Dog Breed Video: Flat Coated Retriever

This is a video about the dog breed Flat Coated Retrievers, from the www.naturallyhappydogs.com website.
As the name suggests, this is a dog bred to retrieve, its official target being 'game' birds when out on a shoot. Unofficially, they'll retrieve pretty much anything.
Suzie Tagg, who has owned Flat Coated Retrievers for twenty years, gives us practical advice on exercise, grooming and health and paints a picture of a dog that is a lot of fun to live with. The Flat Coated Retriever seems happiest outdoors, immersing itself in the countryside in more ways than one!

[@anjavandorsten2337]

I had one, who was bred in Germany. He died at the age of almost 19 years! He had no cancer at all, a very beautiful and shiny coat until his end, so that the vet said, this dog is a miracle. I always fed the dog with cooked rice, potatoes, vegetables with fresh cooked meet and all kins of "goodies". He also recieved the left overs from our cookings and meals...but no sweet cookies or sugary things. When he became older I added silicea and greenlip extract. I also always gave him the ability to swim as often as possible...but I don't believe, there is any general "recipe" to keep your dog alive and healthy for so many years, they are individuals...the most important thing is, have as much as fun and joy with your dog as possible!!!

[@cv4wheeler]

The key word that should be associated with these dogs is "LOVE"! They LOVE you, they LOVE play, they LOVE everybody! I regularly take my flattie into the Home Depot off leash, it is great!

[@cervelott]

Very accurate summary of the breed. Had 3 of them over 30 years, best dogs ever!

[@tomclayton6875]

Had a Flat for 16 years. SIXTEEN YEARS!! Only got sick a week or so before I regrettably had to put her down, cancer. Other than that she was a great companion. Miss her. She was my buddy.

[@cantrelate3410]

I used to have a flat coat, she was very different to others. She was so petite and walked like a posh lady, I will never forget other flat coat owners faces when they saw poppy. RIP❤️

[@meganbarker4238]

just lost my first to cancer at 9 and a 1/2. She was amazing. Shortly getting a boy very excited.

[@lindagraff2484]

I had a Flat coat, she is gone now, she was the best dog ever. Loved kids, always a happy girl. I miss her to this day.

[@Anita-ux5sr]

I grew up with an older gentleman of a flattie mix and he was an absolute angel. Still miss him every now and then 😖♥️

[@giampaolop5775]

Thanks for the video. I love my flatcoated retriever. A perfect blend of intelligence, kindness and beauty.

[@lburt2532]

Do you know if they are good with cats... i plan to get one.

[@giampaolop5775]

@@lburt2532 unfortunately mine is not friendly with cats. Although I did my best to teach him to be kind with them, he runs after cats but he doesn't hurt them. They are the same as a tennis ball to him. I love cats but I cannot keep one. Nevertheless I'm sure that if you take a puppy and grow him with cats he will be cosy as with the humans. FCR are big containers of pure love

[@zuzanajelinkova3568]

Thank you for this video, I am considering a flat and your experience has been a helpful input! Love the breed!

[@mmiiter]

An excellent video for a beautiful breed ! Thank you !

[@lizoliver4407]

Many years ago I had a lovely friend called Ruth. She was a vet & her dog was a flat coat. What a beautiful happy loving & obedient dog. I'm sure she went on to have more.

[@nigelrichardson5035]

This is probably the best description of flatties I’ve ever come across...ive been sharing it with all my friends who have flatties.

[@davidellis5652]

Great information. We have three currently and they match everything you said. They make wonderful Therapy Dogs.

[@ggoannas]

Best flat coat video ever.

[@bv9613]

Very nice video. We adopted a flat coat mix from the Santa Fe New Mexico pound back in 1998. We did not understand until years later that she was mostly flat coat. She was a wonderful dog for the whole family. The biggest shock for us was one day hiking with her in the higher mountains with her off leash. She was having a great time running around. We were horrified, however, when she came to us with the back of her fur just caked with foul smelling bear scat. It was awful. She clearly thought she had done something good. We were miles from town and had to get her back in our van. Thankfully, we had a lot of drinking water in bottles that we used to get her relatively clean for the trip home after which she got a thorough shampoo. She tried a few other times to roll in horse dung. We were able to intervene. But aside from that she was amazingly good, loving and protective. Just an amazing dog.

[@NaturallyHappyDogs]

Bear scat perfume haha

[@Trentberkeley86]

They’re beautiful.

[@frederikemuller9759]

Thank you for that nice video!

[@notorioustbg]

Our flattie is the best boy ever. If you’re contemplating getting one... stop mulling over it and get one. They are amazing dogs

[@folday6169]

Thanks for your helpful tips as I am considering purchasing a flat coat...our lifestyles are definitely a good fit.

[@nicolecarterlcsw]

Love this video, new to the breed.

[@OdeeOz]

My sister rescued 3 as puppies from the Katrina Hurricane, and gave us the female. Molly as we called her, enjoyed 14 years of adventures to parks, lakes, rivers, trail hikes, and township walks. She greeted children with an enthusiasm I never witnessed before, and was a dream with our toddler grandchildren. She was my constant companion over those 14 years, and dearly loved. Sadly, she passed away in October 2019, with an enlarged Spleen and Liver that developed over a 6 month period leading to her death. A death that all but shattered me.

[@paolacapp4334]

My flattie is an amazing creature!

[@Muushondje]

Very good informative video !! Of this superb breed.

[@cheryledouglas58]

We have a flat coat beautiful dog.

[@jonathanbecker8935]

We have a Flat Coat Retriever who we adopted from our local shelter. She is an incredibly smart, yet very stubborn girl. She's excellent with dogs, kids, adults, our cat, and even rabbits. She's highly sensitive and very attentive. She's immensely happy and careful around even very small children. She absolutely loves our border collie Buddy, who she's attached to at the neck all the time. When I have to go out in the car, I try to sneak out without her knowing. She has a sixth sense of when I'm trying to fool her and will grab my arm gently with her mouth to keep me from getting out. She's the most boisterous dog I've owned. She's ready to play and wrestle all the time, in a moment's notice. She is apparently HUGE for a flat coat. Her coat and build is almost EXACTLY what I'm seeing in the video, with the exception of size. I worry about her hips of course, but being a rescue, there's not much we can do about that. She's also very instinctually protective of our home. She's very good at alarm barking. I do need to train her and socialize her with strange dogs to keep the barking at the sidewalks to a minimum. But I feel very good about leaving her alone with my wife should I need to travel, as she is very good about barking at strange visitors on our porch. Our first dogs were German Shepherds, and I feel like we enjoy the almost the same degree of security as we did back then. The extremely deep bark of this breed is enough to make most criminals knock on another door. *There's nothing quite like the security of German Shepherds, given that breed's penchant for protection of their bonded home. A dog savvy criminal could probably recognize the relative safety of most retrievers, ours included, and treat their way into any home. Where a pair of protective German shepherds can't really be so easily "bought" off by treats. But statistically speaking, any barking dog is enough to turn away that which it draws attention to. If a person NEEDS German Shepherds, they should probably be gun owners too. Anyway, that said, I would much rather have a breed like this, who can be in public with any other dog or person, without worrying about aggression issues. She's an utter joy to have around, and is always up for chasing me or a ball around the yard or park. I would trust her to look after a anyone from an elderly person to a baby. She is especially gentle with infants in our church next door, where my wife is the pastor. We have a homeless shelter in the basement of our church one week per year, and she plays with the kids endlessly. She's very responsive as well when it's time to stop and behave. I'm surprised at how big she got. She's ninety pounds right now. Probably about 5-7 pounds overweight, but still huge for her breed. She was probably mixed with a large boned Golden at some point. Still very beautiful though! Would def adopt another one like her!

[@SciFiGirl007]

Beautiful, beautiful dog✨. Seems more lanky than a golden. Their head and neck reminds me of an Irish Setter. Simply shiny, stunning dogs.

[@josephafflitto2809]

my flat coat retriever is absolutely crazy

[@pinay113]

Knight Reverend mine too! Ha ha

[@utgjjtdfjtrfkolngtoplnb4466]

Mine too 😂

[@ronnieyt7763]

Mine too

[@june-mariehamilton5455]

Maybe needs more exercise?

[@pinkydibs]

@@june-mariehamilton5455 You are in danger of making an athlete giving more exercise, mental brain games are far more challenging for a flatcoat

[@martelindbergsli9779]

I love my flattie

[@FlatStella1]

absolutely true!!!!! lovely breed, own one :P

[@GoodVibebuilds]

i know this is a year later but can you leave you dog at a place with other dogs without the owner being there

[@karamitchell1041]

I'm leaning towards a Flatty or Great dane, most likely Dane.. but good to know this information for the future!

[@fredmirell9578]

The best dog

[@pattymarsh7961]

Thanks for the information. We are losing the flatty we rescued a year ago. Cancer. She is just 10. thinking of another one after I retire so I can train her. Our girl is the sweetest dog we've ever had and that includes 5 service dog puppies and some goldens. Her favorite place is draped over one of us in a full body snuggle. Love this breed.

[@bodiewagoner7344]

Lost mine today, very hard loss

[@pattymarsh7961]

@@bodiewagoner7344 I'm so sorry. It is so difficult.

[@larrysullivan6536]

Brilliant beautiful dogs and so well explained love em I want one now xx larrysullivan in London x

[@coldhart79]

They are very very beautiful... An ex Golden Retriever here

[@henryholliday1]

I have a friend who owns a flattie whose name is Addie which is short for adventurous and I can say she lives up to her name lol and she is big for her breed at 80 pounds but is all muscle and she only love to cuddle with me not her owners and she does not like to swim lol so so much for being a retriever but she is a loving goofy dog who thinks everything is a toy and life is just one big game and I would love to see more flatties around they are great dogs

[@wolfgang.2540]

I love. Dogs 💙

[@MeridienneOR]

FCR, a wonderful lovely dog, breeded for health and not for look by FCI Germany. Will be my next one! Right now I have one that looks like FCR, mix from lab/golden (mom) and hungarian Vizla /dad) ... sadly i cannot post a pic here, these mix looks like an origin flat :)

[@TheOneBigRed]

the best dogs

[@NaturallyHappyDogs]

Thank you :)

[@reneknight1538]

Can you suggest a quality breader in the US or can I purchase one from you?

[@tyrannotherium7873]

So what is this Bree close related to more the golden or the labrador Because I heard that it was bred door in 1905 or 1915 in one of my books

[@tvdongsuntv3836]

Wow he is little same with my pet 😀

[@asmrwubbalubbadubdubgay2503]

I have a flat coat mixed with a mini Aussie

[@paulsunderland2359]

hi. Can you recommend a breeder. happy to travel anywhere within UK, just looking for a trusted breeder

[@nycas2192]

Do flat coates retrievers shed a lot or very little almost unnoticeable

[@bleachnbones7107]

"Most flat coats will happily retrieve without any training" Lol, I've been training mine since he was a pup and he has picked up everything except retrieving. He just can't grasp the concept, either he gets distracted and drops the stick to chase something else or he starts running around to show it to everyone, then promptly stops and chews it to pieces. I've tried everything, he's probably just a weirdo

[@Ana-lm1zg]

I have a flatcoat for almost 8 years mom found him near her work when he was just born and poeple from her work wanted to put him to sleep bc that part of the city was known for a lot of stray dogs but my mom wanted to adopt him and thats when we got him and his name is Meda because when we got him he looked like a plushy bear , he is very loyal and smart and i love him very much but i regret that we didn't drive him in a car when he was a puppy beacause he is now so scared of the ride and we dont have any water surface near our house where he could swim so that is a big misstep but i hope one day we can take him near water ,and he sometimes has cramps in his back legs and when that happends he is just stiffed and its very scary but the vet told us that it is normal for retrievers to have this problem..

[@NaturallyHappyDogs]

How lovely that you’ve given him such a good life :)

[@Zenia_]

my dog is a breed mixed and i think he somehow resembles this breed A LOT except maybe he's smaller

[@clemdane]

Do they like the ocean as much as they like ponds or lakes?

[@laineparnell]

mine does! he dives in even in winter! run him through freshwater afterwards to get the salt off

[@clemdane]

@@laineparnell Wonderful!

[@maryistulsafox]

I have a flat coat border collie mix but I think she is more flat then collie

[@andrewhood4125]

Tulsa Fox I just got this mix as well. Have you enjoyed he/she?

[@patchj3776]

Mine doesn’t 😂40 kg big boy hates water ever since he fell in as a pup he has been unsure since up until the now 8 years old

[@KohariAlexandra]

Does anybody have an experience with shedding? Does the flat coated retriever shed a lot?

[@simonackers5085]

yes. sadly but they are the most lovley breed ever. They can also be very prone to cancer but the breed is so kind and loveing . get one . you will never regret it

[@KohariAlexandra]

@@simonackers5085 thanks for the feedback 🙏

[@petterv6604]

Yes, we have to vacuum every other day because of how much she sheds haha

[@june-mariehamilton5455]

The best and most naturally happy and sociable dogs ever.

[@june-mariehamilton5455]

And fantastic swimmers! Fearless and naturally buoyant!

[@beckybaney2394]

Why do they look so sad sitting on the couch?

[@whenitravel9122]

How can I get one in India? Any idea or breeders?

[@dannywickens3368]

All been eaten

[@gofios]

My dog some way

[@blackbeardkharkongor8830]

I have one he is very gentle in nature, very friendly with kids,cat and other dogs too , I have plans to mix the breed with a female German shepherd is that OK?

[@pinkydibs]

My flatcoats have lived with other breeds. If you mean 'mix' as in cross breed them , then no. You will not get a healthy hybrid..both breeds if not health tested can have problems and no one should be planning litters at this time with Covid 19.

[@webbess1]

No, don't do it.

[@parkharmon7971]

I am a flat-coated retriever

[@darlenehill2612]

Can you give a flat coated retriever demand to much attention

[@MHaynes]

My flat coat hates water😭

[@Donkeymonkbutwithay]

Plobly just afraid. we had to get him used to it.

[@musicofnote1]

Awww - you can train a Flattie to retrieve food. I did this with our Flattie lady for a dog dance routine ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/l4ioknV3aJumr68

[@cutedoglilangel799]

Australian Shepherds are the best!