Breed Standards Flatcoated Retriever

General Appearance
A bright, active dog of medium size with an intelligent expression, showing power without lumber, and raciness without weediness.

Behavior/temperament 
Generously endowed with natural gundog ability, optimism and friendliness demonstrated by enthusiastic tail action; confident and kindly.

Head 
Long and nicely moulded.

Cranial region 
Skull: Flat and moderately broad.
Stop: Slight stop between eyes, in no way accentuated, avoiding a down or dish-faced appearance. 

Facial region 
Nose: Good size, with open nostrils.
Jaws/Teeth: Jaws long and strong, capable of carrying a hare or a pheasant, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth solid and strong.
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. 

Neck
Head well set in neck, the latter reasonably long and free from throatiness, symmetrically set and obliquely placed in shoulders, running well into the back to allow for easy seeking of trail.

Body
Loin: Short and square. Open couplings highly undesirable.
Chest: Deep and fairly broad, with well defined brisket. Foreribs fairly flat. Body well ribbed up showing a gradual spring and well arched in centre but rather lighter towards quarters. 

Tail
Short, straight and well set on, gaily carried, but never much above level of back.

Limbs
Forequarters: Forelegs straight, with bone of good quality throughout.
Elbows: Moving cleanly and evenly on chest.
Hindquarters: Muscular. Should stand true all round.
Stifle: Moderate bend.
Hock: Moderate bend, well let down. Cowhocks highly undesirable.
Feet: Round and strong with toes close and well arched. Soles thick and strong. 

Gait/Movement
Free and flowing, straight and true as seen from dront and rear.

Coat
Hair: 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.
Colour: Black or liver only.

Size
Preferred height: Dogs: 59 - 61,5 cm (23 - 24 ins), bitches: 56,5 - 59 cm (22 - 23 ins)
Preferred weight in hard condition: Dogs: 27 - 36 kg (60 - 80 lbs), bitches: 25 - 32 kg (55 - 70 lbs)