Curly-Coated Retriever

A steady, confident, bold dog, the Curly Coated Retriever is quite independent and can seem aloof to those he doesn't know well. With his loved ones, however, he is affectionate and makes a calm, loyal companion. He is very much an 'outdoor' dog and loves exploring his surroundings and retrieving – in and out of the water.

The exact history of the Curly Coated Retriever dog breed is unclear, with many breeds going into its development as a gundog, including various retrievers, the Tweed Water Spaniel and the Irish Water Spaniel among others. The Poodle was also used, to improve the curliness of the coat. The breed was first shown in 1860 and excelled as a shooting dog, but its popularity as a pet and working dog waned with the emergence of the Labrador Retriever.

Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. The Curly Coat, in common with many large breeds, is prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk.

An active dog, the Curly Coated Retriever needs two hours of exercise and more every day. He loves retrieving be it on land or in water and his waterproof coat serves him well. This is a dog that enjoys 'working', so take a toy for fetch games, to spice up walks.

Health and common issues

As with many breeds, the Curly Coated Retriever can suffer from various hereditary eye disorders, and hip dysplasia (a condition that can lead to mobility problems). Eye testing and hip scoring of dogs prior to breeding is therefore important.

Best family dog breeds

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children , all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.