Curly Coated Retriever

The Curly Coated Retriever (often referred to as a Curly) is an intelligent, friendly breed of dog originally bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body. Curly Coated Retrievers were developed as upland game hunters and waterfowl retrievers in England and were recognized as a breed as early as 1860. Curly Coated and Wavy Coated (now known as the Flat-Coated Retriever) were the first two recognized retriever breeds.

Curly Coated Retriever Appearance

The Curly Coated Retriever is an active, upstanding, well-muscled breed bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. The Curly Coated Retriever is quite different in type and structure and somewhat different in temperament than the more common retrievers. A correct Curly Coated Retriever will appear slightly leggy but is actually slightly longer than tall. The breed sports a coat of tight, crisp curls. It is balanced and agile with a significant air of endurance, strength, and grace.

The only acceptable colours for the Curly Coated Retriever are solid black and solid liver (brown). Occasional white hairs are permissible, but white patches are a serious fault.

Eyes should be either black or brown in black dogs, and brown or amber in liver dogs. Yellow eyes are undesirable. The nose should be fully pigmented, black in black dogs and liver in liver dogs.

Curly Coated Retriever Temperament

The Curly Coated Retriever is a lively, fun-loving breed. They are slow to mature, which makes them a great addition to any active family. As long as the Curly Coated Retriever has enough exercise, it can be calm and laid back in the home environment, which makes them both a great activity dog as well as a placid member of the family. Curly Coated Retrievers are great dogs for active sports such as hunt tests, flyball and dog agility trials as they love the outdoors, working with people, and activities of any kind.

The Curly Coated Retriever can be somewhat aloof with strangers but they are very loyal and affectionate with their owners and family. Curly Coated Retrievers are extremely intelligent, learn quickly, and love to please their owners; even so, training one can sometimes be difficult as they can easily get bored with repetitive training. Short, fun sessions are the best way to a Curly Coated Retriever's mind. The breed is quick to figure things out, and once it has learned how to do something (such as open a gate or door), it will use its new skill any time it sees fit.

This breed can sometimes be self-willed. These individuals need careful motivational training, as preventing bad behaviour is much easier than reversing it.