Flat-Coated Labrador Dog Breed

The Flat-Coated Retriever was bred to be a hunting dog who was later trained to be a gun dog when firearms came into being. They are also excellent companion animals who, if properly trained, can be guide dogs, assist in search & rescue, and take on many roles regarding assistance to people and professionals alike. They get along very well with other dogs, love kids, seniors, and most non-canine pets. For the most part, these dogs are good for first-time dog owners, and they are perfect for active families with lots of kids.

Here are some of the good and bas aspects regarding FCRs that you should consider if you want to adopt one:

The Flat-Coated Labrador Retriever may not be a very well-known breed these days, but they are the friendliest of the many Retrievers out there. These dogs remain in an adolescent stage for longer than most dogs, and this can either be wonderful or vexing — it remains up to the master which it will be, of course.

Like any Labrador breed, the formerly most-popular Flat-Coated Lab is ever eager to please. They are born for the hunt, and they will excel easily in this role. They can also be trained as excellent guide dogs, loyal companion animals, and able search & rescue dogs alongside fire, police, and military units. These are very intelligent animals.

Perhaps the best thing about these particular Labs is that they never quite mature. They are given to a mischievousness that only passes away when they do. If you are wanting a strictly no-frills or business-only dog, this may not be the breed to adopt, as these dogs are very playful their entire life.

Like any hunting dog that prefers to be on the scent, in the fields, or chasing down game all day, the Flat-Coated Lab is not a dog to lay idle. They need a lot more exercise than the typical dog. Perhaps the absolute minimum is two long walks every day along with some significant agility play to keep them mentally stimulated.

The Flat-Coated Labrador Retriever (FCR) is somewhat of a variable of the Labrador type of dog as well as a long-established pure breed — although formally, it is not really a variation, just a dog breed unto itself. There are no varieties within this breed. There is just one dog for everything, and these all-in-one dogs are distinguished above all for not having show and field varieties. Unlike all the other breeds of Labs, the FCR is groomed for the field the same as for show, and they are able to go straight from show to field.

Long ago, when these dogs were the most popular of all Retrievers — at least in Great Britain, and perhaps in Canada and parts of the then-newly minted United States — they were recognized as a variety of Retrievers. Back then, they were called "Wavy-Coated Retrievers." Over time, their popularity fell even as respect for them remained. Eventually, they were formally recognized by many of the established kennel clubs as a pure breed.

Unlike the feathery coated fur that best describes the coats of the more commonly found Labs, the Flat-Coated Retriever's hair is thick and has a somewhat hard feel to it when touched. The double coat of this dog is practically water-proof underneath and on top is resistant to the harsh environment of the northeastern woods. For those FCRs that live inside, you should have a very reliable and strong vacuum cleaner. These dogs shed a lot, and the coarse hairs are not kind to the moving parts of machinery meant to clean up after this breed.

Flat-Coated Retrievers (FCR), unfortunately, possess more of a chance to contract cancer. The most likely types of cancer are fibrosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, malignant histiocytosis, and osteosarcoma. There are other afflictions that tend to occur more often in this breed too, such as bloat due to this tall, lean dog's very deep chest.

Here is a list of these and some other health problems that the FCR might encounter:

• Bloat
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Hip dysplasia
• Patellar luxation
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

The Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America, which has done studies on it's group's namesake breed, states that the FCR tends to have a relatively short average lifespan of 10 to 12 years.