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The Curly is the largest of the retriever breeds.
Height:
25 to 27 inches (male)*
23 to 25 inches (female)*
* Note: The original standard was 27 inches
for males, 25 inches for females.
A clearly superior Curly falling outside of this range should not be penalized because
of size.
Weight:
You see curlies of all sizes. Curlies can range from 50 lbs to over 100. The Curly is both
sturdy and elegant. The degree of substance is sufficient to ensure strength and endurance without sacrificing grace. Bone
and substance are neither spindly nor massive and should be in proportion with weight and height and balanced throughout.
To
work all day a Curly must be balanced and sound, strong and robust, and quick and agile.
Personality:
*
Loyal and eager to please.
* Proud and confident.
* Very intelligent and trainable.
* Clever and mischievous,
but sensitive.
* Needs early gentle, but firm obedience training.
* Can do well at competitive obedience, but
is not as predictable a performer as a Golden Retriever; likes to do things his way.
* Loving with children. Most
Curlies are good with children. You should, of course, supervise all interaction between any dog and young children, as it
is possible for either to accidentally hurt the other.
* Socialize well with people and other pets at an early age,
as this breed tends to be reserved and even timid with strangers if not properly socialized. Reserved with strangers. Of independent
nature and discerning intelligence, a Curly sometimes appears aloof or self-willed, and, as such, is often less demonstrative,
particularly toward strangers, than the other retriever breeds.
* A good watchdog who will also protect the family
if danger threatens.
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The
general appearance of the Curly-Coated Retriever should be that of a very active, sound, balanced and intelligent dog. He
should be a well put together animal, decidedly deep in the chest, and strong and muscular in the quarters, with round compact
feet. Overall, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a smart, attractive upstanding dog.
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History:
The Curly-Coated Retriever is considered to be one of
the oldest retriever breeds. Developed in England, the breed probably resulted from crosses with the close-curled English
Water dog, the old Water Spaniel and the St. John's Newfoundland dog. The Curly is a fine water retriever with a gentle mouth,
particularly ideal for duck and quail. He is an excellent hunting companion and gun dog, and his gentle temperament also makes
him an outstanding family companion. The Curly-Coated Retriever is quite popular in Australia and New Zealand, but is not
well-known in the United States, though the breed is recognized by the AKC.
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Description:
A large, hardy, athletic retriever with a distinctive crisp curly coat. The thick, black or liver-colored coat of
tight curls protects the dog from brambles and icy water. Even the small ears, back of the head, neck and tapering tail are
covered with little curls. Only the face, hocks and front of the legs are smooth. The ideal Curly should be agile and graceful,
strong yet elegant. The body is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The back is strong and level. The head is
wedge-shaped, longer than it is wide. The foreface and skull are approximately the same length, with their toplines forming
parallel planes when viewed from the side. The muzzle tapers to a well-developed dark nose (black for black dogs, brown for
liver dogs). The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. Ears, rather small, set on a line slightly above the corner of the
eye, and lying close to the head. The eyes are almond-shaped, rather large but not too prominent. Black or brown in black
dogs and brown or amber in liver dogs. Harsh yellow eyes and loose haws are undesirable The tail reaches approximately to
the hock and is carried straight.
Notes:
Beware of hip dysplasia and eye problems. Buy only from CERF
and OFA- certified stock. Ask the breeder if they do cardiac testing Ask about any epilepsy in the lines. Premature cancer
and bloat and coat patterning are also concerns. (Also see the Health page linked to the left)
Needs a lot of exercise
and mental stimulation to be truly happy.
Brushing frizzes the coat out until the next bath, but it does help loosen dead
hear and stimulate the skin. Wet the coat to renew the curls after grooming. A curly coat benefits from frequent swimming
and outdoor exposure (which nonetheless does not make them good kennel dogs). The coat is frequently oily, which can be a
problem for some allergy sufferers. Curly-Coated Retrievers make good therapy dogs.
Trainability:
Curlies
are intelligent and smart. They are easily trained, but do not generally tolerate repetitious training well. Their streak
of independence can make some types of training a little more difficult, as the dog will start making his own decisions. Because
they mature slowly, training frequently takes longer than in some of the more popular retrievers.
It is best for all
Curly owners to do some obedience training with their dogs especially when young. A combination of early socialization and
training will result in an adult with a wonderful sense of judgement about others that you can trust and a close lifelong
companion. They do not make good "kennel dogs," kept outside away from their families -- close interaction instead is best
for them.
Grooming:
A show dog requires additional grooming, in the form of scissoring off excess hair
from tail, front and rear legs, ears, etc. This can be quite an extensive project for Curlies who have not been show-groomed
before. Grooming this way is a choice of the dog's owner; the Curly-Coated Retriever standard does not require this grooming
for any Curly shown in a conformation ring although it might be difficult to win in the show ring if your Curly is not groomed
this way.
Keeping up the Curly coat for every day or hunting use is fairly simple: comb or brush the coat when the dog
is shedding, usually twice a year, in spring and fall, and bathe him at that time as well. You may also choose to bathe him
at other times as you see fit. A clean dog is a healthy, happy dog and the Curly-Coated Retriever benefits from frequent baths,
at least three times a year. And from combing or brushing when he is heavily shedding. Normally the breed is a light to moderate
shedder. An intact female will often blow her coat with her heat cycle. (See the Grooming and Coat Problems links)
Coat:
Their coat is naturally curly, and its oily, dense character sheds dirt, mud, and burrs easily. The body coat is a
thick mass of small, tight, crisp curls, lying close to the skin, resilient, water resistant, and of sufficient density to
provide protection against weather, water and punishing cover.Curls also extend up the entire neck to the occiput, down the
thigh and back leg to at least the hock, and over the entire tail. Elsewhere, the coat is short, smooth and straight, including
on the forehead, face, front of forelegs, and feet. A patch of uncurled hair behind the withers or bald patches anywhere on
the body, including bald strips down the back of the legs or a triangular bald patch on the throat, should be severely penalized.
A looser, more open curl is acceptable. (see the coat problems links)
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The curly
is a hunting dog and his temperament should reflect that, he should have a strong sense of courage, which allows him to enter
water and cover or encounter any sights and sounds without hesitation. His nostrils are very large which provides for an excellent
sense of smell, his build is neither heavy nor light, it has moderate angulations of well muscled shoulders and rear. They
are the largest of the retriever breeds. The curly should have good bone yet be agile. The ribs are well sprung, giving the
lung room needed for a day in the field pheasant hunting or hours of swimming retrieving ducks.
Curly is an erect,
alert, self-confident dog. In motion, all parts blend into a smooth, powerful, harmonious symmetry. A correctly built and
tempered Curly will work as long as there is work to be done, retrieving both fur and feather in the heaviest of cover and
the iciest of waters. To work all day a Curly must be balanced and sound, strong and robust, and quick and agile.
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CH SoftMaple International Fling CGC
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SoftMaple Fairway Explorer CGC
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