Their most distinctive feature is their COAT. Either black or liver, it is a mass of small, dense, tight, crisp, waterproof curls, which also protect greatly against thorns and brambles. They are continuous from the head to the tip of the tail. Only the face, the front of the forelegs, hocks and feet are smooth haired.
The HEAD is wedge shaped but not too wide, with a long, rather flat skull. The stop (or bridge) is slight, whereas the muzzle is long, with deep flews, tight lips and wide nostrils (coloured black in the blacks and brown in livers). TEETH should have a scissor bite. Set low on the head, EARS are rather small. EYE colour should be dark brown in blacks and brown to match the coat in livers. Their EXPRESSION is intelligent and kindly.
Set into deep, muscular, well laid back SHOULDERS, the NECK is not throaty and 1 - 6 of moderate length. The CHEST is also deep; RIBS are well sprung and the LOINS, which are of medium length, are well muscled and deep i.e. little upward curve (tuck up) to the flank. The BACK is strong and level with rounding of the CROUP (spine between loin and tail).
Powerfully muscled, with a moderate turn to the STIFLE and well developed second thigh, their HINDQUARTERS should balance the front. HOCKS should be short and strong.
FEET should be rounded, compact and with well arched toes, to withstand the rigors of work, Curlies should MOVE with effortless, ground covering power, drive and grace.
Tapering and carried fairly straight, their TAIL should reach to about their hocks.
Curlies thrive on having their keen intelligence challenged and are responsive and biddable to train. They have perseverance, are courageous and possess a steady, loyal, caring nature, which makes them sensitive to their family. Many are the experiences told of Curlies protecting those they love from any and all kinds of danger.
Exceptional swimmers, which revel in the water, these powerful and tireless hunters excel on all game. Exciting to shoot over, yet they are a delightful family companion.
The Curly-Coated Retriever has an easy to care for coat. It's curls stay in place with little to no attention. Grooming a Curly Coated Retriever The Curly-Coated Retriever's curious nature may lead him to many amusing escapades that call for an owner with a sense of humor. The Curly-Coated Retriever learns rapidly and performs willingly almost any task.
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 field, the Curly is eager, persistent and inherently courageous. At home, he is calm and affectionate.
One of the oldest retrieving breeds, the Curly-Coated Retriever was considered the "blue-collar" retriever in England. Whereas other breeds were developed specifically by nobility, the Curly was owned by people of all stations. Its tightly curled coat protected from cold waters and brush, and allowed it to work in the roughest conditions.
The Curly is described as more dignified and sedate than other retrievers. They are more likely to be cautious with strangers and are protective of their family. They are quiet in the house as long as they get plenty of exercise daily. They are natural swimmers and if allowed access to water it will be hard to keep them out of it. They are hard working retrievers and make excellent hunting companions. Training should be gentle and patient as this breed matures slowly.
Color
Liver is the recessive color in the curly. Black is dominant. To produce a liver curly, both parents must carry the liver gene. You can breed two
black curlies and get liver pups. You can also breed a black curly to a liver and get all black pups.
Here is demonstrated the color combinations that occur in a breeding. To have a liver dog, the gene match up has to be bb.
Either BB or Bb will produce a black dog. The BB will be black dominant, only producing black puppies. The Bb will carry
the recessive liver gene, and may produce liver pups if combine with either another liver carrying dog, or a liver dog.
A black dominant dog (BB) to a black bitch with a liver gene (Bb).
B B BB BB BB BB
produces all black dominant dogs(BB)
B B BB BB Bb Bb
produces all black pups, two of which would carry a liver gene(Bb)
produces one Black dominant dog (BB)B b BB Bb Bb bb
one liver dog (bb) and 2 black dogs with liver genes
(Bb)
produces all pups black with recessive liver gene (Bb)B B Bb Bb Bb Bb
produces 2 black dogs that carry liver (Bb) and 2 liver pups (bb)B b Bb bb Bb bb
Produces all liver (bb) pupsb b bb bb bb bb
To minimize the number of Curlies that end up in rescue, we encourage you to learn as much about the breed, the breeds traits, problems, and the breeder you
choose to get your Curly from before you make the commitment. You should talk to as many breeders and curly owners as you can before you make your choice.
Often times, people find out that the breed may not be suited to there lifestyle. Curlies are an active dog. There personality is better suited to being an integral
member of the family, and not a kennel dog. Contrary to common belief, Curlies do shed. A female who is not spayed will generally blow coat (shed heavily) twice a
year. All other curlies (neutered and unneutered males, and spayed females) will shed throughout the year, and more so as the seasons change. Curlies are not
hypoallergenic.
Read more about the non-hypoallergenic curly at *Top Ten Reasons Not to get a Curly*
All breeders should be willing to give references of people who have purchased puppies from them in the past. All breeders should readily give references from other
breeders, trainers, vets, breed club affiliations etc. Some information on Curly Clubs
You should be able to view the condition of the breeders dogs and their kennel. Never buy a dog from a pet shop, not even if you feel sorry for it. The store's supplier will only breed more dogs in puppy mills to fill up the empty space. No breed of dog, no matter how rare, is immune from the puppy mill problem. Mill owners view these dogs purely as money-makers and do not care about the future health or welfare of the animals.
The Curly is a versatile breed. Most Curlies are happy to be family companions, field dogs, personal hunting dogs, obedience partners; some do well as therapy dogs, or Search-and-Rescue dogs. You should be honest with the breeder as to what your expectations and intentions for this puppy are. When a breeder sells a puppy as Pet Quality then you should consider it at that. It is not sold for breeding. Even in a litter of outstanding puppies, most are pet quality. A few are show quality, and even fewer are breeding quality. Only the very best of any breed should be considered as breeding quality. Most breeders carefully evaluate a litter, socialize, grade, and place puppies accordingly. Remember when choosing a puppy that the breeder has seen the puppies characters develop over 8 weeks-- their experience is a valuable asset for you. If they say that a particular puppy will not be right for your situation, believe them. Most reputable breeders will sell all pet-quality puppies on a limited registration under spay/neuter contracts. This is to help protect the breed. Spayed and neutered dogs make better family companions and their chances of some cancers are reduced. Some information on Curly Health Problems
Information about socializing your curly pup and early training
The Curly Coated Retriever should be a family dog. They do not do well as a strictly kennel dog. If yo want a dog that you can use for hunting 10% of the year, and then lock up in a kennel the other 90% of the time, then a Curly is not for you.
THE INSIDE STORY ON THE OUTSIDE DOG
by Jill-Marie Yorey
If your dog spends his whole day barking and whining for no apparent reason, you may need to rethink your pooch's living situation. Dogs that spend the majority of
their lives outside have a higher rate of behavior problems, including aggression towards people and other animals. Dogs that have lived outside with minimal training
are at higher risk of ending up in the shelter.
Of the 109 fatal dog bites recorded in the United States by The HSUS between the years 1989 and 1994, dogs that were kept restrained on the owner's property caused 18 percent of bites reported. Chaining, or tethering, refers to the practice of fastening a dog to a stationary object, such as a doghouse or pole, as a means of keeping him or her under control. Animal behaviorists agree that constant chaining makes dogs aggressive and therefore more likely to bite
Tips for teaching your dog to live in the house:
*It is essential that your dog have a general understanding of obedience commands. Sit, down, stay and quiet are the most useful commands in the house.
*Keep your dog on a line when you are home with them so you are able to get quick control without having to grab at the dog's collar. NEVER LEAVE A LINE
ON THE DOG WHEN YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO WATCH THE DOG.
*NEVER leave an untrained dog unattended. Create a safe area for your pet to stay or crate train your dog. This will give you a place to put your dog when you are
busy with other activities in the home (i.e. cooking or taking a bath) or cannot be home to supervise your pet.
Reducing the risk of aggression:
*Don't leave your dog unattended in a front yard or a yard with public access. Dogs can become very stressed by all the passing people (some may even tease the
dog) and other animals. This can increase the chance your dog will become aggressive or may bite an innocent person.
*Obedience train your dog using fair and fun techniques. Don't hit or be aggressive with your dog.
*Raise your dog to be a member of the family. Dogs that spend their whole lives outside tend to suffer more from stress and have more behavioral problems.
*Avoid playing aggressive games with your family dog such as wrestling on the ground, or out of control tug of war. Play fun games like hide and seek or retrieving a
ball.
*Don't teach your dog to bite or train them as guard dogs.
*Socialize new puppies to life in the home and to all types of people. Puppies need to learn that all people and children are fun and won't cause them harm.
*Obedience train your dog!
A curly that is raised with children, other dogs and other animals will get along fine with them. Making peace between dogs and cats
Curly owners have also successfully raised their Curlies with domestic birds. I wouldn't leave your best hunting buddy unsupervised with your aunts prize parakeets though!
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