Curly Coated Retriever

Time Well Spent July 26, 2021

The Curly Coated Retriever was a favourite of English gamekeepers in the 1800s, when it was often used to retrieve wounded and dead game on land and in water. Prized for its field abilities, courage and determination, this breed suffered a decline with the rise of labradors. However, today, it’s a popular working dog and is still highly favoured for its retrieving abilities.

Curly Coated Retriever Key Characteristics

The Curly Coated Retriever is the tallest of all the retriever breeds; it is strong, upstanding, and elegant, with a wedge-shaped head, small ears, deep chest, slightly tucked-up abdomen, and distinctive coat of tight curls in black or liver. 

These dogs are intelligent, active, and bold, with a streak of independence, and they require short, varied training sessions. Protective and loyal to its owners, this breed is more aloof with strangers than the Labrador or Golden Retriever, and requires early socialisation. However, the curly haired retriever is considered good with children, although it can be slow to mature and somewhat boisterous when young.

The curly retriever can also be used in the picking up or beating line at driven shoots and is an excellent wildfowler. Many compete in other canine activities, and the breed is used by Guide Dogs for the Blind, making it a versatile working dog.

Owning A Curly Coated Retriever: Pros And Cons

Pros Of Owning This Retriever

• A strong, robust gundog
• Highly intelligent
• Naturally playful nature
• Usually good with other animals
• Average lifespan typically falls between 9 and 14 years

Cons Of Owning This Retriever

• Needs a lot of daily exercise, so an active, athletic owner is preferred
• Can be quite rowdy and prone to jumping when young
• Can be cautious and timid with strangers, so needs socialising from an early age
• Can be prone to some health problems, including cancer (lymphoma is the most common form for this breed), bloat, gastric torsion, and seizures

Grooming Advice

The curly nature of this dog’s coat means it can require a lot of brushing to prevent tangling and matting. When it’s time to brush your retriever’s coat, use a metal comb or small brush, and bathe your dog immediately afterwards to help their curls maintain their shape.

It’s also important to trim the fur behind your dog’s ears and around their claws regularly to prevent tangling and matting. When it comes to looking after their claws, make sure these are trimmed regularly, as they can grow very fast in this breed.

Find out more about looking after the different types of working retrievers in our gundog breed hub.