Why train your dog?

Your dog will be with you for many years.  No one will love your dog the way you love your dog, and no one will even like your dog if it doesn’t have some basic manners.  Dogs aren’t born understanding the human world and the rules of your household.  You must teach them.  They need to learn to be around other dogs, people and places.  They need to understand basic cues like come, sit and down.  Training your dog will help you develop a relationship of trust, understanding and loyalty with your dog.

Why compete with or show your dog?

While training your dog is fun, entering a trial, test or show gives you something to train for.  It sets a goal and gives focus and purpose to your training.  It gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your dog’s abilities in front of an audience.  It provides feedback on the “holes” in your training.  You feel a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Competitors may be found on a continuum from highly competitive who seek the highest scores and best times, at the other end where earning a passing score is the satisfaction sought, or somewhere the middle.  There is a place for all of them at a trial, test or show.

Flat-Coated Retriever Performance Sports Competition and Titles

The breed standard begins by describing the Flat-Coated Retriever as “a versatile family companion hunting retriever with a happy and active demeanor, intelligent expression, and clean lines.”  As such there are many possibilities to compete with and show your Flattie!  Agility, Conformation, Nosework, Obedience and Rally, Tracking and Hunting are a few options you might consider.

Versatility Titles

The AKC Versatile Companion Dog titles were developed in 2001 and they acknowledge and reward owners of all breeds that compete in Obedience, Agility, and Tracking events. The VCD titles are a way to showcase their tremendous talent in so many areas.

The Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America, Inc. recognizes the versatility of this breed as both a retriever and hunting companion as well as an active participant in other dog sports. Go to the Flat-Coated Retriever Resource Page for a link to the FCRSA website for additional information.