Do Flat Coated Retrievers shed all year?

I just adopted a Flat Coated Retriever from the local SPCA. They told me this dog was a lab mix, but my vet says he is a pure bred FCR (which I had never heard of). Anyway, I have had him 6 months now and he sheds something awful. Does this happen all year round and is there anything to help control it??

By the way, this is the sweetest dog I have ever owned. He likes to jump up and put his arms around your neck and actually "hug" you. I highly recommend Flat Coats as family pets. All my family and friends adore him.

Yes they do shed all year round. They are shedding machines.
I have run into very few dogs who shed more than a lab or flat coated retriver.

I would put him on a super premium food and a skin/coat supplement and see if that helps. I have a Bernese Mountain Dog (which I feed Natural Balance and Nutrived Omega Fatty Acids tabs) and he shed a little all year long, and then really sheds twice a year, but it does help.

My family adopted a FCR (Katrina rescue) in March 2006 and yes, they do shed much like a golden retriever. Like you, we were told that we were getting a black lab mix, but I only learned the difference by stumbling across a televised dog show. Our Rosebud is the best dog I have ever owned, and all of her FCR qualities far, far outweigh any amount of dog hair around the house!