10 Fantastic Flat-Coated Retriever Mixes

With their cheerful dispositions, enduring puppy-like energy, and adventurous nature, the Flat-Coated Retriever makes a wonderful family companion. Flat Coats are a rare breed in the U.S., but that being said, Flat-Coated Retrievers and mixes can be found in some shelters and rescues across the country.

A Flat-Coated Retriever mix’s looks depend on the traits they inherit from each of their parent breeds. Some pups will take on the build and coat type of their Flat Coat parent, while others may take after their other parent, or they may appear as a balanced blend of the two. That’s part of the fun of mixed-breed pups: They are wonderfully diverse and unique in their appearances. 

Another plus when considering mixed breeds versus purebreds is the former’s lower risk of the genetic conditions which are more common in their purebred counterparts. According to a study that included more than 100,000 mixed-breed and purebred dogs, purebreds were almost three times more likely to have a recessive genetic disease. 

Below, we’ll introduce you to some delightful Flat-Coated Retriever mixes that you may come across in a shelter or rescue waiting for their forever homes. 

Flat-coated retriever mixes

Pyr Paws and Fluffy Tails Rescue / Adopt a Pet/

Border Flat Retriever: Flat-Coated Retriever + Border Collie mix

Combining two energetic and intelligent breeds, the Border Flat Retriever is often highly active and loves problem-solving games. With parents from both the herding and sporting groups, these enthusiastic pups thrive in homes where they have access to plenty of enrichment, exercise, and rewarding training.

Ripley County Humane Society / Adopt a Pet/

Flat Lab: Flat-Coated Retriever + Labrador Retriever mix

The Flat Lab is a mix of exceptionally friendly breeds, making them a wonderful choice for families with children and those who want a canine BFF who is likely to thrive in a range of social environments. Both Flat-Coated Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are known for having puppylike energy and a dash of mischievousness well into their adulthood, so this mixed breed does best with pet parents who find these qualities endearing.

Roxy's K9 Rescue / Adopt a Pet/

Golden Flat Retriever: Flat-Coated Retriever + Golden Retriever mix

The Golden Flat Retriever will have a long, water-resistant, feathered coat inherited from both parent breeds. The coat may be flat-lying and smooth or wavy and dense, and the color can be golden, light golden, golden-red, liver brown, or black. This mixed breed will likely love water and retrieving due to their highly social, outgoing nature.

Save Underdogs / Adopt a Pet/

Floodle: Flat-Coated Retriever + Poodle mix

The Floodle is another delightful retrieving mix, who often inherits the intelligence and agility of the Poodle and the affectionate, puppylike energy of the Flat-Coated Retriever. They may have a low-shedding and curly coat if they take after their Poodle parent, but both breeds will bring a water-resistant coat type. Floodles typically love swimming and do best in active homes.

Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA / Adopt a Pet/

Aussie Flat: Flat-Coated Retriever + Australian Shepherd mix

The Aussie Flat often inherits the high-energy nature of both parents and thrives with plenty of mental enrichment, games, and outdoor activities. They may display a natural tendency for herding, retrieving, or both. The Aussie Flat can be medium to long in length and come in a wide range of coat types and colors, including merle patterns. 

More Flat-Coated Retriever mixes

• German Flat-Coat (German Shepherd + Flat-Coated Retriever mix): This agile mixed breed can feature the alertness, herding instincts, and loyal nature of the German Shepherd with the Flat Coat’s cheerful, affectionate disposition. 

• Flat Newfie (Newfoundland + Flat-Coated Retriever mix): Since Newfies are part of the Flat-Coated Retriever’s ancestry, a Newfoundland and Flat Coat mixed-breed pup will likely have the appearance of a larger, stockier Flat-Coated Retriever. You can expect this mix to be gentle, affectionate, and water-loving. 

• Flat Basset (Basset Hound + Flat-Coated Retriever mix): This adorable cross can result in a mixed-breed pup with the out-turned paws characteristic of Basset Hounds, a low-rider build, and a long, silky coat. They may be quite vocal and prone to following their nose.

• Chatham Hill Retriever (Cocker Spaniel + Flat-Coated Retriever mix): The Chatham Hill Retriever is not a purebred dog, but a popular mix of the American Cocker Spaniel and the Flat-Coated Retriever. This medium-size mixed breed is well-loved for their loving and merry nature, retrieving traits, and lively (but not overly rambunctious) energy levels. 

• Flatsky (Husky + Flat-Coated Retriever mix): This large-size mix often exhibits the playfully mischievous, alert, and independent nature of the Husky. These mixed-breed pups tend to be high-energy, friendly, and free-spirited. 

Things to know about Flat-Coated Retriever mixes

Flat-Coated Retriever mixed-breed pups can differ significantly from each other in their appearances, sizes, and temperaments, because of their healthily diverse genetic makeup. But they will still likely display some characteristically Flat Coat traits. 

Flat-Coated Retriever mixes tend to be big dogs

Flat-Coated Retrievers are large-size dogs, typically weighing 60 to 80 pounds at maturity. The most common breeds who cross with them are also large-size pups. So you can expect most Flat-Coated Retriever mixes to be big dogs, weighing at least 50 pounds at maturity. 

If you’re unsure what size your adult mixed-breed pup will be, you can schedule a developmental checkup with your vet for guidance. Additionally, before adopting a large dog, make sure you feel prepared to provide for the needs of a big pup. 

Flat-Coated Retriever mixes may have a higher risk for certain cancers

Purebred Flat-Coated Retrievers sadly face an increased risk of developing cancers, especially histiocytic sarcoma — a particularly aggressive and deadly sarcoma. In a 10-year study of 174 Flat-Coated Retrievers, 42 percent of dogs died from cancer, with 44 percent of those dogs succumbing to histiocytic sarcoma. 

This genetic predisposition can be passed on to the puppies of a Flat-Coated Retriever mixed-breed litter, although the chances are likely lower if the puppies are mixed with a breed that has a lower risk of developing cancer. However, some Flat-Coated Retriever mixes, such as Golden Flats, will still likely have an increased risk, since both parent breeds suffer from high rates of developing cancer.

Flat-Coated Retriever mixes like to run

Like most sporting dogs, Flat-Coated Retriever mixes typically like to run and exercise daily. They are often considered the most energetic of the retriever breeds, so be prepared for a Flat Coat mix who is very keen on running, playing fetch, swimming, and other high-energy activities. Unless they’re mixed with a notably low-energy breed, these pups tend to inherit the Flat-Coated Retriever’s Energizer bunny-like personality and stamina. A bit of help from a professional dog trainer can go a long way in managing this dog’s high-energy needs. 

Flat-Coated Retriever mixes tend to have floppy ears

Purebred Flat-Coated Retrievers have floppy ears covered in silky, wavy, feathered hair. Many Flat Coat mixes inherit this trait, but this isn’t a guarantee. Some mixes may sport erect or semi-erect ears if one of their parents is a German Shepherd, Border Collie, Australian Shepherd, or the like. If your Flat-Coated Retriever mix inherits floppy ears, it’s especially important to keep them clean to reduce the chances of ear infections. 

Considering adopting a Flat-Coated Retriever mix?

If you’re thinking about adopting a Flat-Coated Retriever mix, it’s important to understand that they are fairly rare in the U.S. Some mixed breed pups in shelters or rescues thought to be part Flat Coat may actually be black Golden Retriever, Setter, or Newfie mixes. However, if your heart is set on finding a Flat Coated-Retriever mix, your best bet is to search Flat Coat or general Retriever rescues, as many breed-specific rescues will take in dogs who are mixed with their breed of interest. 

If you’re ready to adopt, starting a breed search on Adopt a Pet is a great way to begin looking for the canine BFF of your dreams.

Commonly asked questions

How do I know if my dog is a Flat-Coated Retriever mix?

Pet parents may suspect their mixed-breed pup is part Flat Coat if their canine buddy has the distinctively smooth, shiny, long, flat-lying, and feathered black or liver coat associated with the breed. Of course, not all Flat-Coated Retriever mixes will feature this distinctive coat. Unless you are familiar with the parents of your mixed-breed pup, DNA testing through a reputable service is the best way to confirm if they are part Flat-Coated Retriever.

References

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Veterinary and Comparative Oncology