How to Groom a Flat-Coated Retriever

Flat-Coated Retrievers are great bird hunters and swimmers and are part of the Gun Dog group. They are also very agile and make good watchdogs. Flat-Coated Retrievers are easy to groom. They need only a monthly general grooming and a full grooming every 8 to 12 weeks. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blending shears
• Slicker brush
• Scissors

1. Remove stray hairs from the face and tail using blending shears. The dog;s coat should have a smooth appearance. The dense, soft coat has a high luster and should lie flat against the body.

2. Bathe your Flat-Coated Retriever when necessary.

3. Fluff dry, but don't try to add any volume to the coat. It should be straight and flat and have a natural look. Don't over-style.

4. Remove stray hairs from the body using scissors or blending shears. There should be some natural feathering on the legs, tail and chest, but you want to create a neat, well-kept look.

5. Brush the dog once a week to improve the look of the coat and to remove shed hair. Brush with the grain of the coat. This breed is an average shedder.

Tips & Warnings

• The Flat-Coated Retriever is the product of the cross breeding of numerous breeds, including the Irish Setter, Labrador, Water Dog, St. John's Newfoundland and possibly the Collie. The American Kennel Club recognized them as a "stable type" in 1873 and as a breed in 1915.
• The life expectancy of Flat Coated Retrievers is about 10 years.
• These dogs need plenty of exercise, or else they may misbehave. Choose another breed if you live in an apartment.
• Flat Coated Retrievers generally weigh between 60 and 70 lb. They range in height from 22 to 23 inches tall.
• Cancer is a common health problem among Flat Coated Retrievers. They also often suffer from hip dysplasia, PRA, CHD, epilepsy and diabetes.

Resources

• Visit the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America website.