Curly-Coated Retriever — breed guide
Curly-Coated Retriever — temperament, grooming, exercise, heat tolerance and care, from the Leash Life breed guide.
At a glance
- Group
- sporting
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 29–43 kg (64–95 lb)
- Life span
- 10–12 years
- Coat
- Tight, crisp curls
Living with a Curly-Coated Retriever
- High energy — needs real exercise every day, not a stroll.
- Light grooming — a brush now and then.
- Light shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Quiet.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Can live with a cat, with a slow introduction and an escape route for the cat.
- Not well suited to a flat — space, exercise need or voice works against it.
- Better with previous experience behind you.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Handles cold well.
Temperament
Independent · Confident · Reserved · Steady
Health to watch
- Hip dysplasia
- Exercise-induced collapse
- Glycogen storage disease
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Questions people ask
Is a Curly-Coated Retriever good with kids?
Generally yes. Curly-Coated Retrievers are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Curly-Coated Retriever good with cats?
It can work, with management. Introduce them gradually, feed them apart, and make sure the cat has vertical space the dog cannot reach. Plan to manage it rather than assume it.
How much exercise does a Curly-Coated Retriever need?
An hour or more of proper exercise every day.
Can a Curly-Coated Retriever handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Curly-Coated Retriever's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.