Retrievers were entered at several shows in the early
1900-s under different classifications. At the end of the last century
the first Flatcoated Retrievers were registered by the kennelclub after
beeing qualified at shows. Others were registered as Curlycoats or just
as Black Retrievers. From then on no Flatcoats were registred until
1914 when Grace and her sister Donna were registered by Mr Åke
Sjögren of Mälsåkers Castle. Mr Sjögren (whose wife
was closely related to the great Mr Alfred Nobel) was a wealthy man who
used his dogs at his big shot. Unfortunately he came into economical
trouble and had to leave his estate. All material about the dogs was
destroyed, but a few remaining photos (right) present dogs of a standard that
might do well at todays shows.
Since that time no Flatcoats were registered in Sweden until 1962 when Black Penny of Yarlaw was imported by Mrs Mona Lilliehöök. Black Penny was sired by Ch Woodlark out of Ch Pewcroft Prop of Yarlaw - two outstanding dual purpose Flatcoats. During the sixties Mrs Lillihöök also imported Blakeholme Jamie and Ryshot Copper Fire.
Another milestone in the early development of the Swedish Flatcoat was the import of Downstream Hestia in 1964 by Mrs Brulin. The first Swedish Flatcoated field trial champion Puhs Frigga was sired by Ryshot Copper Fire out of a bitch sired by Jamie out of Hestia. Ever since, the line established by those early imports have been of fundamental importance for the Swedish working Flatcoat.
Downstream Ambleside Jill (Ch Woodway x Charlotte of Roysia), in whelp with GB Ch Tonggreen Sparrowboy, was imported in the middle of the seventies. This litter introduced a steady, sensible temperament which had a strong impact on the working Flatcoat at a time when Swedish trials were changed based on influences from Danish and British trials.
Int Dual Ch O´Flanagan Free-as-Air, sired by a dog from that litter, became one of the most succesful triallers of all time winning more than 20 first prizes including the victory at the Swedish retriever championship.
On the show scene Int Ch Latchford Snobben was the first Flatcoat to be established at the top in any variety competition winning more than 50 BoB and a number of groups and Bis during the beginning of the eighties. He was also the grandson of GB and Sw Ch Woodman which was easily noteable.
The major breakthrough of the Swedish show Flatcoat took place in 1991 when Int Ch Almanza Larry O´Grady (owned by Miss Ragnhild Uhlin) won Best in Show at the Stockholm International Show. He was wery close to the top in the swedish Dog of the Year contest for three years and won a number of Bis. His son Int Ch Almanza Emergency Brake was maybe even more successful winning the Dog of the Year title in 1995. The Flatcoat was established as one of the big show breeds.
The Swedish Flatcoated Retriever Club was established in 1977. Ever since it´s aim has been to promote the breeding of sound working Flatcoats. Breeders have agreed to set up rules and recommendations demanding a minimum working standard in dogs and litters to be recommended by the club. Although the Swedish Flatcoat takes part in the uneven universal battle towards single purpose show breeding, intrest in the working retriever is impressingly high. For a number of years more than 150 Flatcoats have been entered at the Swedish Flatcoat Chasmpionship and about 600 Flatcoats are trialled every year. Although the breeding of working Flatcoats is hazardous there is a number of dedicated breeders trying to improve the working Flatcoat which gives much hope for the future.
About 750 Flatcoats are registered every year.