Flat Coated Retriever

The Flat Coated Retriever originated in Great Britain during the 19th century as a specialised gundog developed for retrieving game. The breed evolved from working retrievers that were selectively bred for reliable performance both on land and in water.

The development of the breed involved early working retrievers, together with Newfoundland dogs and setters. The aim was to produce an elegant, athletic retriever with excellent scenting ability, a soft mouth, and a strong willingness to work in partnership with its handler.

For many years, the Flat Coated Retriever was one of the most popular gundog retrievers in Great Britain. Today, it continues to be valued for its outstanding working ability while also excelling in a wide range of dog sports and as an active family companion.

The correct use of genetic testing is essential. It is important to understand that a carrier is, first and foremost, a healthy dog. Thanks to genetic testing, carriers can be safely used in breeding without the risk of producing affected puppies, provided they are mated to genetically clear partners. Excluding carriers from breeding unnecessarily and significantly reduces the breed’s genetic diversity.
It is therefore important to test not only stud dogs but also breeding bitches and to use the results when selecting a suitable mate. The ideal breeding partner should be as unrelated as possible, complement the bitch in both type and quality, help balance her weaknesses, and must not be a carrier of the same genetic mutation.
It is not advisable to breed exclusively from dogs that are genetically clear for all available tests. It is important to remember that genetic tests are not yet available for many inherited conditions, and unnecessarily reducing the breed’s genetic diversity may increase the prevalence of other hereditary diseases in the future.

Dogs that are not fit for breeding should be excluded from breeding, regardless of whether they meet the formal breeding requirements. A healthy dog is not defined solely by excellent hip scores and a few favourable genetic test results.
Dogs affected by diseases or conditions for which no genetic tests are available, or that may develop later in life, should not be used for breeding. This includes, in particular, epilepsy, congenital heart disease, thyroid disorders, metabolic and autoimmune diseases, severe allergies and chronic skin conditions, entropion, ectropion, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), bilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture, patellar luxation, spondylosis, and similar conditions.

Breeding is, above all, a long-term responsibility towards the breed, future puppies and their owners. Concealing or downplaying health problems within breeding lines contributes to their continued spread throughout the population and may result in lifelong health problems for future generations, placing a significant burden on their owners. Every puppy that is born will share many years of life with its family. Breeders therefore have an ethical responsibility to give every puppy the best possible chance of a healthy and fulfilling life. Openness, honesty and a critical, responsible approach to the selection of breeding dogs are the foundation of responsible breeding.