The Flat-Coated Retriever has its roots in mid to late 19th century England as a gamekeeper’s special Labrador or Retriever. While the exact breeding is not completely known, this dog is the product of numerous types of water dogs and spaniels, such as the St. John’s Newfoundland. Once introduced to the United States, The Flat-Coated Retriever was a popular dog to be. He was considered a stable and ideal gun dog as well as a loyal companion. However, all of this changed with the advent of the Labrador Retriever. By the end of World War II the breed’s future appeared uncertain. Fortunately, a revival of breeding and modest popularity in the 1960s helped the Flat-Coated Retriever recover some of its numbers.

As a gun dog, the Flat-Coated Retriever can be phenomenal. Armed with an excellent temperament, superior smell, wonderful swimming abilities and fantastic retrieval skills, this dog can be used both in an open plains setting and a denser region of trees and brush.

In terms of appearance, this is a handsome animal with a lustrous thick coat that is solid black or solid liver colored. The Flat-Coated Retriever will be 22 to 24.5 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 60 to 70 pounds.

Photo Courtesy of Ardenwood Flat-Coated Retrievers.