ADDITIONAL FLAT COATED RETRIEVER PICTURES
Family: Retriever
Breed Group: Gun Dog, AKC Sporting
Origin: England
Date of Origin: 1850s
Originally used for: Hunting birds
Used today: Sporting, companion
Other Name(s):
History of the Breed: Bred as a bird and show dog, the modern Flat-Coated Retriever is credited to Mr. Shirley in the early 1870s.
St. John's Water Dogs, Water Spaniels, and possibly Scotch Collies were all used to develop the Flat-Coat. Mr. Shirley stabilized the wavy or
Curly-Coated Retriever and fixed the type of the Flat Coated Retriever. Shirley himself did not use Setters in his development of the Flat-Coat,
but it is probable that the retriever mixes at that point already had infusions of Setter blood from earlier in the century. He is known to have
used Labradors once they became available outside the Buccleugh and Malmesbury kennels.
The breed's close association with Mr. Shirley meant that they were bred at the onset for both showing and hunting unlike other breeds that were
privately bred by estates with their own grounds and game keepers.
General Appearance: The head is long and nicely molded with a gradual tapering form a moderately broad flat skull towards the muzzle.
The face is fairly well filled in between the eyes which are set widely apart and of medium size being dark brown or hazel with a very intelligent
expression. The muzzle is long and is strong. The nose has large open nostrils for easy scenting, and well braced lips to obviate the
collection of feathers. The body is equipped with a deep chest, the forelegs should be perfectly straight with bone of good quality carried right
down to the feet and when the dog is in full coat the legs should be well feathered. The coat should be dense and the color is solid black or
solid liver. The tail is short, straight and carried gaily and is well feathered.
Height & Weight:
Height 22-24.5 Inches
Weight 60-70 Pounds
Coat: The coat is of moderate length, density and fullness, with a high luster it is straight and flat laying.
Color: Solid black or solid liver.
Grooming needs: Low
Temperament of Breed:
Friendly with children: Yes, they are large dogs and can knock over small children
Friendly with other dogs: Yes
Suitability as a watchdog: Yes
Exercise Level: Medium
Health Issues with the Breed:
Major: Patellar luxation, elbow and hip dysplasia, cancer
Minor:
Life Expectancy: 11-13 Years
2006 AKC Ranking: 100
First Registered by the AKC: 1915
Registries: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR
ACR -American Canine Registry
AKC -American Kennel Club
ANKC -Australian National Kennel Club
APRI -American Pet Registry Inc.
CKC -Continental Kennel Club
CKC -Canadian Kennel Club
FCI -Fédération Cynologique Internationale
KCGB -Kennel Club of Great Britain
NKC -National Kennel Club
NZKC -New Zealand Kennel Club
UKC -United Kennel Club
Breed Organizations & Associations:
Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America, Inc.
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