flat coated retrievers are slightly larger, heavier. more energetic with a higher prey drive than golden retrievers which makes them prefect hunting companions but they usually live shorter lives than goldens. goldens are more gentle and more suited as service dogs. both breeds are extremely loyal and loving companions for any type of family in any living situations.
When it comes to choosing a four-legged companion, there are many different breeds of dogs to choose from.
But if you’re looking for an intelligent, loyal, and family-friendly pup, two of the most popular choices are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.
While these two breeds may look similar at first glance, they have some distinct differences that make them better suited for certain lifestyles than others.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Flat-Coated Retrievers vs Golden Retrievers so that you can make an informed decision about which breed is right for you!
this infographic will explain to you the major differences of flat coated vs golden retrievers
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a breed of English origin. It was developed in the 19th century from the now-extinct Newfoundland, Curly Coated Retriever, and Labrador breeds.
Its creation aimed to produce an intelligent, hardworking retriever with a softer temperament than other retrievers.
The breed became popular in England and North America during the late 1800s and early 1900s but declined after World War II due to a lack of interest.
However, since then, it has experienced a revival and is once again increasing in popularity thanks to its easygoing yet high-energy personality and hunting instincts.
The Golden Retriever originated in Scotland as far back as the mid-1800s and was developed from various other retriever breeds, including the now-extinct Tweed Water Spaniel and Irish Setter.
The breed has since become one of the most popular family dogs in America and Europe due to its friendly, trainable, and loyal traits.
Although Flat-Coated Retrievers and Golden Retrievers have similar body shapes, their physical appearance has some interesting differences.
Flat-coated Retriever: The average adult Flat-Coated Retriever stands 22–24.5 inches tall with a weight range of 55–80 pounds.
They have an athletic build with a long tail that often curves up when they’re running or playing.
Their coat is straight, dense, and shiny, with a black or liver color and an occasional white patch here or there.
Golden Retriever: The average adult Golden Retriever stands 21–24 inches tall with a weight range of 55–75 pounds.
They have broad chests, sturdy frames, and long, feathered tails.
Their coat is wavy and thick with a golden or reddish-gold color.
Between these two, Flats are larger and heavier.
Flat-Coated Retriever: Flat-Coated Retrievers can have either a black or liver (a reddish-brown) color to their coat.
Black Flat-Coats are solid black in color, while Liver Flat-Coats can range from light brown to dark chocolate.
Golden Retriever: Golden Retrievers can have either a gold or cream color to their coat.
The shade of gold and cream can range from light to dark, with white markings sometimes present on the chest, toes, and muzzle.
between these two, goldens have a higher range of coat colors than flat coated retrievers
Flat-coated Retriever: The Flat-Coated Retriever is known for its loyalty, intelligence, and energy.
They love to please their humans but may not be suitable for novice dog owners due to their intelligence, energy levels, and high prey drive.
They’re also very social, so they need lots of interaction with other people or pets to stay happy and healthy.
They do bark on occasion for no apparent reason.
Golden Retriever: Golden Retrievers are known for their friendly, gentle nature and willingness to please.
This breed is highly intelligent and trainable but can also be mischievous sometimes.
Golden Retrievers love spending time with their humans, requiring ample exercise and stimulation each day to stay happy and healthy.
Between these two, Goldens are more friendly. But both of them are super friendly pets to have.
Flat-coated Retriever: Flat-Coated Retrievers require 1+ hours of exercise daily, weekly brushing, routine grooming visits (every 8–10 weeks), and obedience training.
They are known to shed lightly, making them a low-maintenance breed regarding grooming needs.
Golden Retriever: Golden Retrievers have similar exercise requirements to Flat-Coated Retrievers, but they do need more grooming.
They also tend to shed heavily, so regular brushing is recommended.
In addition, daily mental stimulation is key for this breed to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.
between these two, flats need more playtime. goldens need more care and more grooming because they shed more.
Flat-coated Retriever: Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly intelligent and eager to please, so training them is relatively easy.
Positive reinforcement methods work best with this breed; they need consistent, firm guidance to stay focused during the learning process.
They excel in the field and hunting scenarios as they have a high prey drive.
Golden Retriever: The Golden Retriever is a very trainable breed that requires positive reinforcement and patience from its handler.
This breed responds well to rewards-based training but can become distracted easily if not given adequate mental stimulation each day.
This breed is used for various important support jobs in society, and they have a strong desire to please their owners.
Comparing Flat-Coated Retriever vs Golden Retriever, Flats need more training because of their instincts and higher prey drive.
Flat-Coated Retrievers: they may have a shorter life span but fewer health problems.
In general, they live between 8 and 14 years. Cancer, which can take many forms, is the most common problem with this breed.
They may also have joint problems like hip dysplasia and a kneecap that slips out of place, which is common in larger breeds.
Golden Retrievers: goldens can have a wide range of health problems from when they are puppies until they die.
Even though they are healthy most of the time, they can develop many problems over time.
The breed is prone to allergies, hypothyroidism, cataracts, bloat, hip dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy, among other problems.
But cancer is still the most well-known cause of death in Golden Retrievers. Over 60% of Golden Retrievers in the United States will die from some kind of cancer.
In general, they live between 10 and 14 years.
Between these two, Flats have fewer health issues but usually live less than goldens.
Flat-coated Retriever: Flat-Coats are good with children, but they need to be supervised when around smaller kids.
They tend to be too rambunctious, so it’s best not to leave them alone unsupervised with young ones.
This breed is like a soldier and guardian and is very loyal to its owners and families.
They need proper consistent obedience training to keep their high prey drive in check so they won’t go and chase down squirrels or the neighbor’s cats or birds.
Golden Retriever: Golden Retrievers are gentle and loving and make excellent family pets.
They love the company of people and get along great with children and other animals.
However, due to their size, it is important that they be taught boundaries from an early age to prevent them from jumping on or knocking over small children
They have the tendency to steal things and bring them back to you and expect a reward. This behavior is cute and loving but needs to be corrected, so they don’t steal from your neighbors.
flats and goldens are both super awesome family pets
Flat-Coated Retriever: they truly excel when it comes to hunting, whether it’s retrieving prey or navigating a field.
Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them excellent students of their owner’s commands.
Not only are they quick learners, but they are also renowned for their athleticism and endurance in the field.
They can withstand harsh environments and temperatures.
Golden retriever: Golden Retrievers are also excellent hunters and are especially suited for water retrieval.
They can be trained to work alongside their handler in hunting scenarios and easily navigate dense terrain.
They’re also known for their intense focus, making them a top choice as hunting dogs.
Between Flat-Coated Retriever vs Golden Retriever, flats are the better choice as hunting partners.
Flat-Coated Retriever: Flat-Coats are not commonly thought of as service dogs, but they have the potential to be trained for this purpose.
They are highly intelligent and loyal, making them great candidates if you’re looking for a companion that can assist with everyday tasks.
Golden Retriever: Golden Retrievers are often used as service dogs due to their intelligence, loyalty, and eagerness to please.
They are especially well-suited for emotional support work as they comfort those in need.
Training them is relatively easy as they respond well to positive reinforcement methods.
Between these two, Goldens are the better choice as Service dogs.
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The first difference between Flat-Coated Retriever vs Golden Retriever is their physical size.
Flat-Coated Retrievers are typically larger than Golden Retrievers, with an average adult height of 22 – 24.5 inches and a weight of 60 – 70 pounds.
On the other hand, Golden Retrievers are smaller, with an average adult height of 21 – 24 inches and a weight of 55 – 75 pounds.
Regarding lifespan, both breeds have similar life expectancies, but there is a slight difference: Flat-Coated Retrievers can live up to 8-14 years, while Golden Retrievers can live up to 10-14 years.
Both breeds’ exercise needs are similar, requiring at least one hour per day. Both breeds also have grooming needs, which include weekly brushing to keep their coats healthy and free of tangles.
Regarding family-friendliness, Flat-Coated Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are known for being affectionate with people and other animals. They’re also quite trainable, making them easy to teach basic commands such as sit, stay and come when called.
So if you’re trying to decide between a Flat-Coated Retriever vs Golden Retriever, keep in mind that they are both great options for families looking for an intelligent and loyal companion or hunters looking for a great partner to go on hunting trips.
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