Hi, this is my first message I have posted on here. I would just like to know your opinions on flat coated retrievers. I have never owned a dog before and was just wondering whether they are a good dog to have as a first dog? Are they good with strangers? And kids? Your answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks alot, Lauren Whale.

Hello Lauren , you could always Register with us for free and then you can answer any comments that people make :)

Melody

Lovely dogs! Obviously there are good and bad in all breeds but Flatcoats are normally vey much of a "People dog". They will guard their house but once the door opens they will just enjoy meeting the visitor.

The down side of a Flatcoat is that it likes nothing better than to give you a big, and I mean BIG kiss! A very lickey dog! They are also a large powerful dog who really does need plenty of training of they will take you for a walk. They are also a very slow dog to grow up. remaining a puppy at heart for years.

To those who love them they are a beautiful dog!

Best wishes, John

Lovely, friendly dogs that never grow up!  love peolpe and always want cuddles and kisses.  They also LOVE water (they also love to soak your whole house)  Well the one we had once bording with us did and the owners couldn't believe we had a water bowl in the hall!

Hi. I agree with all that has been said by John & ice queen. They are big dogs that are known for being "licky". With tongues that are guaranteed to work overtime. They enjoy lots of excercise & if trained well - make lovely pets.
oh & yes they usually love water too. :) (mine will cry within a few meters of water just itching to get in there!)

well back in 1987 i got my first fcr in that time i have had 7 of them 4 of them now,i would not be with out is loving,friendly mad dogs that are called the peterpan  dog that never grow up,love water, kiss you alot, will bark when the door bell gos but kiss them to death when you open it.

love beening with humans and other dogs for company,
but the down side is the cancer in the breed but donot be put of this other breed have their problem too,
once you had a fcr  you will alway want one.

you can see my lot on this site under fcr under the kennel name glenturret,

all the best if you get a fcr next year,

terri

Hi Guest,
Join Champdogs there are lots of us "mad" flatcoat owners here, and we will always try to help you if you ever have any questions about the breed.
As others have pointed out the breed is very much a people dog, and is very very lickey, You really have to like dog slobber to keep one.
They are a very intelligent breed which require training and being kept amused. By this we do not mean taking them for long walks, they are very clever dogs requiring mental stimulation as much as exercise.
They can be boisterous and might knock small children off their feet, but with good training and plenty of interesting activities they are usually quite calm in the house.
I keep both bitches and dogs, and have found that the dogs tend to play with the children more than the bitches might. One dog I had would allow the children to shut him in a room where he would wait while they went and hid, then when they were ready they would call him. He would let himself out of the room and go around the house and garden until he found them all.
Most flatcoat breeders will ask you to visit them before you get a puppy, so that you can meet older dogs and see for yourself if the breed is the right one for you. Where do you live? Perhaps it is close to one of the flatcoat owners on this board.
For more information on the breed you should contact Mrs Shirley Johnson who is the litter register secretary, any litter born in the UK with pups for sale will be registered with her. Shirleys number is 01638 718231.
Good luck and let us know how you get on. You can email me if you have any further questions about the breed.

Hi, it's Lauren Whale here. I have finally registered!:) Just so you know I'm ** yrs old but I genuinely love dogs and I like talking to other people about their dogs. Thanks alot for your replies, they have been a great help. Do any of you have flat coats? I currently live in Australia but will be moving back to england where I hope to get a flat coat. My parents are fine about me using this forum and can't wait for our flat coat either! Do you know of any breeders with puppies planned for around next year? We are prepared to wait as long as it takes for one of thses beautiful dogs. We were going to have a puppy here in Australia but, unfortunately circumstances have changed and we will be returning to the UK where we will live in Bedfordshire. We would travel any where to get a pup. Your answers have been very helpful, I hope we can carry on chatting about the dogs we love so much!
Thanks, Lauren

Well another youngster!!!

I think there is a flat coat lady in bedforshire who will be more then happy for you to go and see her dogs!  There are also pleanty of flatcoat people on here who will give you as much advise as they can...they are all friendly, just like the dogs! (owners are like their dogs!)  Good luck with finding a Flatcoat, do you have a preferance in colour?

Go to http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/ and click ''Thinking of buying a puppy?'' You have to sign up but then it will show you a map. Click on the place you live and it MAY have a list of breeders in your area. Contact them and Im sure they would love to help and inform you. :) Also welcome to the forum :)    

Hi guest, do not think the word flat applies to their personality, they are in your face very in your face. :)

The flatcoat lady in Bedfordshire is Chris Murray with the Gayplume flatcoats. She is a breeder who will invite you to meet her dogs before you buy one. As you are not going to have your puppy before next year, you might be interested in to know that the Kennel Club has an event called Discover Dogs twice a year. The first time is in March at Crufts and the second is in London later in the year. At these events you will meet breeders and owners with a lot of experience and knowledge of the breed. These events are seriously worth visiting, as you can see the breed you like and see other breeds alongside them. This will give you an idea of what you might be taking on. Most flatcoat owners and breeders in the UK prefer to sell their puppies to people who know what they are taking on as they can be very full of themselves. As you are a junior perhaps you might like to join the Flatcoated Retriever Society, they have a very good junior members section. The Flatcoated Retriever Society website address is www.flatcoatsoc.co.uk Also try gemma@gemswin.co.uk she is the junior secretary for the society.
I'm glad you have joined us.
Hope this helps,
Polly