| Curly Coated Retrievers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Curly-Coated Retriever personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Curlycoated Retriever, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says, "A correctly-built and correctly-tempered Curly Coat will work as long as there is work to be done."
This strong and robust dog is also elegant and graceful, quick and agile. His daily exercise requirement is such that he belongs with an athletic owner who will take him jogging, biking, hiking, and swimming.
Though reserved and sometimes distrustful with strangers, he should remain poised and hold his ground. A Curly Coated Retriever puppy needs more socialization than other retrievers to develop a confident temperament.
Many have sensible protective instincts and may not welcome strangers into their homes as will a Golden or Labrador Retriever.
He relates well to other animals and is playful and accepting.
Described as "wickedly smart," he may use his intelligence in clever, independent ways that suit his own purposes. Thus he needs early obedience training to establish that you are in charge.
All retrievers are slow to mature, and the Curly-Coat remains playfully puppyish for many years. This sounds delightful, but does require patience and control to live with."
History
The oldest of the retrievers, the Curly was developed in England. In the U.S., he is seldom seen outside of the show ring, but in New Zealand, he is a popular duck and quail retriever.
Size
23-27 inches and 60-95 lbs |
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Curly Coated Retrievers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is the most unusual-looking of the six retriever breeds
- Loves the great outdoors and thrives on vigorous athletic activities
- Is steady and dependable
- Is more cautious with strangers than Golden or Labrador Retrievers, but still usually polite
- Is good with other animals
- Is uncommon
A Curly Coated Retriever may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Shyness or timidity with strangers when not socialized enough
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Mouthiness -- carrying and chewing of objects, mouthing your hands
- Shedding
- Waiting lists (hard to find)
- Health problems
A Curly Coated Retriever may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Curly Coated Retriever... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Curly Coated Retrievers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Curlies can make a shambles of your house and yard.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in hunting, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their "hardwired" drive to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult. |
- Bounciness. Young Curly Coated Retrievers (up to about three years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Curly Coated Retriever puppies. The temptation to play roughly is too strong in many young Curlies. |
- Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Curlycoated Retrievers need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become suspiciousness or shyness, which are difficult to live with.
- Stubbornness. Curlycoated Retrievers are not Golden Retrievers. They are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they can be stubborn and manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Shedding and trimming. Curly Coated Retrievers shed more than you might think, and need occasional trimming to keep their curly locks from becoming too long, loose, and shaggy.
- Finding one. In the United States, fewer than 150 new Curly coated Retriever puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies.)
- Serious health problems. All retriever breeds are susceptible to joint and bone problems, and eye diseases.
| Not all Curly-Coated Retrievers are alike! |
- There are energetic Curlies, and placid Curlies.
- Hard-headed Curlies, and sweet-natured Curlies.
- Serious Curlies, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Curlies, and Curlies who love everyone.
| If you acquire an Curly Coated Retriever puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Curly Coated Retriever... |
There are plenty of adult Curly Coated Retrievers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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