Is the Curly-Coated Retriever good with children?

The Curly-Coated Retriever can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Does the Curly-Coated Retriever shed a lot?

The Curly-Coated Retriever has medium shedding.

How much exercise does the Curly-Coated Retriever need?

With high energy, the Curly-Coated Retriever needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.

How long does the Curly-Coated Retriever live?

The Curly-Coated Retriever typically lives around 12 years.

Can the Curly-Coated Retriever live in an apartment?

The Curly-Coated Retriever is a larger breed and does better in a home with more space, though it can adapt with enough daily exercise.

Is the Curly-Coated Retriever easy to train?

The Curly-Coated Retriever is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.

Can the Curly-Coated Retriever be left alone during the day?

The Curly-Coated Retriever is reasonably independent and takes alone time in its stride. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.

Curly-Coated Retriever: Temperament, Size & Care

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Curly-Coated Retriever characteristics

Trait	Rating	How common
Size	Large	32% of breeds
Energy level	High	—
Trainability	Medium	48% of breeds
Friendliness	Medium	34% of breeds
Good with children	Medium	—
Grooming needs	Low	24% of breeds
Shedding	Medium	40% of breeds
Barking	Low	32% of breeds
Protectiveness	Medium	38% of breeds
Adaptability	Medium	41% of breeds
Typical lifespan	12 years	—
Hypoallergenic	No	—

“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.

Is the Curly-Coated Retriever right for you?

The Curly-Coated Retriever is a big, substantial dog that wants a roomier home and ideally a yard to move around in. In terms of temperament, it gets on with children when raised around them and will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive. Day to day, the Curly-Coated Retriever needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.

Exercise and daily routine

The Curly-Coated Retriever needs real exercise every single day to stay balanced. With high energy and high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Curly-Coated Retriever to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.

Grooming, shedding and upkeep

The Curly-Coated Retriever needs only light grooming, a brush once or twice a week and sheds a moderate amount, with heavier seasonal moults. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.

Temperament and training

The Curly-Coated Retriever is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions and is generally quiet, barking only occasionally. It is reasonably independent and takes alone time in its stride, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.

What a week with a Curly-Coated Retriever actually costs you

Exercise	Around an hour to ninety minutes of daily exercise, and it will notice when a day is skipped.
Coat	Occasional brushing is enough.
Time alone	Handles normal working hours better than most, given exercise either side.
Noise	Quieter than most breeds.

Where the Curly-Coated Retriever fits — and where it does not

Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.

Household	Verdict	Why
Apartment living	Depends	Size alone rules out small flats, though the temperament can suit one.
Families with young children	Depends	Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers.
First-time owners	Depends	Manageable for a committed beginner who takes training seriously from week one.
Homes with cats	Good fit	Medium prey drive makes cohabitation straightforward in most cases.
Long working days	Good fit	High independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds.
Allergy households	Depends	No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme.

Perfect for

Experienced hunters
Independent dog lovers
Water sports
Low-maintenance grooming

Things to consider

Can be aloof with strangers
Independent nature
Slow to warm up

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Curly-Coated Retriever good with children?: The Curly-Coated Retriever can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Does the Curly-Coated Retriever shed a lot?: The Curly-Coated Retriever has medium shedding.
How much exercise does the Curly-Coated Retriever need?: With high energy, the Curly-Coated Retriever needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.
How long does the Curly-Coated Retriever live?: The Curly-Coated Retriever typically lives around 12 years.
Can the Curly-Coated Retriever live in an apartment?: The Curly-Coated Retriever is a larger breed and does better in a home with more space, though it can adapt with enough daily exercise.
Is the Curly-Coated Retriever easy to train?: The Curly-Coated Retriever is reasonably trainable with regular, positive sessions. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
Can the Curly-Coated Retriever be left alone during the day?: The Curly-Coated Retriever is reasonably independent and takes alone time in its stride. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.

Curly-Coated Retriever