Curly-coated Retriever facts for kids
A black Curly-Coated Retriever is shown here. Curlies can also be liver in colour.
|
||||||||
| Origin | United Kingdom - England | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||||||
| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||
The Curly-coated Retriever is a type of dog that was first bred in England. People often call them the Curly for short. These dogs were originally used for hunting birds on land and in water.
The Curly-coated Retriever is the tallest of all the retriever dog breeds. You can easily spot them because of the tight, curly fur all over their body. The Curly-coated Retriever and the Flat-coated Retriever were among the first retriever breeds to be officially recognized, way back in 1860.
Contents
Appearance
The Curly is an active and strong dog. They were bred to help hunters find birds. Curlies look a bit long and tall, but they are very balanced and graceful. They are also strong and can keep going for a long time. These dogs are known for being gentle with things they carry in their mouths.
Males are usually about 25 to 27 inches (63 to 69 cm) tall at the shoulder. Females are a bit smaller, around 23 to 25 inches (58 to 63 cm) tall. Their weight should fit their height.
Coat and Colors
The Curly-coated Retriever has a coat of tight, crisp curls. This special curly coat helps keep water and burrs off them. It also protects them from scratches.
Curlies only come in two solid colors: black or liver (a reddish-brown). Sometimes, they might have a few white hairs, but large white patches are not typical. Their eyes are usually dark, either black or brown in black dogs. In liver dogs, their eyes can be brown or amber. Their nose should be the same color as their coat.
Temperament
The Curly-coated Retriever was first developed to be a helpful hunting dog for gamekeepers. Their personality and body shape show this purpose. Many Curlies are still used today as hunting companions, especially for birds.
Like most retrievers, Curlies are also loved as family pets. They are a lively and fun-loving breed. If a Curly gets enough exercise, they can be calm and relaxed at home. This makes them great for active families and also a peaceful part of the household.
Curlies might be a bit shy or reserved with new people. However, they are usually very loyal and loving with their owners and family. They are very smart dogs. Sometimes, training them can be a bit tricky because they can get bored easily if the training is too repetitive.
Care and Maintenance
Coat Care
Curlies have a single coat, meaning they don't have an undercoat. The small, tight curls are quite easy to take care of. If you have a Curly as a pet or hunting dog, you don't need to do fancy grooming. Just make sure their coat is clean and free of tangles.
All Curlies shed some hair, but not as much as dogs with undercoats. Female Curlies usually shed more when they are in heat (about twice a year). Both males and females might shed more in the spring, especially if they live where temperatures change a lot. You should bathe them as needed using a dog shampoo.
Exercise Needs
The Curly-coated Retriever loves to exercise. They were bred to be athletic and have a lot of energy for working in the field. A Curly is a smart dog and is happiest when it gets enough exercise, mental challenges, and playtime.
Curlies are great for dog sports like hunt tests, flyball, and dog agility trials. They love being outdoors, working with people, and doing all kinds of activities. Even though they are active and playful outside, adult Curlies are generally calm house dogs. They especially love swimming, which makes them excellent retrievers, especially when there are rivers or streams to cross.
Health
Life Expectancy
Curly-coated Retrievers usually live for about 9 to 14 years. Some Curlies have even lived to be 15 to 17 years old!
Common Health Issues
Like all dog breeds, Curlies can sometimes have certain health problems. Some issues that have been seen in the breed include:
- Cancer
- Heart problems
- Epilepsy (a brain disorder that causes seizures)
- Exercise-induced collapse (when a dog collapses after intense exercise)
- Eye problems like cataracts or other vision issues
- Gastric dilatation volvulus (also known as bloat, a serious stomach condition)
- Glycogen storage disease (a rare genetic disorder)
- Hip dysplasia (a problem with the hip joint)
See also
In Spanish: Retriever de pelo rizado para niños
