A friend of mine told me about abreed of retriver that is a minature version it had some great long name I can't remember! Any-one know what it is called? Also do you get golden flat coated retrievers? Are flat coated retrievers less furry, my son is not great with animal hair!

no you dont get golden fcr but you can get yellow fcr,yes fcr coat is less furry than a golden retriever.all the retievers coats are different in type and texture,but if your son not good with aniaml hair,why are you asking about this breed,you may be better of with a breed that dosnt moult,like my spanish waterdog,which are in the gundog group,

we had a family that came round to see the swd,(WHICH AFTER A LONG WAIT THEY GOT A SWD]beacuse they read that they dont shed their coat,and the daugther has alleryes,she was fine with the gollie the swd,but after a hour we bought in the fcrs ,with in a min she was coughing  and sneezing with breathing problems,luckly we had pritone in the house she took one.when they came to see the swd pup the fcr were well away from she,
so you may be better off with a dog that dosnt moult for your son problems

I agree with Terri, if your son is not good with dog hair you should be looking at breeds like the spanish water dog or poodles. Flatcoats do moult, and as I know to my cost everytime I go out to work I have to spend time cleaning dog hairs off my clothes!
You can get yellow flatcoated retrievers but they not are the same as the golden retriever. Yellow flatcoats are not a recognised colour and the breed are usually black or liver coloured as no breeder will breed to knowingly produce yellow coloured flatcoats.

If you were to consider having a flatcoated retriever I would strongly advise you to meet some and see how your son reacts before actually getting one. I think Terri is right to advise you that the flatcoat might not be the right choice if your son has a problem with dog hair. Some flatcoats are as hairy as goldens, although as Terri points out it is not always the case.

The only 'long-named' breed of retriever is the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever - however it's not what I'd call miniature, standing about 19" tall. Flat-coated retrievers come in black or liver (there are occasionally yellow ones born but that's not an accepted colour in the breed) and they're not a breed for novice owners! ;)

If your son has a problem with animal hair (is it a psychological problem [doesn't like the feel] or a physical problem [gives him asthma]?) then any of the moulting breeds are likely to be unsuitable.

I thought of a Nova Scotia too as they are smaller than other breeds :d

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever came to mind - they are the smallest Retriever.
But don't be fooled into thinking they are a "miniature" retriever, the only thing small about them is the size! They have a big personality and attitude :D

The Nova Scotia also has quite a bit of hair. If you wanted a retriever then why not the curly coated retriever. Is there a reason you want a retriever?