The Curly-Coated Retriever is considered to be the oldest recognized retriever in existence today. These pups made a name for themselves in their early years for their extraordinary hunting abilities. These Retrievers were used by hunters, gamekeepers, and poachers to assist them in hunting and retrieving prey on both land and water. These dogs are not as commonly seen today, but they are a unique-looking breed that is hard to confuse with another dog. Their dense, curly coat is unusual for a retriever-type dog, and you can be sure that people will be curious about what type of breed they are in public.
There is a lot of uncertainty revolving around the exact origin of this dog, however, it is believed that their ancestors could have been the now extinct English Water Spaniel and various other retriever-type dogs. They first made their mark in the English show ring in 1860, but the exact date that they were first bred is unclear. The large size of this dog, weighing between 65-100 pounds, made them capable hunters that could easily put up a fight with larger prey. Their abilities proved invaluable for hunters, as their drive to work and desire to accomplish the task at hand was unprecedented for a retriever-type dog.
The Curly-Coated Retriever is not used as often for hunting today, but they still possess the same work ethic and are as intelligent as ever. These qualities have made them well suited for drug-sniffing, search and rescue, and therapy. As a family companion, these dogs are as loyal as they come, and love being around their loved ones. They are typically more reserved around strangers, but early socialization with dogs and different people can curb this trait. These pups are well-suited family dogs, so long as they get their fix of daily exercise. Running these dogs is an absolute necessity to maintain their natural even-tempered nature.
Having this dog around is very soothing as they are gentle and affectionate with their people. These dogs have a passion for being outdoors and will love nothing more than going on a hike or for a swim. They enjoy all of the different smells of nature and will be sure to find the stick that best suits their constant desire to chew. The Curly-Coated Retriever will want to chew on just about anything, so make sure to leave your possessions out of their reach unless you want to wind up with a shredded pair of sneakers!
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