Breed guide

Flat-Coated Retriever: healthy weight & calories

A healthy adult Flat-Coated Retriever usually weighs 25 to 36 kg (55.1 to 79.4 lb). That is a wide range because frame size varies a lot even within one breed, so how they feel under your hands matters more than the number alone.

Daily calories by activity level

Estimated for a Flat-Coated Retriever at 30.5 kg, a healthy weight in the middle of the breed range. Resting energy is 70 × weight0.75 kcal; the multiplier below scales it up for how much they move and whether they are desexed.

ActivityDesexedEntire
Mostly restsa few short potty walks 1,090 kcal 1,272 kcal
Short daily walks20 to 30 minutes total 1,272 kcal 1,454 kcal
Active most days45 to 60 minutes, some play 1,454 kcal 1,635 kcal
Very activeruns, hikes or dog sport 1,635 kcal 1,817 kcal

Puppies get roughly twice their resting energy while growing, about 1,817 kcal a day at this weight, but puppy needs change every few weeks so this is a starting point, not a fixed number. Seniors typically need about 10% less than an adult at the same activity level.

Good to know for a Flat-Coated Retriever

Flat-coated retrievers share the Labrador gene variant (POMC) linked to a bigger appetite and heavier weight, so they can seem endlessly hungry. Weighed portions and a routine beat willpower.

Why the weight matters

Studies of dogs a similar size to a Flat-Coated Retriever found overweight dogs had a shorter median life span than lean ones, by 0.4 to 0.9 years (Salt et al. 2019). That is an association from observational data, not a promise, but it is one of the largest studies of its kind.

Get their exact numbers

This page gives a breed-level estimate. For portions in grams, a calorie target adjusted for your dog's own age, activity and desexed status, and a 7-day activity plan, take the free 60-second check.

Check Flat-Coated Retriever free →

How much should a Flat-Coated Retriever weigh?

A healthy adult Flat-Coated Retriever typically weighs 25 to 36 kg (55.1 to 79.4 lb). Frame size varies a lot within a breed, so body condition (can you feel the ribs?) matters more than the number on the scale.

How many calories does a Flat-Coated Retriever need a day?

A desexed adult Flat-Coated Retriever at a healthy weight typically needs roughly 1,272 kcal a day with short daily walks, more if they are very active or not desexed, less if they mostly rest. Use the calculator below for a number tailored to your dog.

Similar breeds: Labrador Retriever, Boxer, Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Also see: the dog calorie calculator · is my dog overweight? · all breeds

This is an estimate, not a diagnosis. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet or exercise. How we work this out