Curly Coated Retriever Information
Size: Large Height: 63.5 cms - 68.5 Weight: 32kg - 36 kg
 Intelligent, strong, elegant and upstanding dogs, these are the largest of the retrievers. Many aficionados regard the Curly Coated Retriever as the oldest of the retrievers. Bred to be stable under gunfire, as with most retrievers the CCR has the credentials for an excellent family pet. Their harsh black or liver coat should ideally cover their bodies, tail and ears in small tight kiss curls; except for the head forward of a line between the top of the ears (carapace), and the front of the legs and underbody. In these areas the hair lies short and flat similar to a Labrador.
The wash and wear curly coat for which they have been named make the CCR an easy dog to own and groom. They can be taken straight out of the farm dam, given a rinse and light trim and be ready for best in show. The famous curly coat has no under layer, so be prepared for a shower when they shake after getting out of that dam. The single coat also means they dry quickly.
Mind you, it’s not in a CCR’s nature to be prancing around a show ring. They would much rather do what should come naturally; swim and retrieve for as long as they are asked to.
The CCR makes a great guard dog, as they are big and have a deep “voice” but are not considered to generally be aggressive by nature. Curlies can be one-person dogs, but should bond readily with and protect your family.
Originally the English estate gamekeepers’ companions, the CCR’s keen nose meant they could follow the hunt and clean up the missed game. Besides protecting them from blackberry and gorse bush, their hard, curly, non reflective coat also gave them the dual duty of patrol dog. They excelled at keeping poachers away from the lordships’ game at night.
The CCR has relatively few health problems in comparison to many breeds. Responsible breeders will have carried out hip score studies and eye examinations on their stock and should be able to provide you a history of scores for both sides of a puppy’s lines. At a minimum, copies of the Sire and Dam’s certificates should be provided to you on request, together with a projected pedigree. These days you should also expect a pup to have a microchip implant, be vaccinated to P5 level and have been wormed regularly. Some breeders also offer warranties.
As the CCR is considered a rare gundog, you may have to be patient and go on a breeder’s waiting list. But it is worth the wait, as once you have been owned by a CCR, you will never wish to be owned by any other breed.
Expect to pay between $600 and $800 for a pure bred, ANKC registered CCR from a reputable breeder. Ensure you are looking at an ANKC registered pedigree litter, as there is a smaller, unrecognised and unrelated breed known as the “Murray River” Curly. Visit the breeder you contact and spend some time observing their CCRs and the parents of the litter if possible. Dogs that are timid or aggressive are not representative of the CCR’s nature, so think again if you come across them. Ideally the breeder will pick out a puppy for you or give you a choice between a couple which will match your personal / family circumstances and needs.
As there are so few breeders and litters available each year, the breeder may be too far away for a visit. Ask if you can visit one or two dogs near your location. Chances are they will have placed a dog in a town near you if they are successful breeders and have been around for a while. CCR owners are generally gregarious and more than happy to share the best kept secret in the dog world, so you should have no trouble getting to meet one!
The CCR is a large dog and needs lots of exercise. He is not a dog for a suburban backyard unless there is a water body nearby and a genuine commitment given to exercise. Consider getting a bitch if you live in a suburban environment. Bitches are smaller and if desexed, less likely to be a problem.
Due to their size, a curly should be educated as to where he stands in the hierarchy of your household; so begin basic obedience training sooner than later. Join a local group and do a basic course. If you cant get to a club, buy a book. Your breeder will probably have suggested one to you.
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