Flat Coated Retriever

When it became possible for man to kill game on the wing may different breeds of dogs were used to find and retrieve it and any such dog was regarded as a retriever. Eventually, by selective breeding for the perfection of this skill, the Retriever Proper, a large black dog, had come into existence in Britain by the early part of the 19th century. It was not accepted as a pure breed, but regarded as a mongrel because of its crossbred origin from various breeds such as the Large Newfoundland, the setter, the sheepdog and spaniel-like water dogs.

Those spaniel-like water dogs were invaluable as retrievers to fishermen and were the subjects of trade between Britian and the North American continent, particularly with the cod fishery off Newfoundland during the 19th century. It was at this time that the term "Labrador" dog came into use and was applied indiscriminately to a number of different types of dogs associated with this area. These dogs, found in St. John's Newfoundland, and called the small Labrador dog, contributed towards the Wavy-Coated (and subsequently the Flat-Coated) Retriever. They should not be confused with the modern day Labrador Retriever since they are different in coat, size and structure.

The breed gained enormously in popularity and numerous important breeders made their contribution to the quality and elegance of the Flat-Coated Retriever as well as to his excellent working abilities. They were admitted to the AKC in 1915. By 1918 the breed's popularity was overtaken by the modern Labrador Retriever, and by the end of the 1920s by the Golden Retriever. At times, particularly during the two World Wars, registrations dwindled to dangerous levels. After World War II it was not easy to pick up the threads of the disappearing lines.

Males should be 23 to 24 and a half inches tall, females 22 to 23 and a half inches. Their coat is of moderate length, dense and full with a high luster. The ideal coat should be straight and flat lying. Color can be either solid black or solid liver.

The Flat-Coat is a great member of the family. They are loving, responsive, sensible, confident, happy, and very outgoing dogs.

Health concerns in the breed include adenocarcinoma, hip dysplasia epilepsy, fibrosarcoma, bloat, hermangiosarcoma, hypothyroidsim, cancer, and osteochondrosis.