When you see a Flat-Coated Retriever, you’d be forgiven for thinking it is just a black Golden Retriever, but they are in fact their own breed.
The flat-coated retriever was developed as a hunting dog to retrieve game from both land and water and they reached peak popularity in World War 1. After the war, they had steep competition from Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers which nearly led to an extinction of the breed multiple times.
If you are looking for a quiet, mature dog, this breed isn’t for you as they known for their playful manor and they mature at a much slower rate than most breeds. There tendency to retain their puppy like behaviour for many years as an adult dog has led many to regard them as a Peter Pan of the dog world and makes them a wonderful, entertaining companion.
They'll make a good burglar alarm but will have little to no affect as a guard dog as they're more likely to jump up at and lick an intruder than they are to scare them off.
Be aware – flat-coated retrievers only come in solid black or solid liver, so if you're offered a golden or brown flat coated retriever they're certainly a different breed.
Although a very popular dog breed, they're still very rare so, if you want a flat-coated retriever, expect to be put on a waiting list for a year or two. When you approach a breeder, don't be surprised if they ask many questions to ascertain if you'll provide a suitable home. In their effort to improve the breeds population, they may well refuse you if you don’t meet their standards.
The flat-coated retriever is an incredibly friendly breed, so children, other dogs and even strangers can expect a nudge, a lick and no sign of hostility which makes them a wonderful family dog.
They're also a very sensitive breed who can be quick to grow stubborn and ignore you if you upset them.
They have a youthful outlook on life and are known to continue puppy like behaviour long into their adult lives which can make them a bit of a handful, but it does mean they are a very fun and entertaining pet.
They're wonderfully friendly towards children, however they’re not overly aware of there own size and strength, so they can unintentionally cause harm by knocking smaller children and frail elderly people over.
Flat coats are a very joyous breed who love nothing more than jumping up and chewing things. These are both traits you would likely want to train out of them for which positive reinforcement training methods such as praise and food rewards work best.
They may be big but you should treat them like you're training a puppy or young child which means you should keep training fun, exciting and kind or they may become disinterested. If you treat them harshly, you'll find they become stubborn and refuse to do what you ask until you make it up to them.
There's one common trait almost all flat-coated retrievers have – they love to eat poop which is otherwise known as coprophagia. It’s quite disgusting, so you should try to prevent this as best you can by picking up their stools and disposing of them immediately.
Flat-coat retrievers are a perfect addition to families with older children. Unfortunately, their over excited nature means they can be known to accidentally knock smaller children down, so if you have toddlers, they may not be a suitable choice.
They can be fairly calm indoors, but they're not really suited to apartments and they're better off living in areas where they can utilise their hunting talents and get the exercise they need. Their ideal home would be a farm or a house in the countryside with a large garden and access to water that they can swim in.
If they’re left alone for long periods of time, they will get bored and likely get destructive, so they're not a good fit for anyone who has to leave the house for more than a couple of hours a day.
Thanks to their abundance of energy, they can make wonderful jogging companions. If you take them running with you, choose a route with plenty of grass and soft surfaces instead of concrete because the shock from running on hard surfaces can cause irreversible damage to their bones and joints.
The flat-coated retriever has a straight and moderately long coat which protects them from all kinds of weather and dirt.
Luckily, they don’t need too much grooming.
Generally, the flat-coat will need brushing once a week unless shedding. If they are shedding then you will need to brush them daily to avoid an abundance of loose dog hair in your house.
Brush their teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and bacteria. Daily brushing is even better to prevent gum disease.
Trim their nails once or twice a month. Always bear in mind, if you can hear them clicking on the floor, they’re too long and should be cut immediately. Not only does trimming the nails keep their paws in good condition, it also protects you and anyone else when they jump up.
Flat-coated retrievers are generally healthy compared to other breeds, but they do have a high cancer rate and potential for weight gain.
When purchasing a puppy, as with any breed, make sure you check the breeder has all the relevant health clerances including from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip Dysplasia, Eblow Dysplasia, Hypothyroidsim, and Von Willebrand’s Disease, and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) to certify that their eyes are normal.
As they can gain weight easily, divide their food in to two meals instead of one large one. This will help their digestion and avoid bloat which can be common in this breed. As with all breeds, the quantity of food depends on multiple factors including age, size, exercise levels etc.
Hip Dysplasia is an inherited condition that means the thighbone doesn’t fit snuggly in the hip joint.
The symptoms are generally pain and lameness which will vary in severity and can be present in one or both rear legs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for the disorder to lead to hip replacement.
Make sure you ask any breeder if the puppy’s parents have been tested and cleared for Hip Dysplasia. If they have not, or the issue is present in one or both, find another breeder.
Malignant Histiocytosis is a rare form of tumour that is found in Burmese Mountain Dogs and is the most common in Flat Coated Retrievers.
The tumours originate in white blood cells found in the skin and loose connective tissue in the body. They will have a lumpy or fleshy feel to them and can develop in any part of the body.
To diagnose the condition these tumours must have microscopic examinations.
Unfortunately, by the time the tumours are detected, they have often progressed and spread to multiple points in the body which leads to a variety of symptoms. Typically, the tumours are found in the lungs, liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes which cause symptoms that vary in severity from lethargy, fever and loss of appetite to respiratory issues and seizures.
Treatments include surgery to remove the tumour and chemotherapy, and radiation to follow. Sadly, the prognosis is poor and the therapy is generally considered as more of a method of alleviating the symptoms as opposed to a full cure.
Lymphosarcoma is the third most common cancer found in dogs. It’s present in lymphocytes and lymphoid tissues which are located in many parts of the body including lymph nodes, liver, bone marrow and the spleen.
The average age of sufferers is 6-9 years, but dogs of any age can be affected and certain breeds like the German Shepherd, Scotties, Westies and Pointers are more susceptible.
There are 5 types of Lymphosarcoma which are determined by the location of the tumour. These types are external lymph nodes, bone marrow, skin, gastrointestinal tract and mediastinal.
There are a whole host of methods for diagnosis due to the multiple areas in which Lymphosarcoma can be found. Tests include a biopsy of affected tissue, a complete blood count, an abdominal ultrasound and x-rays.
Lymphosarcoma can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy, with up to 80% of dogs treated going into remission. Although it’s not a cure, it does allow the dog to have a good quality of life for an average remission time of 8-10 months.
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive bone cancer that generally affects large and giant breeds.
The first symptom is lameness which can be caused by multiple issues, so your dog will need x-rays to determine if the cause is cancer.
Treatment for Osteosarcoma is aggressive, usually culminating in amputation of the affected limb, and chemotherapy, but with successful treatment, you can expect your dog to live an extra 9 months to 2 years, perhaps even longer.
Luckily, dogs adapt well to life on three legs and don’t suffer the same side effects to chemotherapy as humans, such as nausea and hair loss.
Patellar Luxation is a relatively common problem that occurs when the patella is not properly lined up. This causes the Femur (thigh bone), Patella (kneecap), and Tibia (calf) to slip out of place. When this happens, the dog will generally skip or hop.
There are four grades, ranging from I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe, and patella cannot be realigned manually.
The constant rubbing caused by this issue can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease and severe levels of Patella luxation may require surgery to avoid further issues and pain.
Bloat doesn’t sound too serious, but if it’s left untreated it can be deadly for your dog. Large, deep-chested dogs are more commonly affected than smaller breeds.
Bloat causes the stomach to swell with gas and then twist. The dog can’t belch or vomit to release the gas, blood flow to the heart is impeded, blood pressure drops, and the dog goes into shock.
To avoid bloat, split their feeds into multiple smaller meals through the day instead of one large portion. You must also avoid exercise for at least half an hour to an hour after eating. Another cause can be drinking too much water rapidly, so keep a watchful eye on that as well.
Symptoms of Gastric Dilation Volvulus are a swollen abdomen, excessive drooling, dry retching, lethargy and a rapid heart rate.
Without immediate medical attention, bloat can be fatal, so if you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately.