| The Flat-Coated Retriever is not suited to an | | | | the rear feet grow slower than the toenails |
| apartment. She needs at the least, a properly | | | | of the front feet. Generally a guillotine |
| fenced in space to exercise in. She expects | | | | type trimmer is the best for this chore and |
| to live indoors with her human family. She | | | | competent instructions to accomplish this can |
| generally does very well with other pets and | | | | be found on the net. |
| loves children. As a reminder, never leave a | | | | |
| child unsupervised with any puppy or dog. She | | | | *Life Span. The Flat-Coated Retriever can |
| makes a good watch dog but may try to make | | | | live between 10 and 12 years with proper |
| friends with a prowler once she announces | | | | nutrition, medical care and excellent living |
| him. | | | | conditions. |
| | | | |
| *Approximate Adult Size. The approximate | | | | *History. The Flat-Coated Retriever was |
| adult size (two years old or older) of the | | | | developed in Great Britain. They were |
| Flat-Coated Retriever is 22 to 23 inches to | | | | probably developed from a cross between the |
| the withers (highest point of the shoulder) | | | | Labrador, Water Dog, Irish Setter, |
| and 60 to 70 pounds. The female is smaller | | | | Newfoundland, Collie and some type of setter. |
| than the male. | | | | They were first registered by the American |
| | | | Kennel Association in 1915. |
| *Special Health Considerations. Most dog | | | | |
| breeds have certain inherited health problems | | | | Some Registries: |
| associated with that specific breed and the | | | | |
| Flat-Coated Retriever is no exception. Be on | | | | *UKC United Kennel Club |
| the look out for Cancer (common for this | | | | |
| breed), Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based | | | | *NKC National Kennel Club |
| looseness in the hip joint that can lead to | | | | |
| arthritis pain and lameness), Patella | | | | *CKC Continental Kennel Club |
| Luxation (congenital condition in which the | | | | |
| kneecap dislocates), epilepsy, diabetes, and | | | | *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited | | | | |
| disease of the retina that can cause vision | | | | *AKC American Kennel Club |
| loss and blindness).This disease list is an | | | | |
| informative guideline only. Other diseases | | | | *FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale |
| may also be significant threats, please | | | | |
| contact your veterinarian for a complete | | | | *NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club |
| list. | | | | |
| | | | *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain |
| She should visit the veterinarian several | | | | |
| times in the first year for shots, boosters | | | | *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club |
| and check up. Then, as an adult, she should | | | | |
| visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and | | | | *ACR = American Canine Registry |
| check up. As she gets older, six years and | | | | |
| on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a | | | | Litter Size: 6 to 9 Flat-Coated Retriever |
| year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid | | | | puppies |
| feeding your dog sweets. | | | | |
| | | | Category: Gun Dog, Sporting |
| *Grooming. The Flat-Coated Retriever has a | | | | |
| straight, flat coat with some waviness | | | | Terms To Describe: Intelligent, friendly, |
| possible. Her coat is of moderate length with | | | | happy, active, affectionate, light hearted, |
| good luster. She is an average shedder and | | | | sensible, optimist |
| should be brushed regularly. Brushing will | | | | |
| help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, | | | | *SPECIAL GOOD POINTS |
| avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on | | | | |
| her health and strengthen your emotional bond | | | | Trains well. |
| with her. | | | | |
| | | | Good watch dog. |
| Her ears should be checked once a week and be | | | | |
| kept clean. If you have her professionally | | | | Good with children. |
| groomed, make sure ear cleaning and | | | | |
| inspection is part of the package. No water | | | | Very stable personality. |
| or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, | | | | |
| and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear | | | | Makes a very good family dog. |
| cleaning is too complicated and critical to | | | | |
| instruct here. Look for hair growing in the | | | | Loves to wag her tail. |
| ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her | | | | |
| ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems | | | | Good obedience. |
| to be in distress and you suspect an | | | | |
| infection, or tumor, consult your | | | | *SPECIAL BAD POINTS |
| veterinarian. | | | | |
| | | | Poor guard dog. |
| Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a | | | | |
| week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed | | | | She needs a lot of human social interaction. |
| for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation | | | | |
| of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities | | | | *Other Names Known By: Wavy-Coated Retriever, |
| (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog | | | | |
| periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of | | | | *Every dog is an individual so not everything |
| teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. | | | | in this information may be correct for your |
| | | | dog. This information is meant as a good |
| Her toenails may need to be examined for | | | | faith guideline only. |
| growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of | | | | |