Temperament
The Flat Coat is characterized by their happy-go-lucky attitude. They are a very optimistic breed and seldom truly age. Known as the "Peter Pan of the Dog World", the Flat Coat will keep their puppy-like traits well into adulthood!
Flat Coats are great with children, however their tails can occasionally can knock-over children...as well as anything that is at tail-height (read: coffee tables will be cleared in one happy wag).
Flat Coats are relatively easy to train and are generally very food motivated. The breed is very eager to please and will do all that they can to keep you happy. While they keep their goofy personalities at the ready, too harsh of a training style can cause them to shut down. That eager-to-please personality does best with positive reinforcement-they want to be told that what they're doing is right. Flat Coats need to be trained-when left to their own devices they will be as naughty as possible.
We have found that while Flat Coats are an energetic breed, with regular exercise they are excellent housemates. An under-exercised Flat Coat will find other ways to entertain themselves. This may include some destructive behaviors that many people may not find appealing. All-in-all, a once daily walk is generally enough to keep their naughty behaviors at bay.
Flat Coats are great with children, however their tails can occasionally can knock-over children...as well as anything that is at tail-height (read: coffee tables will be cleared in one happy wag).
Flat Coats are relatively easy to train and are generally very food motivated. The breed is very eager to please and will do all that they can to keep you happy. While they keep their goofy personalities at the ready, too harsh of a training style can cause them to shut down. That eager-to-please personality does best with positive reinforcement-they want to be told that what they're doing is right. Flat Coats need to be trained-when left to their own devices they will be as naughty as possible.
We have found that while Flat Coats are an energetic breed, with regular exercise they are excellent housemates. An under-exercised Flat Coat will find other ways to entertain themselves. This may include some destructive behaviors that many people may not find appealing. All-in-all, a once daily walk is generally enough to keep their naughty behaviors at bay.
Health
Overall, Flat Coats are a healthy breed. Unlike many other breeds they do not generally struggle with hip, elbow, patella, thyroid, or cardiac issues.
The most common health problem in this breed is cancer. (Read more about cancer in dogs here) We, along with breeders world-wide, are conscious of and committed to improving the health and longevity of our dogs. We are continuing to see an improvement in the health of the breed and they are continuing to live longer and longer!
The most common health problem in this breed is cancer. (Read more about cancer in dogs here) We, along with breeders world-wide, are conscious of and committed to improving the health and longevity of our dogs. We are continuing to see an improvement in the health of the breed and they are continuing to live longer and longer!
Grooming
Flat Coats are a very manageable breed when it comes to hair care. As with every breed of dog, there will always be some small amount of shedding throughout the year. Flat Coats, however, do not shed nearly as much as Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers. Hair can be managed with weekly brushing.
The Flat Coat standard calls for simple trimming of the ears, feet, and tail, although many Flat Coats that are not regularly in the show ring are left au naturale. We do recommend regular trimming of toenails.
The Flat Coat standard calls for simple trimming of the ears, feet, and tail, although many Flat Coats that are not regularly in the show ring are left au naturale. We do recommend regular trimming of toenails.
Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved - Owned and maintained by Theresa & Jill Kuchinos
Last updated: 4.9.2020