The Peter Pan of Dogs Trivia Quiz

Answer: The most lightly-built of all retrievers, the flat-coat has a medium length coat of black or liver.

The flat-coated retriever is typically 22-24" tall, weighing 55-80 pounds, or about 10 pounds less than a Labrador or golden retriever of similar height. While most flat-coats are black, some are liver (brown) in color. Their coat is of medium length, shorter that a golden but longer than a Lab. As their name implies, the coat is ideally flat without any wave or curl.

Answer: Extremely active and intelligent, friendly to all people and animals

Flat-coats are the most energetic and active of all the retriever breeds, and require far more exercise than most people can provide.

Answer: More field championships earned per registered dog than any other retriever breed

The flat-coated retriever is the undiscovered versatile breed! Not only does it earn more titles per dog than any other retriever, it's in the top three breeds for obedience and performance titles over *all* breeds! In addition, the flat-coated retriever was one of only 3 AKC breeds in 2001 (the other two being the golden and Labrador retriever) for which every offered AKC performance title was earned by at least one dog- CH, CD, CDX, UD, UDX, OTCH, TD, TDX, VST and CT.

However, the flat-coat does not dominate in the world of retriever field trialling, which is almost exclusively a Labrador Retriever sport.

Answer: False

The flat-coat needs a job to do. Without work, a bored flatcoat will tear your house to pieces, bother you incessantly to throw a ball, or otherwise be a pest. Although this breed is easily trainable and friendly to everyone, this high exercise need makes the flat-coat such a high-maintenance dog that it's an unsuitable breed for most families.

Answer: True

Most retrievers, especially the Labrador and golden retrievers, have an extreme difference between field lines, bred to hunt, and show lines, bred to look good. It has been many years since there was a dual champion (field and show) Lab or Golden.

Answer: Cancer

Unfortunately, cancer plagues this wonderful breed. The median survival age for flat-coats is only 8. Almost all deaths in the breed are due to cancer. Several studies have been done on cancer in the breed, and it's very likely that a genetic mutation is responsible for the high cancer rate.

Answer: Golden retriever

The St. John's water dog was from Newfoundland and is the forerunner of the Newfoundland breed of today. The golden retriever was actually bred from a cross between the flat-coated retriever and a water spaniel.

Answer: Heart check by a cardiologist

Flat-coats luckily do not share the heart defects that plague Labradors and goldens. They have a low rate of hip dysplasia and eye defects, but responsible breeders check for them anyway. Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is found in some dogs.

Answer: It lacks a thick undercoat

The undercoat is the thick woolly hair between the topcoat and the skin. Other breeds, especially the golden and Chesapeake Bay retrievers, have a thick undercoat. The flat-coat does not, which makes it a poor choice for a hunting dog in very cold, icy water. The breed was originally developed for hunting upland birds, where a thick undercoat was not a necessity.

Answer: Because they never really act their age

This term was coined by English breeder Paddy Petch. Flat-coats remain playful and funloving throughout their lives, always delighting you with silly antics. They are not a dignified breed!