Curly-Coated Retriever Breed Guide: Temperament, Care and Adoption
Curly-Coated Retriever history and overview
Among retriever breeds the Curly-Coated Retriever ranks as one of the oldest, first developed to fetch game from water and to hunt. Accounts differ on which breeds went into its development, with the Poodle, Irish Water Spaniel, Newfoundland and Irish Setter all mentioned. The American Kennel Club lists England as the breed's origin and places it in the Sporting Group.
How big is a curly-coated retriever?
The American Kennel Club classes the Curly-Coated Retriever as a large dog, so it is not a small curly haired dog. The American Kennel Club gives a height of 25-27 inches for males and 23-25 inches for females, while the United Kennel Club says males are about 27 inches and females about 25 inches.
Curly-coated retriever temperament and personality
VCA Animal Hospitals describes the breed as smart, self-assured and a little more independent than its retriever cousins, yet it still bonds closely with its family. Many are more reserved with strangers than other retriever breeds.
Exercise needs
These dogs need significant daily exercise, and retrieving, swimming and structured training can help meet that need. Without enough activity they may become bored or destructive.
Do curly coated retrievers shed? Coat care
The breed's curly coat is considered relatively low-maintenance, and weekly brushing helps keep it in good condition. Over-brushing can produce frizz instead of formed curls, and occasional bathing with air-drying helps preserve curl definition. The American Kennel Club rates shedding as low to moderate for this curly coat retriever.
Training
These dogs respond best to calm, consistent training, and without engagement they may lose focus.
Curly-coated retriever health issues and lifespan
The American Kennel Club gives general life expectancy for the breed as 10-12 years. VCA Animal Hospitals calls the breed generally hardy but says several kinds of risk, affecting the bones and joints, eyes, metabolism, heart and digestive system, are best caught early. It names glycogen storage disease IIIa, a metabolic disease, and follicular dysplasia, which causes hair loss on the flanks.
Curly-coated retriever rescue and adoption: what to consider
For a curly-coated retriever rescue dog, VCA Animal Hospitals suggests an active home that offers structure and engagement, ideally with outdoor space. It describes the breed as suitable for committed owners and as tolerating moderate time alone if well exercised.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Curly-Coated Retriever as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Sporting Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1924
- Height (AKC published)
- 25-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 60-95 pounds
- General life expectancy
- 10-12 years
- AKC size category
- Large
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 1 of 5
- Shedding: 2 of 5
- Vocalization: 3 of 5
- Drooling: 1 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 4 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Hip Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cone-Rod Dystrophy 4 (crd4/cord1) (PRA-crd4/cord1) - DNA Test
- Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test
- Glycogen Storage Disease IIIa (GSDIIIa) - DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 9, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Curly-Coated Retriever | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Curly-Coated Retriever | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- Curly-Coated Retriever - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
