Breed
Standard
The Flat-Coated Retriever
General
Appearance
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a versatile family companion hunting retriever
with a happy and active demeanor, intelligent expression, and clean lines.
The Flat-Coat has been traditionally described as showing "power without
lumber and raciness without weediness." The distinctive and most important
features of the Flat-Coat are the silhouette (both moving and standing), smooth
effortless movement, head type, coat and character. In silhouette the Flat-Coat
has a long, strong, clean, "one piece" head, which is unique to
the breed. Free from exaggeration of stop or cheek, the head is set well into
a moderately long neck which flows smoothly into well laid back shoulders.
A level topline 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 forechest forms a prominent prow. This utilitarian retriever is well
balanced, strong, but elegant; never cobby, short legged or rangy. The coat
is thick and flat lying, and the legs and tail are well feathered. A proud
carriage, responsive attitude, waving tail and overall look of functional
strength, quality, style and symmetry complete the picture of the typical
Flat-Coat. Judging the Flat-Coat moving freely on a loose lead and standing
naturally is more important than judging him posed. Honorable scars should
not count against the dog.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size-Individuals varying more than an inch either way from the preferred height
should be considered not practical for the types of work for which the Flat-Coat
was developed. Preferred height is 23 to 241/2; inches at the withers for
dogs, 22 to 231/2 inches for bitches. Since the Flat-Coat is a working hunting
retriever he should be shown in lean, hard condition, free of excess weight.
Proportion-The Flat-Coat is not cobby in build. The length of the body from
the point of the shoulder to the rearmost projection of the upper thigh is
slightly more than the height at the withers. The female may be slightly longer
to better accommodate the carrying of puppies. Substance-Moderate. Medium
bone is flat or oval rather than round; strong but never massive, coarse,
weedy or fine. This applies throughout the dog.
Head
The long, clean, well molded head is adequate in size and strength to retrieve
a large pheasant, duck or hare with ease. Skull and Muzzle-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, between
and beneath the eyes. Viewed from above, the muzzle is nearly equal in length
and breadth to the skull. Stop-There is a gradual, slight, barely perceptible
stop, avoiding a down or dish-faced appearance. Brows are slightly raised
and mobile, giving life to the expression. Stop must be evaluated in profile
so that it will not be confused with the raised brow. Occiput -not accentuated,
the skull forming a gentle curve where it fits well into the neck. Expression-
alert, intelligent and kind. Eyes- are set widely apart. Medium sized, almond
shaped, dark brown or hazel; not large, round or yellow. Eye rims are self-colored
and tight. Ears -relatively small, well set on, lying close to the side of
the head and thickly feathered. Not low set (houndlike or setterish). Nose-Large
open nostrils. Black on black dogs, brown on liver dogs. Lips -fairly tight,
firm, clean and dry to minimize the retention of feathers. Jaws- long and
strong, capable of carrying a hare or a pheasant. Bite-Scissors bite preferred,
level bite acceptable. Broken teeth should not count against the dog. Severe
Faults-Wry and undershot or overshot bites with a noticeable gap must be severely
penalized.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck- strong and slightly arched for retrieving strength. Moderately long
to allow for easy seeking of the trail. Free from throatiness. Coat on neck
is untrimmed. Topline- strong and level. Body-Chest (Brisket)-Deep, reaching
to the elbow and only moderately broad. Forechest- Prow prominent and well
developed. Rib cage- deep, showing good length from forechest to last rib
(to allow ample space for all body organs), and only moderately broad. The
foreribs fairly flat showing a gradual spring, well arched in the center of
the body but rather lighter towards the loin. Underline-Deep chest tapering
to a moderate tuck-up. Loin -strong, well muscled and long enough to allow
for agility, freedom of movement and length of stride, but never weak or loosely
coupled. Croup- slopes very slightly; rump moderately broad and well muscled.
Tail -fairly straight, well set on, with bone reaching approximately to the
hock joint. When the dog is in motion, the tail is carried happily but without
curl as a smooth extension of the topline, never much above the level of the
back.
Forequarters
Shoulders- long, well laid back shoulder blade with upper arm- of approximately
equal length to allow for efficient reach. Musculature wiry rather than bulky.
Elbows- clean, close to the body and set well back under the withers. Forelegs-
straight and strong with medium bone of good quality. Pasterns- slightly sloping
and strong. Dewclaws-Removal of dewclaws is optional. Feet- oval or round.
Medium sized and tight with well arched toes and thick pads.
Hindquarters
Powerful with angulation in balance with the front assembly. Upper thighs-
powerful and well muscled. Stifle-Good turn of stifle with sound, strong joint.
Second thighs -(Stifle to hock joint)-Second or lower thigh as long as or
only slightly longer than upper thigh. Hock-Hock joint strong, well let down.
Dewclaws-There are no hind dewclaws. Feet- oval or round. Medium sized and
tight with well arched toes and thick pads.
Coat
Coat is of moderate length, density and fullness, with a high lustre. The
ideal coat is straight and flat lying. A slight waviness is permissible but
the coat is not curly, wooly, short, silky or fluffy. The Flat-Coat 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, stringy or silky. Mane of longer heavier
coat on the neck extending over the withers and shoulders is considered typical,
especially in the male dog, and can cause the neck to appear thicker and the
withers higher, sometimes causing the appearance of a dip behind the withers.
Since the Flat-Coat is a hunting retriever, the feathering is not excessively
long. Trimming-The Flat-Coat is shown with as natural a coat as possible and
must not be penalized for lack of trimming, as long as the coat is clean and
well brushed. Tidying of ears, feet, underline and tip of tail is acceptable.
Whiskers serve a specific function and it is preferred that they not be trimmed.
Shaving or barbering of the head, neck or body coat must be severely penalized.
Color
Solid black or solid liver. Disqualification-Yellow, cream or any color other
than black or liver.
Gait
Sound, efficient movement is of critical importance to a hunting retriever.
The Flat-Coat viewed from the side covers ground efficiently and movement
appears balanced, free flowing and well coordinated, never choppy, mincing
or ponderous. Front and rear legs reach well forward and extend well back,
achieving long clean strides. Topline appears level, strong and supple while
dog is in motion.
Summary
The Flat-Coat is a strong but elegant, cheerful hunting 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,
condition and attitude should give every indication of being suited for hard
work.
Temperament
Character is a primary and outstanding asset of the Flat-Coat. He is a responsive,
loving member of the family, a versatile working dog, multi-talented, sensible,
bright and tractable. In competition the Flat-Coat demonstrates stability-
and a desire to please with a confident, happy and outgoing attitude characterized
by a wagging tail. Nervous, hyperactive, apathetic, shy or obstinate behavior
is undesirable. Severe Fault-Unprovoked aggressive behavior toward people
or animals is totally- unacceptable.
Character
Character is as important to the evaluation of stock by a potential breeder
as any other aspect of the breed standard. The Flat-Coat is primarily a family
companion hunting retriever. He is keen and birdy, flushing within gun range,
as well as a determined, resourceful retriever on land and water. He has a
great desire to hunt with self-reliance and an uncanny ability to adapt to
changing circumstances on a variety of upland game and waterfowl. As a family
companion he is sensible, alert and highly intelligent; a lighthearted, affectionate
and adaptable friend. He retains these qualities as well as his youthfully
good-humored outlook on life into old age. The adult Flat-Coat is usually
an adequate alarm dog to give warning, but is a good-natured, optimistic dog,
basically inclined to be friendly to all. The Flat-Coat is a cheerful, devoted
companion who requires and appreciates living with and interacting as a member
of his family. To reach full potential in any endeavor he absolutely must
have a strong personal bond and affectionate individual attention.
DISQUALIFICATION
Yellow, cream or any color other than black or liver.
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Approved September 11, 1990
Effective October 30, 1990