial sinister or liver , but occasionally a deep gilded Robert Brown , he zip off through the reed like a shot , powerful into the pee , and his sleek , medium - duration pelage aid him glide effortlessly through the wafture and protect him from any chill . His tooshie , farsighted and fan - like when juiceless , narrows to a knock-down rudder when besotted for easy maneuvering .
He has a pitch , fluid brow and feathery bobbed ear frame some of the sweetest bronze - colored eyes . A flatty ’s whole look represents his kind and playful nature , specially when his farsighted glossa lags out of the end of his narrow muzzle .
A flat - coated retriever isa large , strong frank , standing nearly 2 feet marvellous at the berm and count approximately 60–70 pounds . His lean racer ’s build prove off his power and stamina .
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People often question about a straight - coated retriever vs. agolden retriever . Well , they ’re like the second - cousin twice - absent you only see at the house reunion : Yes , they ’re both extremity of the retriever family tree diagram , but that ’s where most law of similarity stop . If you hear of a directly - cake golden retriever , or a black lucky retriever , it ’s likely ahybrid retriever mixbetween the two breeds . Flatties are actually a smidgen more tight related toLabrador retriever , both in ancestry and in coloring material .
Temperament
If you want a minuscule " get up and go " in your doggo , you ’ll have all that and more with a flat - coated retriever . Bonnie Bragdon , DVM , MS , is co - father and President of the United States of theIndependent Veterinary Practitioners Association . She says if he ’s from a worthy line of merchandise , a flatty makes anexcellent family dogwith people whoenjoy an fighting lifestyleand close companionship .
" The stewards of this stock sought to raise dogs that were physically fit to withstand the rigor of hunting , good swimmersto recollect waterbird , and heedful wreak partners who bond to their human associate for an prosperous partnership , " Bragdon tell . " Today , the flat - coat retriever is successful in field trials andcompetitions , and wants to please their human pardner . " They also excel at scent work .
The flat - coated retriever ’s disposition is playful , well-disposed , and upbeat . Theyadore hoi polloi and minor . In fact , they count themselves integral member of the family unit , watch over you aroundeven without thepromise of treats , always have a bun in the oven one - on - one attention .
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They ’re also quite sensitive ( those sweet-scented , odoriferous eyes , remember ? ) andsuper smart , so help oneself them understand what ’s expected of themwith solitaire and positive strengthener training .
Bragdon saysregular day-after-day exerciseand genial foreplay will help him avoid getting into shenanigan . Whether as a Modern pup or an old dog from a flat - coated retriever delivery , consider these authoritative acquirement and behavioral aspects to bring out his safe :
Because a directly - coated retriever is so in - melodic line and affectionate with humans , debate channel his energy and penetrating sense of purpose intobecoming a therapy dog .
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Living Needs
Have we cite that the flat - coated retriever demand everyday exercise ? Like , a lot ? He was carry to fix the stride for huntsman in the Natalie Wood and through body of water , so a 20 - minute walk around the block likely wo n’t be enough to satisfy his born instincts — unless it ’s six times a day !
Bragdon articulate that while a bland - coat is adaptable and flexible , he appreciates living in a base with distance and entree to the outdoors for even exercise and activity . For these reasons , he ’s probably not thebest pawl for flat dwellers . He also might be safe and less potential to bolt after small , furry creatures if keep at bottom alarge , well - fenced areafor his daily romps .
Make the outside his giant playground ! Let him snivel and fetch and run!Play gamesto spark off his oddment ! If you ’re not into search or fishing , a flat - coat will be a enceinte track companion forhikingorcamping , or you’re able to show off his doggie - paddle by teaching him topaddleboardorkayak . Heck , he ’d credibly evenpractice doga .
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monotonous - coated retrievers are usually pretty in effect pals with other household pet ifintroduced and socializedearly on .
Care
Few dogs want less primping than the flat - coat retriever — he ’s a " washables and wear " kinda guy . With a weekly feeling of ametal comb and brush , you wo n’t have to spend a fortune ongrooming coststo polish off loose hair , filth , and stray pheasant feathers . This regular brushing also helps circulate important oil to keep his skin from dry out out .
If he ’s swimming in the ocean , a chlorinated pool , or in a lake with a lot of algae , it ’s a good estimate to hose him off after every expedition . But unless he gets into something really nasty , you ’ll likely not have to care aboutgiving him a bathmore than a yoke time a year .
Do sleekflat - coated retriever shed ? Yes , a piddling , peculiarly in the spring and fall , but your attention to weekly dressing will help tamper down the fluff a bit .
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Black flat - coated retrievers and other dark - colored flatties might have a job with heat apoplexy . According toVCA Hospitals , intense practice session during hot temperatures set some dogs at risk for this condition , so take good care of your rambunctious retriever on years like this . Becausehe does n’t perspire , help him chillax after vigorous activity either indoors with atmosphere conditioning , or out of doors in the shade andmaybe even a cooling doggie pool . additional water is a must either style — but you canhold the deoxyephedrine cube .
Other quick primp tips includeteeth brush , nail trims , andear cleaning .
Health
A flat - coated retriever ’s life is close to 8–10 years , and he’llstay relatively healthymost of that prison term , bouncing and diving all over the piazza .
However , subsequently in life , this stock is extremely susceptible tohistiocytic sarcoma , an aggressive form ofcancer . It ’s often undetected until it ’s too belated , so Bragdon recommends owners consult their veterinarians regularly for frequent monitoring for lumps and other signs of pathetic health .
Bragdon also notes flatties have problems withhip dysplasiaandluxating patellasor kneecap . to boot , as they ’re such active pee dogs , you ’ll desire to keep a close lookout man forpotential ear infection . let in prophylactic ear caution measures , such as thorough drying after every outing and even cleansing to keep spike trouble at bay .
History
concord to theFlat - Coated Retriever Society of America , a longstanding English stock known as the St. John ’s Dog shape much of the retriever argument , and this is just one aspect of the flat - coat dog ’s miscellaneous pedigree .
Initially breed in the mid-1800s , he also includes some of the right traits ofNewfoundlands , as well as various setters , sheepdogs , and water - loving spaniels . One of the biggest fan of the stock was Sewallis Evelyn Shirley , who helped formulate the flatty and also foundedThe Kennel Clubin the U.K.
For decades , flat - coats were roll in the hay as the " gamekeeper ’s frankfurter , " because they were the preferred hunting companion of the English high-pitched society on their Brobdingnagian estate .
In fact , until the early 1900s , flatties were the most pop retrievers in the U.K. until the rise of goldens and Labradors . Although registered in 1915 by the American Kennel Club in the U.S. , interest in the flat - pelage acutely declined in both country for more than three decennary .
In the 1960s , U.S. breeders Nancy Laughton and Stanley O’Neill avail revive the stock ’s popularity among competitors and sportsmen , but of the current six retrievers in the AKC ’s sporting radical , the flat - coating is still an outlier : bonk to some , especially in Europe , butrelatively unheard ofby others .
