Hello ChampDogs,

I lost my 8.5 year old Flat-Coated Retriever, Kelly, to cancer last winter and love these dogs enough to want another, despite their higher than average incidence of the disease.

I have read quite a bit about Flat Coats and cancer, have interacted with researchers in the Ohio Sate University Vet School oncology unit (where Kelly was treated), and have discovered that virtually all the Kelly's siblings died of cancer within the same year. As a result, I am convinced that genetic history is very important in Flat Coat cancer. However, I think some breeders have better stock in this respect than others. I would like to find a Flat Coat breeder who has a comparatively good record in breeding dogs that make make it to a ripe old age - say 10 or 11 years.

I would prefer a liver colored male this time, but will happily take any Flat Coat with whom I can share a good decade - I miss my Kelly so and don't really want another breed. Can anyone help me?

I noticed that back in March a number of liver Flat Coat owners in the U.K. were conversing on this board. Perhaps one or more of you can offer some advice. I would be extremely grateful for any information.

JBM dinglemar@aol.com
Mt. Vernon, Ohio, USA

Hello

I'm so sorry that you lost your dear flatcoat to cancer - it always leaves such a hole in our hearts.

As regards cancer, I'm not so sure that it is so familial, but maybe more environmental. Having said that, it may be that some lines are more sensitive to their environment than others, so maybe both opinions are correct.

And unfortunately, flatcoats aren't the only dogs to be affected by any means - I've heard of several others being lost at a very young age - a friend had a very promising field trial lab lost at only 18 months to cancer.

We count ourselves very lucky at present - our oldies died at 12.5, 12.5 and 10.5, but you should never tempt Providence!! We have always lived in areas a long way from overhead cables, masts etc, and been careful to feed foods that are as free from GM ingredients etc. as possible. Whether or not that has been a factor - who can tell?

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I have to agree that certain lines do seem on average to die a lot earlier than other lines. My friends old Sally was I believe neatly 17 when she passed on and quite a few others in that line were very old. Other lines do seem to never reach double figures.

Regatds, John

Hi I recently lost an 11 yr old shepherd with a osteosaracoma,

Janines

when i was looking for a flatcoat, for eg. i would ask what ages, the grandmother, grandfather, great granmother, father died, (if they did actually die from cancer) that way if cancer is genetic then you can find a line of flat coats with very good life expectancy, eg 10-12, i love flat coats, and will get one when my pup grows up, im too looking for a male liver, just remember to ask lots of question about the health of the puppy's elders.

hope that helps.

good luck

gemma x

I have to say that liver Flatcoats are fast becoming the equivilent to chocolate Labradors. People breeding for them from the reduced gene pool. I can see all sorts of trouble looming in the Flatcoat breed in the future just as there is in Labs and for exactly the same reason!

Regards, John

If cancer is genetic as it is believed in some quarters then to breed from the small gene pool we have, for a specific trait such as the colour, will in time increase the incidence, I would have thought. I would strongly suggest that you contact Brenda Phillips who is the secretary of the flatcoated Retriever society as they have an on going study into the flatcoat cancers. Brenda's details can be obtained from the Flatcoated Retriever Society web site.
As other writers have already said, there are many breeds which are having the same problems as we flatcoat breeders are.
By the way Sally was nearly 17 when she died and two other dogs I owned were fifteen and three quarters and fifteen and a half. Apart from two who died in accidents, all my dogs have lived to over 11 years of age. I always chose the same lines as the three I have singled out have had in their pedigrees. If you want the pedigrees I will supply them privately to you. One thing I will say is that the dog Wizardwood Seabird of Exclyst has to my knowledge sired 4 flatcoats which have lived to over 16 years. One grandson, of Sally's (sadly never used at stud) is already 12 still going strong and looking good for while yet!