It is rare to come across a black Golden Retriever, and in fact, what many people mistakenly call the black Golden Retriever should be of a different breed and should be the Flat Coated Retriever. The Golden Retriever breed standard provides that the allowed colors are those from cream to golden while the Flat-Coated Retriever offers two colors, black and liver. So what might look like a black Golden Retriever is a dog of a similar but different breed, the Flat Coater Retriever.

But suppose, according to the standards, the black Golden Retriever does not exist. In that case, since the golden color of the Golden is the result of perfectly selected crosses based precisely on genetics, it is also true that certain American texts and articles confirm the existence of the Golden Black retriever. However, that would be extremely rare.

It is expected that there is only a tiny percentage, equal to the 0.4% chance that a black puppy will be born in a litter. According to a recent estimate, in the United States, there is no, there are only 1500, and there is no kennel specializing in black retrievers.

Black Golden Retriever: Genetic Characteristic

But how is a black Golden Retriever born? According to documents of American origin, the black coloring is due to a recessive gene that appears sporadically. This would stem from the fact that some specimens of Flat-Coated Retrievers with dark, black, or liver coats were also used in the Golden Retriever selection phase. The height at the withers, between Golden Retriever and Flat Coated retriever, on the other hand, would overlap even though the Flat-Coated retriever is slightly taller and slender. The male Golden Retriever has a height at the withers that varies between 56-61 cm; the female between 51-56 cm.

 The male Flat Coated Retriever has a height at the withers between 59 and 61.5 cm (weight 27-36 kg), and the female between 56.5 and 59 cm (weight 25-32 kg).

Also, in Italy, the Flat-Coated Retriever or Black Golden Retriever is not very widespread, but obviously, the price depends on the lineage, the Pedigree, and the type of breeding. Even in the United States, black Golden Retrievers are extremely rare, highly sought after, and sold for very high prices.

Origins and history

The origin of the Flat-Coated Retriever is not defined, but it is believed to come from a cross between Newfoundland and an Irish Setter. Interbreeding with Collies has undoubtedly taken place as well. His ancestors were called “Wavecoated retrievers”, that is to say, “wavy-haired retriever dogs”, and we can deduce that the first copies did not have smooth hair like the current breed. In the last century, Flat-Coated was very widespread in England; subsequently, the Labrador and the Golden Retriever were preferred. Currently, interest in the breed has grown, and its distribution is constantly increasing.

Physical characteristics 

The Flat-Coated Retriever looks a lot like his ancestor, the Newfoundland, but in a reduced and significantly "thinned" format. He is a lively and active dog of medium size, with a powerful but not heavy structure and an elegant appearance without a trace of slenderness. The head is long and well-shaped, with a flat and moderately broad skull and a slight stop. The eyes are medium-sized, dark brown, or hazel in color. The ears are small, well-set, and pendulous and adhere well to the sides of the head. The limbs are straight and muscular. The tail is always carried gaily but should not rise above the dorsal line.

Character and Abilities

We are surprised not to meet this dog more often. He's a real little hidden gem, and it's precisely this that keeps him from becoming an overused fashionable dog. His character is gentle, adapts quickly, and is extremely friendly without being pushy. Do not underestimate his intelligence and his desire to move. The Flat-Coated Retriever only becomes a couch potato when his mind and body have been challenged enough. Fetching, running, swimming – his favorite program is suitable for active people and children. The demanding tasks of the companion dog for the handicapped are well suited to the Flat-Coated Retriever.

Affectionate: He is very close to his master, who favors tactile contact.

Player: Always happy; this dog loves to play with his masters or children, especially in games of reports and research.

Calm: If he knows how to be very calm at home, he is all the more lively outside.

Clever: This dog knows how to make itself useful, and in addition to its predilection for hunting and marking (the art of pinpointing the precise spot where the game has fallen), it stands out in many other disciplines and activities in the service of man: assistance to the disabled, rescue, search for avalanches.

Hunter: A hunter at heart, he is employed to search for and bring back a game, an activity in which he excels and for which he is highly appreciated by hunting enthusiasts.

Fearful/wary of strangers: The Flat-Coated Retriever is a sociable dog and good with everyone, including strangers.

Independent: He is a dog very dependent on his master; he needs to be surrounded.

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Behavior

Endure loneliness: He hates loneliness; it is most certainly his only but most significant fault.

Easy to train / obedient: His impetuosity must be channeled from an early age by education without weakness but with gentleness. Passion tends to take over in the Flat-Coated Retriever, so rules and limits must be established quickly to promote good integration into its new social group.

Barking: The Flat-Coated Retriever never barks for no reason.

Runaway: His environment must be secure to prevent runaways.

Destroyer: Inactivity and loneliness breed destructive behaviors in this working breed that hates being separated from his social group.

Greedy/gluttonous: We could qualify this dog as a bon vivant. His daily rations must be balanced to avoid being overweight and, above all, be divided into two meals to prevent stomach upsets.

Watchdog: He is a poor guardian because he likes everyone and is unsuspecting of strangers. On the other hand, if he feels his family is in danger, he can be a deterrent.

First dog: He is an adorable dog that suits many profiles, even beginner owners. However, they should still be aware of the importance of the spending needs of this working dog.

Living conditions

Flat-Coated Retriever in an apartment: He is of course, more at ease in the countryside, but this Retriever can also adapt to city life and an apartment if he has the opportunity every day to walk for a long time in vast spaces.

Need for exercise/sport: He is a working dog who needs a lot of exercise to express his energy and express his full potential. You have to know how to occupy it physically and psychologically, primarily through sports (hunting, agility, hiking).

Travel / Ease of transport: His average size allows him to follow his masters everywhere but on the only condition that good socialization has been offered to him from an early age.

Grooming And Maintenance

If you value your couch, you should get the Flat-Coated Retriever used to his basket from the start. The river, lake, and ocean waves magically attract all Retrievers thanks to Newfoundland and Water Spaniel genes. With a puppy, a puddle will do. Fortunately, its shiny coat is perfectly suited to this preference. Nevertheless, daily brushing should be part of the program. Only in this way is the beautiful and typical appearance of the coat of this breed (fine hair on the legs, tail, and belly) preserved.

Hair loss: Losses are moderate.

Feed

If the products are of high quality and adapted to their daily expenditure, their age, and state of health, and industrial diet based on premium croquettes are very suitable.

Health

Resistant/robust: He is an excellent and robust dog, although he does not live very long.

Withstands heat: Its activities must be arranged during a heat wave.

Withstands the cold: His coat gives him good protection against cold and humidity.

Tendency to grow: If his diet is not balanced or adapted, there will be a risk of being overweight.

Average life expectancy: about 12 years

Common illnesses: Hip dysplasia, Dislocation of the patella

Notes and tips

He should be rediscovered as a companion dog (and working dog) because the Labrador and, to a lesser extent, the Golden tend to be preferred. Indeed, the Flat-Coated Retriever is not to be put in everyone's hands and must imperatively be channeled from an early age. Thus he will be very close to his master, with whom he will favor tactile contact. If he knows how to be very calm at home, he is all the more lively outside. This is why it is necessary to know how to occupy him psychologically, particularly through sport (hunting, agility, hiking). With this balance in life, the Flat-Coated Retriever will be a happy dog.