The downside of owning a Ferrari – Milo the Flat Coated Retriever

I often refer to highly bred working dogs as Ferraris. They look great and have a huge amount of power. Just like a Ferrari, they can be tricky to handle – it’s not like taking your Honda Jazz for a spin. You have to know what makes that engine tick and you have to be in control.

I currently have Milo in residence, a year old Flat Coated Retriever: he’s a Ferrari. His owners are experienced Flat Coat owners and love the temperament of the breed. This was before they met Milo. They didn’t fully realise the working stock he was from until after they brought him home. His brother has already done a season on a shoot at less then 12 months old. They are from, to quote the breeder, “an active gundog strain and both of great character and wilfulness”. The result is that Milo is not a pleasure to have around the house or to walk. He is headstrong, controlling and pulls on the lead – not much fun when he weighs 40kgs. Recently he has become a danger to himself by chasing sheep in the fields, which will eventually lead to him being shot by the farmer.

You can’t blame Milo for his breeding. His owners have over loved and pampered this working dog, with disastrous results. He has had no discipline and structure, the things he really needs. Meanwhile, his owners feel that they are mismatched with this Flat Coated Retriever and they are almost being cruel keeping him.

Changing gear

Milo has been with me for two weeks now. So far it has been foundation work, on the lead. He had no focus, heel, sit wait or steadiness – more like a 12 week old than a 12 month old. Using the Tessleymoor Way to work on the basics will result in improvements to his behaviour; intense residential training is just what he needs.

There is a lesson to be learnt here. Never be complacent about your dog’s training, even when you know the breed well. Not all dogs are alike and gundog breeds with a strong working strain will want to work. Choose carefully and train to the breed standard and you will have a dog that you can enjoy, either to work or as a companion.

Posted: April 16, 2019