Kennel Club Group	Sporting
Lifespan	8 - 10 Years
Height (at the withers)	Males 23in - 24.5in, Females 22in - 23.5in
Weight	Males and Females 60lb - 70lb
Coat	Dense and Fine Coat. Close Lying to the Body
Color	Black, Liver
Eye color	Hazel or Dark Brown
Common health issues	Patellar luxation, Hip dysplasia, Elbow dysplasia, Primary Glaucoma, Cardiomyopathy, Cranial Cruciate Ligament Failure, Osteoarthritis, Ophthalmic conditions (Adnexa), Laryngeal Paralysis, Alabama rot, Renal Dysplasia, Cancer, Ear issues, Bloat
Other Names	Flatcoat, Flattie, Flatte, Canine Peter Pan

These guys LOVE to be around water, so for 'hoomans' that don't like the sound of mud and water being trodden through their houses, it's probably not the ideal breed. But for those that don't mind this, they will make a fantastic pet. Flat-Coated Retriever's also mature very slowly, meaning they possess puppy-like traits a lot longer than other breeds. They have a fantastic amount of energy and resilience and need an owner who also has a similar lifestyle. Because of their high-intelligence, they are also pretty easy to train and teach new skills and tricks, that you could potentially show off to your friends or at competitions! They love to be around people, so need someone to be with them for most of the day. If you do leave these guys by themselves, they will turn into very skillful escape-artists and will try everything in their power to try and get out! But for those that are comfortable with a high-maintenance dog, they will make a great family pet.

Flat-Coats are one of six AKC retriever breeds: tireless, trainable lake hunters who retrieve downed waterfowl. Retrievers mark where a duck falls and, on command, swim a straight path to the game, grip it gently in their mouth, swim a straight path back to the hunter, and deliver the prize to hand. In the park or backyard, a retriever's hunting traits are expressed in seemingly endless games of fetch, an affinity for water, and an eagerness to work closely with an adored human.

Flat-Coats were first bred in the mid-1800s, a relatively recent development in the AKC universe, where many breeds go back to antiquity. Flat-Coats were once Britain's most popular retriever, before being overtaken by Labs and Goldens, and was once called the “Gamekeeper's Dog” because of its widespread use on the sprawling estates of the English gentry.

Among the component breeds in the Flat-Coat's genetic background are the St. John's Dog (an early version of the Lab) and various setter types. From the beginning, the coat was a striking aspect of the breed. Alternate breed names have included the Wavy-Coated Retriever, the Black Wavy Retriever, and Smooth-Coated Retriever, all referring to the breed's unique beauty. Aside from its good looks, the coat is highly functional: it protects these superb retrievers from harsh weather, icy water, and punishing ground cover.