We recently acquired what we think might be a Flat coated Retriever (she
appeared out of nowhere and was hanging around the barn). She quickly
bonded to me and my husband and has become a member of the household. My
questions are related to personality and breed characteristics--she is a
good guard dog, barking at anything or anyone that doesn't belong. She is a
so-so retriever when we play. She seems to like people but has a problem
with urination when she meets anyone for the 1st time. Are these behaviors
usual/unusual for this breed?
Thanks for any input.

--
"Chows leave paw prints on our hearts"

On Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:24:19 -0600, "Margaret"
, clicked their heels and said:

We recently acquired what we think might be a Flat coated Retriever (she
appeared out of nowhere and was hanging around the barn).

Have you checked her for a tatoo or microchip? FCRs are not a common
breed, and most breeders are doing one or the other before the pup
ever leaves.

She quickly
bonded to me and my husband and has become a member of the household. My
questions are related to personality and breed characteristics--she is a
good guard dog, barking at anything or anyone that doesn't belong. She is a
so-so retriever when we play. She seems to like people but has a problem
with urination when she meets anyone for the 1st time. Are these behaviors
usual/unusual for this breed?

Submissive urination is not common or uncommon in the breed. So-so
retriever is NOT common, and barking/guarding is not either. Mine
never barks at anything except for in play, and neither did the
shelter/wannabe/rescue one before him.

www.fcrsainc.org

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com