Curly Coated Retriever, The Oldest English Retriever
There are dog breeds that, in addition to being distinguished by specific characteristics and abilities, have a truly original appearance that does not leave indifferent. This is the case of the Curly Coated Retriever (or curly-haired Retriever ), a magnificent dog of English origin that strikes for having a black and curly fur, which extends all over the body.
It is one of the few native dogs of England and is rightly considered to be the oldest of the British retrievers. The Curly Coated Retriever became hugely popular during the 1800s and we decided to tell you about it in the following article.
Basic features
The Curly Coated Retriever is a strong dog, very active and with an elegant bearing, thanks to the black curls that give it an almost snobbish touch . The height at the withers, in the males, is about 69 cm, while the females stop at 62. The legs are long and it has a size such as to be included in the category of large dogs.
To respect their ancient pedigree , Curly Coated Retrievers must have black or dark brown fur. The eyes are large and another of their particular characteristics lies in the firmness and tone of the chest.
However, if you are considering adopting one of these curly haired Retrievers, there are a few factors to keep in mind. Dynamism, temperament and health are essential aspects to be able to offer a good quality of life to this dog.
Lots of physical activity and a docile mood
This variant of the Retriever is characterized by having a lot of energy and by the fact that it requires very intense physical activity. Whether you choose it to accompany you on the hunt or become your favorite pet, know that it will only be good if you are very active people.
Behaviorally, the Curly Coated Retriever is an obedient, docile animal that loves to fulfill orders. He will likely prove somewhat alert and alert to strangers. His past as a hunting and retriever dog will always push him to move and require him to go out for a walk very frequently.
It is therefore a dog suitable for active and young people. He feels most comfortable in a house with a patio or garden, in areas where it is possible to take even short excursions in the fresh air. The amount of exercise will improve your mood, increasing your life expectancy which, on average, is around 11 years.
Feeding and care of the coat
In England the Curly Coated Retriever is usually given wet food based on meat and vegetables. Her diet is demanding due to her high level of physical performance. Of course, normal dog food will not be enough, but you can use it as a food supplement.
As for its curly coat, you will need to remember to brush it at least twice a week. In short, it is not a more demanding dog than others and even the bathrooms must be sporadic.
The key aspect is to eliminate dead hair, make constant reviews at the vet to prevent ticks and fleas, brushing it in a circular way. It will be a way to keep and style her characteristic curls.
If, as far as the aesthetic aspect is concerned, the Curly Coated Retriever needs little basic care, the socialization and training work is a little more complex, as we will see in the next paragraph.
Curly coated retriever: a smart dog that is difficult to train
This beautiful curly haired Retriever is a remarkably intelligent dog. This breed is ranked 41st out of 131 in Stanley Coren’s smartest dog rankings. However, training can become a real challenge due to the nuances of his character.
His animosity and energy will be a problem in the education process. Very often he tends to get bored if the games and exercises offered to him are repetitive and mechanical. It will therefore be necessary to devise a more dynamic and fun method, so that it leads to lasting results.
As for socialization, it is advisable to start interacting with your Curly Coated Retriever already after the third month of life. If you start too late, the dog will develop a personality and habits that are difficult to change or improve.
A healthy dog, but prone to certain congenital diseases
The Curly is a very healthy dog on a general level. However, there are three quite common diseases in this dog breed.
The first is hip dysplasia, a condition that is due to their morphology and high activity. Secondly, you need to know that these dogs can often suffer from epilepsy. Finally, pay attention to the problem of ticks and diseases related to this microorganism.
Last but not least, according to a survey conducted in England in 2004, the main cause of death of the Curly Coated Retriever was cancer (30% of the total). Natural death and pathologies of the digestive system were in second place. Heart disease occupied only 5%. Therefore, it is essential to get your curly-haired Retriever to exercise a lot: this is a great way to improve the general health of this beautiful dog.
