How to Identify a Flat‐Coated Retriever

The Flat-Coated Retriever is one of six retriever breeds, first bred in the mid-1800's, and was once the most popular retriever in Britain. [1] They are part of the sporting group of dogs and are known for their seemingly forever young personalities. [2] Flat-Coats are fairly distinct among the retriever breeds, but they do share some characteristics with other breeds of dog. This wikiHow will help you determine whether a dog is a Flat-Coated Retriever.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Inspecting the Structure

  1. Flat-Coated Retrievers are fairly large dogs, weighing 60–70 pounds (27–32 kg). Males stand at 23–24.5 inches (58–62 cm) in height, while females are 22–23.5 inches (56–60 cm) tall. [3]
  2. Flat-Coats are known for having long, fairly flat heads, which distinguish them from the other retriever breeds. The head is adequate in size and strength to allow the dog to easily retrieve prey. [4]
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  3. The eyes of a Flat-Coat are medium in size and almond-shaped. They are set widely apart and are dark brown or hazel in color, with tight, self-colored rims. The dog's expression is one of kindness, alertness, and intelligence. [5]
  4. A Flat-Coat's ears lie close to the head. They are relatively small, thickly feathered, and well set on. [6]
  5. Flat-Coated Retrievers have muzzles that are long, strong, and deep, nearly equal in length and breadth to the dog's skull, with a gradual stop. Flat-Coats have firm, clean, fairly tight lips and large, strong jaws. Black dogs have black noses, while liver dogs have brown noses, both with large, open nostrils. [7]
  6. The tail of a Flat-Coat is well set on and fairly straight. It reaches approximately the hock joint of the dog. When the dog moves, the tail is carried without curl as a smooth extension of the topline, and it is carried never much above the back level. [8]
  7. Flat-Coats are strong but elegant and give off a look of functional strength, style, symmetry, and quality. They are of moderate substance, with a strong neck, long shoulders, a level topline, deep chest, straight forelegs, well-muscled thighs, and either oval or round feet. [9]

    Did you know? The Flat-Coated Retriever came from the same family as the popular Labrador Retriever. Flat-Coats stand as tall as Labs but are noticeably leaner and more elegant in silhouette. [10]

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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Noticing the Coat

  1. Just as their name suggests, Flat-Coated Retrievers have straight, flat-lying coats. The coat may be slightly wavy but not in any way curly, wooly, short, silky, or fluffy. It permits the dog to work in all types of weather and provides water and ground cover. [11]
  2. Flat-Coats come in two color varieties: solid black and solid liver. Unlike some other retriever breeds, they are not seen in yellow or cream; they are only ever black or liver in color. [12]
  3. When the dog has a full coat, you may notice thick feathering on the ears, front, chest, back of the forelegs, thighs, and the underside of the tail, though they do not appear bushy, stringy, or silky. There may also be a mane on the neck, which is typical in male dogs. Though the dog may have feathering in these areas, the feathering is not excessively long. [13]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Recognizing Temperament

  1. Flat-Coated Retrievers are known for being a noticeably happy breed of dog. They exhibit the desire to please and are optimistic and good-natured. [14]
  2. As a retriever breed, Flat-Coats are athletic and require plenty of exercise through activities such as fetching or swimming. Without proper exercise, they are prone to becoming destructive, so putting their energy to good use is a must. [15]
  3. Flat-Coats have a tendency to mouth on objects, such as chewing on random household objects or mouthing on people's hands. Having a box of toys for a Flat-Coat to play with is important to prevent this behavior. [16]
  4. One key behavioral trait of Flat-Coated Retrievers is jumping. They are playful even into their adult years, occasionally rowdy, and are known for being exuberant jumpers, especially when not given enough exercise, so it is important to keep an eye on them. [17]
  5. Flat-Coats enjoy being around people and admire being the center of attention. They do not like being left alone without the company of people or other animals. [18]
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      Tips

      • If you wish to know the breed of your dog, consider DNA testing. DNA testing will confirm if your dog is a Flat-Coated Retriever.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/flat-coated-retriever/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/flat-coated-retriever/
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/flat-coated-retriever/
      4. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      5. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      6. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      7. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      8. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      9. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/flat-coated-retriever/
      2. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      3. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      4. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FlatCoatedRetriever.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/flatcoatedretrievers.html
      6. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/flatcoatedretrievers.html
      7. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/flatcoatedretrievers.html
      8. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/flatcoatedretrievers.html
      9. ↑ https://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/flatcoatedretrievers.html

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