Flat-Coated Retriever
DogSporting Grouplarge size
Flat-Coated Retriever.
Image: Mennoj, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Breed tendencies, not guarantees. This page describes general characteristics often associated with the Flat-Coated Retriever breed. Individual dogs vary by genetics, training, socialisation, age, health, environment, and owner experience. Spend time with a specific animal and talk to a licensed veterinarian or reputable shelter before deciding whether a breed is right for your household.
Overview
This is a data profile. Everything below is published by the registries named in the panel — recognition, measurements, coat, and normalised trait bands, each linked to its source. FaunaHub has not yet written an editorial overview of the Flat-Coated Retriever, and deliberately does not generate one: a templated paragraph would read like judgement and contain none.
Registry facts & measurements
Every value below is published by a named registry and linked to it.
Recognition
- AKCrecognizedsince 1915
Sporting Group · breed no. 106
American Kennel Club entry →
Origin
England
Published size
Height
| Measured | Converted | As published |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 58.4–62.2 cm | 23-24.5 inches (male) |
| Female | 55.9–59.7 cm | 22-23.5 inches (female) |
Weight
| Measured | Converted | As published |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 27.2–31.8 kg | 60-70 pounds |
FaunaHub size band: Large — derived from the published weight above, not asserted separately.
Converted figures are rounded; the registry's own wording is shown so nothing implies precision the standard does not have.
Coat
Medium · Smooth
As published: “AKC coat length: Medium; coat type: Smooth” — American Kennel Club
Trait bands
- Exercise needs
- Higher
- Grooming needs
- Lower
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Trainability
- Higher
- Vocality
- Moderate
Relative routine activity demand — not athleticism, and not fitness.
Relative frequency of coat maintenance — not how easy the breed is overall.
Relative volume of hair shed. Not an allergy signal — no breed is hypoallergenic.
How readily the breed is described as responding to structured training — not intelligence.
Relative frequency of vocalising — not a behaviour problem.
Three levels, never a score. Registry trait scales are editorial judgements rather than measurements, so FaunaHub publishes the band and not a number. These describe the breed as a registry describes it — not the animal in front of you.
Published lifespan
8–10 years
A breed-level range published as “8-10 years” by American Kennel Club. It is not a prediction about any individual dog; lifespan for a specific animal depends on genetics, care, and health history, and is a question for a veterinarian.
Temperament
Sources and further reading
Background, breed standard, and general care references used in this profile. External links open in a new tab. Always confirm specific care decisions with a licensed veterinarian or reputable shelter.
- Breed organizationAmerican Kennel Club — Flat-Coated Retriever — Breed Standard & Traits — AKC breed group and recognition tier, published height and weight ranges, life expectancy, coat length and type, and the AKC trait scale bands normalised into FaunaHub ordinal traits. Accessed 2026-09-13.
- VeterinaryAVMA — Pet Owner Resources — American Veterinary Medical Association pet-care hub