Retriever (Flat Coated)

The Flat Coated retriever is a beautiful gun dog from the United Kingdom. It originated in the mid-19th century. It can be trained to retrieve from both land and water. It is a versatile dog and is very responsive. It is usually solid black or solid liver in color any other color gets disqualified during exhibitions. They are known to have a non stop wag when around people.

They have a long muzzle which enables them to carry game. It also has strong muscular jaws and clean lines. Their ears are relatively small and stick close to the dog’s head. It had a tail of moderate length and is well feathered. It has a single coat and no undercoat. Its coat is of a moderate length and is lustrous. According to the breed standards, it can have a slight wave but usually it is straight. Feathering is seen on the underbody, chest, tail and legs. It is easy to maintain and only needs an occasional brush and a bath. Shaving of the coat is not advisable and whiskers should not be trimmed too. Ears and tip of the tail can be tidied as required.

They form really strong bonds with their owners and are very devoted and friendly. It is a perfect multi purpose gun dog and can mark, flush and retrieve very well. When they hunt, their movements are smooth and balanced. They display long clean strides.

They are a little difficult to train and can get bored with any repetitive training. Short, fun and varied training techniques work best for this dog. Harsh punishment and corrections don’t work on this breed and they are best handled with love.

They are fun loving and have a very sunny disposition. They also get along very well with other house pets including cats. They tend to get very excited and they can knock over little children so obedience training is required. They also need to be socialized. They love company and are friendly dogs so they only serve well to warn you about strangers.

The flat coated retriever will have to undergo regular checks to see that they are healthy. They should be checked mainly for hip dysplasia and eye problems. They also run the risk of developing cancer. Their average lifespan is short and is about 10 years. Agility, obedience and hunting exercises stimulate their brains enough to keep them happy.

Its friendly nature makes it a nice house dog and its intelligence and good sense makes it a wonderful hunting companion. Though it doesn’t need any special grooming, it does require attention from the family members. It likes to be a part of family activities. He adapts to all the changing conditions of hunting very well. They have a lot of energy and need an outlet for this. Regular mental and physical stimulation is required throughout their life. As they love human beings, they need to be kept with the family otherwise they will not be happy.