Curly-Coated Retriever

Thought to be the oldest of the surviving English retrievers, the Curly Coated Retriever is descended from the now extinct English Water Spaniel. Exact details are unclear, but it is thought that the breed was crossed with the then newly imported Labrador Retriever at the start of the 19th Century, and somewhere along the way, Poodle was added to improve the curl of the coat.  
Whilst their popularity as working dogs declined, pushed out by the extremely popular Labrador and the somewhat more glamorous Flat Coated Retriever, some showing enthusiasts were drawn to the breeds’ uniquely curled coat. This meant that although numbers have remained small, the breed has survived in a number of countries and is still a popular companion, show and occasionally working dog today. 

The Curly Coat is a fun companion for anyone wanting to take part in gundog type activities, or for those who are impervious to mud and rain and love yomping about the countryside for hours on end and a spot of dog training. Suitable for active, outdoorsy families with older children, as long as they’re not left home alone too often. 

Active and intelligent, the Curly Coat will need around two hours of exercise or more, per day. This should involve off lead work, retrieving, swimming, exploring new environments, training and play with their family. They adore retrieving, and consider carrying objects a rewarding job in its own right so factor this in to both exercise and play. This is a dog who will want to engage with you throughout the walk, so you’ll need to be actively interesting and motivating, no plodding about looking at your phone! 

This is a big dog that likes to spend a lot of time outdoors and a lot of time in the water – so provide a home that can cope with a large, potentially wet or muddy animal much of the time. A well fenced and decent sized garden will provide a good base for training and games, but access to fun, interesting walks with safe locations for off lead running is important. Better suited to country or rural suburbs, the Curly Coat is likely to find the busy city or town a little overwhelming and stressful. 

Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. The Curly Coat, in common with many large breeds, is prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk.

When the thick, curly coat is shedding, combing will remove dead hair; otherwise, brushing and combing is avoided, as it makes the coat frizzy. Instead, dampen it and massage with your fingers. A monthly light trim is also recommended; ask the breeder or breed club for full details of what is required. 

The Curly Coated Retriever will enjoy training for fun as well as basic manners – using kind, positive-reinforcement based methods to engage and teach will create a faithful and willing companion. Curly Coats are easily capable of a variety of dog activities and sports, from traditional gundog work to agility, Rally and much more, they will enjoy being with their owner, and working together. 
 

The Curly Coated Retriever may be an excellent family dog for homes without children, or with older children who can enjoy long walks and training. Due to the time commitment required to train this clever yet slow maturing breed, busy homes or those with very young children may not find this the ideal pet. 

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.