Curly-Coated RetrieverCharacteristics, history, training and care

Curly-Coated Retriever. · Mattias Agar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped and resized.

The Curly-Coated Retriever is an English gundog, the tallest of the retrievers. It is instantly recognisable by its coat of small, tight curls, which protects it from water and brambles. It is intelligent, confident and affectionate with its family, but more independent and reserved than other retrievers.

Quick facts

Common name	Curly-Coated Retriever (Curly)
Scientific name	Canis lupus familiaris
Country of origin	United Kingdom (England)
Official recognition	FCI, definitively since 10 December 1954 (group 8, retrievers, with working trial; standard no. 110); also recognised by the AKC
Lifespan	10–12 years, according to the AKC; a 2024 British study found 12.2 years
Size (males)	ideally 69 cm at the withers (FCI); AKC: 64–69 cm
Size (females)	ideally 64 cm at the withers (FCI); AKC: 58–64 cm
Weight	about 27–43 kg (AKC)
Coat type	Small, tight, crisp curls, no undercoat; short hair on the head and legs
Common colours	Solid black or liver (brown)
Energy level	High
Suited to an apartment?	It can adapt, if it gets plenty of exercise
Temperament	Intelligent, steady, confident, independent
Tendency to aggression	Low; reserved with strangers
Good with children	Very good
Good with other animals	Good
Genetic predispositions	Hip dysplasia, heart and eye diseases, bloat, some forms of cancer

Primary category:Dog breeds
Explore this animal's categories:
British dog breeds Dog breeds Dog breeds good with children Hunting dog breeds Large dog breeds Low-drool dog breeds Low-maintenance dog breeds Retrievers, spaniels and water dogs

History and origin

The breed developed in England in the 19th century. The AKC says there are no written records of its beginnings, but it is thought to descend from two extinct breeds: the English Water Spaniel and the “Retrieving Setter”. The Irish Water Spaniel and the St John's dog, a small type of Newfoundland, probably also contributed.

It was bred as a gundog for gamekeepers, working on upland game and waterfowl. The Curly and the “Wavy Coated” (today's Flat-Coated Retriever) were the first two retriever breeds to be recognised, as early as around 1860, when the Curly was an attraction at the first dog shows in England.

How the breed developed

19th century – The breed develops in England.
Around 1860 – It appears at the first English dog shows and is among the first recognised retrievers.
10 December 1954 – The FCI recognises the breed.
8 September 2026 – the current FCI standard is published.

Breed rating

Feature	Stars
Training and intelligence	★★★★☆
Easy to train	★★★★☆
Intelligence	★★★★★
Independence	★★★★☆
Stubbornness	★★★☆☆
Behaviour and temperament	★★★★☆
Affectionate with family	★★★★★
Friendly with children	★★★★★
Good with other dogs	★★★☆☆
Good with cats and other animals	★★★☆☆
Loyalty	★★★★☆
Tendency to be aggressive	★★☆☆☆
Tendency to bark	★★★☆☆
Needs and care	★★★★☆
Shedding	★★☆☆☆
Needs frequent grooming	★☆☆☆☆
Activity and lifestyle	★★★★☆
Energy level	★★★★☆
Daily exercise needs	★★★★☆
Suited to apartment life	★★★☆☆
Health and longevity	★★★★☆
Life expectancy	★★★☆☆
Predisposition to genetic diseases	★★★☆☆
Working abilities and uses	★★★★☆
Good hunting dog	★★★★★
Good companion dog	★★★★☆

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. It is based on the ratings the American Kennel Club gives the breed and on the FCI standard.

Physical characteristics

The standard describes it as a strong, upstanding dog with a certain elegance and an unmistakable coat. The body is slightly longer than it is tall. Wikipedia says it looks long-legged, but is balanced, agile and hardy.

General appearance

The head is a long wedge, different from that of other retrievers. The large, oval eyes are dark brown in black dogs and brown in liver dogs. The small ears lie close to the head and are covered in small curls. The tail reaches the hock and is carried straight, level with the back.

Feature	Curly-Coated Retriever
Size	Large
Height at the withers	males: ideally 69 cm; females: ideally 64 cm
Weight	about 27–43 kg
Coat	Small, tight curls, no undercoat
Eyes	Large, oval, brown
Ears	Small, covered in curls

Only solid black and liver (brown) are accepted. Any other colour or combination is not accepted.

Training and socialisation

The standard describes it as intelligent, steady, reliable, brave, friendly, confident and independent. It can seem aloof.

The AKC says it needs a firm but gentle owner: too harsh, and the dog withdraws; too soft or unclear, and it stops listening. Avoid too much repetition, as it gets bored.

Tips for effective training

Make training fun. It quickly gets bored with repetition.
Be firm but gentle. It is sensitive to harshness.
Socialise it as a puppy. It can be reserved with strangers.
Give it a chance to swim. Its coat is made for water.

Activity needs and lifestyle

The AKC says it needs plenty of exercise, but settles down nicely at home. It enjoys running, swimming and playing with the family.

Activity	How often	Why it matters
Long walks or running	daily	Burns off energy
Swimming and retrieving from water	weekly	The work it was bred for
Training or dog sports	several times a week	Mental activity

Tips for a balanced life

It suits an active, nature-loving family.
It does not need a big house, as long as it gets enough exercise.
Keep it close to the family: it loves human company.

Care and health

Coat and skin care

The AKC says most owners never brush a Curly, because brushing makes the coat frizz badly. It is enough to wet the coat and let it air-dry, which brings out the curls. Females shed roughly every six months; the dead hair is then removed with a metal-toothed rake.

Common health problems

The AKC says most Curlies are healthy, and breeders test hips, eyes and heart. It is worth watching for:

Condition	Description	Common symptoms
Hip dysplasia	The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops	Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)	The stomach fills with gas and may twist; this is a veterinary emergency	Swollen belly, trying to vomit without success, drooling, restlessness
Heart disease	Hereditary heart conditions	Tiredness, coughing, laboured breathing
Eye diseases	Inherited eye conditions	Poor vision, cloudy eyes

Other care

Check the ears after swimming.
Brush its teeth regularly.
Trim the nails when they start to touch the floor.

Diet and nutrition

The AKC says most Curlies do well on good-quality dry food. Too many treats lead to obesity.

Tips for a healthy diet

The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.

Dog's weight	Calories per day (neutered)	Calories per day (not neutered)	Dry food per day (approximate)
27 kg	1,330 kcal	1,490 kcal	330–430 g
35 kg	1,610 kcal	1,810 kcal	400–520 g
43 kg	1,880 kcal	2,120 kcal	470–610 g

Split the food into two meals a day to reduce the risk of bloat.
Do not let it run right after a meal.
A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.

Foods to avoid

Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.

Reproduction and development

Physical and emotional maturity

In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.

Mating and pregnancy

Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.