Curly Coated Retrievers are highly intelligent dogs that make wonderful family pets for active families. Best known for their tightly curled coats, Curlies are adored for their devotion to their families and love nothing more than performing jobs, which helps them feel like an important member of the family. Extremely clever and quick to become bored, these wonderful dogs do require more time playing for exercise and mental stimulation than other breeds. They do fine in smaller homes or apartments, as they should live inside to be with their families, but they do require an hour of exercise everyday, preferably outside. For this reason, Curlies are best with families that are active in outdoor pursuits or are willing to take the time to play with them for extended periods every day.
Here are some more interesting facts about Curly Coated Retrievers:
The Curly Coated Retriever is considered to be among the oldest of all the retriever breeds.
While the origins of the Curly Coated Retriever have been lost to history, it is believed that it is descended from the English Water Spaniel, which dates from the 16th century, and Retrieving Setters. There are those that believe that the Poodle was involved in its history as well.
The Curly Coated Retriever made its debut at the 1860 dog show in Birmingham, England.
Curly Coated Retrievers were first exported to Australia and New Zealand at the end of the 19th century. They continue to be popular in those countries, as well as in Great Britain.
Although the Curly Coated Retriever was introduced in the United States in 1907, it would not be registered with the American Kennel Club until 1924.
The Curly Coated Retriever is considered to be the tallest of the retriever breeds.
While the Curly Coated Retriever still enjoys popularity around the world, namely Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand, it is still considered relatively unknown in the United States. In recent years, there have been less than 150 Curly Coated Retrievers registered every year, compared to tens of thousands of Golden Retrievers.
Most Curly Coated Retrievers have a natural affinity to water. This is not to say that they should learn to swim by throwing a pup in the water! Slowly introduced to water with a ramp or on a body of water's shore, most Curlies will take to the water quickly and be swimming in record time.
Curly Coated Retrievers are highly active dogs that excel in events such as obedience and agility trials, as well as hunting field tests.
Generally considered more aloof than other retrievers, Curly Coated Retrievers are usually more suspicious of strangers and make better guard dogs than Golden or Labrador Retrievers.
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