two questions:
a) whats the average age, they die from cancer?
b) any new updates, on the indentification of the cancer and how to prevent it?

Ive wanted a flatcoat pup for ages, but have held back, because of the cancer!
Emma B
Ems@burton.freeserve.co.uk

One thing I must say here is that the Flatcoated Retriever Society is doing just about as much as is humanly possible. The "Tumour Survey" is an ongoing thing whereby the owner of a dog suffering from a tumour supplies his or her vet with a form to be filled and sent in so that information can be gained about these terrible problems.

In my experience there are lines which seem quite short lived but other who just go on and on and on! A friend's bitch died a year or so ago at 17 years old! I'm sure if Becky or Polly see this they will comment.

All breeds have their own problems and all I can say to you is that if you feel you would really like to be owned by a Flatcoat then go out and get one! They really are a lovely breed. (And that from a Labrador man!!)

Best wishes, John

i may be wrong but i think new research started this year, and i think the average age is 7/8.

I dont know about anyone else but id rather have the pleasure of owning a wonderful breed for 7/8 years, rather than having an average dog breed. Flatcoats are a wonderful breed!

The only flatcoat that we've known to have died of cancer was our dear Birdie, who died earlier this year.   Hers was a synovial sarcoma which the orthopaedic specialist linked to a glancing blow by a car when she was picking up (no obvious damage at time).

The others have all lived to a reasonable age, dying at between 10 1/2 and 12 1/2, but we don't honestly know why these died - one of their systems had just given up.

They aren't the only breed affected by cancer - a friend lost a lab at around 16 months with it.    A dreadfully upsetting thing at such a young age.

As John says, the Flatcoated Retriever Society are doing all they can to monitor the situation, and possibly because they are so consciencious, it implies that we have a greater incidence than other breeds, which is not necessarily true.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Hi,
I totally agrre with John and Jo, the Flatcoated retriever Society members are doing everything humanly possible to find out why we get cancer in our lovely breed. I have heard of people having flatcoats die quite young, average age seems to be about 8/9 years. however my own experience has been very different. Apart from two who died in accidents I have had several make very old ages for example:
Sally died at 16 years 7 and a half months
Charlie died at 15 years and 9 months
Peggy died at 15 years and 7 months
Callum died at 11 years 7 months
Lucinda died at 11 years 9 months
Still with me at 9 years 4 months Rosebud and my new puppy is Arthur who is 7 months old.
For me there is nothing like the fun and laughter a flatcoat brings into a home.

Sorry Jo, I should certainly have added your name onto my post. Brain failour!

Best wishes, John