Flat-Coated Retriever vs Golden Retriever
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Flat-Coated Retriever
The Flat-Coated Retriever emerged in late 19th-century England, shaped by the sportsman S. E. Shirley into an all-around dog able to retrieve game from both water and dry land. The dense, flat, medium-length coat with feathering gives it a sleek, glossy look. Males can weigh up to 34 kilograms, with a lean, athletic build that tends to work faster than some other retrievers. Temperament stays puppyish for years past physical maturity, earning it the nickname the eternal teenager among retrievers. Life expectancy runs shorter than most other retriever breeds, often linked to an elevated cancer risk. It's gentle and patient with children. Life expectancy runs 8 to 10 years.
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever traces to Scotland, where in the mid-19th century Lord Tweedmouth crossed a yellow retriever with a water spaniel to produce a dog that worked well on both land and water hunting waterfowl. The double, water-resistant coat with feathering on the legs and tail can be straight or wavy, and males weigh up to 34 kilograms. The breed was built to carry shot game in a soft mouth without damaging it, and that gentle-carry instinct shows up even in dogs that have never seen a hunt. The coat sheds heavily twice a year, on top of a steady shed the rest of the time. Food motivation runs high, which usually makes training easy but also makes overfeeding easy. Temperament is friendly to a fault, often making it a poor guard dog. Life expectancy runs 10 to 12 years.
At a glance
| Flat-Coated Retriever | Golden Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Height (male) | 59.0–61.0 cm | 56.0–61.0 cm |
| Weight (male) | 25.0–34.0 kg | 29.0–34.0 kg |
| Life expectancy | 8–10 yrs | 10–12 yrs |
| Coat | dense, flat, medium-length coat with feathering | dense, water-repellent double coat, straight or wavy with feathering |
Temperament & Family Life
| Flat-Coated Retriever | Golden Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Family friendly | ||
| Good with children | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly with strangers | ||
| Intelligence | ||
| Trainability |
Exercise, Energy & Space
| Flat-Coated Retriever | Golden Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise need | ||
| Apartment friendly | ||
| Prey drive | ||
| Hunting instinct |
Guarding & Alertness
| Flat-Coated Retriever | Golden Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Guarding instinct | ||
| Watchfulness | ||
| Barking level |
Grooming & Care
| Flat-Coated Retriever | Golden Retriever | |
|---|---|---|
| Shedding | ||
| Drooling | ||
| Grooming need |
Temperament and care scores (1-5) are a general guide based on the breed standard — every individual dog is different.