DUAL PURPOSE GUNDOGS
A little bit about the curly coated retriever
Duke is our first curly coated retriever and so we do not have as much experience with this breed compared to the brittanies.
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We would recommend anyone who is interested in curly coated retrievers to reach out to the Curly Coated Retriever Club, who we have always found to be fantastically welcoming and helpful.
The curly coated retriever is one of the oldest retrieving breeds.
The original 'generic' retriever was separated into two types over time to suit the different types of work required - the flatcoated retriever was for picking up game on land and was a smaller, lighter dog, while the curly coated retriever was better suited for water work, being larger, more substantial in build, and having a water-repellent curly coat.
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They were popular as a gamekeepers dog in the 1800s and during this time poachers could be very violent. Therefore the curly displays guarding tendencies and is described in the standard as being 'aloof'.
The breed generally has a calm and steady temperament - there should be no nervousness or aggression as they are still expected to work with strangers and other dogs around all day. But if they feel that their family or property is being threatened they will respond!
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In the field they are renowned for being persistent game finders with an excellent nose, however do not expect them to respond like a lab - curlies may be slightly slower workers and less precise at handling than the clean lines and flashy speeds of a competitive labrador.
However curlies are great for picking up and sweeping through an area, where their fantastic scenting ability can result in them finding birds other dogs have missed.
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They are very well suited as a wildfowling dog with their quiet and calm nature.
With dogs ideally being 27 inches tall at the shoulder they should not be to fit in a hide but large and strong enough to cope with strong tides and geese.
Curly coated retrievers are classed as being a 'vulnerable native breed' by the Royal Kennel Club, with fewer than 300 registrations a year - only 73 were registered in 2022.
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I think this is an absolute tragedy as while they are not a breed for everyone they possess many traits that make them perfect family pets.
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They are generally calm in all environments (not overly boisterous with dogs or people), generally of good steady temperament (not nervous or reactive), and generally biddable (not on the same scale as a labrador but more trainable than a hound etc).
In contrast to a brittany, a curly coated retriever is a perfect dog for long walks - I don't need to worry about Duke on a walk as he is naturally inclined to stay by my side. Even when he has been a rebellious teenager he has not wanted to go too far away from me.
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Training is still required, especially as they are a large and powerful dog that can easily pull some people over, but curlies are easier and I think require a lot less work than some other breeds.
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The main negatives about the breed are their daily costs due to their size, and their moulting - it can be quite prolific and in a small house the accumulation of dark curly hairs adds up quickly!
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The coat does not require much grooming however. They are trimmed for neatness for the showring, but they do not require brushing out or extensive bathing. The occasional bath can help release hair trapped in the curl after shedding, but otherwise is not required.
The curly coated retriever is a generally healthy breed, with no prolific health concerns.
However the Curly Coated Retriever Club continues to monitor and conduct surveys on health as a proactive measure, and lists the most common conditions reported as cancer, bloat, and epilepsy.
As a large and deep chested breed bloat is a potential risk. As with any large breed the average lifespan is shorter than for a smaller breed, and of course general costs of feeding, insurance and any vet bills are greater.
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Breeding stock should be health tested and prospective buyers should view the results before buying a puppy or using a stud dog.
It is recommended that as a minimum both parents are hip scored - the lower the score the better, but generally a score around the breed median is acceptable.
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Dogs may also be elbow scored and eye tested, although these are not compulsory tests for the breed.
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It is recommended in the Curly Coated Retriever Club code of ethics that breeding stock is DNA tested for PRA, EIC, and GSDiiia.
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However with EIC it is worth noting that not all curly coated retrievers with two copies of the EIC genetic variant will be affected by the condition - see the Kennel Club for more details.
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Any UK registered dogs test results should be viewable on the Kennel Club website
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If the dog is a foreign import then Canine Brucellosis should be considered.
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If you would like to know anything more about the breed or have any questions, please contact me or the Curly Coated Retriever Club