News and Articles
Renal Dysplasia Research 2026
It has been a long term aim of the Flatcoated Retriever Society to initiate further investigation into breed specific renal dysplasia, to this end, over considerable time, we have encouraged owners of affected dogs to contribute by submitting DNA samples to the Canine Genetics Centre (CGC). After many years it is now possible for research into this condition to begin, we are grateful to Cathryn Mellersh and her team at the CGC for helping to make the research goal a reality. Further information about the project for vets and owners can be found on the CGC website https://www.canine-genetics.org.uk/research/renal-dysplasia/ DNA samples from affected…
The Flatcoated Retriever Society 2027 Calendar – Now available to order.
The Flatcoated Retriever Society UK 2027 Calendar is now available to order. To get yours visit the Society shop page, link – https://www.flatcoated-retriever-society.org/shop/ where you can either download a printable order form or order via the online form (please be advised payment cannot be taken via the website, so payment will need to be made via either BACS, PayPal or Cheque, details of which can be found on the forms. Once payment is received the order will be posted). Calendars will also be available at certain shows, so look out for updates on this. All profits from the sale of…
EURO CHALLENGE RESULTS
Results of The Euro Challenge 2026 which took place over two days at The Game Fair, held at Ragley Hall Warwickshire on 24 – 26 July. The competition is for teams of three retrievers – one labrador, one golden retriever and one other retriever breed. Six teams took part with five running a flatcoated retriever. After two days of intense competition in a very challenging environment the results were: 1st Belgium 2nd Netherlands 3rd Great Britain 4th Eire 5th Germany 6th Switzerland Top Scoring Flatcoated Retriever and awarded The Flatcoated Retriever Society Salver: Ursula von Felten from Switzerland with Ayokas…
Attention All Members
Can members please check and ensure that all their details are correct as listed in the Flatcoated Retriever Society Membership List 2025. Should you find your details need updating, please send new details to our Membership Secretary Claire Leavy fcrsmembership@gmail.com postal address can be found on the Society’s website….
FLATCOATED RETRIEVER SOCIETY 52nd Breed Championship Show & Breed Open Show Saturday 13th June 2026 The Show Secretary and the Show Sub Committee would like to congratulate all those who competed at the Shows on Saturday at the Kennel Club Building in Stoneleigh. I think everyone will agree this is one of the best venues, everything is on site and quite entertaining this year as the Chows next door also had their show under a beach theme! The rosettes as always looked amazing and very attractive against the black dogs and co-ordinating with the green venue. It was lovely to…
Updates to hip and elbow certificates from BVA Canine Health Schemes (June 2026)
BVA Canine Health Schemes (CHS) are introducing updated hip and elbow scheme certificates designed to make results clearer and easier to understand for everyone involved in health testing. The updated certificates feature a refreshed design, and clearer presentation of hip scoring results. One of the key enhancements is the introduction of separate reporting for Primary and Secondary Changes within hip scores, helping breeders, owners, and veterinary professionals better understand how scores are assessed and reported. The updated certificates will be introduced shortly and will be available through the BVA online portal from 10th June. To find out more about CHS…
Shirley Radburn National Working Tests Report
The 2026 Shirley Radburn National Working Tests for Novice and Open Flatcoated Retrievers took place on 31st May at Tythe Barn in Worcestershire by kind permission of Mr Jeff Byrd. Our judges were Tim Brain, Laura Marsh, Robert Fisher and Morton Redpath and we are grateful to each of them for generously giving up their time to judge for us. Some challenging tests were set for the dogs, making great use of the ground available, which included a lake, grassy rides between orchard trees, hedges, ditches and banks of cover. The weather was warm (but thankfully not as hot as…
Walked Up on Field Trial Lines Competitive Training Day – on 20th September 2026
Walked Up on Field Trial Lines Competitive Training Day – on 20th September 2026, the Southern Flatcoated Retriever Club, in conjunction with the Southern Area of the Flatcoated Retriever Society, will hold a Competitive Walked Up on Field Trial Lines Training Day, near Westerham, Kent. Please see the schedule below. The day is suitable for those of good Novice standard and will be non competitive in the morning and competitive in the afternoon. WUOFTL Schedule 2026…
Report of the Inter Area team Challenge 2026 and link to Earthdog Photography photos
The Inter Area Team Challenge took place on Sunday 17th May 2026 at The Willows, Standlake, Oxfordshire. We were lucky with the weather which was sunny intervals and not too hot for the dogs. Thank you to all the helpers without which these events cannot take place. This event is probably the hardest because we are running Open, Novice and Special Puppy or ND/NH in the teams and so you do not have people helping in the morning and running their dog in the afternoon. So a special thanks to Louise, Carolyn and Nicola who agreed not to put themselves…
STOP PRESS! Walked up live game training on 2nd and 11th September 2026 near Woodbridge, Suffolk.
STOP PRESS Due to popular demand a second live game training day has been added on 2nd September. This forthcoming shooting season the Society will be running walked up live game training on 2nd and 11th September 2026near Woodbridge, Suffolk. Both training days will be suitable for novice and open dogs but the dogs MUST have prior experience of picking game, and no known eliminating faults (squeaking, hard mouth etc). The cost will be £110 per dog/handler/day, payable to the FCRS. (The cost of this training would be eligible for the Society’s Live Game Training Subsidy, which could be reclaimed…
FCRS Patellar screening session
The Flatcoated Retriever Society has a screening scheme for patellar luxation, assessments are carried out by Veterinary Surgeon Jane Alexander. The stifle (knee) joints are examined, and any abnormalities noted, a certificate is issued to owners of assessed dogs and this can be made available for prospective puppy purchasers to view. Patellar luxation is a developmental condition, but it is thought that there may be breed related inherited factors that predispose dogs to this condition. The aim of assessment is to give breeders knowledge to enable them to make informed choices in their breeding programmes without narrowing the gene pool,…
The FCRS Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Code of Ethics
The FCRS Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme has developed a Code of Ethics for the training scheme, which has recently been published. It covers dog welfare, health and training standards, conduct in the field and general courtesy and you can read the full code of ethics here Code of ethics for the WFRDP…
FCRS Southern Area breed specific working tests for Flatcoated and Golden Retrievers
On 25th April the FCRS Southern Area held breed specific working tests for Flatcoated and Golden Retrievers on the Penshurst Estate in Kent, by kind permission of the landowners Lord and Lady de L’Isle. Our judges Chris Marshall and Dick Pettett set four interesting and challenging tests for Special puppies, NDNH, Novices and Open dogs, each of which was based upon a shooting scenario. Although we had a smaller entry than we had hoped for the judges reassured our competitors that they were competing against the tests, not each other and that any awards would be made to worthy winners….
**Training day on Water with Walked Up Training**
**Wessex Area Test and Training Organisers Jane and Keith Manley will be running a Training day on Water with Walked Up Training** Date: Sunday 5th July Venue: Avon Tyrrell Estate, near Christchurch, Dorset. (Further details will be given on registration of interest). Abilities: All abilities but must already have some experience in water. Numbers: up to 12 handlers. Handlers may only work one dog at a time but there will be the opportunity to change dogs at midday. Cost: £20/ handler payable on the day. For more details and to book a place please contact Jane Manley: jandkmanley@hotmail.co.uk While this…
Flatcoated Retriever Midland Area Working Gundog Test
The Midland Area held their Special Puppy, NDND, Novice and Open Tests on Saturday 11th April 2026 at Byrds Retreat, Harvington by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Bob Byrd. Generously sponsored by Skinners Pet Food LTD. The weather was perfect during the morning, although the dogs were running into a strong wind on Test 2. The afternoon competitors endured a short sharp storm but conditions remained good. The Judges were Mr Tim Brain (3226) Mrs Sandra Onens (NP), Mrs Helen Chatterton (NP) and Mr David Godding (NP). Paul Egginton was Chief Steward. Entries were, in the morning 7 Special…
FLATCOATED RETRIEVER SOCIETY 51st Breed Championship Show Sunday 5th April 2026
Critiques. FCRS Bitch Critique Karen Joyce FCRS Dogs Critique Ray Strudwick Referee Critique for Brace, Progeny and Junior Handling – Judge Victoria Goldberg The Show Secretary and the Show Sub Committee would like to congratulate all those who competed yesterday at the Show. It was lovely to see so many flatcoats and their owners and really encouraging to see lots of new faces. There was alovely atmosphere, and we also had a number of trade standsso plenty for all to see. As it was Easter Sunday there was an Easter theme with bunnies, chicks and of course chocolate with each…
YEAR BOOK PHOTOS
Another reminder to everyone for photos for the Year Book please. Deadline 30th April… Good quality pictures are needed, with strong contrast between the background and your dog, and the dog should be the main part of the picture – and preferably not standing on long grass so his/her legs look short! Here are the pictures I need: Society trophy winners awarded at the latest AGM, new Champions and new Show Champions for 2025, Junior & Veteran Warrant winners 2025, and dogs awarded Show Certificates of Excellence 2025, RKC Show Gundog Working Certificates 25/26, Shooting Dog Certificates 25/26, RKC Working…
FCRS AGM Report and Award Winners 2025
Thank you to all who attended the Flatcoated Retriever Society Annual General Meeting on 29th March and congratulations to all the main award winners. At our AGM on 29th March the following officers were re-elected; Chairman Mrs Jane Jones Vice Chairman Mrs Anna Crampton Secretary Mrs Sharon Henesey Treasurer. Mrs Heather…
THE EURO CHALLENGE at The Game Fair, Ragley Hall, 24-26 July 2026
We have been approached by Huw Jones regarding the THE EURO CHALLENGE at The Game Fair, Ragley Hall, 24-26 July 2026 If you have a flatcoated retriever of open or good novice standard please consider attending the selection day for this competition. Entry form available by email from Huw – huwh@aol.com GB Euro Challenge team selection Saturday April the 18th Venue Miserden Estate, Stroud, Gloucestershire (The exact postcode/what3word will be given to all of those entered) The team will consist of the following 1 x Labrador Retriver 1 x Golden Retriever 1 x of the following Retriever Breeds Flatcoated, Chesapeake,…
South West FCR Working Test 2026
Sunday 22nd March was the South West FCR Working test which we held at VB Farms, Spreyton near Crediton. We were blessed again this year with beautiful weather; the sun was shining all day. Our Judges were Steve Ashby, Charlotte Wear and Reece Merry.Reece made the long journey down from Kent early that morning and did a great job! All Judges were so encouraging and positive all day. The tests set were enough to test you and your dog but achievable. Tests were varied and used the undulating hills we have in Devon also woods and a stream crossing as…
FCRS Calendar 2027 – Photos required
Photos📸photos🎞️photos📸 We are looking for photographs for inclusion in our 2027 FCRS Calendar. Please no photos of Flatcoats carrying sticks, in show poses or with people in the photo. Please send all your lovely photos of your Flatcoats for consideration to fcrs.calendarphotos@yahoo.com Closing date: 11 May 2026…
Chairman of the General Committee update.
Jane Jones was going to formally retire as Chairman from the General Committee of the FCRS at the AGM on 29th March 2026. As there has been no nominations from any person to replace Jane, it is the intention for Jane to withdraw her retirement resignation and resume the position of Chairman for the next year. The General Committee and Sub Committees would like to thank Jane for staying as Chairman for another year….
The Inter Area Team Challenge
The Inter Area Team Challenge for 2026 will be held on Sunday 17th May at The Willows, Standlake, Oxfordshire, by kind permission of Vivienne Gatter. If you are interested in taking part, please contact your local Area Gundog Working Test and Training organiser. Further details about the day can be found here….
PUPPY ENQUIRIES
Could you please note that Shirley Johnson is unfortunately unable to take puppy enquires at the present time. Should you wish to register a litter or it you are a prospective puppy owner can vou please direct your enquires to our other Litter Secretary Jenny Bird – 0116 2793203…