Hi

Right - my wife and I are finally in a position to get our Flatcoat, hooray!

I was looking for a bit of help in finding a certain kind of dog and was unsure of the best way of going about it. Although I have spoken to Shirley recently I was hoping to get some additional help from the Flatcoat people here.

We're looking for a dog first and foremost. I would like certain traits if possible, obviously good shape, some working ability and consequently easily trainable and not too noisy. Any ideas on how we can go about finding these sort of litters - I'd like to see them at four weeks if possible also. Is this asking too much?

Thanks for your help.

give me a call on 01252310267  after 8 pm.all see then gang on this site under glenturret you will get my email address too.

Do you want your dog to go shooting with? If so your best bet is to look at dogs which are worked regularly. A look through the site here might be helpful, but to be honest you cannot beat Shirley for sound advice, on working dogs. You may find that for the right type of breeding for you, you will have to put your name down with a responsible breeder and wait.

A friend of mine has a male puppy available still and another friend will be breeding from her bitch later in the year but she will be looking for homes who will be able to do something with the pups as they will be working bred.

If you want to see my lot they are on Champdogs under Foxpath and under Downstream you will see dogs owned by the Flatcoated Retriever Society Field Trial Secretary Becky Johnson. Obviously being FT sec you can be sure Becky's work.  Terri's and mine are worked, mine are worked much more than shown, although I am involved with both disciplines.

As Terri has said if you want more information do contact her or myself, although I do think that you cannot go wrong keeping in touch with Mrs Johnson.

Another thing I would advise is to visit some FCR's before you get one as they are not like golden retrievers or labradors. I do have a sort of draft letter I send to puppy buyers, which explains a little about the health schemes and pedigree information should you wish to have a copy let me know.

Polly & Foxpath Flatcoated Retrievers

You might also like to join flatcoats@yahoogroups.com or fortheloveofflatcoats@yahoogroups.com where much more specific information is available to you.

Polly, thanks for that, much appreciated.

A good friend of mine has had a flatty (Jamie) for eight years and another friend used to have a bitch. I know both dogs quite well and this is where I fell in love with them!! If you think I should view more dogs please say.

The dog will not be worked completely - only two or three shoots a year, but I want a trainable dog as I know flatty's can be a handful and I want to have some decent control of him. Jamie was lightly worked and a very well behaved dog and I want to achieve something similar.

As for Shirley I have absolutely no intention of ignoring her wealth of advice and experience, I just wanted to supplement it a little.

Brie - thanks for the number, sorry I haven't been in touch but been away for the last few days. Will try and call this week.

I should be guided by Mrs Johnson - she is well versed in whose flatcoats genuinely work.

I can maybe help you with training, if you live close enough to us in Surrey/Hants/Sussex - it always really good to meet folk who are really keen enough to do what flatcoats were bred for!   We are lucky enough to pick up almost every day during the season, and could point you in the right direction.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats