On 21st June, first day of summer and the hottest day of the year so far, 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 were Di Stevens, Kelvin Nettleingham, Liz Barnes and James Brindley. The judges set four interesting and challenging tests for our Puppies, NDNH, Novices and Open dogs, each of which was based upon a shooting scenario and each with two retrieves. Puppy and Novice ran in the morning and NDNH and Open…
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FLATCOATED RETRIEVER SOCIETY 50th Breed Championship Show & Breed Open Show Saturday 7th June 2025
Critiques Pam Lynott Critiques FCRS Championship Show 07.06.25 Andy Osborne-Brown FCRS Open Show Critiques 07.06.25 Gemma Jacobs Critique FCRS Championship Show – Junior Handling ______________________________________________________________________________________ The Show Secretary and the Show Sub Committee would like to congratulate all those who competed at the Shows on Saturday. It was lovely to see so many Flatcoats and their owners and really encouraging to see lots of new faces. The photo booth was enjoyed by many and fantastic to see all your photos posted on social media. The raffle made a profit of £265, so thank you for all those who donated prizes,…
Kennel Club Free Webinar about Heart Disease in Dogs – Wed 18th June
The KC are hosting another free webinar onWednesday 18 June from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, for anyone who would like to find out more about heart disease in dogs. In partnership with the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VCS), The Kennel Club’s Health team is hosting a series of free webinars exploring a range of canine heart problems. This second webinar, with expert cardiologist Dr Emily Dutton, will build on the insights from the introductory webinar held earlier this year. It will cover acquired heart disease, with a particular focus on dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). For more information or if you’d like to attend the…
2025 Shirley Radburn National Working Tests Report and Results
The 2025 Shirley Radburn National Working Tests for Novice and Open Flatcoated Retrievers took place on 31st May at Batsford Arboretum in Gloucestershire by kind permission of Lord and Lady Dulverton. Our judges were Phil Bruton, Kate Smith, Ricky Maloney and Jenifer Thomas and we are grateful to each of them for generously giving up their time to judge for us. Graham Clelland was Chief Steward for the day, kindly enabling me to run my own dog. For various reasons entry numbers were lower than anticipated this year with just 13 running in Novice (after three unavoidable withdrawals) and 12…
The FCRS Central Area Working Test Report – 18th May 25
On Sunday 18 May 2025 The FCRS Central Area held Novice and Open Working Tests at the Willows, Standlake, Oxon. The Judges were Vanessa King (B3609), Charlotte Wilkinson (NP5013), Lucy Mixture and Peter Leyden. The dogs competed over four tests. Test 1 was a 2 dog walk up judged by Charlotte with each dog having two marked retrieves. Test 2 was judged by Lucy and was a mark on water followed by a blind on land. Test 3 was judged by Vanessa and was a blind retrieve with no shot after first honouring a mark with shot which was retrieved…
THE FLATCOATED RETRIEVER SOCIETY MIDLAND AREA WORKING TESTS 26th April 2025
The Midlands Working Test was held at Manor Farm, Croome Hill, Upton Upon Severn, Worcestershire by kind permission of Toby and Alison Spiers and generously sponsored by Skinners Pet Foods Ltd. The land provided a ridge and furrow field, ditches to cross, hedges to push through and a field of reeds and white grass. The weather was dry with a mixture of cloud and sun becoming quite warm. Thank you to our judges Mr Graham Bird (A3147) Ms. Angie Cooper (NP) Mrs. Sue Millward (NP) Mr. Adrian Phillips (NP) for so generously giving up their time to judge and offer…
Field Trials 2025/26
The FT sub are considering whether or not to run a Field Trial in the 2025/26 shooting season. In recent years we have struggled to fill the running card and Field Trials have been cancelled. Are you interested in trialing your Flatcoated Retriever? Would you enter a Field Trial? Are you looking for a Novice, an All Age or an Open Field Trial? Please complete our survey and help us decide what may be viable in the coming season. Please also share the link to the survey with anyone you know who works their Flatcoated Retriever, and might consider trialling….
FLATCOATED RETRIEVER SOCIETY 49th Breed Championship Show, Sunday 6th April 2025
Dog Critiques – Judge Eddie Webster Bitches Critiques – Judge Kelly Holland Referee, Baby Puppy and Junior Handling Critiques – Ann Kilminster 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 a lovely atmosphere and some emotional winners, and we also had a number of trade stands so plenty for all to see. The raffle made a profit of approx £336, so thank you for all those who donated prizes, it was a bumper raffle and an…
All Judges and Aspiring Judges
⭐️⭐️To all Judges and Aspiring Judges⭐️⭐️ Following RKC meeting of BEC’s on Tuesday nightthe following has now been confirmed As from 1st January 2026 ALL judges MUST be registered on the JEP platform otherwise you CANNOT judge. This is a requirement in F Show Regs! To be eligible to judge at all you MUST be registered and showing on the RKC Find a Judge site at a minimum of JEP Level 1. If you are not registered there, you cannot judge. The responsibility is YOURS. If you are asked to judge by any club you must meet the appropriate criteria AND also…
South West FCRS Working Test.
Sunday 23rd March 2025 was the FCR South West Working Test held at the South West Gundog Training Centre near Tiverton by kind permission of Ed Brown. We ran Puppy, ND/NH , Novice and Open classes. The day was a great success with some lovely tests set over undulating ground that included, ditches wooden fences and woods. The variety in the tests proved challenging enough but also very achievable. Our Judges Judy Reiney, Karen Handley, Mandy Smith and Helen Ford they were all so encouraging and made everyone feel welcome and relaxed which made for a very enjoyable day. If any of the Puppies had any difficulties the Judges made sure the…
FCRS Annual General Meeting, 22nd March 2025.
Elected Officers and General Committee At the AGM held on 22nd March 2025 the following people were voted as Officers / Committee members on to the General Committee: Chairman – Mrs Jane JonesVice Chairman – Mrs Anna CramptonHon Secretary – Mrs Sharon HeneseyTreasurer – Mrs Heather HarleyShow Secretary – Miss Louise JonesWorking Test Secretary – Sarah YoungField Trial Secretary – VacantRescue and Rehoming and Welfare Coordinator – Mrs Jan EggintonHealth Secretary – Miss Liz Branscombe Committee Members: Mrs Charlotte WearMr Brian BroadbentMiss Sarah EggintonMiss Lauren BroomeMrs Shirley OxfordMrs Barbara ReynoldsMrs Claire Leavy Mrs Roz Bellamy was proposed and elected for…
Mock Field Trial Monday 18th January 2025
With growing concern at the lack of Flatcoats coming forward to enter the Societys Breed Only Field Trials the FT Sub committee staged a Mock Trial in the hope of encouraging members who might not be familiar with the workings of a trial and what is required of themselves and their dogs to come along and experience a day run along the lines of a Trial. The Estate chosen was Bretby, Burton on Trent and we were extremely well served by the Game Keeper, Matt Smith, who runs an excellent shoot and has a very good working knowledge of the Flatcoat and its capabilities. Our Judges, Phil Bruton, Clare Gould,…
Elma (Helen) Winton
Senga Thorpe let us know that Elma (Helen) Winton passed peacefully on 19 February 25, she was 93 years old.Elma was born on 22/09/31 and she and her husband George had 3 daughters and a son,12 Grandchildren and 23 Gt Grandchildren who she was devoted to.Elma owned, bred, showed and judged Goldens and Flatcoated Retrievers under the Braidwynn affix.The Flatcoated Retriever Society Officers and Committee send their condolences to Elma’s family and friends….
Robin Enticknap
Sharron Enticknap would like it to be known that her husband Robin died on February 13th. Robin was devoted to their Flatcoats and accompanied Sharron to all the shows. The Officers and Committee offer their sincere condolences to Sharron and family….
Jenny Coddington
The Flatcoated Retriever Society’s Officers and Committee are saddened to learn that Jenny Coddington, a long term member of the Society, has passed away after a short illness. Jenny, along with her husband Derek owned Flatcoats for many years. They held the Bracsan affix and although they only bred a few litters they produced quality dual purpose Flatcoats that were both worked and shown. Jenny was very supportive to Flatcoat owners particularly newcomers to the Breed and she helped many people who were just starting out either working, showing or both. She served as a member of the General Committee…
Further KC Health webinar – find out more about heart disease in dogs. 12th Feb 25
In partnership with the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VCS), The Kennel Club’s Health team is hosting a series of free webinars exploring a range of canine heart problems, the first of which will be an introduction to congenital (present from birth) and acquired (developing later in life) heart disease on Wednesday 12th February 7-8.30pm. The webinar will include a presentation from expert cardiologist, Dr Hannah Stephenson, and will be followed by a question-and-answer session. For more information and if you would like to attend the webinar you can register here The webinar will be available on the KC YouTube channel after the event for those…
Flatcoated Retriever Society, Annual General Meeting, General Committee Vacancies.
22nd March 2025 at Grounds Farm, Wishaw B76 9PQ at 11am Our Vice Chair Jan Egginton and Field Trial Secretary Jane Manley will be standing down from their position at the AGM although Jan will be re standing as Secretary/Coordinator for the Rescue, Rehoming and Welfare Scheme. All other Officers are willing to re stand. Charlotte Wear, Lauren Broome and Jenny Campbell complete their terms of office at the AGM. Charlotte and Lauren are willing to re stand but Jenny will not be doing so. Anna, who was co opted for a year to fill the vacancy created when Sharon…
SDC Result – 30th November
On 30th November a Shooting Dog Certificate day was held at Ashe Farm, Ross on Wye. There were two successes on the day. Our congratulations go to: Reece Merry with Swantonwood Black Bramble and Anna Crampton with Casblaid Charlotte cum Cleirwy….
Kennel Club Health Webinars
The kennel club have now uploaded the recent health webinar ‘Can we protect our dogs from GDV/bloat’ to their Yutube channel, to listen to this and other health webinars follow this link: Kennel Club Health Webinars…
Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Training 2025.
The FCRS would like to know more about the training needs and ambitions of Flatcoat owners who have working gundogs or are training their dogs to do gundog work. The following survey will take less than five minutes to complete and will help us plan training activities for the coming season. If you are the owner or handler of a Flatcoated Retriever residing in the UK (or intending to travel to the UK for Competition or Training purposes) please complete the following survey. Working Flatcoated Retriever Development Programme Training Survey 2025 If you are unfamiliar with the Flatcoated Retriever Society’s…
Mary Tanner (Tacumshin Affix)
The Flatcoated Retriever Society and its Officers and Committee are saddened to hear from Graham Lambert of the death of long time member Mary Tanner. Mary held the affix Tacumshin and bred just a few litters.Mary was a stock person straight forward and honest, she had many funny tales to tell that kept you riveted.Mary will be missed by many of us,honoured to call her our family and friend.A General Committee member for many years where she served as our Show Secretary from 1990 -2000,Mary was a valued member of the Judges and Show Sub Committee to the present date…
Did you know The Flatcoated Retriever Society collect Flatcoat Memorabilia.
The Flatcoated Retriever Society keeps an Archive of Flatcoat memorabilia, whether it be pictures, scrapbook, postcards, etc. Should you wish to donate anything to the Archives you can do so by downloading the form and contacting the FCRS Secretary by email FRCS_Secretary@outlook.com Donation Receipt Form.pdf…
Kennel Club Health Webinar November 12th 2024
Protecting your dog from Gastric Dilation Volvulus syndrome (GDV), also known as bloat The webinar is freely available to anyone who would like to find out more about gastric dilation volvulus syndrome (GDV), also known as bloat, a serious and life-threatening condition in dogs. The webinar will take place via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 12th November from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. For more information or if you’d like to attend the webinar, please register here. The webinar will include a presentation from Professor Mark Dunning, an expert from the University of Nottingham. This presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, giving…
Mock Field Trial
The Field Trial Sub Committee are considering holding a Mock Field Trial for Novice handlers and / or dogs to gain valuable experience of running in a Trial without the added pressures of competition. The day will be run as a Trial with experienced Judges giving help and advice throughout. The venue for this will be near Burton on Trent, Staffordshire in January, date to be confirmed, cost approximately £120. Before committing to this day we need to know there is sufficient interest to make the day viable so we are asking you to contact Jane Manley, FT Sec either by…