Meet the Flat-Coated Retriever
A determined hunting dog with a small head and mouth can retrieve a large bird, but will not be able to hold it as gently and securely and retrieve repetitively with as much stamina and longevity as the dog with the long head, long muzzle and large, strong jaws.
The Flat-Coat is not a long-haired Labrador Retriever or a black Golden Retriever. The Flat-Coat has a racier build throughout with a unique head and coat, silhouette, movement and character.
The efficient hunting retriever will cover a maximum amount of ground in the fewest strides with the least effort. The topline is strong but flexible, not rigid and never soft or weak. The tail is waving but not curled or held much above the level of the topline.