The Curly Coated Retriever is one of the oldest retriever breeds and is often described as having the most distinguished looks amongst all retrievers. They are bigger than other breeds and their coats have very tight small curls all over to protect them from the cold. Curly Coated Retrievers come in black or brown and have brown almond-shaped eyes.
Even though they look just like a curly-haired version of a Labrador, their heads are actually a bit pointier and they don’t have that wide Labrador smile.
Curly Coated Retrievers are also unique in many other ways. This working dog is used for a variety of jobs from hunting to pulling fishing nets out of the water, working as sled dogs or even for herding.
They are true multi-taskers as they are competent at whatever job you decide to put them on and will do it to his best of their abilities. They are also good at guarding and protecting and will eagerly take on the role of family watchdog.
Curly Coated Retrievers prefer one designated handler rather than the entire family to manage their raising and training. They tend to fixate on one person and become their shadow, and thrive praise and acknowledgment from their owner.
Weight: | 32-41 kg |
Health risk: | Low |
Life expectancy: | 9-14 years |
Coat: | Medium |
Grooming intensity: | Low |
Monthly cost (food): | high |
Trainability: | High |
Activity level: | High |
There are many sources to get your Curly Coated Retriever from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Curly Coated Retriever to adopt:
To help your rescued Curly Coated Retriever to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Curly Coated Retriever from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.