Curly Coated Retriever.

[Mightymax]

Does anyone have any experience good or bad about this breed? I have recently lost my very loved Hungarian Vizsla, so there is a large dog-shaped hole in my life. I have always had gundogs so thinking along those lines. Any info would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

[Prancerpoos]

Yes! I am on my fourth one. Strangely, I was considering a vizsla before I got my first one, but bought a curly as I remembered one fondly from when I was a small child.

They are large, strong, and very independently minded dogs and take a long time to grow up. Mine have never minded being left for a couple of hours, indeed as they get older it has been a case of ‘well if you’re going off with your saddle then I am staying on the sofa’. They are very loving to their family and friends, but are not best friends with everyone, I.e. they are not like labs. They can seem quite aloof and, if they decide someone looks a bit dodgy (e.g. man with large beard we met out walking, or more recently large plumber who came into my house with a big wrench) they do a very good impression of a scary dog, with a very deep bark and menacing manner. I live on my own, so that‘s actually not a bad trait! Mine have all been brilliant with children.

They do shed lttle curly hairs everywhere, but not that badly and I find that a monthly rake through / brush keeps the coat in order. They don’t need clipping, just a little trimming of the tail and legs occasionally. They are water dogs and love mud, so you will probably need a walk in shower or warm outside hose if you want your house to stay vaguely clean.

They are very rare and hard to get hold of. I suggest that, if you are not put off by the above description, you join the Curly Friends group on FB and you will see lots of info about them and get to know of any litters.

Good luck.

 

[Clodagh]

I see one out picking up. He’s only young. His owner, who has trialled spaniels and Labradors said he was hard work and she would never get another one. She has since put her name down on a litter ?.
They can be pig headed she says, but she has extremely exacting standards. I love them to look at.

 

[Mightymax]

Many thanks for the above info