The AKC calls the Flat-Coat the Peter Pan of the Sporting Group, a forever-young gundog that is happy, self-assured and willing to please. Expect a long-legged dog with a tail that never stops.
Size and kennel
The AKC lists the breed at 23 to 24.5 inches for males and 22 to 23.5 inches for females, at 60 to 70 pounds. That is the same weight band as a Labrador, but the Flat-Coat is leaner and the tail is a hazard in a small space. Business Class (5x6 feet inside, 60 square feet outside) gives room, at $59 a night. Two Flat-Coats from one home fit First Class at $72 and $61.
The flat, feathered coat
The coat is dense and flat with feathering on the legs, chest and tail, and the AKC places it in the middle of the chart's length scale. We would start from the medium column. On the bath chart effective January 1, 2024, a 51 to 75 pound dog is $50 in the medium column; a longer-feathered dog may fall into the last column at $65. Please ask to confirm. Burrs and mud collect in the feathering, so brush the legs before drop-off.
A retriever who loves to carry
Flat-Coats retrieve with enthusiasm and are rarely mean about it. They like to pick up toys, sticks and shoes. Bring one toy rather than three, and leave the favorite at home. The grass field and fenced play areas are a good match for this breed. The AKC lists a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years, and an older Flat-Coat may want a quieter stay with its own bed in the run.
Heat and water
nearby Vacaville, the closest weather station, averages about 100 days a year at 90 degrees or higher. A dog with this coat feels warm quickly, so the air-conditioned run matters in the afternoon. The dog chooses inside or out through the doggie door.
Ready for the first night
Upload the vaccine records, arrive free of fleas and ticks, and remove any metal pinch (prong) collar. If your Flat-Coat is on a diet, bring the food in its original bag with the amount written in cups.