| Flat Coated Retrievers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Flat-Coated Retriever personality and behavior. |
|
|
My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Flatcoated Retriever, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says, "The Flat-Coated Retriever demonstrates stability and a desire to please with a confident, happy, and outgoing attitude characterized by a wagging tail."
This cheerful dog is athletic, not a couch potato, so he needs running exercise every day and, whenever possible, swimming and fetching. Otherwise he will find outlets for his energy through destructive chewing and digging.
The gregarious Flatcoated Retriever thrives on personal attention and doesn't like being left for long periods of time without the companionship of people or other pets.
Optimistic about everyone and everything, this breed is emphatically not a guardian.
He is eternally lighthearted and playful, doesn't know his own strength, and can be an exuberant jumper. Supervision is important around toddlers and smaller pets.
You must control his tendency to chew on objects and to mouth your hands -- provide a box filled with toys so he can carry something around in his mouth.
A Flat Coated Retriever retains his youthfully good-humored outlook on life into old age, which sounds delightful but which does require patience and control to manage.
Obedience training is a must to instill calmness and good manners. Fortunately, he is responsive and biddable, though not as "push-button" as a Golden Retriever. He has a willful streak."
History
Developed in England as both a land hunter and a water retriever, the Flat-Coated Retriever was immensely popular until the coming of flashier Goldens and Labs.
Size
22-25 inches and 60-75 lbs |
|
Flat Coated Retrievers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large and athletic, with the familiar retriever shape and dependable retriever attributes
- Has a pretty feathered coat
- Is a cheerful tail-wagger
- Thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities
- Is polite with everyone
- Is peaceful with other animals
- Is uncommon
A Flat Coated Retriever may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Mouthiness -- carrying and chewing objects, mouthing your hands
- Regular brushing and combing
- Shedding
- Serious health problems
A Flatcoated Retriever may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Flat Coated Retriever... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Flat Coated Retrievers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Flat-Coats can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in hunting, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their "hardwired" drive to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. |
- Bounciness. Young Flat Coated Retrievers (up to about three years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Flat Coated Retriever puppies. The temptation to play roughly is simply too great with many young Flat-Coats. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Flat-Coated Retrievers need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Grooming. To keep their feathered coat free of mats, Flat Coated Retrievers require regular brushing and combing, and occasional trimming.
- Shedding. Flat Coated Retrievers shed quite a bit. Their dark hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting, and hide under the furniture. Be prepared for vacuuming.
- Serious health problems. All retriever breeds are susceptible to joint and bone problems, and eye diseases. Even worse, an alarming number of Flat-Coated Retrievers are dying of cancer at an early age. Their lifespan is less than for similar-sized dogs.
| Not all Flatcoated Retrievers are alike! |
- There are energetic Flatcoated Retrievers, and placid Flatcoats.
- Hard-headed Flat-Coated Retrievers, and sweet-natured Flatcoats.
- Serious Flatcoated Retrievers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Flatcoated Retrievers, and Flatcoats who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Flat-Coated Retriever puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Flat Coated Retriever... |
There are plenty of adult Flatcoated Retrievers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
 If you would like to link to this review,
here is the HTML code:
<a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/flatcoatedretrievers.html">Flat-Coated Retrievers: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a>
|
Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
|
