Flat-Coated Retriever
Also known as Retriever à poil plat, Flat
- Height at the withers
- 56 to 62 cm
- Weight
- 25 to 36 kg
- Life expectancy
- 8 to 12 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- Great Britain
- FCI group
- 8 · Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with young children
- a first dog
- living with a cat
- close neighbors: it barks little
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
An elegant retriever with a solid black or liver coat that is dense, fine and as flat as possible, the Flat-Coated Retriever is recognizable by its long head and its ever-wagging tail. Optimistic, playful and very sociable, it keeps a puppyish temperament for a long time. An excellent retriever in marshland and open fields alike, it is also an ideal family companion for active owners.
History and origins
The breed took shape in Great Britain in the mid-19th century from the St. John’s dog of Newfoundland, crossed notably with setters and collies, to produce a flat-coated retriever. Thanks to S. E. Shirley, founder of the Kennel Club, it became the favorite retriever of English gamekeepers by the late 19th century, before being overtaken by the Labrador and the Golden Retriever. Its numbers fell very low after World War II, and it was revived by a few devoted breeders. Recognized by the FCI (standard no. 121), it remains rare in France but is clearly growing, with 370 registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025, up from 257 in 2024.
Health
Life expectancy is 8 to 12 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Cancers (notably histiocytic sarcoma)
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Glaucoma (goniodysgenesis)
- Gastric torsion (bloat)
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Medium-length, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, average coat care. Coat colors: black, liver.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With strangers
- Very open, 5 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Easy, 4 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Good fit, 4 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Low, 2 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Rather fragile, 2 out of 5
In our lists
Flat-Coated Retriever FAQ
How big does the Flat-Coated Retriever get?
The Flat-Coated Retriever stands 56 to 62 cm at the withers and weighs 25 to 36 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Flat-Coated Retriever shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs average care.
Can the Flat-Coated Retriever live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Flat-Coated Retriever need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Flat-Coated Retriever good with children?
Yes: patient and gentle, it is an excellent family dog, even with young children. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Flat-Coated Retriever live?
Life expectancy is 8 to 12 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The main health problems to watch for are cancers and hip dysplasia.
