This is most important to keep in mind if you are planning to own a Flatcoat. Flatcoats mature very late, in body and in mind. You will need to have a lot of patience until he has reached full maturity, which may take up to 3 or 4 years. Because of their never ending youth their nature is compared to Peter Pan's.

The Flatcoat has a lot of temperament, more than his cousins the Golden- and Labrador Retriever. Up to a high age they stay very active dogs. Their liveliness should not be mistaken for nervousness. However, some people find the Flatcoat a hyper active breed. 

"Ch High Legh Blarney" oil painting by Maud Earl 

BREED STANDARD

GENERAL APPEARANCE: a bright and active dog of medium size with an intelligent expression showing power without lumber, and raciness without weediness.

CHARACTERISTICS: Generously endowed with natural gundog ability, optimism and friendliness demonstrated by enthusiastic tail action.

TEMPERAMENT: confident and kindly

HEAD AND SKULL: Head long and nicely moulded, flat and moderately broad with a slight stop between eyes, in no way accentuated, avoiding a down or dish-faced appearance. Nose of good size, with open nostrils. Jaws long and strong, capable of carrying a hare or pheasant.

EYES: Medium size, dark brown or hazel, with a very intelligent expression (a round prominent eye highly undesirable). Not obliquely placed.

EARS: Small and well set on, close to side of head.

MOUTH: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws, Teeth sound and strong.

FOREQUARTERS: Chest, deep and fairly broad, with well defined brisket, on which elbows should move cleanly and evenly. Forelegs straight, with bone of good quality throughout.

BODY: Fore ribs fairly flat. Body, well ribbed-up showing a gradual spring and well arched in centre but rather lighter towards quarters. Loin short and square. Open couplings highly undesirable.

HINDQUARTERS: Muscular. Moderate bend of stifle and hock, latter well let down. Should stand true all round. Cow hocks highly undesirable.

FEET: Round and strong with toes close and well arched. Soles thick and strong.

TAIL: short, straight and well set on, gaily carried, but never much above level of back.

GAIT/MOVEMENT: Free and flowing, straight and true as seen from front and rear.

COAT: Dense, of fine to medium texture and good quality, as flat as possible. Legs and tail well feathered. Full furnishings on maturity complete the elegance of a good dog.

COLOR: Black or Liver only.

SIZE: Preferred weight in hard condition: dogs 25/35 kgs (60-80 lbs); bitches 25/34 kg's (55-70 lbs). Preferred height: dogs 58-61 cm's (23-24 ins); bitches 56-59 cms (22-23 ins).

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE: Male animals should have to apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.