An excellent bird dog and swimmer, the Flat-Coated Retriever has a friendly personality and ever-wagging tail, making him an outstanding family pet. This intelligent, gentle breed is easily trained. The Flat-Coated Retriever has a puppy-like exuberance throughout his life. An active breed, he needs vigorous daily exercise and minimal grooming for his feathered coat.
The Flat-Coated Retriever’s ancestors include the Newfoundland, English Setter, as well as sheepdogs and spaniel-like water dogs. A fairly popular breed prior to World War I, the Flat-Coated Retriever was overtaken in popularity by the Labrador and Golden Retrievers.