At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
tight curls, no undercoat
A tall, athletic retriever, a touch longer than it is tall. From the back of the skull to the tail tip the body is covered in small, crisp curls that sit close to the skin and shed water, while the face and front of the legs have smooth, short hair.12
Personality what they are like
A clever, self-assured dog that is steady and dependable in the field. It is friendly and bold but can seem a little aloof with strangers, and it likes to think a problem through for itself rather than simply wait for instructions.14
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day, and the breed especially enjoys swimming and retrieving work.34
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Grooming more than once a week is advised, and the coat does shed.3
Home where they are happiest
Suits town or country homes with a large garden and regular access to open ground or water.3
Company who they like around
Bonds well with its family and works as a partner in the field; can take time to warm up to people it does not know.14
The story where it all began
The Curly is counted among the oldest retriever breeds and, together with the Wavy-coated (now Flat-coated) Retriever, was one of the first two retrievers recognised, around 1860. Gamekeepers used it for upland birds and waterfowl, and its curly coat is thought to come from the extinct English Water Spaniel with retriever and Poodle blood added. The first breed club was founded in 1933.32
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 110, Group 8 (Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs), Section 1 Retrievers; standard dated 28.07.2009, country of origin Great Britain.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Gundog group; listed as a vulnerable native breed; Breed Watch category 1.3
- AKC
- Recognised breed with an AKC breed page; ranked 168th of 202 breeds in 2025 registrations.5
Popularity Ranked 168th of 202 AKC-registered breeds5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Curly-coated Retriever. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutClip or scissor to keep curls from mattingevery 6 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard N° 110, Curly Coated Retriever fci.beused for recognition, height, coat, colour, temperament
- Wikipedia: Curly-coated Retriever en.wikipedia.orgused for height, lifespan study, history
- Royal Kennel Club: Retriever (Curly Coated) royalkennelclub.comused for care, exercise, lifespan, history, facts
- AKC Curly-Coated Retriever breed page akc.orgused for temperament summary
- AKC most popular dog breeds 2025 akc.orgused for popularity
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.