Description
The Flat Coat is a slow-maturing dog, retaining his delightful puppy-like qualities for several years. An extrovert, with an incessantly wagging tail, he is always happy, eager to please and full of good humour and bonhomie.
A tireless worker in the field, he is an excellent water dog and a natural swimmer. He loves human companionship and is definitely not the dog to be shut up on his own. (Left alone, his Houdini-like qualities will soon become apparent in his endeavour to reunite himself with friends and family!)
His deep bark makes him a good guard dog, giving warning of any strangers or intruders. He is in his element in the country and was at one time popularly known as the gamekeepers’ dog, attracting attention when widely used in the late 1800s on the large shooting estates. Mr Sewallis Evelyn Shirley, founder of the Kennel Club and its chairman from 1873 to 1899, helped stabilise the breed type.
Breed Group
Gundog
Vulnerable Native Breed
No
Size
Large
How much exercise?
More than 2 hours per day
Length of coat
Medium
How much grooming?
More than once a week
Supposedly sheds?*
Yes
Town or Country
Either
Type of home
Large House
Minimum Garden Size
Large
Lifespan
Over 10 Years
* If you are asthmatic or have an allergy, you should consult your medical advisor before considering obtaining a dog. More information can also be found on
the Kennel Club website.
The Gundog Breed Group
Dogs that were originally trained to find live game and/or to retrieve game that had been shot and wounded. This group is divided into four categories - Retrievers, Spaniels, Hunt/Point/Retrieve, Pointers and Setters - although many of the breeds are capable of doing the same work as the other sub-groups. They make good companions, their temperament making them ideal all-round family dogs.