A little look at life together.
Getting to know the Curly-Coated Retriever
The Curly-Coated Retriever has a distinctive close-curled body coat, smooth face, and a long history of retrieving on land and water. Ask for coat-specific advice; caring for these tight curls is different from maintaining a long Poodle coat.
An everyday routine
Make space for substantial daily activity and short learning sessions. A busy weekend cannot replace a dependable weekday routine.
Coat care to plan for
The close curls need a coat-specific routine rather than the regular brush-out used for many long-haired dogs. Ask an experienced groomer how to manage shedding while preserving the natural curls.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
Behind this little introduction
Our summaries draw on the sources below. Filter categories are editorial guides; individual needs vary.
American Kennel Club: Curly-Coated Retriever