Flat-Coated Retriever

Temperament

The Flat-Coated Retriever is an optimist by nature. It greets everyone, family, guests and strange dogs alike, with a wagging tail, so it won't work as a guard dog. It is very sociable and copes poorly with being alone, and when bored it may dig, chew and look for a way to escape the yard. It learns willingly and quickly, but it has a bit of an independent streak and an eternal tendency toward mischief, so training takes consistency and a sense of humor. It adores retrieving and water: a puddle, pond or river is an invitation. It usually lives in harmony with children and other animals, although a young dog can be boisterous and may knock over a toddler. It matures late: many Flat-Coats act like adolescents until age three or beyond.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Flat-Coated Retriever for?

The Flat-Coated Retriever suits an active family or person who spends a lot of time outdoors, loves water and wants a dog for sports, retrieving or hunting. It gets along wonderfully with children and other dogs. Skip it if you live in a small apartment, work away from home all day, want a guard dog, or don't have time for at least two hours of activity a day.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Flat-Coat needs a lot of exercise, the Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours a day, and it has to be purposeful: retrieving, swimming, tracking, dummy training or obedience. A leash walk around the neighborhood is nowhere near enough. The medium-length coat with feathering on the ears, chest, legs and tail needs brushing several times a week, and after a swim in a lake it's worth rinsing and drying. Check the ears regularly, since moisture encourages infections. Feed two meals a day and don't allow intense exercise right after eating, to reduce the risk of bloat. Training works best when built on play and retrieves. A well-fenced yard helps, but it won't replace doing things together.

Health and breed-related conditions

Unfortunately, the Flat-Coated Retriever has a shorter-than-average lifespan, usually 8–10 years, and the main cause of early death is cancer, including soft tissue sarcomas, lymphoma, mast cell tumors and bone cancer. The University of Cambridge is researching causes of death in the breed. The Royal Kennel Club recommends that breeders have eye exams with gonioscopy for goniodysgenesis, which can lead to glaucoma, as well as hip and elbow screening. The deep chest raises the risk of bloat. Regular vet checkups and a quick response to any new lump under the skin are especially important in this breed.

• cancer (including soft tissue sarcomas and lymphoma)The breed has a higher risk of cancer, which is a common cause of premature death.
• glaucoma (goniodysgenesis)Inherited and usually appearing around 5–6 years of age; an eye exam with gonioscopy is recommended.
• hip dysplasiaThe Royal Kennel Club recommends hip and elbow screening.
• gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat, GDV)An emergency in deep-chested dogs.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The Flat-Coated Retriever was developed in 19th-century England and was originally called the Wavy-Coated Retriever. Its ancestry shows the influence of setters, spaniels and early retrievers. The first breeders bred only black dogs, though golden puppies were sometimes born; the liver color was established later. By the end of the 19th century, the Flat-Coat was a very popular dog on large shooting estates. The breed type was stabilized by Sewallis Evelyn Shirley, chairman of The Kennel Club from 1873 to 1899. In the 20th century, the Flat-Coat's popularity as a working dog declined as the Labrador took center stage.

Fun facts

• The FCI standard allows only black or liver.
• The breed was once known as the Wavy-Coated Retriever.
• Sewallis Evelyn Shirley, chairman of The Kennel Club from 1873 to 1899, was an ardent supporter of the Flat-Coat.
• The FCI standard gives a preferred weight “in working condition” of 27–36 kg for males and 25–32 kg for females.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Large dog breeds
• Best dogs for kids
• Hunting dog breeds

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 121 – Flat Coated Retrieverfci.be
2. 2Royal Kennel Club – Retriever (Flat Coated)royalkennelclub.com
3. 3PetMD – Flat-Coated Retrieverpetmd.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.