Grooming Flat-Coated Retriever Dogs

The flat-coated retriever is distantly related to the Labrador retriever, through the Newfoundland dog from which they are both descended. According to the American Kennel Club, however, the flat-coated retriever̵7;s ancestry also contains some ̶0;setter, sheepdog, and spaniel-like water dogs.̶1; From these ancestors, the flat-coat gets its joie de vivre, its racy outline and its lustrous, moderately long and thickly feathered coat. Although the flat-coat̵7;s coat benefits from frequent grooming, it does not require excessive brushing or bathing.

  1. Ears

    • Flat-coats have small, thickly feathered ears that hang close to their heads. Because they are water dogs, the nature of their ears may trap moisture in their ear canals. Avoid getting any water in your dog̵7;s ears when bathing. If your flat-coat has been swimming, check the ear canal for water and dry as needed.

    Nails

    • All purebred flat-coated retrievers are either black or liver-colored. For this reason, all of their nails are either dark-colored or black. This coloration makes it difficult to see the vein, called the quick, which supplies blood to each of the nails. Despite the risk of cutting into the quick, the flat-coat̵7;s nails need regular trimming or grinding. Long nails can cause your dog̵7;s toes to spread, weakening its foot and causing it pain while walking, according to ̶0;Flat-Coated Retriever (Comprehensive Owners Guide).̶1;

    Bathing

    • Your flat-coated retriever needs only infrequent bathing. Unless your dog has gotten extremely dirty, according to author John Wakefield, it should be bathed only a few times a year to avoid drying out its coat. Brush your flat-coat out with a pin brush before bathing it. Doing so will remove any mats that may be forming and will stimulate its natural oils to prevent drying out. Wash your dog̵7;s coat with a gentle shampoo, rinse thoroughly and dry it with a towel or blow-dry it.

    Brushing and Trimming

    • The AKC flat-coat standard of perfection requires that it be shown in ̶0;as natural a coat as possible.̶1; The good news for both show dog and pet owner alike is that the flat-coat only requires a pin brush and comb to tidy the hair. Weekly brushing keeps shedding under control and prevents mats from forming. In addition, frequent brushing can help the dog̵7;s skin produce the natural oils that keep the coat shiny and water-resistant.