I've been looking for the right balance of family companion and hunting dog, and a friend who raises setters has recommended a flat coat retriever. I've never metone, and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with them.
anybody have experience w/ flat coat retreivers???
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My friend Rob had one for a few years, then his daughter ended up with it. It was a nice dog, I have no idea about it's skills as a hunting dog though, they never trained it. - dan
"...flat coat retriever..." As in a black or gold Labrador? They're nice dogs, but some can be dumber than a bag of hammers. It's all in the pedigree. Not all retrievers are hunting dogs. Even if you try training it. They really need to come from a kennel that raises hunting dogs. And think in terms of big bucks to buy one.
sunray said:
No, flatcoats are a completely different breed from labs, so I'm told. Apparently it's a pretty old breed, and there arn't many breeders out there. I've been in contact w/ one. I should get to meet her and a couple of her dogs in a few weeks.
The most lameset dog going as far as I am concerned!!!!
Just Kidding. A couple of friends of mine have Flatcoats, currently in my dog club and run Field Trials and Hunt Tests with them. They are great natured dogs, similar to a Lab's disposition, just with longer hair. Your can't go wrong with a well bred Flatcoat. I am just more of a Lab Guy myself. Biggest thing is to research the breeder and its lines, not just buying one on the spur of the moment, and you will end up with a great hunting dog and a fantastic family pet. Here's a link:
http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&BreedCode=RTF
7.62mm
Just Kidding. A couple of friends of mine have Flatcoats, currently in my dog club and run Field Trials and Hunt Tests with them. They are great natured dogs, similar to a Lab's disposition, just with longer hair. Your can't go wrong with a well bred Flatcoat. I am just more of a Lab Guy myself. Biggest thing is to research the breeder and its lines, not just buying one on the spur of the moment, and you will end up with a great hunting dog and a fantastic family pet. Here's a link:
http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&BreedCode=RTF
7.62mm
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I've seen lots of flat coats in the last 5 years and have several friends with Flat Coated Retreivers.
For those who don't know, they crudely resemble the results of an unintended breeding between a black lab and an english setter. Sleek, fine boned, long hair with a lot of character. I've seen very few that hunt, but I've not seen any that were properly trained and that hunt well. I'm sure theere are dogs that are capable, but the breed is somewhat rare so it may be challenging to find dogs with strong hunting desire. I have seen a dozen dogs that do obedience, agility and retreive like crazy. I've not seen a dog over 7 years old, but they are energetic dogs easily to that age.
The long hair isn't for me, but I'm lazy when it comes to grooming. There is a flat coat club of canada and an alberta club.
http://flatcoatedretrieversocietyofalberta.com/
http://www.flatcoat.ca/
For those who don't know, they crudely resemble the results of an unintended breeding between a black lab and an english setter. Sleek, fine boned, long hair with a lot of character. I've seen very few that hunt, but I've not seen any that were properly trained and that hunt well. I'm sure theere are dogs that are capable, but the breed is somewhat rare so it may be challenging to find dogs with strong hunting desire. I have seen a dozen dogs that do obedience, agility and retreive like crazy. I've not seen a dog over 7 years old, but they are energetic dogs easily to that age.
The long hair isn't for me, but I'm lazy when it comes to grooming. There is a flat coat club of canada and an alberta club.
http://flatcoatedretrieversocietyofalberta.com/
http://www.flatcoat.ca/
uphere said:
No such critter.
There are yellow, chocolate, and black Labradors but no "gold" labs.
The Flat Coats are good dogs IF you get one from bona-fide hunting stock. Usually not as aggressive on the retrieve as most labs and chessies but they are usually a little easier to handle.
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Can be a little boisterous(sp?) for small kids.
More importantly, your friend breeds setters and you looking for a lab????!!!
More importantly, your friend breeds setters and you looking for a lab????!!!
sealhunter said:Can be a little boisterous(sp?) for small kids.
More importantly, your friend breeds setters and you looking for a lab????!!!
Yeah, I know I could score a fantastic setter, (Irish, English or Gordon) BUT, they a just a bit too wound for my taste, and I live on the Bay of Fundy, so the odd trip after some teal or black ducks is in the equation. I ain't seen a setter yet that wanted to do that!
I'm looking for something that might age a bit better than a lab too. The breeder I've been in contact with has a fantastic rep, and both the ##### and the dog are proven.
Long hair? I grew up w/ goldens. nuff said.
- Location
- Back in the Peace Country
I've had 6 Gordon's and 2 English over the years.
Better dogs I could not have asked for.
They were good all around.
Grouse and Partridge hunting was what I lived for, and when the oppotunity came for ducks, they were all for it, Especially the gordon's.
Not as enthusiastic as a Lab, but I had my Gordon swim after sal####er ducks
in the middle of February and pond Ducks didn't have a chance. Good with the whole family and kids too.
My friends have labs that are killer retrievers just by instinct.
Also one has a Chesapeake that is not as energetic as the labs, just walks to the water's edge, slowly get's in, will swim as far as he has to, get the bird, come back drop it, lie down and start cleaning himself.
It looks really funny, almost as if he's doing you a favor
good luck
Better dogs I could not have asked for.
They were good all around.
Grouse and Partridge hunting was what I lived for, and when the oppotunity came for ducks, they were all for it, Especially the gordon's.
Not as enthusiastic as a Lab, but I had my Gordon swim after sal####er ducks
in the middle of February and pond Ducks didn't have a chance. Good with the whole family and kids too.
My friends have labs that are killer retrievers just by instinct.
Also one has a Chesapeake that is not as energetic as the labs, just walks to the water's edge, slowly get's in, will swim as far as he has to, get the bird, come back drop it, lie down and start cleaning himself.
It looks really funny, almost as if he's doing you a favor
good luck
dogs
Holleyman, those are two very good looking dogs.
The only flat coats I've seen were at field trails. They seem to be very tractable and level dogs. The work they did was acceptable if not outstanding. That could be the result of training.
I personally like a high wired, hard charging lab, but would not hesitate to ty a flat coat for your application.
Holleyman, those are two very good looking dogs.
The only flat coats I've seen were at field trails. They seem to be very tractable and level dogs. The work they did was acceptable if not outstanding. That could be the result of training.
I personally like a high wired, hard charging lab, but would not hesitate to ty a flat coat for your application.
Thanks guys. Holleyman, that's a really good looking flat. The huskey sure does make him look small! Then again at 7 months, he's not going to be tiny either.
Redfrog, I think you hit the nail on the head. I want a dog that can handle the hunting I want to do, but won't be so hard charging that it can't fit in with my wife or future kids. I'm not a hard core hunter, but I do want a dog that's as into it as I am. A jack of all trades is fine, if the personality is there.
Redfrog, I think you hit the nail on the head. I want a dog that can handle the hunting I want to do, but won't be so hard charging that it can't fit in with my wife or future kids. I'm not a hard core hunter, but I do want a dog that's as into it as I am. A jack of all trades is fine, if the personality is there.
