Curly-Coated Retriever
捲毛尋回犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Curly-Coated Retriever is thought to be the oldest and is the tallest of the retrievers — a big, durable gundog in tight black or liver curls that serve as waterproof, thorn-proof all-weather gear, more elegant than the other retrievers and, per the AKC, "wickedly smart". Confident, proud and affectionate, it is a little more independent and less needy than a Labrador or Golden, playful and mischievous with its people but aloof with strangers and a more discerning watchdog. Tireless outdoors yet good at settling at home, it needs plenty of exercise (ideally swimming), firm-but-kind training without rough handling or dull repetition, and it does not do well left alone for long. The Royal Kennel Club lists it as a vulnerable native breed.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 58–69cm |
| Weight | 27–43kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 8 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Curly coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–150min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)
An inherited condition reported in the breed; a DNA test identifies carriers. Ask your breeder about EIC status and your vet if your dog wobbles or collapses after intense exercise.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Glycogen storage disease IIIa (GSD)
An inherited enzyme deficiency identified in the breed that causes abnormal glycogen build-up in liver and muscle; affected Curlies show mild signs early in life and then lethargy, exercise intolerance and occasional collapse as adults. It is recessive, so carriers are healthy, and a DNA test identifies carriers and affected dogs — the parent club recommends screening breeding stock. Ask your breeder about the parents' GSD IIIa status.
Behaviour
Too rough and they turn tail; too soft and they tune out
The AKC says a Curly's owner must be firm but kind: too rough and the dog will turn tail, too soft or unclear and it will not pay attention — it is smart enough to need an owner who is smarter than it is. Avoid too much repetition, which bores it, and make learning as much fun as possible; some do very well in obedience, but for others the repetition causes disinterest, and field training should be knowledgeable and never rough.
Independent retriever that still needs its people
The CKC calls the Curly a charming, gentle family companion — self-confident, steadfast, intelligent, independent and poised, alert but calm and affectionate — and a determined, durable, courageous hunter best suited to suburban or country living with plenty of outdoor exercise, especially swimming. The AKC adds that it settles well at home and does not need a big house as long as it is with its owner and adequately exercised, but that it is not a breed that copes with being left alone for long periods, and bored, underemployed Curlies are a handful.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Curly-Coated Retriever
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Retriever Curly coated (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Retriever Curly Coated
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Curly Coated Retriever (standard no. 110, group 8)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's health page explains its breed-specific CHIC testing criteria and asks owners to help with Glycogen Storage Disease IIIa screening: because the disease is recessive, if both parents test clear their offspring need not be tested, but if either parent is a carrier every puppy should be tested so carrier-to-carrier matings can be avoided. It notes a CHIC number means all required tests were done and published, not that results were normal.”
— Curly-Coated Retriever Club of America — CCR Health Information via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Curly-Coated Retriever — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Retriever Curly coated — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Retriever Curly Coated — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Curly Coated Retriever — FCI standard no. 110 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]CCR Health Information — Curly-Coated Retriever Club of America — Curly-Coated Retriever Club of America (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.