The Retriever Expert Expert Care Tips For Your Retriever
The Flat coated Retriever puppy, or the “Peter-Pan” of the retriever breed, is an English sports dog breed that is medium-sized and has a flat coat of medium length. The name flat-coated comes from its fur. Flat coats and golden retrievers have a striking resemblance. However, rather than coming in various golden colors, flat coats are often exclusively black or liver in color.
This breed has a reputation for being lively and happy; many of them keep their puppy-like behavior well into their senior years. Flat coats are an excellent choice for people who lead busy lifestyles and enjoy spending much time outside. If you want to know more about the Flat coated Retrievers breed, read until the end.
Breed Overview
The Flat Coated Retrievers are a great companion dog. Due to its limitless energy, this dog needs many opportunities to run and play. Although it matures slowly, this dog is highly trainable and will do anything for its owner. These dogs are incredibly active and like running, swimming, retrieving, and hunting. It’s the best dog for a busy person or family who can entertain their pet all day.
History of the Flat Coated Retrievers
The flat coated retrievers first appeared in England in the middle of the nineteenth century. The breed includes the St. John’s water dog, an ancestor of the Labrador retriever brought to England from Newfoundland and other setter dog breeds. Aside from that, it also includes Collie breeds in the mix, providing further speculation for the breed’s excellent intellect and trainability. Additionally, spaniel breeds contributed to their prowess in the field and the water.
A flat-coat’s athleticism, enthusiasm to please and work, and skill at retrieving ducks earned him high regard. Their coat was a selling point because it kept them warm and dry in harsh environments, such as cold lakes. The breed is the black wavy, wavy-coated, and smooth-coated retriever.
They dominated the English retriever market until the Labrador and Golden replaced them in the early 20th century. The number of flat coats decreased during the wars, and they are now a somewhat rare breed. Finally, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the flat coated breed in 1915.
Characteristics of the Flat Coated Retrievers
Flat coated retrievers are among the happiest dog breeds around, greeting their owners, new people, and canine friends with the friendliness of a courteous host. Their floppy tongues and bouncy gaits may make them look silly, but their sleek coats give them an air of sophistication that belies their funny appearance.
The smooth coat of flat coated retrievers set it apart from the other breeds of golden retriever. However, unlike the Labrador, their fur could be more perfectly straight. Instead, their fur produces soft waves at the legs, and like the golden retriever, they have a plumed tail.
The American Kennel Club specifies that Flat coated retrievers can only be black or liver in color. Based on the AKC breed standard, they have no designs or markings either.
Flat Coated Retriever Breed Appearance
A huge dog with an even larger head is the main feature of a Flat Coated Retriever puppy. Dark, almond-shaped, and somewhat far apart, this breed’s eyes are striking. Small, close to the skull, and not too low, the Flat-Coat’s ears have a lot of feathering. Its muzzle of a Flat-Coat is lengthy, and its nose has a dark color that complements the rest of its coat.
The Flat-Coat’s jaws are long enough that he may retrieve pheasant and hare, as well as minor game, and his bite can be scissorlike or level. As the name implies, the coat of a Flat-Coated Retriever is flat and relatively short. His thick black or dark liver coat keeps him warm and dry in every climate.
Their tail, legs, and ears are all feathered, but the coat isn’t too lengthy. While in action, the tail is carried straight and cheerfully, but it is never curled or raised very high off the back. The forelegs of a Flat-Coat are powerful and straight, but they are wiry rather than bulky, and the elbows are positioned close to the body. Their arches are high, and their pads are thick and oval.
Flat Coated Retriever Temperament
The temperament of the Flat Coated Retriever is typically described as “bouncy” and “goofy,” indicating its friendly and outgoing nature. This dog requires energetic, humorous owners because of its high sensitivity. The Flat-Coat Retriever has a huge body built even as a puppy. And still, they act like playing never stops.
This breed wants an energetic owner and, at the same time, a tolerant fur parent who would be gentle during training. A loving pet that mingles well with every family member, the Flat-Coat also gets along well with children and other pets. While the Flat-Coat’s massive build may deter would-be burglars, the breed is more inclined to lick an unfamiliar face than to bark at it.
Further, the Flat-Coat is easy to train since he or she is bright and eager to please. Training should begin at a young age and often continue to keep the Flat-Coat focused and engaged.
The Flat-Coat is a high-energy breed that, if not correctly socialized and trained, can easily pick up destructive behaviors like excessive barking and chewing. This pup from the Flat-Coated Retriever breed has evolved from a reliable hunting companion to a superb family dog and hilarious trickster.
Taking Care of Your Flat-Coated Retriever at Home
Flat-coated retrievers require extensive daily physical activity to maintain their health and happiness. Thankfully, they have low-maintenance grooming requirements and respond positively to training.
Food & Diet Requirements of the Flat-coated Retriever Puppy
Whatever a retriever puppy eats becomes an essential part of their lifestyle. Talk to your veterinarian about the most suitable meal for them, depending on age and any existing health issues.
The average weight of a healthy adult flat-coated retriever is between sixty and seventy pounds, making it a large dog. With that, they need to consume dog food formulated for large breeds. Yet, 3.5 to 4.5 cups of dry food are their daily requirement, depending on the brand.
Cheaper foods are often less nutritious than their more expensive counterparts, so you must give your pet more to ensure they get the required nutrients.
Exercise
This energetic dog will need at least two hours of daily exercise. They may benefit greatly when you take them out on strenuous activities like jogging, biking, or fetching. Having enough mental stimulation is also crucial. Physical and mental energy can be used with the help of puzzle toys and dog sports like agility and rally.
Lack of movement and mental stimulation in a flat coat can lead to undesirable habits like destructive chewing and barking. They need a house with a yard where they can safely run around and play.
Training
Because of their intelligence and ability to bond with their owner, flat-coated retriever puppy is often among the easiest breeds of dogs to train. And due to their vulnerability to negative reinforcement training, severe corrections should be avoided at all costs. Destructive behaviors can be avoided if training and socialization begin early. Advanced training, such as that required to become a service or therapy dog, is another area in which many flat-coats excel.
Problems with separation anxiety may also require the assistance of a professional trainer, behaviorist, or veterinarian. Flat coats dislike being left alone and may exhibit undesirable habits if they are. It is best if they are in a family where someone is home most of the day, even after training.
Grooming
You should brush it regularly to keep your dog’s coat in good shape and free of mats, except for the spring and fall when extra brushing is required to keep up with the increased shedding.
Your dog should be washed once a month at the most. Also, check its ears for wax, debris, and infection as least once a week as part of the grooming routine. After a swim, make sure your ears are completely dry. In addition, once a month or so, see if your dog’s nails need to be trimmed. And ideally, it would do so every day.
Health and Conditions of a Flat Coated Retriever Puppy
Before mating their animals, responsible breeders should check for health problems and defects such as hip dysplasia and eye abnormalities. However, there are various risk variables. Therefore, selective breeding may not be able to prevent all occurrences. The flat-coated retriever may also be predisposed to stomach dilatation volvulus (bloat), a condition more common in larger dog breeds.
Although the Flat-Coated Retriever is generally in good condition, it is susceptible to the same canine ailments as any other breed. Knowing the potential health issues of this breed is essential for its ownership.
- Cancer
- Eye Problems
- Hip Dysplasia
Male vs. Female Flat Coated Retriever Puppy
Size-wise and physically, male and female Flat-Coated Retrievers are very similar, except for the mane-like depth and height of the male’s coat around the neck.
Regarding disposition, male dogs of this breed are known to be more demonstrative than females. Male Flat-Coated Retrievers are likelier to welcome their owners by enthusiastically jumping on them and licking their faces and necks. In addition, men are more prone to strike up conversations with strangers.
The female Flat-Coated Retriever is typically easier to teach because she is less headstrong than her male counterpart. Men tend to lose interest in training sooner than women do. If a guy is in your plans, training should be varied to keep him interested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do flat-coated retrievers make good pets?
A: The flat-coated retriever greets friends, neighbors, and strangers with the same enthusiastic tail wag and a bright expression. They get along well with most other people and animals, making them an excellent pick for a family.
Q: How much exercise do flat-coated retrievers need?
A: The flat-coated retriever has exceptional stamina due to its breeding for hunting and retrieving. At least two hours of running or swimming daily are generally good for them.
Q: How frequently should a flat-coated retriever be bathed and brushed?
A: Brushing your flat-coated retriever’s hair at least once a week will help keep it shiny and smooth, in addition to daily brushing, periodic baths, and nail trimming. Flat-coated retrievers shed about as much as other dog breeds, mainly during the year’s warmer months. They don’t require as much attention as other popular breeds as poodles.
Q: How is a flat-coated retriever distinct from other types of retrievers?
A: Its average weight of around 60 and 70 pounds makes it comparable to other popular retriever breeds. The most notable difference is their coat, which is unusually silky, and they may also be a bit more active than other retrievers.
Q: How much is the Price range for a flat-coated retriever?
A: Before, the flat-coated retriever was a popular breed to the point that it also symbolized the English countryside. But today, they are no popular as before. Because of that, you can pay much for this breed for $1,500 to $3,000 from a breeder. However, you can also bring home one when you adopt one from a rescue center or dog shelter.
Final Thoughts
If you want an adorable and lovable dog devoted to your time, look no further than the Flat-Coated Retriever. This breed will give you a furry buddy that stands firmly on its youth and maintains that until it matures. Aside from that, it will give you love and attention and always want to go out with you on all your adventures. Ensure you can devote significant time to providing a Flat-Coated Retriever with sufficient care and exercise!
