Curly-Coated Retriever
The oldest of the retrievers — a curl-armoured water dog with a mind of its own.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 58–69 cm |
| Weight | 29–41 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12 years |
| Energy | High — 60–90 min/day |
| Shedding | Low–moderate, seasonal |
| Coat | Tight waterproof curls · black or liver |
| Group | Sporting · FCI №110 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred as a gamekeeper's retriever to work long days at a distance, the Curly thinks before it obeys — a trait admirers call intelligence and trainers call negotiation. Aloof with strangers and devoted at home, it matures slowly, clowns with its family, and holds a lifelong conviction that every body of water needs testing.
Habits & quirks
Slow to grow up
Curlies stay puppyish well past two — budget patience accordingly.
The independent streak
It hears you; it's just weighing the offer.
Water finds it
Puddle, pond or sea — the curls demand testing.
Aloof, then all in
Reserved with new people, a comedian with its own.
Care
| Exercise | A solid hour-plus daily, ideally with swimming and retrieving — a bored Curly invents hobbies. |
| Grooming | Never brush the curls dry; wet, scrunch and air-dry, with the odd tidy-up trim. |
| Health | A deep-chested breed — learn the signs of bloat, split meals, and screen hips and eyes. |
| Training | Keep sessions short and inventive; this retriever bores of repetition faster than its cousins. |
Common questions
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers rare?
Yes — despite being the oldest retriever breed, it is far scarcer than the Labrador or Golden. Expect a waiting list and a careful vetting chat with one of its few dedicated breeders.
Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed?
Less than the other retrievers, mostly in seasonal bursts. The curls are scrunched with water rather than routinely brushed, which would frizz them.
Are Curlies good family dogs?
Yes, for active families: gentle with children they know and calmer indoors than a Labrador. They're more reserved with strangers and mature slowly, so patience helps.