Are Flat Coated Retrievers Cuddly?

Yes, Flat Coated Retrievers are cuddly and loveable to those in their family.  They make a great family dog as they are good with children, other dogs, and pretty much the whole gang but can struggle with strangers outside the family unit. 

The Flat Coated Retrievers are cuddly and will enjoy hugs, kisses, snuggles on the couch, as well as other ways they can show love and affection.  Like other Retrievers, the Flat-Coated Retrievers are cuddly and loveable but also playful and adventurous, with neither of these qualities ever leaving them, often still present when they are adults and senior dogs.  

When in and around the family, they are calm, cuddly, and quickly adapt to their loved one’s mood.  If everyone is cuddled up on the couch watching a movie, they will be right there. If everyone has decided that the cuddly time is over and it is time to head out for a hike, they will be all for this activity. 

While this breed is cuddly, which can make them an excellent dog for those who are experiencing owning and caring for a dog for the first time, they don’t make a good first choice because they can be obstinate at times. 

The Flat-Coated Retrievers are cuddly, making them great assistance or therapy dogs in the community.  Their cuddliness, as well as their hard-working and devoted nature, can be highly beneficial in these instances.  Whether they are cuddly or not depends on who they are with and their mood, the environment they are in, and what their health and physical, mental, and emotional state are at the moment.  Regardless of whether they are cuddly or not, this dog breed makes an excellent family dog and companion to many.

The Flat Coated Retriever is a Retriever through and through, this means that they are loveable, playful, devoted, gentle, and love being around their family or companions.

While this breed is cuddly, the Flat Coated Retriever doesn’t appear to share this cuddly quality when in the presence of strangers as they can be wary of them.

They are cuddly with kids and everyone in the family or household and will enjoy those special moments of hugs, kisses, and snuggle time.  This isn’t all they are about, though.  Like other Retrievers, the Flat Coated Retrievers are a lively bunch that can suffer the puppy phase of life for a very long time, if they ever lose it.

This can mean that they will also be very playful and adventuresome despite their cuddly and loving nature, enjoying the outdoors and working or sporting.

The Flat Coated Retrievers are brilliant dogs, and they have a keen ability to adapt their personality and mindset to the mood of that which is their environment.  Excitement will call for energy and playfulness, with quietness and calm calling for cuddliness and snuggles.

Many first-time dog owners may want a cuddly dog, and this breed may appeal to them because they are rare, unique, sporty and cuddly, but they may not be the best choice.

The Flat Coated Retriever can be a bit strong-willed and stubborn, making them harder to manage and deal with for those who have never had a dog before.

Like other Retrievers, these dogs make great assistance or therapy dogs and can be of great service within the communities with which they live.   When properly trained, they can be helpful in many aspects and lend themselves to those in need of assistance while providing the much-needed love, cuddles, and attention that these people also may need.

Many factors can play into how cuddly any dog, regardless of the breed, is at any given moment.  Such things as health, emotional state, the environment they are in, and who they are, factors into how cuddly any dog will feel.

How do I get more cuddles out of my Flat Coated Retriever if they behave less than loveable?

The best way to help get more cuddles out of your Flat Coated Retriever if they are behaving less than loveable is to provide more bonding time.

Spending time with your dog, regardless of breed, will naturally provide more time for shared moments of love and affection, like cuddling and sharing snuggles.  Some dogs, regardless of the breed, may not be as receptive to this behavior or not all the time.

This is understandable and must be respected as it can be hard to determine what the dog is thinking, feeling, or going through at any given moment.  Encouraging loving moments can be beneficial to both the pet parent and dog but should never be forced.

Focusing on spending time and making time for shared moments came to provide ample opportunities for deep bonding and connecting that encourages cuddles and closeness.

Also, being aware of one’s attitude towards the Flat Coated Retriever and the vibe of the household can go a long way to providing cuddly moments for everyone.  Creating a positive home environment that is loving, enriching, and healthy goes a long way to boosting these shared moments.

It is important that all family members love the dog in their own way, being respectful, understanding, patience and showing kindness.  These things naturally bring out more love in everyone, including a dog.

If a Flat Coated Retriever was once a cuddly dog and suddenly is not, after a time, if nothing changes, it may be necessary to consult their veterinarian to ensure that they are healthy.  Often dogs will show signs that they are unwell, but the signs can be subtle.

While a pet parent may not notice physical signs, the very subtle changes that can signal something deeper are wrong.

This is not to say that a dog that becomes less than cuddle is sick, but it can happen.  If we think about how, we react when we are unwell, we can better understand how dogs might act when they don’t feel like themselves for whatever reason.

In most cases, the mood or issue will pass, and often nothing is wrong with them other than that, but it is often better to be safe than sorry.

If it seems that a Flat-Coated Retriever is in a mood, sometimes a little playtime and some activity can encourage and stimulate the bond that already exists between them and the pet parent.

Perhaps there has been too much busyness lately where the pet parent hasn’t spent time.  They want to cuddle with the pet parent when they finally find the time but need a little bit of fun and adventure to loosen them up a bit because they are upset with having to wait so long.

Like we humans, dogs have emotions and moods too.  And while they generally don’t last as long as ours do, they can still suffer.  Creating the right moments can increase their cuddliness.

I am not a very cuddly person. Will that hurt the bond I share with my Flat Coated Retriever?

No, if you are not a cuddly person, it will not hurt the bond you share with your Flat Coated Retriever.

While all dogs thrive on some cuddle time, and the Flat Coated Retriever is no exception to that rule, they do have the capacity to adapt a little easier than some other dogs would.

They enjoy cuddling and sharing that bond with their loving family or pet parent. They will be okay if it doesn’t happen as often as they are adaptable.  This breed, like other Retrievers, is highly intuitive and will respond to their environment.  If you are not up for a cuddle, then they will enjoy some fun playtime just as much as they would a good loving cuddle.

As long as the Flat Coated Retriever receives ample attention and love, there is nothing wrong with you being who you are while being their pet parent.  To each our own, each of us is an individual, whether dog or human.  Nothing can be more perfect than a pet parent being who they are while being a loving and affectionate, and responsive parent to their fur baby.

Final Thoughts

While we are all cuddly sometimes, some of us are cuddlier than others.  The Flat Coated Retriever is a dog breed that enjoys being cuddly and sharing loving moments with their family and loved ones.

They are not always as receptive to cuddles and love from strangers, but with a bit of patience and time, a stranger can quickly become a friend, and that’s all one can ask for, right?