|
Distinguished by its coat of small, tight,
water-resistant, crisp curls, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a
strong, robust and agile breed. Developed to be a multi-purpose
hunting retriever, the Curly will work for as long as there is work
to be done, retrieving game in the heaviest of cover and iciest of
waters. The Curly Coated Retriever is one of the oldest Retrieving
breeds. Developed in England, this breed was a favorite of English
huntsmen who admired their gentle retrieving capabilities. Curly
Coated Retriever's are extremely popular in New Zealand and
Australia. However, they are quite uncommon in the United States and
are difficult to acquire.
General Appearance
The Curly-Coated Retriever is a large, hardy, athletic retriever
with a distinctive crisp curly coat. The coat on the body is a mass
of thick tight, small curls that lay close to the skin. The coat on
the feet, face, and forehead is smooth, short, and straight. The
coat is water and weather resistant. The thick, black or
liver-colored coat of tight curls protects the dog from brambles and
icy water. Even the small ears, back of the head, neck and tapering
tail are covered with little curls. Only the face, hocks and front
of the legs are smooth. The ideal Curly should be agile, graceful,
and strong, yet elegant. The body is slightly longer than the height
at the withers. The back is strong and level. The limbs are
muscular. The head is wedge-shaped - longer than it is wide. The
foreface and skull are approximately the same length, with their
toplines forming parallel planes when viewed from the side. The
muzzle tapers to a well-developed, wide-nostril, dark nose. In black
dogs the nose is black and in liver dogs the nose is amber or brown.
The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The smallish ears are
pendant. The eyes are either black or chestnut. The tail reaches
approximately to the hock and is carried straight.
Temperament
An intelligent, friendly, and affectionate dog, the Curly coated
Retriever has plenty of stamina, and is a determined and loveable
dog that is well suited to inexperienced dog owners as well as the
more experienced. The Curly coated Retriever is a very loving and
loyal dog and makes a great companion and pet. Playful and a little
immature even as an adult, the Curly coated Retriever is fun to be
around. The Curly coated Retriever gets along well with children,
and also tends to get along with other animals and pets, although he
may be wary around strangers. He is a very independent dog, and van
be strong willed, but with a confident and assertive owner will soon
learn who's boss. This breed has plenty to offer, and he makes an
effective watchdog, although he is not really guard dog material. He
is a fast learner, and his obedience and problem solving skills are
high, which can help to make training easier.
Grooming
The Curly Coated Retriever breed is an average shedder. The Curly
Coated Retriever breed requires minimal grooming. Occasional
brushing will suffice. The Curly Coated Retriever should only be
bathed when absolutely necessary using a mild shampoo. It is
important that there be no damage to the coat. Regular checking of
the ears for debris or infection is recommended.
Health Problems and Life Expectancy
The lifespan of the Curly coated Retriever is around 12 years, and
there are a number of health problems associated with the breed.
This breed is prone to eye problems, epilepsy, and
hip dysplasia.
Activity Level
The Curly Coated Retriever needs an inordinate amount of physical
exercise and mental stimulation. They enjoy and excel at swimming,
tracking, retrieving, agility, as watchdogs, and competitive
obedience. The Curly-Coated Retriever is a high-energy dog that
needs a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to be truly happy.
Preferably involving swimming and retrieving. They need to be taken
on a daily long brisk walk, or jog. The Curly coated Retriever loves
to get involved with a range of activities, and this include
swimming, hiking, biking, running, and more, making him an excellent
exercise companion.
|
