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The Curly-coated Retriever is not unlike other Retrievers, except for his pretty curly coat that specifically characterizes him. Despite his beautiful qualities and great physical beauty, the Curly-coated Retriever remains rather unknown outside the English borders. Even in his own country, numbers are very scarce, and you have to make sure to reserve your puppy well in advance.
Index
Balanced, intelligent, courageous, self-confident, friendly and trustworthy, the Curly-coated Retriever tends to be a good player with children and family members, while having a rather independent temperament.
His education must begin very early, because his natural independence makes learning generally more difficult and longer.
While hunting, he's an extraordinary companion, in water as well on land. Mostly used for duck hunting, he is endowed with exceptional flair, making this sport his great specialty.
The Curly-coated Retriever is also good at hunting many other game animals, which makes him a rather versatile dog. During hunting episodes, he is self-confident, calm and very balanced.
Reliable and faithful, he loves to work on all terrains, even if he prefers water; for which his waterproof coat is perfectly adapted.
With his family, he is calm and composed. Even if he is a little less sociable than other dogs in his category, namely the Golden, Labrador and Flat-Coated Retriever, he is a very playful dog, and even loves to entertain occasionally.
He's sociable in his own way, yet a little more independent than other Retrievers. However, he is compatible with all family situations, and loves humans.
With a very sturdy physique, he has a strong constitution, but nevertheless endowed with great elegance.
With a powerful and very solid constitution, his silhouette is well proportioned. The Curly-coated Retriever has a unique and peculiar gait.
Between 64 and 69 cm (25.20 to 27.17 inches) for the male
Between 58 and 64 cm (22.83 to 25.20 inches) for the female
Between 28 and 34 kg (61.73 to 74.96 pounds) for the male
Between 24 and 30 kg (52.91 to 66.14 pounds) for the female
The color of his coat can vary between black and brown.
His coat's hair is a pretty bunch of small frizzy curls covering his body, giving him a completely waterproof coat.
His head has a long, but very well proportioned skull with a slight stop. His large oval eyes are in harmony with the coat. They are thus of a pretty brown or black color.
His little ears are covered with small fuzzy curls, like the ones on the dress. His nose is also in harmony with the coat, it is either black or brown.
His tail is never carried high; it is also covered with fuzzy curls and carried straight. It reaches approximately the hock.
According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 8, section 1 and is #110
Efficient in the hunt, he brings loyalty, presence and a contagious joie de vivre as a life companion.
He likes to live with humans, and enjoys the company of his fellow human beings as well.
His socialization isn't really a problem. However, his education must be undertaken at a very early age and be firm and adequate.
He is intelligent and loves to learn, but he needs to be convinced of the value of his learning. Although he loves to learn, he is not a very docile dog.
His education must therefore commensurate with his need to learn. You must be prepared to spend time training him.
He can live anywhere without any issue. The Curly-coated Retriever loves exercise and long walks, and can live very well as long as he benefits from the presence of his beloved family.
In spite of his more independent temperament, he loves human contact. The most important thing for him is that he can exercise and swim frequently. Water is his favourite playground, and he loves this activity more than anything else.
He is not affected by any particular pathology or congenital disease. Strong and sturdy, the Curly-coated Retriever is a dog that enjoys excellent health and is rarely sick.
However, it is preferable to divide his daily ration into several meals, in order to avoid him suffering from twisted stomach.
Overfeeding should also be avoided during the growth period to maintain healthy joints. The life expectancy of the specimens is significant.
GROOMING
His curly coat requires energetic brushing at least twice a week to keep it healthy, clean and beautiful.
His rather drooping ears also require special attention. They must be checked and cleaned regularly. However, no special other maintenance is necessary.
Originally from Great Britain, the Curly-coated Retriever is the oldest of all Retrievers. Descended from the Newfoundland, his curly coat probably comes from a cross with the Irish Water Spaniel. Some even claim that the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle are also among his ancestors.
Hunting was definitely his first function, his wide selection carried out by a large number of hunters. First seen on exhibition in 1860, he was officially recognized by the Kennel Club in 1864. Later, around 1896, the first official club of the breed was then created.
He is a retriever that can search for game shot on any terrain. Despite his great hunting qualities, like all other Retrievers, he has all the aptitudes necessary to become an excellent life companion, regardless of the family situation.
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