Curly Coated Retrievers are well loved for their high intelligence, devotion to their families and their high energy level. But put these attributes together with a dog that is relatively late to mature and you can have a bad outcome, an intelligent dog that bores easily. Dogs that bore easily are more likely to getting into something they shouldn't, and are prone to making up their own games, like Chew the Pillow or Toss the China. In this article, we'll take a look at ways to keep even the most rambunctious Curly Coated Retriever entertained.

Curly Coated Retrievers are considered to be fairly high maintenance because of their high activity level and their devotion to their human families. They do not do well when left alone for long hours and they need plenty of exercise in order to stay healthy. From they time they come home as puppies, Curlies will need plenty of activities around them to keep them happy. While a variety of toys will help keep them out of mischief, varying the kinds of games you play will also help keep them interested. Fetch is great fun, but these clever dogs will get bored with the game relatively quickly.

Curly Coated Retrievers do fare well in smaller homes, such as apartments, as long as they have plenty of time for exercise and play outside everyday. This means that they will undoubtedly fare much better with a family that has an active lifestyle. Curlies are great companions for jogging, running, or even long walks. A pause in a park or another safe area will give them the opportunity to stretch their legs and run around for a bit. Not only will there be plenty of space for stick or Frisbee throwing, this is a great opportunity for Curlies to get used to the presence of other people. Curlies are notoriously reserved around strangers, but will warm up quickly to friendly faces.

Swimming is another activity that Curlies adore. Thanks to their long roots in retrieving water fowl, once a Curly Coated Retriever gets his paws wet, it will be difficult to tear him away! That is not to say that the best way to acclimate a Curly to a body of water is to throw him in, but giving him the opportunity to explore the shore of a body of water or a ramp into a pool will give him a chance to explore this new wonder at his own pace. Once he gets the hang of it, he’ll look forward to his next splashing adventure. There are those that even suggest ending a daily exercise session with a bit of swimming, if it’s available, as this will not only be great fun for the dog, but it’s also an excellent way to keep the coat clean and looking its best.