Curly-Coated Retriever
About the Curly-Coated Retriever
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 23-27" |
| Weight | 60-95 lbs |
| Coat Type | Curly |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,400/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Curly-Coated Retrievers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Curly-Coated Retriever
The story behind the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Curly-Coated Retriever is among the oldest recognisable retriever types in England, present in identifiable form by the earlier nineteenth century and used by gamekeepers and rough shooters for retrieving waterfowl and upland game. Its ancestry is not documented with certainty but is usually described as involving old English water dogs, retrieving spaniels, and later the Poodle, which is generally credited with the tight curled jacket, while setter blood has also been proposed. The breed appeared at some of the earliest English dog shows in the 1860s and was among the first retrievers recorded by the Kennel Club. The rise of the Labrador and Golden pushed it to the margins, and numbers fell sharply across the world wars. It is recognised internationally yet remains uncommon, kept by a small community of shooting and show homes.
Originally bred for: Waterfowl retriever, Upland game retriever, Gamekeeper's dog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Curly-Coated Retriever
A tall, athletic retriever best kept lean, especially through a long adolescence when the frame outpaces the muscle. Feed a large-breed puppy formula, set adult portions by real work rather than by enthusiasm, and split meals with quiet time before and after swimming.
Watch for: No breed-specific ingredient intolerance is established. Curly-coated dogs sometimes develop coat and skin issues that owners attribute to diet, though several unrelated causes are more common. Take persistent coat loss or itching to a veterinarian rather than working through foods on your own.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Curly-Coated Retriever
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.