Flat-Coated Retriever: Peter Pan of the dogs

The Flat-Coated Retriever, the "Peter Pan of dogs", is a wonderful companion with lots of energy. His nickname is not accidental, because for a long time, even for the rest of his life, he has a kind of childlike temperament that attracts many to the breed.

The Flat-Coated Retriever could, with a bit of a twist, be called the Labrador Retriever’s lesser-known sibling. It is an excellent breed of dog, and although it is behind the much-loved “Goldie” and “Lab” in popularity, it is in no way inferior to either of these two breeds. This rare hunting dog will be presented below.

History

The history of the breed is not full of colourful legends. It appeared in the 1800s and was very popular, especially among the gentry. No wonder, as the smooth-haired retriever was an excellent aid in hunting waterfowl. It could retrieve game from even the most difficult terrain, with seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm and energy.

The exact breeds from which the Flat-Coated Retriever evolved are still a matter of debate, but it is certain that the St. John’s water dog and various setter breeds were mixed. The name St. John’s water dog may sound familiar, as the now extinct breed is considered to be the ancestor of the Labrador Retriever. Like its distant cousins, the Flat-Coated Retriever is characterised by a coat that is resistant to harsh weather and icy water.

Its popularity was relatively short-lived, as by 1918 it had been replaced in many areas by the Labrador Retriever, and later in the 1920s the Golden Retriever had stolen into the public consciousness and with it into the hearts of the public, displacing the previously highly regarded smooth-haired retriever. This relegation almost spelled the end of the breed, but thanks to a few enthusiastic fanciers, it was saved.

Stanley O’Neill and H. R. Cooke, in particular, helped in this effort. The latter, for example, is famous for his work as a breeder and, with it, the Riverside Kennel. The Flat-Coated Retriever was registered by the AKC in 1915, while the FCI only officially recognised the English breed in 1954, and classified it in its 8th breed group, retrievers – hair-hounds – water-hounds.

Breed standard

Medium to large sized dog with a strong yet graceful build, lively and confident expression. Height at the withers averages 56.5–61.5 cm and weight ideally 25–36 kg, depending on the sex of the dog and which side of the range it is on. Its most striking feature is its beautiful, shiny and smooth coat, which is uniform in colour, either black or liver brown. The coat is close to the body, medium in length, but flagged or fringed on the legs and tail, i.e. with longer tufts.

The back is muscular and straight, the chest is deep and rather broad, the belly and loin are not long curved, but rather short and angular, well defined and well tucked up. Legs muscular, forelimbs straight and hind limbs well but not over angulated. The short, straight tail is carried mainly in line with the back, rarely above it. Head long, skull convex and moderately broad, muzzle long and strong. The eyes are dark or chestnut brown, the nose is the same colour as the fur, and the ears are small and hang down to the head.

Character of the Flat-Coated Retriever

A happy, confident and very cooperative breed, easy to train, highly intelligent and with an outstandingly friendly, affectionate attitude. Not for nothing are dogs nicknamed Peter Pan, as his playful, inquisitive and mostly puppy-like qualities are still very much in evidence in his everyday life as an adult. Some people love this in the breed, but for some it is a bit too much. But it is undeniable that this easy-going nature creates excellent opportunities: he is very open to children and finds it easy to find common ground with them.

It has a high energy level, so it requires adequate exercise on a daily basis. If nothing else, long walks and play with plenty of retrieving opportunities should be included in the routine, and for many dogs this can be enough. But it’s also worth thinking about some kind of sport, such as agility or dock diving, to name but a few of the many possibilities. If he doesn’t get enough mental and physical “exercise” and is often bored, he is prone to destruction and less than desirable behaviours. However, if the owner devotes enough time and energy to attending to the dog’s needs and training him in the right way, he may find a loyal and devoted companion in the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Ideal environment

In the right environment, he is well adapted to different life situations and changes. It is a very playful and active breed, so it will do best in a family with similar qualities. It is also well-adapted to children (even very young ones), other dogs and other species. If you want a pet dog, the smooth-haired retriever is not the best choice, as it can make friends with strangers very quickly. However, if he notices anything strange, he will inform his owner without question, even though he is not the most curious of breeds.

Caring of a Flat-Coated Retriever

Grooming a Flat-Coated Retriever requires regularity, but it’s also very easy. His coat should be combed free of tangles once or twice a week, and occasional bathing is recommended. The recommended frequency of this varies from source to source, with some recommending quarterly or less often and others recommending every month or two. What is certain is that, as well as maintaining the coat, it is important to pay attention to the health of the ears and teeth.

Common health problems

The average age of a Flat-Coated Retriever is 8-10 years, but this time can be relatively healthy. However, they can be prone to a number of ailments, which are listed below. It is important to note in advance that there are screening tests for most of these, and a responsible breeder will take advantage of these to promote the health of the breed and its dogs.

• Hip dysplasia, arthritis;
• Cancer. Lymphoma (blood and lymphatic tumours that develop from lymphocytes), mast cell tumours (mastocytoma, the most common skin tumour in dogs) and bone cancer are common;
• Green cataracts;
• Intestinal torsion.