The Curly-Coated Retriever
is a strong, smart, upstanding dog showing activity, endurance and intelligence.
Their body is covered with a tightly curled coat which does not need trimming,
supposedly descended from the Poodle. They are medium to large sized dogs,
the size of any Labrador retriever, with a muscular body and strong fore and
hind limbs. Their entire body except for their face and paws (and lower legs)
are covered in tightly curled ringlets, which make it an exceptional water
dog as their fur does not need drying after a jump in the lake. They have
dark, almond shaped eyes and ringlet-covered drop ears. They have deep chests,
long tails and big hearts. Curly-Coated Retrievers have an excellent nose
and a good memory. Bred for retrieving quail and waterfowl, they are superb
swimmers with great stamina and they know how to carry dead or wounded animals
gently in their mouth. Curly-Coated Retrievers have also been known to work
over difficult terrain, quite often in the Australian outback or wilds of
New Zealand. They are even tempered, immensely alert when at work, and very
determined in what they do. They can be playful, energetic, and adaptable
to their owner's temperament. Although slightly reserved with strangers, they
remain loyal and friendly to friends and family.
