Hi, my name is Barbi and I have a flat-coated retriever. I find this breed extremely intelligent. Their tail is ALWAYS wagging -- and I mean, if they're awake, their tail is wagging constantly -- and they're very devoted to their family! This is not a breed you can leave alone in the backyard the whole day. They demand and need love and attention otherwise they will whine. Intelligence is another factor = very smart! Lady learns a command very quickly and the determination in her eyes amazes me. Another plus is that they're excellent with children. The only negative side, I feel, is their hair shedding. They shed more than average all year round. I would recommend a flat-coated retriever to anyone who wants a lovable, medium size, devoted dog. This is a link to Lady's page:
Lady

Do you know anyone who would want a flat coated mix??? On Pet Talk there is a girl in Georgia who is trying to find a home for a sweet little FCR girl named Roxie.

Save a life...Adopt!

Barbi, Lady is sure gorgeous. You really get attached to one when you hand raise them like that. Looks like you were a fantastic mom because she turned out so well.

Janie

Lady is not a pure flat-coated retriever. I sent the picture to a breeder just to make sure, and it turns out she's a mix. It doesn't make me love her not a bit less, but I can't call her a "flat-coated retriever" anymore. I kept wondering because all the Flats I see on the Internet are jet black and Lady has spots of white on her. Her chin is even starting to gray a bit. I took this picture 20 minutes ago -- you notice it? Her parents were supposedly pure-breeds, but I guess not. Oh well, she's still my black beauty "flat-coated retriever MIX"

lady.jpg (53 Kb, 41 downloads) My black beauty

Barbi, Lady is gorgeous!!!!! When we got Licky, they kept telling us she was a pure lab, but as she grew I knew she couldn't be.....and like you said, it doesn't make you love them any less.

Lady is gorgeous!!! How old is she? Sadie has always had a little white on her chin, but it getting morepronounced and she is only 3!

your black beauty is exactely that she's gorgeous how old is she?
mix - the best of both (or more) breeds.

Lady is a beautiful doggie, she has the kindess looking face, I know she is such a treasure to you Barbi, I love to see pics of her. she is a beauty!! for Lady

My gosh, you're right, she is getting the same type of gray around the chin as Sadie. I first noticed it last week -- I thought she had ashes from the barbecue on her chin and went to clean it, and noticed it's grayish/white hairs. I found it so odd that I hadn't noticed it before. It's so pronounced. She's only going on 4 years old. How long do Retrievers live? I need to find out.

Chris, Licky looks like a Labbie all the way. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference. So shiny and silky -- such a beautiful dog!!

You're right Maya -- I think she picked up the best of whichever 2 breeds made her.

Yvonne, I do see kindness in her eyes. I don't know if it's the bond we have since I've had Lady from Day 1, but I was telling a cousin of mine who visited yesterday that I trust Lady with a newborn baby -- that's how wonderful her temperament is. She's a gentle dog with a great disposition. Boy!! Do I love to brag about my fur-kids!! She's going to the groomer tomorrow morning. I'll be sure to take new photos.

Aww, can't wait to see pics of her Barbi!!!

My family has always had goldens. Our first one named Molson passed at age 14 (lost sight and had cancer), second one named Bailey lived to the age of 5 (snapped one day and bit children), lastly we have Jake he's 9 now. He has Hip D, hypoactive thyroid and is losing his sight (too much inbreeding, found out later the breeder was not suppost to breed his parents.)

Goldens are great dogs, if Jeff wasn't allergic to hair I would have one now with Colby.

Barbi- That is a beautiful pic!! Goldens are really great dogs, I know cuz I have one right now

Barbi don't you just love it when they get back from the groomers, they look and smell so good !