Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is generally between 10 and 14 years. A well-adapted diet, a stable weight, regular exercise and serious veterinary follow-up help to preserve its physical condition over time.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Well built and hardy, the Flat-Coated Retriever copes well with activity and moderate to cool climatic conditions. Its natural robustness is fully expressed when its lifestyle respects its needs for movement, stimulation and closeness with its humans.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Even though the breed is known to be robust, it remains important to monitor the musculoskeletal system, the eyes and the general condition in adulthood, with particular attention to any loss of condition, persistent lameness or unusual symptom.
Predisposition to certain cancers: The breed has a higher incidence of certain cancers, which justifies careful veterinary monitoring in adulthood and senior age.
Hip dysplasia: As with other retrievers, serious selection of breeding dogs and maintaining a proper weight help limit the risk.
Hereditary eye conditions: Ophthalmological follow-up helps detect earlier certain eye disorders that can affect vision.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Flat-Coated Retriever tolerates cold as well as moderate heat rather well, thanks to its good constitution and its protective coat. In hot weather, however, exertion must be adjusted, with shade, fresh water and outings at the least hot times.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The breed is not particularly prone to overweight, but a dog that gets less exercise or is too pampered can still gain weight. Maintaining an athletic build requires portions adjusted to actual activity and sufficient daily exercise.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Maintain a stable weight and regular activity all year round.
- Consult promptly in case of persistent lameness or an unusual drop in energy.
- Plan an annual veterinary check-up, then more frequent ones as they get older.
Vaccination
Flat-Coated Retriever vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Flat-Coated Retriever need? Like all dogs, Flat-Coated Retrievers should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Flat-Coated Retriever vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Flat-Coated Retriever booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Flat-Coated Retriever need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Flat-Coated Retriever
It is relevant to favor breeding dogs monitored from an orthopedic and ophthalmological standpoint, then to maintain regular veterinary check-ups throughout life, particularly at a mature age.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
