FACTS ON FLATTIES
History of the Flat Coated Retriever
The Flatcoated Retriever was developed in England in the late eighteenth century. The advancements in shot guns created the need for an efficient dog to work with shooters and to retrieve their dead or wounded game. To develop a dog to meet their requirements they experimented with the crossing of different breeds.
In it's early days the breed was known as the "Wavy-Coated Retriever" a combination of many breeds. The task of refining lines to produce the Flat Coated Retriever was undertaken by Mr. Evelyn Shirley, a sportsman who, in 1873 was also the founder of the Kennel Club of England.
Many books allude to a variety of breeds being used for the foundation of the breed, these include Setters, sheep dogs and even a mention of a Borzoi cross being used. Also referred to in the origins of the breed are references to the St. Johns Water dog and the Lesser Labrador or the small Newfoundland.
After the end of World War 2 the breed numbers declined. Breeding stock was lost over the war and newer breeds requiring less coat care started to win favour with the shooters of the day. The Flatcoat remained the choice of Gamekeepers.
In Australia, the breed was slow to appear. Records show that a dog named Esmonian Unity, born 1st November 1928 was owned by a gentlemen who lived in St Kilda, Victoria. Their real emergence was in 1974 when Robert and Faye Pargetter imported Stonemeade Shandygaff and Stonemeade Fine Lace.
In1975, Mrs. Dorothy Sutch imported Stonemeade Wild Rose. Litters were bred from both bitches in 1975 and thus the story began.
Vanrose Black Jewel arrived on the scene from New Zealand in 1975 and another import from England, Dudwell Zenith of Downstream joined the group. Other imports to the country included Vanrose Black Knight, Vanrose Black Beauty, Vanrose Black Pearl, and Vanrose Black Seal.
In the 1980's, more animals arrived from England, Stonemeade Hamish and Bramatha Copper Narelle (1st liver coloured Flatcoat into the country) and from New Zealand, Dunboy Flight O Fancy and Copsewood Nigra. In 1984, Roglands Night Raider arrived from England and in 1985 Branchalwood Kyle entered the scene.
In September,1991, after quite a long break between imports two Flat Coats arrived in quarantine at the same time. Helen and Peter Eley took possession of Branchalwood. Jean and Ross Bryant, based in Adelaide and breeders under the Sherepoint prefix. Rina was - Casuarina Black Pearl - imported became Aust Ch Casuarina Black Pearl NRD.
Numbers and the gene pool increased in January 1993, when Bushman Kennels, owned by Peter and Coral Kennon and Judy Kennon-Wray imported a dog, Almanza Never Think Twice and a bitch, Almanza Better Than Ever from Sweden.
Bushman Kennels have imported several more dogs from Sweden since the original two, as well as one from England.
In September 1999, Jean and Ross Bryant, imported a bitch, Braemist May Queen (Suki) from England.
In 2002, Helen and Peter Eley, breeders under the "Kellick" prefix imported a dog from Sweden. Black Mica's Totally Truant.
In January 2003, Jean and Ross Bryant again imported from England, this time a Dog: Branchalwood Portleathan.
In it's early days the breed was known as the "Wavy-Coated Retriever" a combination of many breeds. The task of refining lines to produce the Flat Coated Retriever was undertaken by Mr. Evelyn Shirley, a sportsman who, in 1873 was also the founder of the Kennel Club of England.
Many books allude to a variety of breeds being used for the foundation of the breed, these include Setters, sheep dogs and even a mention of a Borzoi cross being used. Also referred to in the origins of the breed are references to the St. Johns Water dog and the Lesser Labrador or the small Newfoundland.
After the end of World War 2 the breed numbers declined. Breeding stock was lost over the war and newer breeds requiring less coat care started to win favour with the shooters of the day. The Flatcoat remained the choice of Gamekeepers.
In Australia, the breed was slow to appear. Records show that a dog named Esmonian Unity, born 1st November 1928 was owned by a gentlemen who lived in St Kilda, Victoria. Their real emergence was in 1974 when Robert and Faye Pargetter imported Stonemeade Shandygaff and Stonemeade Fine Lace.
In1975, Mrs. Dorothy Sutch imported Stonemeade Wild Rose. Litters were bred from both bitches in 1975 and thus the story began.
Vanrose Black Jewel arrived on the scene from New Zealand in 1975 and another import from England, Dudwell Zenith of Downstream joined the group. Other imports to the country included Vanrose Black Knight, Vanrose Black Beauty, Vanrose Black Pearl, and Vanrose Black Seal.
In the 1980's, more animals arrived from England, Stonemeade Hamish and Bramatha Copper Narelle (1st liver coloured Flatcoat into the country) and from New Zealand, Dunboy Flight O Fancy and Copsewood Nigra. In 1984, Roglands Night Raider arrived from England and in 1985 Branchalwood Kyle entered the scene.
In September,1991, after quite a long break between imports two Flat Coats arrived in quarantine at the same time. Helen and Peter Eley took possession of Branchalwood. Jean and Ross Bryant, based in Adelaide and breeders under the Sherepoint prefix. Rina was - Casuarina Black Pearl - imported became Aust Ch Casuarina Black Pearl NRD.
Numbers and the gene pool increased in January 1993, when Bushman Kennels, owned by Peter and Coral Kennon and Judy Kennon-Wray imported a dog, Almanza Never Think Twice and a bitch, Almanza Better Than Ever from Sweden.
Bushman Kennels have imported several more dogs from Sweden since the original two, as well as one from England.
In September 1999, Jean and Ross Bryant, imported a bitch, Braemist May Queen (Suki) from England.
In 2002, Helen and Peter Eley, breeders under the "Kellick" prefix imported a dog from Sweden. Black Mica's Totally Truant.
In January 2003, Jean and Ross Bryant again imported from England, this time a Dog: Branchalwood Portleathan.
Breed Standard
FLAT COATED RETRIEVER (Official title)
British Kennel Club, London 1994. Amended May 1997 F.C.I. Standard No. 121
GENERAL APPEARANCE - A bright, active dog of medium size with an intelligent expression, showing power without lumber, and raciness, without weediness.
CHARACTERISTICS - has a natural gundog ability, optimism and friendliness demonstrated by enthusiastic tail action.
TEMPERAMENT - Confident and kindly.
HEAD AND SKULL - Head, long and nicely moulded. Skull, flat and moderately broad with a slight stop between eyes, in no way accentuated, avoiding a down or dish-faced appearance. Nose of good size, with open nostrils. Jaws long and strong, capable of carrying a hare or pheasant.
EYES - Medium size, dark brown or hazel, with a very intelligent expression (a round prominent eye highly undesirable.) Not obliquely placed.
EARS - Small and well set on, close to side of head.
MOUTH - Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth sound and strong.
NECK - Head well set in neck, the latter reasonably long and free from throatiness, symmetrically set and obliquely placed in shoulders, running well into the back to allow for easy seeking of trail.
FOREQUARTERS - Chest, deep and fairly broad, with well defined brisket, on which elbows should move cleanly and evenly. Forelegs straight, with bone of good quality throughout.
BODY - Foreribs fairly flat. Body, well ribbed-up showing a gradual spring and well arched in centre but rather lighter towards quarters. Loin short and square. Open couplings highly undesirable.
HINDQUARTERS - Muscular. Moderate bend of stifle and hock, latter well let down. Should stand true all round. Cowhocks highly undesirable.
FEET - Round and strong with toes close and well arched. Soles thick and strong.
TAIL - Short, straight and well set on, happily carried, but never much above level of back.
GAIT/MOVEMENT - Free and flowing, straight and true as seen from front and rear.
COAT - Dense, of fine to medium texture and good quality, as flat as possible. Legs and tail well feathered. Full furnishings on maturity complete the elegance of a good dog.
COLOUR - Black or liver only.
SIZE - Preferred height: Dogs 59-61½ cms (23-24"), Bitches 56½-59 cms (22-23")
WEIGHT - Preferred weight: Dogs 27-36 kg (60-80 lbs), Bitches 25-32 kg (55-70 lbs)
FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
British Kennel Club, London 1994. Amended May 1997 F.C.I. Standard No. 121
GENERAL APPEARANCE - A bright, active dog of medium size with an intelligent expression, showing power without lumber, and raciness, without weediness.
CHARACTERISTICS - has a natural gundog ability, optimism and friendliness demonstrated by enthusiastic tail action.
TEMPERAMENT - Confident and kindly.
HEAD AND SKULL - Head, long and nicely moulded. Skull, flat and moderately broad with a slight stop between eyes, in no way accentuated, avoiding a down or dish-faced appearance. Nose of good size, with open nostrils. Jaws long and strong, capable of carrying a hare or pheasant.
EYES - Medium size, dark brown or hazel, with a very intelligent expression (a round prominent eye highly undesirable.) Not obliquely placed.
EARS - Small and well set on, close to side of head.
MOUTH - Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth sound and strong.
NECK - Head well set in neck, the latter reasonably long and free from throatiness, symmetrically set and obliquely placed in shoulders, running well into the back to allow for easy seeking of trail.
FOREQUARTERS - Chest, deep and fairly broad, with well defined brisket, on which elbows should move cleanly and evenly. Forelegs straight, with bone of good quality throughout.
BODY - Foreribs fairly flat. Body, well ribbed-up showing a gradual spring and well arched in centre but rather lighter towards quarters. Loin short and square. Open couplings highly undesirable.
HINDQUARTERS - Muscular. Moderate bend of stifle and hock, latter well let down. Should stand true all round. Cowhocks highly undesirable.
FEET - Round and strong with toes close and well arched. Soles thick and strong.
TAIL - Short, straight and well set on, happily carried, but never much above level of back.
GAIT/MOVEMENT - Free and flowing, straight and true as seen from front and rear.
COAT - Dense, of fine to medium texture and good quality, as flat as possible. Legs and tail well feathered. Full furnishings on maturity complete the elegance of a good dog.
COLOUR - Black or liver only.
SIZE - Preferred height: Dogs 59-61½ cms (23-24"), Bitches 56½-59 cms (22-23")
WEIGHT - Preferred weight: Dogs 27-36 kg (60-80 lbs), Bitches 25-32 kg (55-70 lbs)
FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Breed Personality, Character, and Temperament
The Flat Coated Retriever a medium sized dog. The preferred height for dogs (male) is 58-61cm. Bitches are normally a little smaller and more feminine in looks, their preferred height is 56-59cm. To go with these measurements a well proportioned and reasonably fit Flatcoat should weigh somewhere between 25-35kg for dogs and the bitches between 25-34kg.
The Flat Coated Retriever has been described as the Canine Peter Pan. He never grows up and is always ready for fun and play even when advanced in years. It is kind, sociable and loving animal, because of this is trustworthy with children. Supervision should be undertaken with small children particularly with a young puppy, however, supervision is recommended at all times with young children and dogs.
A Flat Coated Retriever will bark if someone is around, but it is not a guard dog.
He is firstly a companion, always requiring and sometimes demanding to be in the company of owner/s. He craves for human company. He is not a one man dog, it generously shares his/her affection albeit the family or the neighbours.
Most Flatcoats are compatible with other pets depending on the pet. Most will live in harmony with cats if they are trained to do so.
The average life span of a Flat Coated Retriever is approximately 11 years.
EXERCISE, GROOMING & FEEDING.
EXERCISE: Every dog benefits from a daily walk, swim or run, however, can survive if it only gets out approximately 3 times a week, but more often is the better option.
GROOMING: The coat is long, therefore a brush once a week would ensure a healthy coat some minor trimming especially around the feet and ears make him look tidier.
FEEDING: Feeding costs will vary depending on the activity level of the dog and the personal requirements of the owner. Most Flatcoats will thrive on any complete diet and your own Veterinary practitioner can advise you or refer your questions to the breeder.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE:
A Flat Coat is not the sort of dog that can be totally happy without human companionship, this is why it is not suited to large breeding kennels, as it needs individual attention. It is at his happiest when he is interacting with his owner, he likes to be part of the action, even if that is just laying at his owners feet.
Normal secure fencing is required for this breed, as with most dogs these days he has no road sense with the large volume of traffic.
IDEAL OWNER/S
An active person who is prepared to have the dog around him be it in the house, garden, to take him for walks, runs and swims. It is well suited for the family with children over 7 years, younger children may be knocked over due to it’s exuberance when a puppy. Most breeders prefer to sell to families with children of the age who can be taught not to harm the puppy.
The Flat Coated Retriever has been described as the Canine Peter Pan. He never grows up and is always ready for fun and play even when advanced in years. It is kind, sociable and loving animal, because of this is trustworthy with children. Supervision should be undertaken with small children particularly with a young puppy, however, supervision is recommended at all times with young children and dogs.
A Flat Coated Retriever will bark if someone is around, but it is not a guard dog.
He is firstly a companion, always requiring and sometimes demanding to be in the company of owner/s. He craves for human company. He is not a one man dog, it generously shares his/her affection albeit the family or the neighbours.
Most Flatcoats are compatible with other pets depending on the pet. Most will live in harmony with cats if they are trained to do so.
The average life span of a Flat Coated Retriever is approximately 11 years.
EXERCISE, GROOMING & FEEDING.
EXERCISE: Every dog benefits from a daily walk, swim or run, however, can survive if it only gets out approximately 3 times a week, but more often is the better option.
GROOMING: The coat is long, therefore a brush once a week would ensure a healthy coat some minor trimming especially around the feet and ears make him look tidier.
FEEDING: Feeding costs will vary depending on the activity level of the dog and the personal requirements of the owner. Most Flatcoats will thrive on any complete diet and your own Veterinary practitioner can advise you or refer your questions to the breeder.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE:
A Flat Coat is not the sort of dog that can be totally happy without human companionship, this is why it is not suited to large breeding kennels, as it needs individual attention. It is at his happiest when he is interacting with his owner, he likes to be part of the action, even if that is just laying at his owners feet.
Normal secure fencing is required for this breed, as with most dogs these days he has no road sense with the large volume of traffic.
IDEAL OWNER/S
An active person who is prepared to have the dog around him be it in the house, garden, to take him for walks, runs and swims. It is well suited for the family with children over 7 years, younger children may be knocked over due to it’s exuberance when a puppy. Most breeders prefer to sell to families with children of the age who can be taught not to harm the puppy.
Hereditary Diseases - Elbow and Joint Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are two relatively common conditions that can affect the skeleton of the dog. The word dysplasia means ‘abnormal growth or development’ of the hip joint - a ball and socket type joint - leading to disfunction and pain.
X-ray of Hip Dysplasia
Ebow dysplasia refers to a number ofdifferent conditions that affect the three bones that form the elbow joint. These changes may occur alone or in combination, but the result is the same - a joint that does not function properly.
X-ray of Elbow Dysplasia
Both hip and elbow dysplasia can be painful and over time, can lead to increased wear of the joint surfaces, the development of osteoarthritis, and a reduced range of movement.
Because dysplasia relates to abnormal growth anddevelopment, symptoms are most commonly seen in young, growing animals - usually dogs under 12 months of age - with varying degrees of lameness, pain, or reluctance to exercise.
Some animals with abnormal joint development may not have any obvious symptoms or display signs of pain or reduced movement until later in life when arthritis develops in the joint.
Diagnosis is confirmed by an x-ray of the affected joint or joints. Specific positions are used to evaluate both the hips and elbows by x-ray. Sedation may be required.
Your veterinarian will be looking at the shape and fit of the joint, as well as for signs of arthritis developing within the joint.
Dysplasia is thought to have several contributing factors with the biggest risk factor being genetics.This genetic ‘potential’ for dysplasia can be further exacerbated by poor/unbalanced nutrition, over-feeding and obesity, rapid weight gain and growth, and early joint stress caused by certain types of exercise.
All Breeding Flat Coated Retrievers should have current Hip/Elbow and Eye Certificates.
X-ray of Hip Dysplasia
Ebow dysplasia refers to a number ofdifferent conditions that affect the three bones that form the elbow joint. These changes may occur alone or in combination, but the result is the same - a joint that does not function properly.
X-ray of Elbow Dysplasia
Both hip and elbow dysplasia can be painful and over time, can lead to increased wear of the joint surfaces, the development of osteoarthritis, and a reduced range of movement.
Because dysplasia relates to abnormal growth anddevelopment, symptoms are most commonly seen in young, growing animals - usually dogs under 12 months of age - with varying degrees of lameness, pain, or reluctance to exercise.
Some animals with abnormal joint development may not have any obvious symptoms or display signs of pain or reduced movement until later in life when arthritis develops in the joint.
Diagnosis is confirmed by an x-ray of the affected joint or joints. Specific positions are used to evaluate both the hips and elbows by x-ray. Sedation may be required.
Your veterinarian will be looking at the shape and fit of the joint, as well as for signs of arthritis developing within the joint.
Dysplasia is thought to have several contributing factors with the biggest risk factor being genetics.This genetic ‘potential’ for dysplasia can be further exacerbated by poor/unbalanced nutrition, over-feeding and obesity, rapid weight gain and growth, and early joint stress caused by certain types of exercise.
All Breeding Flat Coated Retrievers should have current Hip/Elbow and Eye Certificates.
Mandatory Hip and Elbow Scores for Breeding
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia is a polygenic hereditary disease affecting many breeds of dogs. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) operates a scheme under which hip and elbow x-rays are taken and grading assessed.
Acceptable hips for breeding are those assessed as within the breed average. The Current Australian National Kennel Club -
Average over 48 Flat Coats 4.88 - Median 4.00
The Association encourages breeders to breed for better hips and elbows.
All breeding Flat Coated Retrievers should have Certificates for Hip & Elbow Dysplasia and Eye Certificates.
Acceptable hips for breeding are those assessed as within the breed average. The Current Australian National Kennel Club -
Average over 48 Flat Coats 4.88 - Median 4.00
| Flat Coated Retriever | 4.88 | 4.00 | 48 |
| FCRAV - Requirements |
All breeding Flat Coated Retrievers should have Certificates for Hip & Elbow Dysplasia and Eye Certificates.
Eye Tests required for Breeding
Canine Goniodysgenesis is one of two primary forms of glaucoma that describe a condition where the fluid in the eye does not drain properly. Immediate treatment is necessary to avoid the onset of glaucoma and vision loss. Options for treatment include medications and surgery.
Currently, it cannot be detected by DNA testing.
There is an eye exam that looks for signs that the eye has been affected by a painful and blinding disease known as primary glaucoma or Goniodysgenesis. How much the eye is infected is given as a grade.
All breeding dogs should have a current eye certificate.
Currently, it cannot be detected by DNA testing.
There is an eye exam that looks for signs that the eye has been affected by a painful and blinding disease known as primary glaucoma or Goniodysgenesis. How much the eye is infected is given as a grade.
All breeding dogs should have a current eye certificate.