{"id":15763,"date":"2026-03-11T22:57:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T21:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.retriever-klub.cz\/flat-coated-retriever\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T22:23:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T20:23:11","slug":"flat-coated-retriever","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.retriever-klub.cz\/en\/flat-coated-retriever\/","title":{"rendered":"Flat Coated Retriever"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Flat Coated Retriever is an enthusiastic and friendly dog with a strong desire to work alongside people. Equally at home in the shooting field, in a wide range of dog sports, or as part of an active family, the breed is renowned for its cheerful temperament, intelligence, and exceptional enthusiasm for retrieving and working in partnership with its handler.A hallmark of the breed is its free-flowing, effortless and elegant movement, which reflects its balanced, athletic construction. Compared with some other retriever breeds, the Flat-Coated Retriever is often more exuberant and playful, while remaining a reliable working companion with an open, affectionate nature and a genuine love of people. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Breeding Requirements<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Health and Genetic Testing<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How to Qualify Your Dog for Breeding<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Responsible Breeding<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Breed Standard<\/h2>\n\n
<\/th>Overview of the FCI Breed Standard<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Country of Origin<\/td>United Kingdom<\/td><\/tr>
Height<\/td>Ideal height at the withers: Dogs: 58\u201361 cm. Bitches: 56\u201359 cm <\/td><\/tr>
General Appearance<\/td>A bright, active dog of medium size with an intelligent expression; combining strength without heaviness, and elegance without weediness.<\/td><\/tr>
CoatColour<\/td>Dense, fine to medium-textured, of good quality and as close-lying as possible; legs and tail well feathered.Black or liver only.<\/td><\/tr>
Gait<\/td>Free-flowing, smooth, powerful and well-coordinated; viewed from the front and rear, the movement should be straight and true.<\/td><\/tr>
Head<\/td>Head: long and clean; skull flat and moderately broad, with a slight stop; muzzle well developed with open nostrils.Muzzle: long, strong and deep, approximately equal in length to the skull.Jaws: long and strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite.<\/td><\/tr>
Dentition <\/td>Strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper incisors closely overlapping the lower incisors and set square to the jaws.<\/td><\/tr>
Eyes<\/td>Medium-sized, dark brown or hazel, with an intelligent expression.<\/td><\/tr>
Ears<\/td>Relatively small, well set, lying close to the head.<\/td><\/tr>
Neck<\/td>Reasonably long, clean and well set into the shoulders, flowing smoothly into the topline and allowing the dog to work with ease.<\/td><\/tr>
Body<\/td>Back: short and level. A soft back is highly undesirable.Loins: short and square, strong, broad and muscular.Chest: deep and moderately broad, with well-defined forechest; ribs moderately well sprung.<\/td><\/tr>
Tail<\/td>Fairly long, straight and well set, carried almost level with the back; well feathered. Carried gaily in action, but never much above the topline.<\/td><\/tr>
Limbs<\/td>ForequartersGeneral Appearance: forelegs straight and well placed; viewed from the front or side, straight from the elbows to the ground.Shoulders: long and well laid back, lying close to the body.Forearms: straight, with strong but not coarse bone.Feet: round and compact, with well-arched toes and thick pads.HindquartersGeneral Appearance: strong and well muscled; viewed from behind, straight and parallel.Stifles: well bent.Hocks (Rear Pasterns): hocks well let down; viewed from behind, straight. Cow hocks are highly undesirable.Feet: round and compact, with well-arched toes and thick pads.<\/td><\/tr>
Temperament<\/td>Friendly, calm and even-tempered; cheerful and self-confident; intelligent, trainable and highly willing to cooperate; naturally gifted for retrieving work; energetic and enthusiastic as a working dog; a devoted and reliable companion with an open, kind and friendly nature, showing no signs of aggression or undue shyness.<\/td><\/tr>
Faults<\/td>Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, the seriousness of which should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on its ability to perform its traditional work.<\/td><\/tr>
Disqualifying Faults<\/td>Aggressive or overly shy dogs. Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.<\/td><\/tr>
Note<\/td>Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n
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A Brief History<\/h2>\n\n
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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Breeding Requirements<\/h2>\n\n
<\/th>pes \/ fena<\/th><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Ideal Height at the Withers<\/td>58 \u2013 61 cm \/ 56 \u2013 59 cm<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Dentition<\/td>*Scissor bite only; teeth may be missing except for incisors and canines.<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Show award obtained after 12 months of age<\/td>At least two show results are required. One of them must be obtained at a Club Show or Specialty Show with the CAC title on offer (a Regional Club Show does not fulfil this requirement), organised by Retriever Club CZ or Klub chovatel\u016f loveck\u00fdch sl\u00eddi\u010d\u016f (KCHLS).The required minimum qualification is Very Good (VD) at both shows.The second qualifying show may be obtained at any International Show, National Show, Club Show, Specialty Show or Regional Club Show. <\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Working Trials<\/td>Retriever Working Aptitude Trial (OVVR) or any hunting working trial or competition that includes a retrieving assessment.**<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
Hip and Elbow X-ray Examination (DKK + DLK)<\/td>HD A\/A to C\/C**ED assessment mandatory, max. 1\/1***<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n