Physical Appearance.

This stylish and athletic, multi - purpose retriever has strength, endurance, presence and pace. Their most distinctive feature is their COAT. Either black or liver, it is a mass of small, dense, tight, crisp, waterproof curls, which also protect greatly against thorns and brambles. They are continuous from the head to the tip of the tail. Only the face, the front of the forelegs, hocks and feet are smooth haired.

The HEAD is wedge shaped but not too wide, with a long, rather flat skull. The stop (or bridge) is slight, whereas the muzzle is long, with deep flews, tight lips and wide nostrils (coloured black in the blacks and brown in livers). TEETH should have a scissor bite. Set low on the head, EARS are rather small. EYE colour should be dark brown in blacks and brown to match the coat in livers. Their EXPRESSION is intelligent and kindly.

Set into deep, muscular, well laid back SHOULDERS, the NECK is not throaty and 1 - 6 of moderate length. The CHEST is also deep; RIBS are well sprung and the LOINS, which are of medium length, are well muscled and deep i.e. little upward curve (tuck up) to the flank. The BACK is strong and level with rounding of the CROUP (spine between loin and tail).

Powerfully muscled, with a moderate turn to the STIFLE and well developed second thigh, their HINDQUARTERS should balance the front. HOCKS should be short and strong.

FEET should be rounded, compact and with well arched toes, to withstand the rigors of work, Curlies should MOVE with effortless, ground covering power, drive and grace.

Tapering and carried fairly straight, their TAIL should reach to about their hocks.

Upstanding, dogs are 67.5cm (27ins ) and bitches 62.6cm (25ins).

Behaviour / Characteristics.

Curlies thrive on having their keen intelligence challenged and are responsive and biddable to train. They have perseverance, are courageous and possess a steady, loyal, caring nature, which makes them sensitive to their family. Many are the experiences told of Curlies protecting those they love from any and all kinds of danger.

Exceptional swimmers, which revel in the water, these powerful and tireless hunters excel on all game. Exciting to shoot over, yet they are a delightful family companion.

History:

The Curly-Coated Retriever is considered to be one of the oldest retriever breeds. Developed in England, the breed probably resulted from crosses with the close-curled English Water dog, the old Water Spaniel and the St. John's Newfoundland dog. The Curly is a fine water retriever with a gentle mouth, particularly ideal for duck and quail. He is an excellent hunting companion and gun dog, and his gentle temperament also makes him an outstanding family companion. The Curly-Coated Retriever is quite popular in Australia and New Zealand, but is not well-known in the United States, though the breed is recognized by the AKC.

What should I ask the breeder when looking for a puppy?

You should ask about the parent's health: they should have been xrayed free of hip dysplasia and have certificates from OFA, or have OFA prelim hips, or penHip score under .70 or "normal" certification. They should have been examined annually for eye abnormalities and have either CERF certification or reports from an ACVO certfied veterinarian; they should both be fully coated. You should ask about common problems in the breed and not receive either "there are none in this breed," nor "there are no problems at all in MY dogs."

You should ask why the breeder bred the litter, e.g., what were they hoping to gain or improve. You should ask about the breeder's background, what they have done with their dogs, whether they are members of local or national Curly clubs, and about any guarantees they have. If you are interested in any specific activities with your Curly, find out what the breeder has done in this area (for example, hunting, field trials, obedience) to prove that their dogs are capable. Look over the breeder's other, adult, dogs and ask yourself if you would want to have any of them, as the pups will likely resemble them closely when grown.

Ask when the last time the mother was bred. How many litters has she had total? A bitch should not be allowed to produce an excessive number of litters. Sufficient time should be allowed between litters for the bitch to recuperate. Breeders should not breed any bitch more than once a year, or more than twice in any two year period, if bred on consecutive seasons. If the breeder seems to have puppies all the time, or 4 or 5 litters a year, they may be breeding for profit. Volume Breeding is not in the best interest of the breed.

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