Curly Coated Retriever Dog Breed

Curly Coated Retriever Dog Breed

Appearance
The Curly is an active, upstanding, well-muscled breed bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. 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.


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: 80-100 lbs
Bitches: 65-85 lbs

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 CCR has enough exercise, he 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. CCRs are great dogs for active sports such as hunt tests, flyball and dog agility trails as they love the outdoors, working with people, and activities of any kind.

The Curly can be somewhat aloof with strangers but they are very loyal and affectionate with their owners and family. CCRs 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 CCR'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), he will use his new skill any time he sees fit.

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

Care and maintenance

Coat
The small, tight, crisp, curls of the correctly coated Curly is very easy to maintain. They are a single coated breed with no undercoat. Brushing a Curly will cause "frizziness" which is easily corrected by the application of plain water to the naturally curled coat. 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 but soap will strip out some of the naturals oils which protects them in colder weather. Dead hair should be combed out of the coat as needed and toe-nails should be kept trim.

Show ring exhibitors normally trim feathering from the tail, ears, belly, legs, and feet. Trimming is not required when exhibiting a Curly at a conformation dog show, but most judges will likely discount the dog if he is not trimmed. Shearing of the body coat is undesirable.

All Curlies shed though not to the degree that dogs with undercoats do. Bitches usually shed more heavily during their heat cycles (usually twice a year). Dogs and bitches may also shed more in the spring, especially those living in areas with extreme seasonal temperature changes. Combing through the coat to remove dead hair is helpful, particularly during those times of heavier shedding.

Feeding
An active dog which is also prized for his endurance, the Curly usually needs a high-quality food. Some breeders feed a natural diet, consisting of meat and vegetables. Others feed good quality commercial dog foods. Some breeders feed both. A good Curly breeder or a veterinarian can recommend a suitable diet for a Curly, depending on age, size, and activity level.

Exercise
The Curly Coated Retriever likes exercise; he was bred for athleticism and endurance in the field. A Curly is an intelligent dog and is happiest when he has adequate exercise, mental stimulation and play. Swimming is ideal and so is running and walking with his owner. Retrieving work or play, such as retrieving a tennis ball, is another way to exercise the dog. He is not a dog for the lazy owner.

While active and exuberant outside, at play, or in the field, the adult curly is a calm house dog.

Health

Life expectancy
Average life expectancy is 9-12 years, although there are instances of Curlies living to 15 to 17 years of age.

Known medical issues
Hip dysplasia
Eye problems such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, distichiasis, entropion, ectropion, or retinal dysplasia
Cardiac problems
Seizuring (Epilepsy)

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Curly Coated Retriever Dog Breed