Curly-coated retriever

Breed Description

The Curly-Coated Retriever (Curly) is an old retriever breed. Even before 1900, it was quite common, but today it has become very rare, not only in Russia. In his dog breed encyclopedia, Swiss expert Hans Reder noted several years ago that this dog originated from the crossbreeding of retrievers with Irish Water Spaniels. The latter contributed to its taller stature and curly coat. This assumption is supported by the modern genetic map of dog breeds created by leading American geneticists, including Heidi Parker. They believe that these two breeds are still closely related. In 1954, the Curly-Coated Retriever was officially recognized by the International Canine Federation. In Russia, it is managed by the “Russian Retriever Club” within the framework of the international club. Today, this breed is so rare in Russia that usually only a few litters are born each year, if any at all, while its cousins, such as the Labrador Retriever, are born much more frequently. Nevertheless, this elegant retriever, both in its character and practicality, remains unassuming and interesting-as a hunting dog, companion dog, and family pet. This breed deserves more attenti
Curly-Coated Retrievers originated in England in the late eighteenth century, where they were used for hunting ducks and pheasants. However, there is a lack of clear documentary evidence of its history, but it is generally believed to be one of the oldest breeds of retrievers. They stand between 58 and 69 centimeters at the shoulder and weigh between 29 and 45 kilograms.

Curly dogs are intelligent and hardworking. As sporting dogs, they have a wonderful energy level, similar to other sporting and working breeds! They are smart and eager to engage in work and family activities.

Like most retrievers, they love to play in water. Their favorite pastimes include chasing balls or bumpers in the yard and playing with family. These dogs have a gentle character that children will particularly enjoy!

The price for a puppy ranges from 45,000 to 100,000 rubles.

Appearance

The Curly-Coated Retriever is a medium to large-sized, particularly graceful retriever. Its unique feature is its curly or wavy coat, which gave it its name. It is tall and slender for a retriever. Interestingly, the front part of its head should not have curly hair, but rather smooth hair. The Curly-Coated Retriever lacks an undercoat and should not have bald patches. Acceptable colors are black and brown (liver). The standard describes its overall appearance as: “A strong, well-built dog with a certain elegance and an indescribable coat.”

A strong, enduring dog with a certain degree of elegance. Their characteristic coat consists of a dense mass of small, tight, well-defined curls that lie close to the skin and stretch from the back of the head to the tip of the tail; without an undercoat and bare spots.

The ears should be small, slightly above the eye line and lie flat against the head. They should also be covered with small curls.

The height at the withers for male Curly-Coated Retrievers is about 69 centimeters, while for females it is 63 centimeters. Weight is not specified.

The average lifespan of a retriever is estimated to be between 10 to 12 years, according to the American Kennel Club.

Отличительные черты

Голова

The head of the Curly-Coated Retriever is long and proportional, with well-defined lines. The skull is flat, moderately broad, with a slight transition from the forehead to the muzzle. The expression of the head is friendly yet confident, highlighting the breed's intelligence and focus.

Морда

The muzzle is long, straight, and narrowing towards the nose. The nose is large, black or brown depending on the dog's coat color, with well-developed nostrils that provide excellent scenting ability. The lips are thick, close-fitting, with no drooping, emphasizing the neatness of the structure.

Уши

Medium-sized ears, set low, hanging alongside the head. They are covered with soft, curly hair, giving the dog a distinctive appearance. The ears are mobile and sensitive, emphasizing the breed's alertness and attentiveness.

Глаза

The eyes are medium-sized, oval-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. Their color varies from hazel to dark brown, depending on the coat. The gaze is friendly, attentive, and focused, reflecting the breed's balance and confidence.

Зубы

The teeth are large, with a proper scissor bite. The jaws are strong and well-developed, ensuring a reliable grasp. Regular dental care helps maintain their health and prevent oral diseases.

Корпус

The body is strong, athletic, with well-developed muscles. The chest is deep, with rounded ribs that provide endurance. The back is straight and strong, the lower back is short but powerful, highlighting the dog's strength and stability. The abdomen is taut, creating an elegant silhouette.

Конечности

The limbs are long, straight, and strong, with well-developed musculature. The front legs are robust and parallel, while the hind legs have moderately defined joint angles, providing smoothness and energy to the movements. The paws are compact, oval-shaped, with dense pads, making them stable on any surface.

Хвост

The tail is of medium length, covered with characteristic curls that lie close to it. In a relaxed state, the tail may hang down, but when the dog is moving, it is carried slightly above the line of the back. The tail is mobile, emphasizing the liveliness and overall harmony of the breed.

Шерсть

The fur of the Curly-Coated Retriever is its main distinguishing feature. It consists of dense, twisted curls that lie close to the body, providing protection from water and bad weather. The fur covers the entire body evenly, except for the muzzle and the front part of the limbs. This natural coat makes the dog resistant to cold and moisture.

Окрас

The coat of a curly-coated retriever is most often black or liver. The fur should be solid-colored, without markings, which highlights the nobility and elegance of the breed. These rich colors, combined with the texture of the coat, give the dog a striking and recognizable appearance.

Character

The Curly-Coated Retriever remains, by nature, a hunting dog ready for action. Its passion lies in retrieving shot game, preferably from water. In hunting, its specialization includes retrieving after a shot and scenting. However, it also performs well on land. In Australia, it is even used for hunting kangaroos. Previously, this excellent swimmer assisted fishermen in pulling in nets. The retriever can and wants to work. The happiness of this dog depends on how it is utilized in light of its natural qualities. The standard describes its character as: “Intelligent, balanced, reliable, bold, friendly, confident, and independent; may give an impression of reserve.”

Appropriate activities allow these characteristics to manifest, making it a wonderful companion, family dog, and friend to children. It is very friendly towards kids and family. Playing with children is one of its passions. It behaves well on a leash around other dogs, provided it is well trained. Its friendliness defines its character. The Curly-Coated is considered a “lone wolf” among retrievers and is fairly reserved towards strangers. Overall, it is suitable even for novice owners who are committed to its training. It retains both the hunting instinct and the old instinct of a guardian and protector. However, it also remains cheerful and playful even in old age.

In addition to having a pleasant character, they can be great companions for jogging and playmates for children. They are ready for all types of outdoor activities and physical pursuits! This active family pet loves to lounge beside you. They also require proper socialization at an early age.

Curly-Coated Retrievers are kind, loving dogs that get along well with other pets if introduced properly at a young age. They are known to get along with cats, rabbits, and even small birds. Take them out for walks to meet other animals so they can get used to new friends.

Smart, balanced, reliable, with a bold, friendly character, self-confident and independent. They may seem aloof.

Care and Maintenance

The Curly-Coated Retriever requires special attention to its unique coat, which consists of dense, curly curls. Coat care involves regular brushing to prevent tangling and maintain its structure. However, brushing should be done gently and not too often, as this can damage the natural curls. Use brushes or combs specifically designed for curly hair. It’s recommended to bathe the dog once a month or as needed, using shampoos that preserve the natural texture of the coat. After bathing, it’s better not to towel-dry the fur but let it dry naturally to maintain the shape of the curls.

The skin of the Curly-Coated Retriever also needs care, as it can be prone to dryness. Use moisturizers recommended by a veterinarian if you notice flaking or irritation. Regularly check the ears for dirt and infections, especially after swimming, as this breed loves water, but their ear shape can predispose them to inflammations.

These dogs are active and require plenty of physical exercise. The Curly-Coated Retriever enjoys long walks, outdoor play, swimming, and any activities that demand endurance and strength. They do poorly in monotony and boredom, so it’s important to offer them a variety of activities. Without sufficient physical and mental stimulation, a dog can become anxious or exhibit destructive behavior.

The Curly-Coated Retriever loves stability and close contact with family. They are very attached to their owners and do not tolerate prolonged solitude well. It’s important to give them enough attention, as this breed values interaction and participation in family life. They do not respond well to rough handling or coercion and react better to a friendly and respectful approach.

Nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and quality of the coat of this breed. The diet should be balanced, with enough protein and fat to sustain energy and shine in the coat. Keep in mind their tendency to gain weight, especially if the dog is not very active, and monitor portion sizes.

Regular teeth cleaning, nail trimming, and checking the condition of their paws after walks complement basic care. The Curly-Coated Retriever appreciates care and attention, and proper maintenance helps them feel healthy, active, and happy.

Training and Education

The Curly-Coated Retriever has high intelligence and a desire to please, making it highly trainable. However, this breed is known for its independent nature, so its training requires patience, consistency, and a respectful approach. These dogs quickly learn commands, especially in a positive atmosphere using treats, praise, and incentives. The Curly-Coated Retriever does not tolerate harsh methods, rudeness, or coercion, which can undermine its trust and decrease motivation to learn.

Training is best started at an early age, focusing on socialization, basic commands, and behavioral rules. It’s important to expose the dog to a variety of situations, people, and animals to help it grow confident and balanced. Curly-Coated Retrievers enjoy activities that stimulate their minds, so training should be engaging and include tasks that require logical thinking. Their natural enthusiasm makes them excellent partners for sports such as agility or freestyle, as well as for hunting or search tasks.

This breed tends to choose a owner who exhibits leadership qualities while remaining calm and friendly. A Curly-Coated Retriever bonds with a person who spends time with it, provides physical and mental stimulation, and establishes clear but gentle boundaries. They are particularly sensitive to tone of voice and respond well to respectful treatment. With the right approach, the dog will listen to someone it sees as a confident and stable leader.

The Curly-Coated Retriever is perfect for active owners or families willing to dedicate plenty of time to interacting with their dog. It needs a person who can provide not only physical activity but also an emotional connection. These dogs strive to be part of a team and particularly value shared activities that strengthen their bond with the owner. With proper upbringing, they become incredibly loyal, responsive, and reliable partners, ready to follow their owner in any circumstances. At Zoofest, the best breeders are showcasing puppies with pedigrees.

How to Choose a Puppy

When selecting a Curly-Coated Retriever puppy, it is important to approach the process carefully to ensure that the dog grows up healthy and meets breed standards. The first step is to find a responsible breeder who specializes in Curly-Coated Retrievers. The breeder should have good references, verified pedigree documents, and transparent information about the health status of the puppy’s parents.

When examining the puppies, pay attention to their appearance and behavior. A healthy puppy is active, curious, and sociable. Its coat should be thick, with characteristic curls, free of bald spots and damage. The eyes should be clear, without discharge, and the ears clean. The puppy should move freely and confidently, without any signs of lethargy, aggression, or excessive shyness.

Documentation plays a key role in the selection process. The puppy should have a veterinary passport with records of vaccinations and parasite treatments. It is also important to have a puppy registration document confirming its pedigree and compliance with breed standards. This registration can be exchanged for a pedigree certificate, which will serve as official proof of the dog’s purebred status. It is essential to check the pedigrees of the puppy’s parents to ensure there is no close inbreeding.

Make sure that the puppy’s parents have been tested for hereditary diseases typical of the breed, such as hip dysplasia or eye diseases. A responsible breeder will provide the results of genetic tests and will discuss the health condition and working ability of the parents. The breeder should also provide recommendations on how to care for, feed, and train the puppy.

In addition to the documentation, it is important to evaluate the living conditions of the puppies. They should be kept clean, receive proper nutrition, and have contact with people, which aids in their early socialization. Observe how the puppy interacts with you. A good puppy will show interest, engage, and display friendliness.

Choose a puppy that fits your lifestyle and exhibits breed-typical traits: balance, activity, and interest in learning. With the right choice and initial socialization, the puppy will grow into a well-rounded representative of the breed and become your loyal companion. Zooinka is the best way to find a pedigree puppy from trusted breeders.

Health and Illnesses

The Curly-Coated Retriever is generally considered a healthy and resilient breed; however, like all breeds, it has a predisposition to certain hereditary and age-related diseases. One of the most common issues is hip and elbow dysplasia, which may manifest as pain and stiffness in movement. Regular veterinary check-ups, maintaining an optimal weight, and moderate exercise can help reduce the risk of developing this condition.

Dogs of this breed may also be prone to progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, which can lead to a decline in vision with age. Regular eye examinations by a veterinarian can help detect potential issues in their early stages. Curly-Coated Retrievers can develop thyroid diseases, such as hypothyroidism, which may cause reduced activity, weight gain, and changes in coat condition. Treatment is carried out under veterinary supervision using medication and a special diet.

Due to their dense, curly coat, the skin of Curly-Coated Retrievers requires special attention. They can be prone to skin infections, dermatitis, and allergies. Regular grooming and the use of suitable bathing products can help maintain skin health. It is also important to monitor ear health, as these dogs can develop otitis, especially if they swim frequently.

Curly-Coated Retrievers sometimes suffer from bloating (gastric dilatation), particularly if they are active right after eating. To prevent this issue, it is recommended to feed the dog small portions several times a day and allow rest after meals.

The average lifespan of a Curly-Coated Retriever is 10 to 12 years. Timely preventive check-ups, a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and care for their coat and skin can significantly reduce the risk of diseases and ensure a long and active life for this breed. Considering it? There’s a huge selection of listings on the Zooneka map by city.