Curly Coated Retriever

The Curly Coated Retriever (curly) is an intelligent, friendly breed of dog originally bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. He is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering his body. more...

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) Retrievers were the first two recognized retriever breeds.

Appearance

The curly is an active, upstanding, well-muscled breed bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. Although he is related to the other more popular retrieving breeds, the curly is quite different in type and structure and somewhat different in temperament than the more common retrievers. A correct curly will appear slightly leggy but is actually slightly longer than tall. The breed sports a coat of tight, crisp curls. He is balanced and agile with a significant air of endurance, strength, and grace.

Coat

The coat of the curly is a hallmark of the breed. A correct coat is a large mass of small curls that lie close to the skin. Breeders aim for tight, crisp, individually pronounced curls rather than loose, open curls. The coat is sufficiently dense to provide protection in ill weather and icy water, and against brambles and briars.

The only places on a curly's body that are not covered in tight curls are the forehead, face, front of forelegs, and feet, where the hair should be short, smooth, and straight. A looser curl is acceptable on the ears. The breed should have no undercoat.

Patches of uncurled hair behind the withers or bald patches of skin are undesirable. The coat should not be sparse, silky, fuzzy, very harsh, dry, or brittle.

Bald patches which may temporarily occur in growing puppies who are changing to adult coat and in bitches who have recently whelped are not necessarily indicative of a permanent problem.

Colour

The only acceptable colours for the Curly Coated Retriever are solid black and solid liver (brown). Occasional white hairs are permissable, 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.

Height and Weight

• Dogs: 25-27 in at the withers

• Bitches: 23-25 in

Weight should be in correct proportion to the size of the dog.

• Dogs: 70-90 lbs

• Bitches: 50-70 lbs

Care and Maintenance

Coat

To maintain the crisp, tight curls on a Curly Coated Retreiver, groomers avoid brushing the dog as this could promote unwanted "fuzziness" or fluffiness. However, the coat must be combed through to remove any dead hair. This should be done before bathing the dog. After bathing the dog, the curl will be looser and fluffier but will tighten up, especially if sprayed with plain water. A curly kept as a companion and/or hunting animal need not be elaborately groomed but needs to be kept clean and free of mats for the health of the dog. Bathing should be as needed. Dead hair should be combed out of the coat as needed and toe-nails should be kept trim.

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