Like other breeds that are relatively rare in the United States, finding a Curly Coated Retriever to adopt can take a bit of work. It's not always easy to find a reputable breeder that takes such things as health or registration into consideration. Pet store chains are not always a good idea either, as they are often bred for quantity and not quality, so the health of the dog is sometimes not taken into consideration at all. In this article, we'll discuss how to find a Curly Coated Retriever that you can adopt, whether it is a puppy or an adult.

Buying a Curly Coated Retriever from a pet store is probably not a good idea. Puppies that are sold through pet stores are often the products of puppy mills, in which dogs are often bred without care for genetic health problems and are sometimes even kept in unsanitary conditions. Some dogs are rarely left out of their cages and live deplorable lives in order to deliver a litter of puppies for sale. Many stores will claim to buy from�the breeders (even if they're located in another state), offer a health certificate (which often doesn't include tests for diseases or disorders that the dog may be predisposed to inherit) or even offer registration papers (but is the kennel club reputable?). The best way to help stop this practice is to avoid pet shops altogether.

But without the pet stores, what's the next step? This is where a little bit of research will help. There are quite a few breeders of Curly Coated Retrievers located around the country. The American Kennel Club offers a breeder referral contact for Curlies, and the Curly Coated Retriever Club of America also lists some breeders on their website. While the AKC and the CCRCA do not consider these lists to be recommendations, but the breeders must agree to be able to offer full health certificates, not over-breed their dogs, not to sell to puppy mills or stores, and be willing to take back and relocate unwanted dogs.

Curlies are usually only bred once a year, so this decreases the number of puppies even further. Many breeders will offer waiting lists, and this is a great option for those that are willing to wait until one becomes available. It is always a good idea to visit a breeder to see how their dogs live in person before agreeing to purchase a puppy. Some breeders will only agree to sell to those that live in the immediate area, while others will agree to sell to those that are willing to come and pick up a puppy if they live far away.

For those that are interested in adopting an older Curly, don't wish to wait for a puppy to become available or to help out some wonderful dogs in need, contacting the CCRCA Rescue and Referral can be a good option. Rescue Curlies are those that are in immediate danger, in shelters or have been abandoned. Referral Curlies are those with families that, for one reason or another, are not longer able to keep their dog and are trying to find a new home for their dog. Many times, these dogs will go to foster homes until a permanent home can be found, during which time they are evaluated for their temperament and activity level.