The Curly Coated Retriever (often referred to as a Curly) is an intelligent, friendly breed of dog originally bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. He is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering his body. Curly Coated Retrievers were developed as upland game hunters and waterfowl retrievers in England and were recognized as a breed as early as 1860. Curly Coated and Wavy Coated (now known as the Flat-Coated Retriever) were the first two recognized retriever breeds.
Appearance
The curly is an active, upstanding, well-muscled breed bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. The Curly is quite different in type and structure and somewhat different in temperament than the more common retrievers. A correct Curly will appear slightly leggy but is actually slightly longer than tall. The breed sports a coat of tight, crisp curls. He is balanced and agile with a significant air of endurance, strength, and grace.
Coat
The coat of the Curly is a hallmark of the breed. A correct coat is a thick mass of small curls that lie close to the skin. Breeders aim for tight, crisp, individually pronounced curls rather than loose, open curls. The coat is sufficiently dense to provide protection in ill weather and icy water, and against brambles and briars.
The only places on a Curly's body that are not covered in tight curls are the forehead, face, front of forelegs, and feet, where the hair should be short, smooth, and straight. A looser curl is acceptable on the ears. The breed should have no undercoat.
Patches of uncurled hair behind the withers or bald patches of skin are undesirable. The coat should not be sparse, silky, fuzzy, very harsh, dry, or brittle.
Bald patches which may temporarily occur in growing puppies who are changing to adult coat and in bitches who have recently whelped are not necessarily indicative of a permanent problem.
Temperament
The Curly Coated Retriever is a lively, fun-loving breed. They are slow to mature, which makes them a great addition to any active family. As long as the CCR has enough exercise, he can be calm and laid back in the home environment, which makes them both a great activity dog as well as a placid member of the family. CCRs are great dogs for active sports such as hunt tests, flyball and dog agility trails as they love the outdoors, working with people, and activities of any kind.
Curly Coated Retrievers were bred to work more independently than other retrievers. This has given them a reputation for being reserved with strangers and they are often accused of being aloof because of it. However, CCRs are loyal to those they know and are fond of children.
CCRs are extremely intelligent, learn quickly, and love to please their owners; even so, training one can sometimes be difficult as they can easily get bored with repetitive training. Short, fun sessions are the best way to a CCR's mind. The breed is quick to figure things out, and once it has learned how to do something (such as open a gate or door), he will use his new skill any time he sees fit.
This breed can sometimes be stubborn and self-willed. These individuals need careful motivational training, as preventing bad behavior is much easier than reversing it.
Coat
To maintain the crisp, tight curls on a Curly Coated Retreiver, groomers avoid brushing the dog, as this could promote unwanted "fuzziness" or fluffiness. Instead, they comb the coat to remove any dead hair before bathing the dog. After bathing, the curl os looser and fluffier but will tighten up, especially if sprayed with plain water. A Curly kept as a companion and/or hunting animal need not be elaborately groomed but needs to be kept clean and free of mats for the health of the dog. Bathing should be as needed. Dead hair should be combed out of the coat as needed and toe-nails should be kept trim.
Show ring exhibitors normally trim feathering from the tail, ears, belly, legs, and feet. Trimming is not required when exhibiting a Curly at a conformation dog show, but most judges will likely discount the dog if he is not trimmed. Shearing of the body coat is undesirable.
All Curlies shed. Bitches usually shed more heavily during their heat cycles (usually twice a year). Dogs and bitches may also shed more in the spring, especially those living in areas with extreme seasonal temperature changes. Combing through the coat to remove dead hair is helpful, particularly during those times of heavier shedding.
|