Flatcoated Retriever

Lifestyle needs

Flatcoated Retriever

The Flat Coated Retriever is generally a happy dog and an extrovert, although as in most breeds temperament is not always typical.  He takes rather a long time to grow up so his owner will need to be prepared for puppy-like behaviour for several years.  He’s a tireless working dog who likes to be out in the hunting field retrieving game.  Most Flatcoats love water and are natural swimmers.  He is not happy to be left on his own and needs plenty of exercise every day.  Ideally he needs to live in a house with a decent sized  garden and have access to the open countryside.  His fine, glossy coat should be groomed every day.

Inbreeding coefficient – COI

(should be as low as possible)

The breed average COI is 6.5%

See A Beginners Guide to COI.

Health and welfare problems due to conformation

(body shape and physical characteristics)

None

BVA/KC Health Schemes  http://www.bva.co.uk/chs

• Hip dysplasia (malformation of the hip joints causing pain and disability): breed mean score 7.8 (parents should be lower)
• Eye disease: Goniodysgenesis (predisposes dog to a painful and sight threatening disease); Glaucoma

Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) are now available for Hip Dysplasia from the Animal Health Trust (AHT)

DNA tests available

None

Unofficial (breed club) schemes

• Bitches should not produce a litter under 2 years of age
• Bitches not to produce more than 3 litters in their lifetime
• Bitches not to produce more than 1 litter within a 12 month period

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents (or check the KC’s health test results finder). If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder ( and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other diseases

(for which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire and dam)

• Cancer: Malignant histiocytosis (a multi system, rapidly progressive type of cancer); Soft tissue sarcoma.  *A Cambridge study has found that >50% of Flatcoats died of confirmed or suspected cancer onaverage at the age of 8/9 years.
• Entropion (inversion of an eye lid)/Ectropion (the skin is so contracted that the mucous membrane is on the outside)
• Cataract
• Distichiasis ( a double row of eye lashes which rub the eyeball causing inflammation)
• Patellar luxation (dislocated knee-cap)
• Glaucoma (adult onset – due to pectinate ligament dysplasia)

Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents.  Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life.  Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions.  Some breeders will also agree to contribute towards medical costs or refund purchase price.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the RSPCA / BVA AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

You are also advised to buy from a breeder who follows the Dog Advisory Council’s Standard for Breeders: http://www.dogbreedhealth.com/dac-breeding-standard/

List of Dog Breeds