Gundog American Cocker Spaniel Bracco Italiano Brittany Chesapeake Bay Retriever Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel (English) Curly Coated Retriever English Pointer English Setter English Springer Spaniel Field Spaniel Flat Coated Retriever German Short Haired Pointer German Wire Haired Pointer Golden Retriever Gordon Setter Hungarian Vizsla Irish Red and White Setter Irish Setter Irish Water Spaniel Italian Spinone Kooikerhondje Labrador Retriever Large Munsterlander Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Sussex Spaniel Weimaraner Welsh Springer Spaniel

Curly Coated Retriever

The Curly Coated Retriever is believed to have been developed around 200 years ago, evolving from crosses of water spaniels, retrievers and possibly pointers.  Poodles were probably introduced to tighten up the curl in the coat.  He was first shown in 1860 at Birmingham Dog Show and was at his most popular during the latter part of the 19thC; many curly Coated Retrievers were exported to Australia and New Zealand as working dogs.

Their great strength is the ability to mark and retrieve wounded duck from their hiding places in water or rushes.  However, the Curly Coat has an excellent nose and is a good all-round retriever.  He is a dog of some substance, measuring up to 67.5cm and weighing 80lbs; the coat is either liver or black and a mass of small, tight crisp curls all over the body, without undercoat.  Waterproof, a couple of shakes after a swim and he is more or less dry. It is a coat that requires special skills to keep looking good.

He has a tendency to appear aloof, and although independent is nonetheless friendly and reliable.  A working dog, he is seen at his best in the field; whilst he will relax inside, he has too much energy and working instinct simply to be  a companion dog. 

To read the Kennel Club Breed Standard of the Curly Coated Retriever click here.

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Selected Books

The time to make sure that this is the right breed for you is before you bring him home; if you and your Curly Coat are to be happy together there is plenty of research to be done.  Even if you do not intend to work him, having an appreciation of Gundog Training will help you understand why he behaves as he does. 

In addition to learning what kind of behaviour is specific to Gundogs, understanding your dog, and what his motivations are on a more general level can save a lot of confusion and misunderstandings for both you and him. Many mistakes can be avoided, and quick solutions reached if you have the basics of puppy training to guide you through all the early settling in difficulties.  It helps, too, to have some idea of basic healthcare so you can make informed judgements about whether a visit to the vet is necessary or if there is a simple remedy.  For example, many cases of upset tummies are best cured by 24 hour starvation.  The books we have chosen will be able to guide you as to whether your dog can be treated at home, or a visit to the surgery is necessary.

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Curly Coated Retriever Breed Clubs

We are not aware of any Breed Clubs

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Curly Coated Retriever Rescue

Contact the breeder of your dog. If they can't take him back they will, at the very least, be able to give you some good advice.

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Curly Coated Retriever Breeders

• Curlabull 
• Springcurl 
• Aspenwood 
• Largymore

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If you are looking for a puppy contact the Breed Clubs and the Breeders listed and visit the puppyfinder website where there is a great deal of information on hereditary conditions.  If you are a Breeder and wish to advertise your puppies puppyfinder is an excellent showcase.