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The Curly Coated Retriever (often referred to as a Curly) is an intelligent, friendly breed of dog originally bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. He is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering his body. Curly Coated Retrievers were developed as upland game hunters and waterfowl retrievers in England and were recognized as a breed as early as 1860. Curly Coated and Wavy Coated (now known as the Flat-Coated Retriever) were the first two recognized retriever breeds.
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.
Coat: The coat of the Curly is a hallmark of the
breed. A correct coat is a thick mass of small curls that lie
close to the skin. Breeders aim for tight, crisp, individually
pronounced curls rather than loose, open curls. The coat is
sufficiently dense to provide protection in ill weather and
icy water, and against brambles and briars.
The only places on a Curly's body that are not covered in
tight curls are the forehead, face, front of forelegs, and
feet, where the hair should be short, smooth, and straight. A
looser curl is acceptable on the ears. The breed should have
no undercoat.
Patches of uncurled hair behind the withers or bald patches
of skin are undesirable. The coat should not be sparse, silky,
fuzzy, very harsh, dry, or brittle.
Bald patches which may temporarily occur in growing puppies
who are changing to adult coat and in bitches who have
recently whelped are not necessarily indicative of a permanent
problem.
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 lb
Bitches: 60-80 lb
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.
Curly Coated Retrievers were bred to work more
independently than other retrievers. This has given them a
reputation for being reserved with strangers and they are
often accused of being aloof because of it. However, CCRs are
loyal to those they know and are fond of children.
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 stubborn and self-willed. These
individuals need careful motivational training, as preventing
bad behavior is much easier than reversing it.
Care and maintenance: To maintain the crisp, tight
curls on a Curly Coated Retreiver, groomers avoid brushing the
dog, as this could promote unwanted "fuzziness" or
fluffiness. Instead, they comb the coat to remove any dead
hair before bathing the dog. After bathing, the curl is looser
and fluffier but will tighten up, especially if sprayed with
plain water.
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.
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. 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.
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
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