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This is a family-oriented dog that does best when allowed to live inside and play outside. The coat needs only weekly brushing and little, if any, minor trimming occasionally. For prospective dog owners who are interested in a particular breed, purebred rescue …. Close Main Navigation Menu. Sign Up Log In. Hide Saved searches. Save search for breed. Energy Level 3 out of 5. Exercise Requirements 3 out of 5. Playfulness 4 out of 5. Affection Level 5 out of 5. Friendliness To Dogs 3 out of 5. Friendliness To Other Pets 4 out of 5. Friendliness To Strangers 4 out of 5. Watchfulness 2 out of 5. Ease of Training 5 out of 5. Grooming Requirements 2 out of 5. It has a long muzzle and strong jaws to allow it to carry large birds or game. The Flat-Coated Retriever has a unique face with slight stop depression where the muzzle meets the forehead , long backskull, small, pendant shaped ears, and intelligent, dark brown, almond-shaped eyes. Flat-Coated Retrievers have an arched neck, strong, flat back, and moderately long feathered tail. The Flat-Coated Retriever is lighter, faster, and more agile than most other Retrievers. Coat The Flat-Coated Retriever has a single layered straight, dense, flat coat which may be solid black or solid liver deep brown. The coat is of moderate length with feathering on the legs, chest, belly, and tail. Appearance should be as natural as possible. Character The Flat-Coated Retriever is intelligent, sensible, outgoing, confident, and happy-go-lucky. It makes a great family companion and tends to bond closely with everyone. Flat-Coat Retrievers are optimistic; constantly wagging tails are their trademark. The Flat-Coated Retriever is intelligent, sensible, outgoing, confident, and happy-go-lucky. Flat-Coated Retrievers are good with larger children, but may be overly enthusiastic and energetic for toddlers. Socialization when young is recommended. They welcome visitors into the home, but will bark at intruders, making them fairly good watchdogs. They get along very well with dogs, cats, and other animals, often greeting other dogs with a kiss on the lips they may attempt the same maneuver on their human companions as well. Browse through our breeder's listings and find your perfect puppy at the perfect price. Temperament Flat-Coated Retrievers are good with larger children, but may be overly enthusiastic and energetic for toddlers. Care The Flat- Coated Retriever should have its coat cleaned and brushed weekly. It has an average lifespan of 10 years. Redirected from Flat-Coated Retriever. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Retrieved 12 December Archived from the original on Retrieved Retrieved 11 December The Complete Flat-Coated Retriever. The Boydell Press, NY. American Kennel Club. Daily Express. The Kennel Club. Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America. The Journal of Small Animal Practice. Dogs originating in Great Britain. Fell Terrier Longdog Lurcher. Authority control GND : Hidden categories: CS1 maint: archived copy as title Articles needing additional references from July All articles needing additional references Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata Articles with 'species' microformats All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from June Commons link from Wikidata Articles with Curlie links Wikipedia articles with GND identifiers. Namespaces Article Talk. Views Read Edit View history. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. Flat-Coated Retriever Dog Breed Profile | Petfinder

The Flat-Coated Retriever is intelligent, sensible, outgoing, confident, and happy-go-lucky. Flat-Coated Retrievers are good with larger children, but may be overly enthusiastic and energetic for toddlers. Socialization when young is recommended. They welcome visitors into the home, but will bark at intruders, making them fairly good watchdogs. They get along very well with dogs, cats, and other animals, often greeting other dogs with a kiss on the lips they may attempt the same maneuver on their human companions as well. Browse through our breeder's listings and find your perfect puppy at the perfect price. Temperament Flat-Coated Retrievers are good with larger children, but may be overly enthusiastic and energetic for toddlers. Care The Flat-Coated Retriever should have its coat cleaned and brushed weekly. It has an average lifespan of 10 years. The Flat-Coated Retriever is susceptible to common canine maladies such as cancer, PRA, glaucoma, epilepsy, and bloat. Incidence of hip dysplasia malformed hip joint which can cause lameness or arthritis or luxating patella dislocated knee is low. Bloat can be prevented by feeding from a raised dish, spacing meals throughout the day, and avoiding exercise immediately after meals. Training The Flat-Coated Retriever is eager to please and enjoys learning, though it may require a little more time to learn than a Golden Retriever. Brief, varied, gentle training sessions are recommended. The Flat-Coated Retriever excels in retrieving, agility and obedience trials, and showing. Early obedience training is recommended. Activity The Flat-Coated Retriever requires a considerable amount of daily exercise, though its needs are modest compared to some other sporting breeds. Long walks, games of catch, swimming most love water and mud , and field sports will keep the Flat-Coated Retriever truly happy. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a versatile hunter on land or water; it can flush game, point downed birds, and fulfill other duties. Flat-Coated Retriever Puppies for Sale. Finding the right Flat-Coated Retriever puppy can be dog gone hard work. Take advantage of our PuppySearch or leisurely browse our directory of hundreds of dog breeds, Flat-Coated Retriever dog breeders, Flat-Coated Retriever dogs for adoption, and Flat-Coated Retriever puppy for sale listings with photos and detailed descriptions. Some Flat-Coated Retriever puppies for sale may be shipped Worldwide and include crate and veterinarian checkup. Many Flat-Coated Retriever dog breeders with puppies for sale also offer a health guarantee. With thousands of Flat-Coated Retriever puppies for sale and hundreds of Flat-Coated Retriever dog breeders, you're sure to find the perfect Flat-Coated Retriever puppy. Other Popular Dog Breeds. Boston Terrier. German Shorthaired Pointer. Miniature Pinscher. Frequent bathing is not necessary as it may strip your Aussie-Flat of its much-needed oils to coat their fur. So bathe your dog as necessary and not frequently. As a result, Aussie-Flat requires thorough brushing at least once a week but when the amount of shedding increases significantly during the spring and fall, thorough brushing is required several times a week to prevent tangling and to eliminate the dead hair. Finally, an Aussie-Flat makes a good drool-free companion because both Aussies and Flat-coated Retrievers are unlikely to drool in great quantities. All Aussie-Flats are intelligent, alert, and friendly dogs and are very responsive to their owners. Also, with early and proper socialization, Aussie-Flats can become confident and attentive dogs with a strong awareness of their environments. The herding and prey drives inherent in the Australian Shepherd may be so prominent in Aussie-Flats but may sometimes be moderated by the nature of the Flat-coat Retriever. Though both Flat-coated Retrievers and Australian Shepherd are highly intelligent and can be trained for many situations, they can sometimes be stubborn, especially if early training was neglected. More so, Aussie-Flats are compassionate and patient with kids and smaller animals and are mostly easy and outgoing with strangers. However, this behavior must be addressed early if not desired as it would become very difficult to train Aussie-Flats out of this behavior if it becomes ingrained when the dog. Chatham Hill Retriever was first developed as a smaller sized Spaniel dog but with the retrieving nature and physical traits of the Flat-coated Retriever. Both Flat-coated Retriever and Cocker Spaniel can assist with hunting and retrieving game birds. Chatham Hill Retriever was intentionally bred to create a smaller hunter that would assist hunters in finding, flushing, and retrieving prey. Chatham Hill Retrievers are on the smaller side of medium, allowing them to easily get through thickets and bushes to reach birds that had been downed. Most Chatham Hill Retrievers end up as affectionate and friendly companions to owners, kids, and even other pets. Despite being a very good pet, they are also still quite capable of finding, flushing, and retrieving game birds and other small animals. The Chatham Hill Retriever is a medium-sized dog with an average height of about 20 to 23 inches and an average weight of about 35 to 45 lbs. Chatham Hill Retriever has a long, somewhat refined head with a rounded skull and round amber or brown eyes that project a gentle kindness as well as an energetic and alert nature. Chatham Hill Retriever is likely to be slightly longer than taller, with rounded, hanging ears that come down from the sides of their head and may sport feathering or longer hair. These breeds have fairly long, straight legs and a long, straight tail that they carry almost straight out from their bodies when they are alert and let hang when at ease. Since Flat-coated Retrievers lack a dewclaw, some Chatham Hill Retrievers may inherit this and also lack a dewclaw. Chatham Hill Retrievers have a soft, dense undercoat that is overlaid by a straight or slightly wavy layer of fairly short hair. This overlaying hair may be made up of the harder waterproof hair common to the Flat-coated Retriever or the silky hair common to the Cocker Spaniel. Although Chatham Hill Retrievers may emerge with many colors, the most common colors are yellow fawn , brown, and black. Chatham Hill Retriever requires fairly simple grooming requirements. Though there can be exceptions in some cases. However, Chatham Hill Retriever requires regular brushing depending on which coat the particular breed inherited — if the coat of the Flat-coated Retriever is inherited, brushing once or twice a week is required but if the coat of the Cocker Spaniel is inherited, daily brushing is required to prevent tangling or matting. Also, occasional clipping may be necessary to keep the coat neat and free of dirt and debris. The inside of the ears should also be regularly checked and kept clean and dry as their long hanging ears predispose them to ear infections. They are not only an excellent bird-hunting companion but are also an outstanding family and home companion — good pets. Chatham Hill Retrievers are outgoing, friendly, affectionate, and playful with all family members — they make great companions for both adults and older children. They also get along well with most strangers. However, Chatham Hill Retrievers will bark to let you know that someone is around. Nevertheless, Chatham Hill Retrievers are too gentle and friendly to make a good protection dog or guard dog. Note that Chatham Hill Retrievers inherit the boisterous nature of the Flat-coated Retrievers and may cause bumps or falls in their enthusiasm. Flat-Coated Retriever Mix: Facts | Breed Info | Temperament

It has yet to return in substantial numbers to field competition. In , 'Sh Ch. Vbos The Kentuckian ' aka Jet , a 9. Shargleam Blackcap ' in These wins have contributed to the breed's popularity in Europe and the United Kingdom. Regular tests and clearances for hereditary joint conditions such as hip dysplasia , deafness, and eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma should be conducted by breeders on any dogs used for breeding. Occasionally, epilepsy is also seen in the breed. Flat-Coated Retrievers have a higher risk of cancer than most dogs. Hemangiosarcoma , fibrosarcoma , osteosarcoma , and malignant histiocytosis are particularly devastating, and occur at higher rates in them than in many other breeds. According to studies sponsored by the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America FCRSA , [12] the average lifespan of the Flat-coated Retriever is only about eight years, [13] with a high percentage of deaths due to cancer. More recent surveys in Denmark and the UK show a median lifespan around 10 years. Another more common affliction amongst Flat-Coated Retrievers is gastric dilatation volvulus , otherwise known as bloat. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Redirected from Flat-Coated Retriever. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Retrieved 12 December Archived from the original on Retrieved Retrieved 11 December The Complete Flat-Coated Retriever. He has a willful streak. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. Sadly, this lovely breed suffers from malignant tumors of all kinds — most notably deadly histiocytic sarcoma, which occurs in Flat-Coats and Bernese Mountain Dogs FAR more than in any other breed. Also lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, mastocytoma, melanoma, fibrosarcoma, adenocarcinoma, and others. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. All rights reserved. Some dogs are simply easier than others; they take to training better and are fairly easygoing. They're also resilient enough to bounce back from your mistakes or inconsistencies. Dogs who are highly sensitive, independent thinking, or assertive may be harder for a first-time dog parent to manage. You'll get your best match if you take your dog-owning experience into account as you choose your new pooch. Some dogs will let a stern reprimand roll off their backs, while others take even a dirty look to heart. Low-sensitivity dogs, also called "easygoing," "tolerant," "resilient," and even "thick-skinned," can better handle a noisy, chaotic household, a louder or more assertive owner, and an inconsistent or variable routine. Do you have young kids, throw lots of dinner parties, play in a garage band, or lead a hectic life? Go with a low-sensitivity dog. Some breeds bond very closely with their family and are more prone to worry or even panic when left alone by their owner. An anxious dog can be very destructive-- barking, whining, chewing, and otherwise causing mayhem. These breeds do best when a family member is home during the day or if you can take the dog to work. Breeds with very short coats and little or no undercoat or body fat, such as Greyhounds, are vulnerable to the cold. Dogs with a low cold tolerance need to live inside in cool climates and should have a jacket or sweater for chilly walks. You can find a great jacket for your dog here! DogTime participates in the Chewy affiliate program to earn fees for linking to products on Chewy. Dogs with thick, double coats are more vulnerable to overheating. So are breeds with short noses, like Bulldogs or Pugs, since they can't pant as well to cool themselves off. If you want a heat-sensitive breed, your dog will need to stay indoors with you on warm or humid days, and you'll need to be extra cautious about exercising your dog in the heat. Some breeds are independent and aloof, even if they've been raised by the same person since puppyhood; others bond closely to one person and are indifferent to everyone else; and some shower the whole family with affection. Breed isn't the only factor that goes into affection levels; dogs who were raised inside a home with people around feel more comfortable with humans and bond more easily. See Dogs Less Affectionate with Family. You may be surprised by who's on that list: Fierce-looking Boxers are considered good with children, as are American Staffordshire Terriers which are considered Pit Bulls. Small, delicate, and potentially snappy dogs such as Chihuahuas aren't always so family-friendly. Our ratings are generalizations, and they're not a guarantee of how any breed or individual dog will behave. Dogs from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences, training on how to get along with kids , and personality. No matter what the breed or breed type, all dogs have strong jaws, sharp pointy teeth, and may bite in stressful circumstances. Young children and dogs of any breed should always be supervised by an adult and never left alone together, period. Friendliness toward dogs and friendliness toward humans are two completely different things. Some dogs may attack or try to dominate other dogs, even if they're love-bugs with people; others would rather play than fight; and some will turn tail and run. Breed isn't the only factor. Dogs who lived with their littermates and mother until at least six to eight weeks of age and who spent lots of time playing with other dogs during puppyhood, are more likely to have good canine social skills. Stranger-friendly dogs will greet guests with wagging tails and nuzzles; others are shy, indifferent, or even aggressive. If you're going to share your home with a dog, you'll need to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothes and in your house. However, shedding does vary greatly among the breeds. Some dogs shed year-round, some "blow" seasonally, some do both, and some shed hardly at all. If you're a neatnik, you'll need to either pick a low-shedding breed or relax your standards. To help keep your home a little cleaner, you can find a great de-shedding tool here! Drool-prone dogs may drape ropes of slobber on your arm and leave big, wet spots on your clothes when they come over to say hello. If you've got a laid-back attitude toward slobber, fine; but if you're a neatnik, you may want to choose a dog who rates low in the drool department. Some breeds are brush-and-go dogs; others require regular bathing, clipping, and other grooming just to stay clean and healthy. Consider whether you have the time and patience for a dog who needs a lot of grooming, or the money to pay someone else to do it. Due to poor breeding practices, some breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, such as hip dysplasia. This doesn't mean that every dog of that breed will develop those diseases; it just means that they're at an increased risk. If you're adopting a puppy, it's a good idea to find out which genetic illnesses are common to the breed you're interested in. Some breeds have hearty appetites and tend to put on weight easily. As in humans, being overweight can cause health problems in dogs. If you pick a breed that's prone to packing on pounds, you'll need to limit treats, make sure they get enough exercise, and measure out their daily food servings into regular meals rather than leaving food out all the time. Ask your vet about your dog's diet and what they recommend for feeding your pooch. You can find high-protein dog food here! Dogs come in all sizes, from the world's smallest pooch, the Chihuahua, to the towering Great Dane, how much space a dog takes up is a key factor in deciding if they're compatible with you and your living space. Large dog breeds might seem overpowering and intimidating, but some of them are incredibly sweet! Take a look and find the right sized dog for you! You can pick up a crate for your dog here! Make sure you get the right size. Easy to train dogs are more adept at forming an association between a prompt such as the word "sit" , an action sitting , and a consequence getting a treat very quickly. Other dogs need more time, patience, and repetition during training. Many breeds are intelligent but approach training with a "What's in it for me? Here are some great treats for training your dog to get you started! Dogs who were bred for jobs that require decision making, intelligence, and concentration, such as herding livestock, need to exercise their brains, just as dogs who were bred to run all day need to exercise their bodies. If they don't get the mental stimulation they need, they'll make their own work--usually with projects you won't like, such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue. Common in most breeds during puppyhood and in Retriever breeds at all ages, mouthiness means a tendency to nip, chew, and play- bite a soft, fairly painless bite that doesn't puncture the skin. Mouthy dogs are more likely to use their mouths to hold or "herd" their human family members, and they need training to learn that it's fine to gnaw on chew toys, but not on people. Mouthy breeds tend to really enjoy a game of fetch, as well as a good chew on a toy that's been stuffed with kibble and treats. Dogs who were bred to hunt, such as Terriers, have an inborn desire to chase--and sometimes kill--other animals. Anything whizzing by, such as cats, squirrels, and perhaps even cars, can trigger that instinct. Dogs who like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you'll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren't a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs. Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won't chase, but you'll probably have a hard time getting their attention when there are birds flying by. Some breeds sound off more often than others. When choosing a breed, think about how often the dog vocalizes with barks or howls. If you're considering a hound, would you find their trademark howls musical or maddening? If you're considering a watchdog, will a city full of suspicious "strangers" put your pup on permanent alert? Will the local wildlife literally drive your dog wild? Do you live in housing with noise restrictions? Do you have neighbors nearby? Then you may wish to choose a quieter dog. Some breeds are more free-spirited than others. Nordic dogs such as Siberian Huskies were bred to range long distances, and given the chance, they'll take off after anything that catches their interest. And many hounds simply must follow their noses--or that bunny that just ran across the path--even if it means leaving you behind. High-energy dogs are always ready and waiting for action. Originally bred to perform a canine job of some sort, such as retrieving game for hunters or herding livestock, they have the stamina to put in a full workday. They need a significant amount of exercise and mental stimulation, and they're more likely to spend time jumping, playing, and investigating any new sights and smells. Low-energy dogs are the canine equivalent of a couch potato, content to doze the day away. When picking a breed, consider your own activity level and lifestyle, and think about whether you'll find a frisky, energetic dog invigorating or annoying. A vigorous dog may or may not have high energy, but everything they do, they do with vigor: they strain on the leash until you train them not to , try to plow through obstacles, and even eats and drinks with great big gulps. These dynamos need lots of training to learn good manners, and may not be the best fit for a home with young kids or someone who's elderly or frail. A low-vigor dog, on the other hand, has a more subdued approach to life. Some breeds do fine with a slow evening stroll around the block. Others need daily, vigorous exercise, especially those that were originally bred for physically demanding jobs, like herding or hunting.

Flat-Coated Retriever Puppies for Sale -

Flat-Coat Retrievers are optimistic; constantly wagging tails are their trademark. The Flat-Coated Retriever is intelligent, sensible, outgoing, confident, and happy-go-lucky. Flat-Coated Retrievers are good with larger children, but may be overly enthusiastic and energetic for toddlers. Socialization when young is recommended. They welcome visitors into the home, but will bark at intruders, making them fairly good watchdogs. They get along very well with dogs, cats, and other animals, often greeting other dogs with a kiss on the lips they may attempt the same maneuver on their human companions as well. Browse through our breeder's listings and find your perfect puppy at the perfect price. Temperament Flat- Coated Retrievers are good with larger children, but may be overly enthusiastic and energetic for toddlers. Care The Flat-Coated Retriever should have its coat cleaned and brushed weekly. It has an average lifespan of 10 years. The Flat-Coated Retriever is susceptible to common canine maladies such as cancer, PRA, glaucoma, epilepsy, and bloat. Incidence of hip dysplasia malformed hip joint which can cause lameness or arthritis or luxating patella dislocated knee is low. Bloat can be prevented by feeding from a raised dish, spacing meals throughout the day, and avoiding exercise immediately after meals. Training The Flat-Coated Retriever is eager to please and enjoys learning, though it may require a little more time to learn than a Golden Retriever. Brief, varied, gentle training sessions are recommended. The Flat-Coated Retriever excels in retrieving, agility and obedience trials, and showing. Early obedience training is recommended. Activity The Flat-Coated Retriever requires a considerable amount of daily exercise, though its needs are modest compared to some other sporting breeds. Long walks, games of catch, swimming most love water and mud , and field sports will keep the Flat-Coated Retriever truly happy. Optimistic about everyone and everything, this good-natured breed is emphatically not a guardian. He is eternally lighthearted and playful, doesn't know his own strength, and can be an exuberant jumper. Supervision is important around toddlers and smaller pets. You must control his tendency to chew on objects and to mouth your hands -- provide a box filled with toys so he can carry something around in his mouth. A Flat Coated Retriever retains his youthfully good-humored outlook on life into old age, which sounds delightful but which does require patience and control to manage. Obedience training is a must to instill calmness and good manners. Fortunately, he is responsive and biddable, though not as "push-button" as a Golden Retriever. He has a willful streak. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. Sadly, this lovely breed suffers from malignant tumors of all kinds — most notably deadly histiocytic sarcoma, which occurs in Flat-Coats and Bernese Mountain Dogs FAR more than in any other breed. In general, however, he's a responsive and sensitive student. A harsh correction will cause him to shut down until you make amends. Tolerant and friendly, Flat-Coats love everyone, including children and other dogs. They'll bark to let you know that someone's approaching, but don't count on them to serve as any kind of guard dog. They are great friends for active older children but may be too energetic for toddlers, knocking them down with a swish of their frequently wagging tail. Although the Flat-Coated Retriever is fairly calm indoors, he's not suited to apartment life. He retains his hunting skills and should live in an environment where his talents can be used--or at least one that gives him the opportunity to run and swim. Expect to give him a couple of minute walks, runs, or other activity daily to satisfy his exercise needs. If you're doing a good job, he'll look well conditioned and lean. Afterward, he'll enjoy relaxing with you in your home. He prefers to be with his people whenever possible. Many breeders and enthusiasts are the first to admit that Flat-Coated Retrievers are not for everyone, but there are a lucky few for whom this affectionate and good-looking retriever is a perfect match. Given the Flat-Coat's bouncy nature, it's appropriate that one of his forebears was named Old Bounce. Old Bounce, and her daughter, Young Bounce--natch! They were members of a working strain of retrievers owned by gamekeeper J. Hull in But the man most credited with the breed's development was S. Shirley, who helped mold them into a stable type. Also contributing to their advancement was H. Cooke, whose Riverside Kennel produced many fine field and show Flat-Coats. His numbers became dangerously low, and he flirted with extinction a time or two. Fortunately, his fans were able to bring him back from the brink by the mids. The Flat-Coat never regained his early popularity, but breeders count that as a plus. It has helped them to preserve his natural working ability, intelligence, and sweetly goofy nature. He is still a rare breed, ranking th among the breeds and varieties registered by the American Kennel Club. If you want a Flat-Coat, expect to spend a year or more on a waiting list, not to mention undergoing the third-degree from a protective breeder who wants to make sure you will provide just the right home for one of his or her puppies. A male Flat-Coated Retriever is 23 to The average weight of a Flat-Coated Retriever is 55 to 70 pounds. Nicknamed the Peter Pan of dogs for his ever-youthful outlook on life, the Flat-Coated Retriever has many desirable qualities. He's smart, friendly, adaptable, and cheerful. He's also mischievous and exuberant, with a moderately high energy level. His exercise needs must be met for him to maintain the sweet, calm temperament that he's known for. This is a slow-maturing breed, which means that he'll act puppylike for several years beyond physical maturity. He's a bit of a ham and will always make you laugh, even if he's just disobeyed you. The Flat-Coat is sensitive and doesn't respond well to harsh training methods. He may react by becoming stubborn or simply refusing to do anything you ask until you soothe his hurt feelings. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who's beating up his littermates or the one who's hiding in the corner. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up. Socialization helps ensure that your Flat-Coat puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills. Flat-Coated Retrievers are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Flat-Coats will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed. If you're buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy's parents. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. In Flat-Coats, you should expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA for hip dysplasia with a score of fair or better , elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand's disease; from Auburn University for thrombopathia; and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation CERF certifying that eyes are normal. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site offa. The Flat-Coated Retriever is the perfect suburban or country dog. He has a moderately high energy level and is best suited to a home where he has many opportunities to run and swim. Expect to exercise him about 90 minutes a day, or two minute walks, runs, or other vigorous activity such as playing fetch or training for agility or flyball. Flat-Coated Retrievers make wonderful jogging companions when they are trained properly and have reached maturity. Remember that jogging on cement or other hard surfaces can damage your dog's joints; it's best to run on grass or other soft surfaces. Go easy on puppies. They need approximately 5 minutes of exercise for every month of age per day. So if your Flat-Coat puppy is 4 months old, he needs about 20 minutes of exercise per day. Too much exercise can stress his still-growing joints. Your Flat-Coat shouldn't be difficult to housetrain. Crate training is recommended, both as an aid to housetraining and to prevent your Flat-Coat from getting into things he shouldn't when you're not around to supervise. Your Flat-Coat is likely to have one habit you'll find disgusting: eating poop, known as coprophagy. The only foolproof way to avoid this is to pick up his stool and dispose of it immediately. Start training your Flat-Coat as soon as you bring him home. He's a quick learner and wants to please you. He's sensitive, though, and harsh verbal or physical corrections will cause him to shut down and stop working for you. Be kind and consistent, and use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play, and food rewards. Recommended daily amount: 3. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. Keep your Flat-Coat in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. If you're unsure whether he's overweight , give him the eye test and the hands-on test. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. If you can't, he needs less food and more exercise. For more on feeding your Flat-Coat, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. The Flat-Coated Retriever has a straight, moderately long coat that protects him from all types of weather, water, and ground cover. Feathering on the ears, chest, front, backs of forelegs, underside of the tail, and the thighs is part of the coat's protective function and shouldn't be excessively long. On the neck, especially in males, is a mane of longer, heavier coat. The coat comes in solid black or solid liver, a deep reddish- brown color. Flat-Coated Retrievers are relatively easy to maintain and require only weekly brushing unless the dog is shedding. Then you'll probably want to brush daily to keep the amount of loose hair floating around under control. You can trim the ears, feet, belly, and tail tip for neatness. Bathe as needed. Brush your Flat-Coat's teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Trim nails once or twice a month. 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