Sirius

members of The Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America since 1995

Starlet, Ch. Blazin's Brightest Star CGC TDI, taken in 1999 at the age of 4

We are breeders of Flat-Coated Retrievers, in the North-East United States. We at Sirius Kennels pride ourselves on quality Champion-bred Flat-Coated Retrievers with the utmost care and thoughtful consideration given to all breedings in temperament, health, conformation, ability and talent. While we always have future breedings in our plans, we do only average about one litter per year, and it may or may not be made public until the pregnancy has been medically confirmed. Therefore, we do accept applications for litters on a continual basis, and will keep people on a waiting list until puppies are available, and will continue to keep all members of this list informed, every step of the way.

Since our puppies are in demand, it is recommended to do this well in advance, as well as contacting us for an interview. Our pedigree lines in the past, present and future, have and will continue to include National and International Specialty, Westminster, Eukanuba and Crufts winners, placers, and invitees. It is not uncommon to wait six months to a year for a Flat-Coated Retriever puppy from most any breeder in the United States, so it is a good idea to get your applications in early to be put on their waiting list. At the same time, timing can be everything and a puppy could be available now, if the right home was not available on the waiting list. It is also a good idea, once you have found the breeder you connect with and trust, to put down a deposit to show them your honest intentions. But just because your name is on a waiting list does not always guarantee a puppy in your near future. So, if the Flat-Coat is the dog you really want, you will need to be patient. Most reputable breeders have a waiting list well before a breeding. This is usually done to assure the right puppy goes to the right home.

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My first Flat-coat was a rescue I found in a Washington, D.C. shelter back in 1981. I walked into this large, stinky, noisy shelter not expecting to find the dog of my dreams, but there she was... a six month old "Retriever mix" cowering in the back corner of her cage, quivering. I knelt down and put my hand to the wire and softly called this scared little girl to me. Without hesitation she walked over to my hand and gave it a big slurp. We made eye contact and the rest was history. What a sweet, quiet, calm, little girl.

Then a few days after being in her new home, she turned into a Flat-Coat! Always sweet and loving, mostly quiet, but the calm went right out the window. Life was too fun for her to be calm. Her exuberance for life was contagious. She was so anxious to please her humans she absorbed commands like a sponge, and was crushed if she disappointed us. She was the epitome of the "Velcro dog"... she had to be touching someone at all times, even if just sleeping on your foot, or her head on your lap. She was the best dog I had ever had. Tai was a give-up, and for the life of me I can't figure out how anybody could give this girl away... but I'm sure glad they did!

As the years went by and having had to get a small breed after Tai, because of condo rules about size, I decided I had to have another Flat-Coat one day. When my beloved little Westie, Bonnie, passed away, I decided that was the time to get my BBD (Big Black Dog) back into my life.

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as taken from the FCRSA standard

General Appearance

The Flat-Coated Retriever is a versatile family companion hunting retriever with a happy and active demeanor, intelligent expression, and clean lines. The Flat-Coat has been traditionally described as showing "power without lumber and raciness without weediness." The distinctive and most important features of the Flat-Coat are the silhouette (both moving and standing), smooth effortless movement, head type, coat and character. In silhouette the Flat-Coat has a long, strong, clean, "one piece" head, which is unique to the breed. Free from exaggeration of stop or cheek, the head is set well into a moderately long neck which flows smoothly into well laid back shoulders. A level topline combined with a deep, long rib cage tapering to a moderate tuck-up create the impression of a blunted triangle. The brisket is well developed and the forechest forms a prominent prow. This utilitarian retriever is well balanced, strong, but elegant; never cobby, short legged or rangy. The coat is thick and flat lying, and the legs and tail are well feathered. A proud carriage, responsive attitude, waving tail and overall look of functional strength, quality, style and symmetry complete the picture of the typical Flat-Coat. Judging the Flat-Coat moving freely on a loose lead and standing naturally is more important than judging him posed. Honorable scars should not count against the dog.

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