List for crufts
- Thread starter [158444]
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ponyparty
Well-Known Member
Go and see the Hovawarts 
I met an absolutely darling one at Crufts and it made me really want one, despite vowing never to have a hairy dog (short haired all the way for me!).
I met an absolutely darling one at Crufts and it made me really want one, despite vowing never to have a hairy dog (short haired all the way for me!).
Cinnamontoast
Fais pas chier!
I think you need to narrow down exactly what you want. You've gone from Eurasier to show springers to flat coats, my head is in a whirl! If i wasn't fixated on my breed, I'd be the same and in trouble, cos I'd end up with something really random. Go to Crufts and see what strikes your fancy. You're in a fortunate position not to be constrained as to what breed you can have, but narrowing down to a couple might help you. Do you like lists? I always do pros and cons of everything, I find it really helps to see which list is longer.
[158444]
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Forgot to say that my mom really helped me come back down to earth and reminded me why I like flat coats and goldens so much because their biddable so I have chosen to knock off the Eurasier and malamute and my list is as follows
Showline English Springer spaniel
Flat coated retriever
Rottweiler
MuddyMonster
Well-Known Member
Does it have to be a purebred puppy? From what you've said you want in a dog, there would be plenty of mixed breed (or pure bred to be fair) rescue dogs able to fit the bill But appreciate that's not always an option for everyone.
But appreciate that's not always an option for everyone.
Chiffy
Well-Known Member
Well Clodagh, I certainly will shoot you! 
??
How many flatcoats have you met? I have had them for 40 odd years and every one was very trainable.
[158444], ofcourse you want a flatcoat. They are my favourite breed and Golden Retrievers my second favourite. Flatcoats have far less coat to deal with than Goldens.
Flatcoats are what you make them. They have fabulous friendly easy going natures and are very intelligent and quick on the uptake. They have a sense of humour and will take advantage of weak owners. Not one of mine have barked much. In fact someone on here was thinking of a flatcoat but wanted it part guard dog too and to bark when people arrive. I told her they are no good at that!
I have a rescue collie/ retriever with my two flatcoats at the moment. She is more vocal but they still don’t bark. My dogs have done quite a lot of competitive obedienc, they have done gundog work on lessons but not been shooting. I know many who do though and are perfectly good at it Clodagh!
I belong to a Facebook group and have been quite shocked at what owners let their dogs do. I have had to bite my tongue and not say too much. Yes, there are flatcoats that do naughty things but only because they haven’t been taught how to behave. I have been on flatcoat meet ups with 20 or more dogs. Everyone is surprised my dogs walk to heel in one hand….it’s not difficult.
As for cancer, I am afraid the facebook group opened my eyes to that and they can die at 4 or live to 14.
All mine have lived to 11+. I have a 5yr old and a10 yr old at the moment.
Sorry for long post, it’s all Clodagh’s fault!
??How many flatcoats have you met? I have had them for 40 odd years and every one was very trainable.
[158444], ofcourse you want a flatcoat. They are my favourite breed and Golden Retrievers my second favourite. Flatcoats have far less coat to deal with than Goldens.
Flatcoats are what you make them. They have fabulous friendly easy going natures and are very intelligent and quick on the uptake. They have a sense of humour and will take advantage of weak owners. Not one of mine have barked much. In fact someone on here was thinking of a flatcoat but wanted it part guard dog too and to bark when people arrive. I told her they are no good at that!
I have a rescue collie/ retriever with my two flatcoats at the moment. She is more vocal but they still don’t bark. My dogs have done quite a lot of competitive obedienc, they have done gundog work on lessons but not been shooting. I know many who do though and are perfectly good at it Clodagh!
I belong to a Facebook group and have been quite shocked at what owners let their dogs do. I have had to bite my tongue and not say too much. Yes, there are flatcoats that do naughty things but only because they haven’t been taught how to behave. I have been on flatcoat meet ups with 20 or more dogs. Everyone is surprised my dogs walk to heel in one hand….it’s not difficult.
As for cancer, I am afraid the facebook group opened my eyes to that and they can die at 4 or live to 14.
All mine have lived to 11+. I have a 5yr old and a10 yr old at the moment.
Sorry for long post, it’s all Clodagh’s fault!
[158444]
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Well Clodagh, I certainly will shoot you!
How many flatcoats have you met? I have had them for 40 odd years and every one was very trainable.
[158444], ofcourse you want a flatcoat. They are my favourite breed and Golden Retrievers my second favourite. Flatcoats have far less coat to deal with than Goldens.
Flatcoats are what you make them. They have fabulous friendly easy going natures and are very intelligent and quick on the uptake. They have a sense of humour and will take advantage of weak owners. Not one of mine have barked much. In fact someone on here was thinking of a flatcoat but wanted it part guard dog too and to bark when people arrive. I told her they are no good at that!
I have a rescue collie/ retriever with my two flatcoats at the moment. She is more vocal but they still don’t bark. My dogs have done quite a lot of competitive obedienc, they have done gundog work on lessons but not been shooting. I know many who do though and are perfectly good at it Clodagh!
I belong to a Facebook group and have been quite shocked at what owners let their dogs do. I have had to bite my tongue and not say too much. Yes, there are flatcoats that do naughty things but only because they haven’t been taught how to behave. I have been on flatcoat meet ups with 20 or more dogs. Everyone is surprised my dogs walk to heel in one hand….it’s not difficult.
As for cancer, I am afraid the facebook group opened my eyes to that and they can die at 4 or live to 14.
All mine have lived to 11+. I have a 5yr old and a10 yr old at the moment.
Sorry for long post, it’s all Clodagh’s fault!
Thank you for writing a long post the more I learn the better. Which Facebook group are you on , I posted on a Flat coat Facebook group called Flat Coated Retrievers and one of the replies by an admin said their not for me and to PM her if I want help finding the right breed , I have PM'd her out of curiosity to see what she would recommend however the Flat coat is still on my list but she has closed my thread so no one else can comment. She's in the US though so I wonder if flat coats are maybe different over their
If I didn't suffer migraines I'd go with a Flat coat in a heartbeat I adore them as much as Golden's their both my number one
Is it true flat coats helped develope the golden?
Chiffy
Well-Known Member
[158444], that’s not a good group . I will PM you later , I need to feed dogs and watch the Six oclock news!
[158444]
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So you wouldn't listen to the admins on their either?
Which groups are good?
Look forward to your PM later , thank you for helping me
fankino04
Well-Known Member
What is it about breed Facebook groups that they seem to want to tell people their breed of choice is difficult, you would think they would be championing "their" breed. I'm a little bit pleased it's not just malamute sites that have this problem though.
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twiggy2
Well-Known Member
They are not my cup of tea as they are too clowny, oafish and clumsy for me but good friends have had lots of them and occassionally breed them and they are really lovely natured, friendly, not barky dogs.
[158444]
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Their clownish antic's are what I love most and their clumsy ness as they remind me of my sister a lot ( she rolls her eyes when I say that but she 1000% would be a flat coat)
twiggy2
Well-Known Member
Then they sound perfect for you, they do need lots if socialisation in my experience as they can get over excited but brain training will help that too.
I love rotties but I reckon a flatty is the dog for you
ApolloStorm
Well-Known Member
I’m always personally an advocate for the GSD, and I think the right responsibly bred GSD would suit you. But going off leaning towards flatcoats and rotties - I have personally heard a lot more about rotties becoming unwell and having health problems than flatcoats! Even their own breed clubs list many more problems for rotties. Both are sweet dogs in my experience generally, I’d just lean towards a flatcoat in your situation. Though be prepared for nobody to know the breed!
Whatever breed you eventually go for, make sure whoever you get them off has done all the required health testing for the breed. If you take a wander round discover dogs the people at each breed will be able to point you in the right direction, whichever breed you go for!
Whatever breed you eventually go for, make sure whoever you get them off has done all the required health testing for the breed. If you take a wander round discover dogs the people at each breed will be able to point you in the right direction, whichever breed you go for!
[158444]
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I'm used to people not knowing what breed I've got , I have people ask if they is a long haired lab , setter , setter cross and I'm always amazed as it's so clear hes a Golden retriever
TheLoneWanderer
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Airedale. I grew up with one and he was the softest, soppiest most affectionate lovebug ever. I now have a shih tzu and he is a carbon copy of my Airedale temprement wise
Chiffy
Well-Known Member
Good morning [158444] and everyone, I have just caught up on this thread. I am shocked at the facebook reply you got GS. You say she is on one of the groups I put you in touch with but I don’t recognise her name, she certainly isn’t a regular.
Anyway, we have been in touch privately now and hopefully you are headed in the right direction.
Twiggy2 , it’s funny our different perceptions of breeds , I would never call any of my flatcoats oafish or clumsy. They are the most streamline of the retrievers and light on their feet. Because they have a natural energy and exuberance, they need plenty of calm handling to learn acceptable behaviour. If you do this, they are as well mannered as any dog you could wish for.
Anyway, we have been in touch privately now and hopefully you are headed in the right direction.
Twiggy2 , it’s funny our different perceptions of breeds , I would never call any of my flatcoats oafish or clumsy. They are the most streamline of the retrievers and light on their feet. Because they have a natural energy and exuberance, they need plenty of calm handling to learn acceptable behaviour. If you do this, they are as well mannered as any dog you could wish for.
[158444]
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Morning @Chiffy , I was shocked too and my mom was when I showed her she said to ignore her as that info is all wrong she said flat coats are for you Jen , mom's had flat coats for 50yrs since 1970 when she was only 10yrs old when she got her first.
After talking with mom and with the help of everyone on the 2 groups you suggested Chiffy I have decided before even going to crufts , I have chosen the flat coated retriever is the right dog for me and Theo and I'm waiting till we move before we get a puppy as I have recently brought a new build that will be ready at the end of summer so I'll wait till I've moved and settled in so hopefully I will have pitter patter of a flat coat puppy sometime in 2023. Very exciting times
I'm still going to crufts on Gundog day to meet more flat coat people , speak with the club and find the good breeders
satinbaze
Well-Known Member
As you can guess from my avatar its Flatcoats all the way for me. I have had them for over 20 years and have actively competed in many disciplines with them. I have found them very trainable and really respond well to reward based training (I clicker train but I appreciate this isn't for everyone). Unfortunately I won't be doing discover dogs this year as my girl is in season but I will be watching the flatboats on the Sunday. Meera qualified and is entered but obviously won't be going. When you are ready for a pup please get in touch with the FRS litter recorders as they have lists of litters from breeders that follow the code of ethics so fully health tested etc. Good luck
[158444]
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To update everyone after going to crufts yesterday , I loved meeting all the flat coats and they are a lovely breed but it was only when I met way more of them I realized they are not for me as I didn't feel the way the Goldens make me and I got so giddy when I went to see all the goldens being shown , going helped me realize just how much the Golden really is the breed for me and my breed and so I have decided to get another Golden but in a lighter Golden shade to what Theo is
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Also forgot to say that a few of the flat coat people I spoke to did say that one of the huge differences between Golden's and flatties is that flatties are higher energy than most Golden's and knowing I wanted a dog with the same energy as a Golden I knew sticking to Golden's was the best option as I really don't want a higher energy dog.
And they told me flat coats take longer to train due to their clownish antic's and that theirs a saying that you can either train 3 labs, 2 Golden's or 1 flat coat in the same amount of time
And they told me flat coats take longer to train due to their clownish antic's and that theirs a saying that you can either train 3 labs, 2 Golden's or 1 flat coat in the same amount of time
Chiffy
Well-Known Member
What rubbish [158444]!
If you buy a pup from a sensible line and train it properly, a flatcoat is not difficult, they love to work and are quick to learn. They are not hyper active and busy all the time like many spaniels I have met at training classes.
One of my friends has two flatcoats and then got a golden pup. I was really surprised at some of things the golden got up to. It took her longer to train. So there is no definite.
I love Goldens, they are bigger and hairier than flatcoats but it’s just personal choice which anyone likes best. I could give a home to either. If you are a good enough trainer flatcoats are a doddle. I am sorry some people put you off but enjoy your Goldens.
If you buy a pup from a sensible line and train it properly, a flatcoat is not difficult, they love to work and are quick to learn. They are not hyper active and busy all the time like many spaniels I have met at training classes.
One of my friends has two flatcoats and then got a golden pup. I was really surprised at some of things the golden got up to. It took her longer to train. So there is no definite.
I love Goldens, they are bigger and hairier than flatcoats but it’s just personal choice which anyone likes best. I could give a home to either. If you are a good enough trainer flatcoats are a doddle. I am sorry some people put you off but enjoy your Goldens.
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Thanks @Chiffy , I think as well I'm still new to dogs Theo is my second dog so I still feel inexperienced but I'm not knocking off flat coats for good I may feel more confident when I am not only more experienced but also when I'm at home more I'm a trainee GP right now and am out of the house for 8-9hrs a day and Theo is fine with this as he has a dog walker who comes in to see to him but he's so chilled he sleeps all day and I don't know a flat coat would be happy with this.
We're in a few years when I'm qualified I can pick how many sessions I do (each session is 4hrs long so morning surgery and pm surgery) so since I can pick how many sessions I do I can pick to do only 4sessions over 4 days and then I'll only be out for 5hrs so part time and have more time with my dogs and I feel that would be better for a flat coat as then I will have more time.
So maybe a flattie may be better suited in a few yrs when I will be more experienced and way more time on my hands
Cinnamontoast
Fais pas chier!
Oh Lord, please don’t go looking for a lighter shade, that’s absolutely not what you need to be looking for and is extremely superficial. Please research lines and go for health tested parents and an ethical breeder.
Believe me, I’m on my 5th and 6th springer and each one has been totally different. I have an adult who is ridiculously laid back, never dominant, has a very good off switch. His brother was far more dominant, liked to be on the go constantly. One of the puppies is massively into people, the other into dogs. One is resilient and brave, the other not. I think the people you spoke to at Crufts were using extreme stereotypes. I hate people saying springers are mad or whatever breed stereotype. All dogs need training, boundaries, good food, exercise, love. You get out what you put in. No two dogs are the same. You can definitely get ‘hotter’ lines, but go back to Theo’s breeder if you like his type and start researching.