Curly-Coated Retriever
| Size at withers | 63-69 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 25-41 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10-12 years |
| Size class | Large (25–40 kg) |
| Normal resting vitals | Heart rate 60–110 bpm · Respiration 10–30/min · Temperature 38.3–39.2 °C |
| Coat | Tight, crisp curls |
| Temperament | Confident, independent, loyal; an aloof-with-strangers but devoted retriever |
| Common health issues | Hip and elbow dysplasia; progressive retinal atrophy; bloat; follicular dysplasia (patchy coat loss) |
| Exercise needs | High - 90 min/day |
| Climate & housing suitability | Moderate - the crisp curly coat gives some sun and water protection; provide swimming and shade. |
| Owner notes | The tallest retriever; the distinctive tight curls need little trimming. |
Origin and purpose
Sporting (AKC); Gun Dog / FCI Group 8 (retriever). Origin: England; tightly curled water retriever.
The tallest retriever; the distinctive tight curls need little trimming.
What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the owner's job is to give it somewhere to go.
Temperament and training
Stated temperament: Confident, independent, loyal; an aloof-with-strangers but devoted retriever
This is an independent-minded breed that was developed to make its own decisions, and it will not work for you simply because you asked. That is not stubbornness or stupidity — it is the trait the breed was selected for. Training must be genuinely rewarding to the dog, and expectations of instant, military obedience are misplaced. Recall, in particular, is often unreliable in these breeds; be honest about that before letting one off-lead near traffic.
Conditions this breed is predisposed to
Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV, 'bloat')
Elbow dysplasia
Progressive retinal atrophy
Health screening — what to test, and when
| Screen for | Test | When |
|---|---|---|
| Elbow dysplasia | Radiographic elbow evaluation | Once at 12–24 months |
| Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV, 'bloat') | No screening test. Discuss preventive gastropexy with your vet in deep-chested breeds | At neutering, if the vet agrees it is indicated |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | Ophthalmologist eye examination, plus DNA test where one exists for the breed | DNA once; eye examination annually |
Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.
For breeders — test before you mate
- Elbow dysplasia — Radiographic elbow evaluation
- Gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV, 'bloat') — No screening test. Discuss preventive gastropexy with your vet in deep-chested breeds
- Progressive retinal atrophy — Ophthalmologist eye examination, plus DNA test where one exists for the breed
Feeding
Growth is the thing that matters. Large-breed puppies must be fed a diet formulated for large-breed growth and must NOT be overfed or supplemented with calcium — growing too fast is a direct route to the joint disease this size of dog is already prone to. A lean puppy is a healthy puppy. As an adult, two measured meals a day, and keep the dog lean for life: excess weight is the single biggest accelerator of hip and elbow disease and arthritis.
Exercise and enrichment
Stated requirement: High - 90 min/day
A high-energy dog needing substantial, committed daily exercise plus mental work. Do not take this breed on unless the daily commitment is realistic on your worst week, not your best one.
Coat and grooming
Tight, crisp curls. Do not brush — brushing wrecks the curl. Wet and finger-work; trim occasionally.
Climate and living conditions
Stated suitability: Moderate - the crisp curly coat gives some sun and water protection; provide swimming and shade.
Ageing and senior care
Life expectancy: 10-12 years. This dog is a senior from around 7 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Large dogs age faster than small ones. Arthritis and cancer are the dominant concerns; do not dismiss a limp in an older large dog as 'just age' — bone cancer presents exactly that way. Senior care →
Before you take one home
- Ask the breeder for the health-test results listed above — for BOTH parents, on paper, before you pay a deposit. A breeder who has done the tests will be proud to show you; one who deflects, or who tells you the tests are unnecessary in this line, is telling you what you need to know.
- Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.
