Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Smell?

Having a Flat-Coated retriever is a great addition to the family. 

They are a lovable ball of energy that can do well with the kids, go out hunting with the adults, and are there to provide all of the companionship that you need. 

But you may wonder whether the Flat-Coated retriever is going to smell over time or not. 

Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Smell?

Flat-Coated Retrievers don’t necessarily smell more than other breeds, but their lifestyle often leaves them stinkier than other dogs. They most often smell right after being in the water if they don’t thoroughly dry or if they’ve found something particularly stinky. The right grooming routine can help with the smell.

Giving the dog seasonal baths, or more often if they really have a smell, will help to eliminate this a bit and can make it more fun to spend time cuddling with your dog. 

There are different reasons that the Flat-Coated retriever could smell and different steps that you can take in order to figure out how to make the smell stop. 

Let’s take a look at some of these things and learn how to make sure the Flat-Coated retriever is always a fun and lovable dog, not one that is too smelly to keep around. 

As long as you are providing the right amount of grooming and care to this dog breed, they should not smell.

The grooming is often enough to make sure that this dog will not smell, and you will be able to enjoy a nice smelling dog who wants to cuddle and spend some time with you. 

However, there are times when the Flat-Coated retriever can smell, and this can be rather unpleasant. 

One time when this dog breed is going to be a little smelly is right after they are done running in the water.

Their double coat is thick enough to trap some of the water inside. 

If it is not given the proper amount of time to dry off, then the water and all of the dirt and grime found in the water can get stuck under the fur and can get quite smelly.

A good bath when this happens will make a difference. 

Another reason is that the owners are not providing the dog with some of the grooming that they need along the way. 

If the dog is not given their routine baths or given time to brush their teeth and brush out their hair, then it is more likely that the dog is going to stink.

You will need to make a good routine of cleaning the dog if you do not want to worry about their smell. 

On some rare occasions, the dog could have some kind of infection that will make them smell. 

A skin infection or an ear infection can be the case for this. 

You should take a look at the dog and see whether one of these issues is to blame. 

If you see something that concerns you, then it is time to visit the vet with your Flat-Coated retriever to see what options are available to you. 

Why Does My Dog Smell?

There are many reasons why a Flat-Coated retriever is going to smell and there are steps that the owner can take to prevent the stench as well. 

Being prepared and taking care of your dog will be some of the best ways to avoid the issue along the way.

Some of the most common reasons that the Flat-Coated retriever has a bad smell include:

1. The coat is wet: Like many other dogs, you will find that the Flat-Coated retriever will smell a bit when they have a wet coat. Letting it have some time to dry outside is often one of the best ways to prevent future problems while keeping the coat as dry and healthy as possible. 
2. They need a bath: You do not need to give the dog a bath all the time. Once a month is often enough for most dogs unless they happen to get really dirty. If you do bathe them too often, it can cause some problems with the oil in their skin drying out and they may develop a rash or another infection. You should set up a good bath schedule for the dog to make sure they get cleaned and do not smell any longer. 
3. Their teeth need to be brushed: If you can’t remember the last time that you brushed the teeth of your Flat-Coated retriever, then it is probably time to do so. They should get this done at least two times a week if not more. If you are not doing this already, then now is the perfect time to start. 
4. Their ears are dirty: You should also take a look at the ears of your Flat-Coated retriever. When wax and other dirt and grime get stuck in the ear, it could end up leaving a smell behind. That same smell could be a sign that the dog has an ear infection. If you are worried about an ear infection or you do not want to do the cleaning on your own, a qualified groomer or the vet may be a good place to go. 
5. The dog has a skin infection: Take a closer look at the skin of the dog, down below their two coats, and see if there is anything that is happening there. It is likely that the dog has developed a skin infection that could cause them to be smelly in some cases. Getting a good antibiotic from the vet will help to take care of the dog and can make sure the smell goes away. 

For most of these common causes of why your dog smells bad, a good amount of grooming will be able to solve the problem. 

When you are able to do the proper grooming on the Flat-Coated retriever, you can keep the smells at bay and enjoy spending time with this dog breed in your home. 

How Can I Keep My Flat-Coated Retriever from Smelling?

There are different steps that you are able to take to make sure that you are not going to end up with a smelly dog.

It will all depend on what the main cause for the smell is in the first place. 

If the dog just got done spending time in the water, playing with the kids, or chasing after the animal that you just hunted down, then you will need to take some time to clean the fur out so it does not stink.

A good bath on occasion, either on a routine schedule or after a time when the dog is really stinky, will make a difference. 

Get the dog on a good grooming schedule as well. 

This can be a hassle and many pet owners are already busy. 

If you worry about being able to get all of the tasks for grooming done, then you need to consider hiring a professional groomer to help. 

You need to go with someone who is not only able to give the dog a bath, but someone who can trim the nails, brush the teeth, clean the ears and eyes, and trim the hair.

All of this will help the dog to be healthy and can prevent some of the smells. 

You can also do some of the work on your own at home. You do not need to give the dog a bath all the time. 

For this dog, you are probably good doing it once or twice a month, unless they have gone out and gotten really dirty in the middle. 

Daily baths are going to be bad for the fur and the skin of this dog breed so it is best to avoid it as much as possible. 

An occasional bath can help to clean the dog off, remove any of the bad smells that they are dealing with, and focus on getting the dog to feel their best without drying out the skin. 

If you suspect that an ear infection or even a skin infection is the main problem with your dog, then you need to visit the vet as soon as possible.

They will be able to give the dog some antibiotics and other medicines that will help them to feel better and not have to deal with the issues any longer. 

These may take a few days before the dog starts to smell less. 

Helping Your Flat-Coated Retriever Smell Good

Many pet owners love having the Flat-Coated retriever around and consider this dog breed to be their best friend. 

But like other big dog breeds, this one has the potential to get smelly quickly if the owner does not give them the right grooming that they need. 

With some of the tips above, you will be able to take care of your Flat-Coated retriever while making sure that they do not get too smelly to keep in the home.