This smartly upstanding, multi-purpose hunting retriever is recognized by most canine historians as one of the oldest of the retrieving breeds. Developed in England, the Curly was long a favorite of English gamekeepers. Prized for innate field ability, courage, and indomitable perseverance, a correctly built and tempered Curly will work as long as there is work to be done, retrieving both fur and feather in the heaviest of cover and the iciest of waters.
The Curly-Coated Retriever, sometimes stylized as Curly Coated Retriever and often called the Curly for short, is a breed originally bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body.
One of the Oldest Retrieving Breeds
Records of the first Curly-Coated Retrievers date back to the late 1700s, making this breed one of the oldest known retriever breeds. The history of the curly-coated retriever isn't entirely clear, with no documented evidence of when and where the breed came into existence, but it's generally believed that the curly is the oldest of the retriever breeds. Curly Coated and Wavy Coated (now known as the Flat-Coated Retriever) were the first two recognized retriever breeds, established as early as 1860.
Piecing together the dog's appearance in early literature, registry clubs, and dog shows, it's been concluded that the breed originated in England in the 18th century. The AKC notes that the curly-coated retriever was most likely developed by breeding other game dogs like the English Water Spaniel and Retrieving Setter, now extinct. The St. John's Water Dog was another possibility, and the tight curls are significant indicators that the breed also benefited from crossbreeding with the Irish Water Spaniel and, later, the Poodle.
In the 1860s, the curly-coated retriever received attention at dog shows throughout England while continuing to prove its versatility in the field. The breed first entered the United States in 1907 and received official recognition in 1924.
Tallest of the Retrievers
The Curly-Coated Retriever is an active, well-muscled dog that stands 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 95 pounds. The Curly appears slightly leggy but is actually slightly longer than tall, balanced and agile with a significant air of endurance, strength, and grace.
The breed sports a coat of tight, crisp curls that repels water and burrs and prevents damage that other sporting dogs with softer, thinner coats cannot escape. The tight curls lie close to the body in a deep black or rich liver color — the only acceptable colors are solid black and solid liver. The face, forelegs, and feet have short, straight fur. Curlies are soft-mouthed and regularly handle game with care.
Self-Confident, Steadfast, and Proud
The Curly is self-confident, steadfast, and proud — an active, intelligent dog that is a charming and gentle family companion and a determined, durable hunter. Alert, biddable, and responsive to family and friends, whether at home or in the field, the Curly is of independent nature and discerning intelligence, sometimes appearing aloof or self-willed and often less demonstrative toward strangers than the other retriever breeds.
The Curly's independence and poise should not be confused with shyness or a lack of willingness to please. In the field, the Curly is eager, persistent, and inherently courageous; at home, he is calm and affectionate. Curly-coated retrievers are typically quiet dogs that stay calm and well-mannered in the home with proper training and daily exercise.
Exercise and Activity
Curly-coated retrievers have seemingly endless energy to give when on the hunt or engaged in a task. They need about two hours of exercise every day, such as playing outdoors, going on a long walk or run, or swimming. This also means Curlies can be destructive if left alone for several hours with no attention or entertainment.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The perfect home for a Curly has a large, fenced yard so they have a place to run and burn off energy. They do best as members of an active family who will take them for long walks, weekend hikes, swimming sessions, and hunting trips. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for exercising a high-energy sporting breed.
Training a Curly-Coated Retriever
The Curly is wickedly smart and highly trainable and, as such, is cherished as much for his role as a companion as for his work. They're incredibly smart, so they excel — and stay out of trouble — when given exercise and a job to do.
CCR puppies are eager to learn and can begin training with basic obedience lessons as early as eight weeks of age. Hunters and outdoorsmen will find that this breed is a natural at hunting and retrieving game and waterfowl. Owners can also give these dogs the opportunity to shine in agility, flyball, or other canine sports. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Curly-Coated Retriever
Compared to other retrievers, the curly-coated retriever is very low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. The distinctive curls benefit most from a quick wipe with a damp cloth, as brushing them leads to frizz. The tight curled coat repels water, burrs, and dirt.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 2–3 times a week (daily during shedding season) | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a curly double coat.
Feeding a Curly-Coated Retriever
A Curly-Coated Retriever should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two meals per day. These athletic working dogs need balanced nutrition to support their high energy output.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 2–3 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1.5–2.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Dietary needs change through life, and your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The typical Curly-Coated Retriever lifespan is 10 to 12 years, with a 2024 UK study finding a life expectancy of 12.2 years. They're considered a healthy dog breed, but, just like other dog breeds, they are predisposed to a few medical conditions, including hip and elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, and epilepsy. Responsible breeders health-test their breeding stock.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia screening | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 6–7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
Curly-coated retrievers are extremely affectionate with their family members and do well with children who know how to interact with pets correctly. They can play well with children and other dogs if they are properly socialized when young.
Curlies are more reserved than their Labrador and golden retriever cousins, so they require more socialization in puppyhood to be friendly with new people and animals as adults. They aren't known to be excessive barkers, but they might bark to alert their pet parents or to entertain themselves if bored. If you're weighing whether a Curly-Coated Retriever fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Curly-Coated Retriever means committing to a high-energy sporting dog that needs about two hours of daily exercise and can be destructive when bored or left alone. They're reserved around strangers, requiring diligent socialization, and they're rare — fewer than 300 Curlies were born in 2023 — making them hard to find.
Yet for the right owner, the Curly is a treasure — a dignified, loyal, and hardworking companion, the oldest of the retrievers.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Extremely intelligent and trainable
- Loyal, calm, and affectionate at home
- Excellent hunting companion
- Low-maintenance coat
- Great for active families
- Quiet, dignified nature
Disadvantages
- High exercise needs (2 hours daily)
- Can be destructive when bored
- Reserved around strangers
- Needs extensive socialization
- Rare breed; hard to find
- Predisposed to some health conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Curly-Coated Retrievers get? Males stand 25–27 inches; females 23–25 inches; both weigh 60–95 pounds.
How long do Curly-Coated Retrievers live? Typically 10 to 12 years.
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? Yes — affectionate and calm at home, good with children.
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers easy to train? Yes — they're wickedly smart and highly trainable.
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good with other dogs? Yes, if properly socialized when young.
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers rare? Yes — fewer than 300 were born in 2023.
How much exercise do Curlies need? About two hours daily.
What colors do Curlies come in? Only solid black and solid liver.
Are Curlies the tallest retriever? Yes — the tallest of the retrievers.
Where did Curlies come from? England, in the 18th century.
Are Curlies good swimmers? Excellent — bred to retrieve waterfowl in icy water.
What health problems do Curlies have? Hip/elbow dysplasia, eye conditions, and epilepsy.