Gundog Breeds in the Heritage Breeds Pavilion - Flat Coated Retriever

In the Gundog Pavilion at the Kelmarsh Country Fair and Midland Game Fair we are proud to work alongside the breed representatives to provide the most comprehensive display of working gundogs. Here we see the characteristics and heritage of the Flatcoated Retriever, taken from the Breed Society’s website.

The Flatcoated Retriever is a versatile, bright and active gundog, with a black or liver coat, of medium size, with an intelligent expression.

Flatcoats were bred originally as a gundog to retrieve dead and wounded game and had to mix with many dogs on a shooting day.  Therefore, a kind and biddable temperament, and a soft, gentle mouth were of prime importance.  However, they also had to be willing to enter thick cover such as brambles and nettles and so needed courage and stamina to work hard on shooting days.

The basic ingredients for this type of gundog seem to have been the Lesser Newfoundland or Labrador, and the larger Spaniels and Setters.  By crossing and selection, improved retrieving performance was obtained.  One variety, then known as the Wavy-Coated Retriever, became very popular and with its Curly cousin was widely used by both Gamekeepers and sporting men.  These Wavy-Coats were the start of the modern day Flatcoat.   It is likely that Collie blood was introduced around the 1890’s to produce flatter coats.  Shooting men then developed the Flatcoat into a breed of such known excellence that it was quite the most popular variety of retriever from around 1890 up to the First World War.

After this period the popularity of the Golden and Labrador Retrievers continued to grow and Flatcoats became far smaller numerically.  In 1948 when the Flatcoated Retriever Society was formed there were under 80 registered with the Kennel Club.  Nowadays there are around 1500 puppy registrations per annum, illustrating the growing attraction of this gundog breed.

More information on this fascinating gundog breed can be found here at the Flatcoated Retriever Society website.