The Flat-Coated Retriever was once considered a generic "Labrador" type dog, called a "Retriever Proper." It was developed in the 1800s from various retriever and spaniel water type dogs such as the Newfoundland, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel and possibly the Collie.Some of these dogs were born with a flat, wavy coat and eventually they were categorized as a separate ...