About the Flat-Coated Retriever breed
Peter Pan of the dog world
The flat-coated retriever (flat; flet) is a strong, elegant dog of black or liver brown color (there are also yellow flat-coated retrievers that can be pedigreed, but cannot be bred). They are good-natured, playful and active dogs that have earned the nickname "Peter Pan of the canine world", which is fully justified considering that they are eternal puppies at heart, always ready for play and fun.
The breed originated in the mid-19th century. Although the exact development of breeding is not fully known, the breed was most influenced by the St. John Water Dog, Water Spaniels, Setters and Labradors, and the father of today's Fletcher is considered to be SEShirley. By the end of the 19th century, flat-coated retrievers were one of the most popular breeds, proving successful as both show and working, i.e. hunting dogs. Their popularity declined sharply after World War I, and their place was taken by Labradors and Golden Retrievers. Their subsequent low popularity allowed them to maintain a good reputation as a dual-purpose breed with little distinction between show and working dogs.
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a bright, attractive dog of medium size with an intelligent expression that gives the impression of strength without appearing heavy. The tail and extremities are covered with slightly longer hair that is thick, shiny and due to its quality does not require special treatment, but regular brushing is sufficient. It is an excellent hunting dog that loves to retrieve, i.e. bring it from dry land and from water. They are great lovers of water and are excellent swimmers. They are intelligent, optimistic and friendly, which is shown by the constant wagging of their tails, which is one of their main characteristics.
Flats are similar in character to other retrievers with a few minor differences. Almost all Flats are very owner-oriented. They will do anything to get their owner's attention and please them. The company of their owner is very important to them and they do not like to be alone for long. They are good-natured towards people and animals, which can sometimes be a problem, because on a walk they will want to greet everyone they come across, which usually includes a cheerful jump and lots of kisses in the middle of the face, so it is important to teach them from a young age not to jump on others. This is why they are not good guards. They will bark as a warning and to "notify" that someone has arrived, but they will greet a thief by wagging their tail. They love children and enjoy playing with them, but any play with children should be supervised because a thirty-pound Flat could easily accidentally injure a child during play. They get along well with other dogs, but sometimes it can happen that males become a little grumpy during puberty, but without a dose of aggression. They are easy to train, but during adolescence they can become stubborn, so sometimes the owner will have to be patient and persistent, but once it becomes clear to the dog who is the boss, the dog will accept it. What makes them different from other retrievers is that they are mostly more active. They require more movement and activity, and if their need for movement is not met, they become dissatisfied and destructive. The easiest way to satisfy their need for movement is by fetching; they love to retrieve thrown objects from dry land and water. In addition to physical activity, they also need attention at home, which includes petting. They like to check what is going on in the house, but they are not demanding. They are not a breed "for the yard"; they are dogs for a family that will know how to enjoy a cheerful, playful and active dog that is very affectionate to them.
In addition to being an excellent pet, hunting dog and successful show dog, the Flat Coated retriever is used around the world as a police dog for drugs and tracking, for rescue and search (e.g. under avalanches, rescuing victims in an earthquake...), as well as a therapy dog.
Like other breeds, flat-coated retrievers are susceptible to certain diseases. The most common are eye diseases (cataracts), heart disease, and hip, elbow, or knee dysplasia. Thanks to increasing genetic diversity, fewer dogs are diagnosed with tumors and their lifespan has been extended. The average life expectancy of flat-coated retrievers is 10 years.
If you are interested in a Flat Coated retriever, see if the Flat Coated retriever is the dog for you !
Thanks to Sona Axamnova (Axwell kennel - Czech Republic) for sharing the pictures!