The flat-coated golden retrievers are a distinctive breed that you might think of as brown or black golden retrievers at first glance. Their fun-loving nature makes them one of the best pets. However, they generally mature slower than other breeds, which is why they usually maintain their puppy-like manners for years before they start acting like adult dogs.
Furthermore, due to their exuberance, flat-coated retrievers take a lot of time and patience before they are fully trained by their owners. While they are always eager to please and learn new things, these pooches have an extremely small attention span. This makes it challenging to keep them attentive as they don’t hesitate to ignore or disobey you in their early stages.
Our Review of Flat-Coated Retrievers
Flat-coated retrievers are considered extraordinarily tolerant and friendly, making them suitable for a calm, indoor environment. However, it is essential to remember that they have a moderately high energy level and require strenuous physical exercises every day to maintain their fitness. Here are a few facts to remember about these black furry companions if you’re looking for information that might help you know more about them:
Flat-Coated Retriever Size
The height of a male flat-coated retriever typically varies from twenty-three to twenty-five inches. On the other hand, a female flat-coated retriever is twenty-two to twenty-four inches tall generally. Their average weight is between fifty-five to seventy pounds.
Potential Health Issues of Flat-Coated Retrievers
While flat-coated retrievers are one of the healthiest dogs, they are still prone to some health conditions. The possibility of catching any diseases is minimal, but it is essential to be aware of particular medical conditions that might impact your pooch’s health.
If you’re yet to buy a puppy, it would be best to find a breeder who would be willing to show you the appropriate health clearances for both parents. Here are a few things you should make sure about when you check out the health certificate for your flat-coated retriever:
1. Hip Dysplasia
Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred, as it is a heritable condition in which the flat-coated retriever’s thigh bone doesn’t fit into the hip joint. While some dogs may show signs of distress when they’re born with this condition, it’s not necessarily apparent in most cases without an X-ray.
2. Lymphosarcoma
Lymphosarcoma is one of the most common types of cancer found in various parts of a flat-coated retriever, including the gastrointestinal tract, liver, spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
3. Osteosarcoma
It is an aggressive bone cancer that needs an X-ray report to confirm its existence. Flat-coated retrievers might need chemotherapy and limb amputation to remove the tumor. However, they still live their life without suffering with three legs after surgery.
4. Hemangiosarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma is a kind of cancer, which can be found in the blood vessel’s linings and spleen. While the prognosis is poor, the disease can be treated with chemotherapy.
5. Malignant Histiocytosis
This might be one of the rarest forms of cancer, but it’s the most common ailment for flat-coated retrievers. It develops in the white blood cells and loose connective tissues and is treated with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
6. Gastric Torsion
Gastric torsion is a life-threatening condition that profoundly affects a flat-coated retriever exercise and eating habits. Without proper medical treatment, it may make way for other symptoms like vomiting, restlessness, lethargy, depression, and rapid heart rate followed by eventual death.
Personality of Flat-Coated Retrievers
The flat-coated retrievers are a sensitive bunch who might act stubbornly and refuse to obey anything you say until you soothe them. Like every other dog breeds, these retrievers need early socialization and exposure to different sights, people, sounds, and experiences. Taking regular trips to busy stores and parks and taking them for strolls to meet the neighbors is an excellent way to polish their socializing skills.
As discussed earlier, they have high stamina, which means you have to meet their energy level and go on regular jogs and swimming sessions if you want them to be happy with you.
Feeding
The amount of food your flat-coated retriever needs usually depend upon his age, metabolism, build, and activity level. However, a regular-sized dog’s average feed usually lies between three to five cups of high-quality food a day, dividing into two separate meals. Furthermore, it goes without saying that a highly active flat-coated retriever would need more nourishment than a couch potato dog.
5 Interesting Facts About Flat-Coated Retrievers
- Flat-coated retrievers are slow to mature, which is why you might find yourself in possession of a rather large puppydown the road. So, if you’re looking for a quieter breed that matures fast, then getting flat-coats as pets might not be the right choice for you.
- If you own a small apartment with no garden, then we don’t recommend you flat-coated retrievers. These pooches love to roam and play outside, so locking them inside an apartment will negatively impact their health.
- Flat-coated retrievers can get destructive when they’re left alone for a long time. However, establishing routines might help them alleviate their stress levels over time.
- These canine companions need at least a ninety-minute workout session every day once they reach their physical maturity. It can include running, swimming, or any other physical activity that helps them calm their anxious nature.
- While flat-coated retrievers will consistently bark if an intruder trespasses your house, it is crucial to remember that they are not watchdogs. It is also possible that they might greet the uninvited visitors with happy licks and wagging tails.
Our Final Thoughts
No two flat-coated retrievers are the same. However, almost all of them share the exact nature when it comes to their fun-loving traits. They also enjoy the company of humans and other pets, which makes them an even lovable family pet. Furthermore, your flat-coat shouldn’t be hard to train as long as you are patient with them and have lots of time on your hands!
