CURLY-COATED RETRIEVER
Gun Dog Group
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Copyright 1991, United Kennel Club, Inc.
Revised January 1, 2007



History

Depending on whose version you follow determines what breeds were used in the development of the Curly-Coated Retriever. Some say the Poodle, Irish Water Spaniel, the Newfoundland and the Irish Setter. Whatever the source(s), the breed was first exhibited at England's Birmingham dog show in 1860.

The Curly-Coated Retriever was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1960.

A graceful black or liver curly-coated dog, about 25 to 27 inches at the withers, the Curly-Coated Retriever gives the impression of being the highest on leg and the most elegant of all the Retrievers. In proportion, he is slightly longer from the prosternum to buttocks than he is tall, from withers to ground. His carriage is upstanding, and he gives the impression of an alert, self-confident dog capable of great endurance.

Active, intelligent and responsive to training, the Curly-Coated Retriever is both an excellent family companion and a strong, capable working dog.

The head is long and wedge-shaped, in balance with the size of the body.

SKULL - Nearly flat, tapering slightly to eyes. Clean in cheek.

STOP - Moderate and sloping, never abrupt.

MUZZLE - Long, strong and tapering to complete the wedge shape of the head. Never snipey or weak.

LIPS - Clean and tight.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors or level bite.

EYES - Almond in shape, rather large, but not too prominent. Color black or brown in black dogs, brown or amber in liver dogs, but never harsh or yellow.

NOSE - Black in the black dogs; brown in the liver dogs; with large, open nostrils.

EARS – Rather small, lying close to the head and set on a line slightly above the corner of the eye. Well-covered with curls.

Should be moderately long, slightly arched, and free of throatiness.

Shoulder blades and upper arms long and well-muscled, moderately angulated to set the legs under the withers.

FORELEGS – Straight and strong with good, but not overdone, bone and strong pasterns. Dewclaws may be removed.

CHEST – Deep to elbow, oval in shape, not too wide, but well-filled.

RIBCAGE – Long and well-sprung.

BACK – Strong and level.

LOIN – Short, muscular and deep, with moderate tuck-up of flank.

CROUP – Slopes slightly to the set-on of the tail.

Strong and muscular, moderately angulated to balance with forequarters. Rear pasterns short and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.

Round, compact; with well-arched toes.

Moderately short, reaching nearly to the hock joint, carried fairly straight and covered with curls. Never carried over the back.

A distinguishing characteristic of the breed, the coat on the body should be a mass of small, crisp, tight curls with sufficient density to protect the dog from all weather and cover conditions. Curls also completely cover the ears, neck, thighs, rear legs at least to the hock and the tail. On the face, front of forelegs and feet, the coat is smooth and short.

Serious Faults: Uncurled patches behind the withers, or bald patches anywhere on the body.

Faults: Spare, soft, open or brittle hair.

TRIMMING – Coat may be trimmed to present a neat, natural, workmanlike appearance.

Black or liver. A prominent white patch on breast is undesirable, but a few white hairs allowable in an otherwise good dog.

Males about 27 inches, females about 25 inches, but overall quality is more important than size.

Powerful, yet agile and effortless. Good extension without exaggeration. As speed increases, legs converge towards a centerline of travel.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.