Information on AKC Curly-Coated Retriever Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Curly-Coated Retriever
Distinguished by its coat of small, tight, water-resistant, crisp curls, the Curly-Coated Retriever is a strong, robust and agile breed. Developed to be a multi-purpose hunting retriever, the Curly will work for as long as there is work to be done, retrieving game in the heaviest of cover and iciest of waters. The breed’s curly coat can be black or liver in color.
A Look Back
Although the Curly’s origins are unclear, he is one of the oldest of all retriever breeds, thought to have descended from the English Water Spaniel, the St. John’s Newfoundland, the retrieving setter and the Poodle. Developed in England as both a waterfowl retriever and upland game hunter, this breed was a favorite of English gamekeepers for his innate field ability, courage and perseverance.
Right Breed for You?
An energetic and intelligent dog, the Curly-Coated Retriever is an excellent companion, but requires training and daily exercise or a job to keep him from becoming bored and destructive. One of the more independent retriever breeds, the Curly may appear somewhat aloof, but is always willing to please. Their coat is easy to care for, requiring only occasional bathing.
If you are considering purchasing a Curly-Coated Retriever puppy, learn more here.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1924.
- Ranging in size from 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder.
- Water dog; retriever.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Curly-Coated Retriever Breed Standard
General Appearance
This smartly upstanding, multi-purpose hunting retriever is recognized by most
canine historians as one of the oldest of the retrieving breeds. Developed in
England, the Curly was long a favorite of English gamekeepers. Prized for innate
field ability, courage and indomitable perseverance, a correctly built and tempered
Curly will work as long as there is work to be done, retrieving both fur and
feather in the heaviest of cover and the iciest of waters. To work all day a
Curly must be balanced and sound, strong and robust, and quick and agile. Outline,
carriage and attitude all combine for a grace and elegance somewhat uncommon
among the other retriever breeds, providing the unique, upstanding quality desired
in the breed. In outline, the Curly is moderately angulated front and rear and,
when comparing height to length, gives the impression of being higher on leg
than the other retriever breeds. In carriage, the Curly is an erect, alert,
self-confident dog. In motion, all parts blend into a smooth, powerful, harmonious
symmetry. The coat, a hallmark of the breed, is of great importance for all
curlies, whether companion, hunting or show dogs. The perfect coat is a dense
mass of small, tight, distinct, crisp curls. The Curly is wickedly smart and
highly trainable and, as such, is cherished as much for his role as loyal companion
at home as he is in the field.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Ideal height at withers: dogs, 25 to 27 inches; bitches, 23 to 25 inches.
A clearly superior Curly falling outside of this range should not be penalized
because of size. The body proportions are slightly off square, meaning that
the dog is slightly longer from prosternum to buttocks as he is from withers
to ground. The Curly is both sturdy and elegant. The degree of substance is
sufficient to ensure strength and endurance without sacrificing grace. Bone
and substance are neither spindly nor massive and should be in proportion with
weight and height and balanced throughout.
Head
The head is a longer-than-wide wedge, readily distinguishable from that
of all other retriever breeds, and of a size in balance with the body. Length
of foreface is equal, or nearly equal, to length of backskull and, when viewed
in profile, the planes are parallel. The stop is shallow and sloping. At the
point of joining, the width of foreface may be slightly less than the width
of the backskull but blending of the two should be smooth. The head has a nearly
straight, continuous taper to the nose and is clean cut, not coarse, blocky
or cheeky. Expression--Intelligent and alert. Eyes--Almond-shaped,
rather large but not too prominent. Black or brown in black dogs and brown or
amber in liver dogs. Harsh yellow eyes and loose haws are undesirable. Ears--
Rather small, set on a line slightly above the corner of the eye, and lying
close to the head. Backskull--Flat or nearly flat. Foreface--Muzzle
is wedge-shaped with no hint of snipiness. The taper ends mildly, neither acutely
pointed nor bluntly squared-off but rather slightly rounding at the bottom.
Mouth is level and never wry. Jaws are long and strong. A scissors bite is preferred.
Teeth set straight and even. The lips are tight and clean, not pendulous. The
nose is fully pigmented; black on black dogs, brown on liver dogs. Nostrils
are large.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--Strong and slightly arched, of medium length, free from throatiness
and flowing freely into moderately laid-back shoulders. Backline--The
back, that portion of the body from the rear point of the withers to the beginning
of the loin, is strong and level. The loin, that part of the body extending
from the end of the rib cage to the start of the pelvis, is short and muscular.
The croup, that portion of the body from the start of the pelvis to the tail
set-on, is only slightly sloping. Body-- Chest is decidedly deep and
not too wide, oval in cross-section, with brisket reaching elbow. While the
impression of the chest should be of depth not width, the chest is not pinched
or narrow. The ribs are well-sprung, neither barrel-shaped nor slab-sided, and
extend well back into a deep, powerful loin with a moderate tuck-up of flank.
Tail--Carried straight or fairly straight, never docked, and reaching
approximately to the hock. Never curled over the back and should not be kinked
or crooked. Covered with curls and, if trimmed, tapering toward the point.
Forequarters
Shoulder blades are very long, well covered with muscle, and are moderately
laid back at about a 55 degree angle. The width between shoulder blades is adequate
to allow enough flexibility to easily retrieve game. Upper arm bones are about
equal in length with shoulder blades and laid back at approximately the same
angle as the blades, meaning the forelegs are set under the withers. The equal
length of shoulder blade and upper arm bone and the balanced angulation between
the two allows for good extension of the front legs. The forelegs are straight
with strong, true pasterns. Feet are round and compact, with well-arched toes
and thick pads. Front dewclaws are generally removed.
Hindquarters
Strong and in balance with front angulation. Thighs are powerful with muscling
carrying well down into the second thigh. Stifle is of moderate bend. The hocks
are strong and true, turning neither in nor out, with hock joint well let down.
Rear dewclaws are generally removed.
Coat
The coat is a distinguishing characteristic and quite different from that
of any other breed. The body coat is a thick mass of small, tight, crisp curls,
lying close to the skin, resilient, water resistant, and of sufficient density
to provide protection against weather, water and punishing cover. Curls also
extend up the entire neck to the occiput, down the thigh and back leg to at
least the hock, and over the entire tail. Elsewhere, the coat is short, smooth
and straight, including on the forehead, face, front of forelegs, and feet.
A patch of uncurled hair behind the withers or bald patches anywhere on the
body, including bald strips down the back of the legs or a triangular bald patch
on the throat, should be severely penalized. A looser, more open curl is acceptable
on the ears. Sparse, silky, fuzzy or very harsh, dry or brittle hair is a fault.
Trimming--Feathering may be trimmed from the ears, belly, backs of forelegs,
thighs, pasterns, hocks, and feet. On the tail, feathering should be removed.
Short trimming of the coat on the ear is permitted but shearing of the body
coat is undesirable.
Color
Black or liver. Either color is correct. A prominent white patch is undesirable
but a few white hairs are allowable in an otherwise good dog.
Gait
The dual function of the Curly as both waterfowl retriever and upland game hunter
demands a dog who moves with strength and power yet is quick and agile. The
ground-covering stride is a well-coordinated melding of grace and power, neither
mincing nor lumbering. The seemingly effortless trot is efficient and balanced
front to rear. When viewed from the side, the reach in front and rear is free-flowing,
not stilted or hackneyed. When viewed from the front or rear, movement is true:
the front legs turn neither in nor out and the rear legs do not cross. Well-developed,
muscular thighs and strong hocks do their full share of work, contributing to
rear thrust and drive. The extension in front is strong and smooth and in balance
with rear action. Balance in structure translates to balance in movement and
is of great importance to ensure soundness and endurance; extremes of angulation
and gait are not desirable.
Temperament
Self-confident, steadfast and proud, this active, intelligent dog is a charming
and gentle family companion and a determined, durable hunter. The Curly is alert,
biddable and responsive to family and friends, whether at home or in the field.
Of independent nature and discerning intelligence, a Curly sometimes appears
aloof or self-willed, and, as such, is often less demonstrative, particularly
toward strangers, than the other retriever breeds. The Curly’s independence
and poise should not be confused with shyness or a lack of willingness to please.
In the show ring, a correctly-tempered Curly will steadily stand his ground,
submit easily to examination, and might or might not wag his tail when doing
so. In the field, the Curly is eager, persistent and inherently courageous.
At home, he is calm and affectionate. Shyness is a fault and any dog who shies
away from show ring examination should be penalized. Minor allowances can be
made for puppies who misbehave in the show ring due to overexuberance or lack
of training or experience.
Approved October 12, 1993
Effective November 30, 1993
Follow Us