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Flat-Coated
Retriever
Breed Standard
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Origin
& Purpose
The
Flat-Coated
Retriever was developed in England in the mid-1800's from the St.
John's
Dog, combined with the working field setter, sheep dogs and spaniels.
It
was the first of the retrievers to win widespread acclaim as a shooting
dog, and at the end of the last century and the beginning of this, it
was
the almost universal choice of those who required a dog for formal game
shooting and wild fowling. It has maintained its reputation as a dual
purpose
retriever over the years and there remains little or no difference
between
field and show Flat-Coats. Field Flat-Coats should be structurally
sound
and conform to the standard; conformation Flat-Coats should be
physically
capable of performing in the field.
General
Appearance
The
Flat-Coated
Retriever combines substance and strength with elegance and refinement,
which together with a happy and active demeanor, intelligent
expression,
and clean lines, have been eloquently described as power without
lumber,
and raciness without weediness.
The
distinctive
features of the Flat-Coat are the silhouette (moving as well as
standing):
smooth, effortless movement, head type, coat and character. A proud
carriage,
responsive attitude, waving tail, and over-all look of quality,
strength,
style and symmetry complete the picture of the typical Flat-Coat. The
Flat-Coat
is a strong and elegant working retriever. Quality of structure,
balance
and harmony of all parts both standing and in motion are essential. As
a breed whose purpose is of a utilitarian nature, structure and
condition
should give every indication of being suited for hard work.
In
profile
the Flat-Coat has a long, clean but substantial head, which is unique
to
the breed. It is free from exaggerations of stop or cheek and set upon
a
moderately long neck which flows smoothly into the well-laid-back
shoulders.
A level top line combined with a deep, long rib cage tapering to a
moderate
tuck-up create the impression of a blunted triangle. The brisket is
well developed
and the fore chest forms a prominent prow. The Flat-Coat is well
proportioned,
strong but elegant: never lacking in length of body or length of leg.
The
coat is thick and flat lying , and the legs and tail are well feathered.
Temperament
Character
is a primary and outstanding asset of the Flat-Coat. He is a devoted
family
companion, a versatile working dog, sensible, outgoing and tractable.
In
the
field he has a great desire to hunt with self reliance; in the show and
obedience ring he demonstrates stability and a desire to please with a
confident, happy and outgoing attitude (characterized by a wagging
tail),
and at home he is sensible, alert and affectionate.
The
Flat-Coat
is a very companionable dog with a strong attachment to owner and
family.
To reach its full potential in any endeavor, the Flat-Coat requires a
strong, personal relationship and individual attention. Faults:
Nervous,
hyperactive, apathetic, shy or obstinate behavior is undesirable.
Unprovoked
aggressive behavior is a very serious fault.
Size
Preferred
height is 23-24 inches (58-61cm) at the withers for dogs; 22-23 inches
(56-59cm)
for bitches. The Flat-Coat should be in lean, hard condition with the
preferred
weight as being 60-70lbs (27-32kg).
Coat
Coat
is
of a moderate length, density, and fullness with a high lustre. The
ideal
coat is flat lying and straight; a slight waviness is permissible. This
is a working retriever and the coat must provide protection from all
types
of weather, water and ground cover. This requires a coat of sufficient
texture, length and fullness to allow for adequate insulation. When the
dog is in full coat, the ears, front, chest, back of forelegs, thighs,
and underside of tail are thickly feathered, without being bushy, silky
or stringy. Mane of longer, heavier coat on the neck extending over the
withers and shoulders is considered characteristic, and may affect the
appearance of the top line and forequarters. Faults: Curly, woolly,
silky
or fluffy coats should be heavily penalized. Since the Flat-Coated
Retriever
is a dual-purpose dog, feathering is not excessively long.
Trimming
The
Flat-Coat
is shown with as natural a coat as possible and must not be penalized
for
a lack of trimming. Tidying of whiskers, ears, feet and tip of tail is
acceptable. Shaving or noticeable barbering of neck, body coat, or
feathering
(to change the natural appearance of the dog) must be heavily penalized.
Colour
Solid
black
or solid liver. Faults: Dogs of a yellow colour or cream colour are not
desirable, should not be bred from and must be excused from the show
ring.
Head
Skull:
The long, clean, well-moulded head is adequate in size and strength to
retrieve large pheasant, duck or hare with ease. The impression of the
skull and muzzle being cast in one piece is created by the fairly flat
skull of moderate breadth; and flat clean cheeks, combined with the
long,
strong, deep muzzle which is well filled in before and between the
eyes.
Occiput: not accentuated, the skull forming a curve where it joins the
neck. Muzzle: the muzzle is nearly equal in length to the skull with a
gradual, slight, but perceptible stop. Nose: black and large open
nostrils;
brown on liver-coloured Flat-Coats. Mouth: lips are fairly tight, clean
and dry to minimize the retention of feathers. Jaws, long and strong.
Teeth,
scissor bite preferred, level bite acceptable. Honorable scars,
anywhere
on the Flat-Coat, including broken and missing teeth (as long as the
natural
bite is evident), should not count against the dog. Eyes are set widely
apart with brows slightly raised and mobile, giving life to the
expression.
Medium-sized, almond-shaped, dark brown or hazel with a very
intelligent
expression. Eye rims are self-coloured. Ears: relatively small, well
set
on, lying close to the side of the head and thickly feathered. Faults:
Any
coarseness or weakness, down or dish face, cheekiness, domed skulls
short
or snipey muzzle. Large, round, protruding or yellow eyes, loose lower
eye lid, small mouths or weak lower jaws, pendulous lips which create
an
incorrect square-muzzled appearance, overly large or low-set,
hound-like
or setterish ears. Wry, undershot or overshot bites with a noticeable
gap
must be severely penalized.
Neck
Moderately
long, strong, slightly arched, free from throatiness, flowing smoothly
into the well-laid-back shoulders.
Forequarters
Shoulder:
long, well laid back. Muscling wiry rather than bulky. Upper arm:
balanced,
lengthy upper arm to allow for efficient reach. Lower arm: forelegs,
straight
and strong with bone of good quality. Pasterns: strong and springy with
a slight slope. Feet: medium-sized and tight with well-arched toes and
thick pads. Removal of dew claws is optional. Faults: Massive or overly
refined bone. Pasterns upright, knuckling over or weak.
Body
Topline
strong and level. Chest deep, moderately broad with well defined
brisket
and prominent fore chest. Rib cage deep, showing good length from
forechest
to back rib (to allow plenty of space for all body organs), and only
moderately
broad. The fore ribs fairly flat showing a gradual spring, well arched
in the center or the body but rather lighter towards the loin. Loin
strong,
well muscled and at least as long as it is wide, allowing for freedom
of
movement and length of stride. Croup slopes only slightly; rump fairly
broad and well muscled. Faults: Any weakness in the loin or middle back
(open couplings), or an unduly short loin which restricts reach and
drive
are serious faults. A barrel or shallow chest, short rib cage,
cobbiness
or steep croup are not typical and considered faulty.
Hindquarters
Hipbone
powerful with angulation in balance with the correctly angulated front.
Upper thigh powerful and well muscled. Lower thigh (stifle to hock
joint)
long and strong. Hock joint strong, well let down; when viewed from
behind,
hock joint and feet turn neither in nor out. Feet tight with well
arched
toes and thick pads. There are no hind dew claws.
Tail
Fairly
straight, well set on as a smooth extension of the top line and
reaching
approximately to the hock joint; carried happily but without curl,
never
much above the level of the back.
Gait
The
Flat-Coat
viewed from the side covers the ground efficiently and movement appears
effortless and well coordinated. Front legs move forward with a long
reaching
action. Hindquarters reach well forward and well back in achieving a
long
stride in balance with the front movement. Top line appears strong and
supple
while dog is in motion. Viewed from front or rear the legs should turn
neither in nor out, nor should the feet cross or interfere with one
another.
Faults: A choppy, short mincing or ponderous action. Movement impeded
by
any structural weakness or twisting of joints.
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