Murray River Curly Coated Retriever characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | 33% of breeds |
| Energy level | High | — |
| Trainability | High | 30% of breeds |
| Friendliness | High | 35% of breeds |
| Good with children | High | — |
| Grooming needs | Very High | 18% of breeds |
| Shedding | Low | 26% of breeds |
| Barking | Low | 32% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Low | 24% 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 Murray River Curly Coated Retriever right for you?
The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is a mid-sized breed that is comfortable in most homes, though a bit of space and a yard are welcome. In terms of temperament, it suits families with children particularly well and shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers. Day to day, the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. 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 Murray River Curly Coated Retriever to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is high-maintenance to groom, needing regular professional grooming and daily brushing and drops very little hair. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is quick to learn and a pleasure to train and keeps fairly quiet, barking occasionally. It copes with a standard working day alone once it has been eased into it, 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 stands out about the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Grooming needs: Very high — the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever needs more coat work than almost any breed here — this is a standing weekly commitment. Only 18% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Murray River 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 | Daily brushing plus regular professional grooming. Skipping it does not just look bad — coats in this class mat, and matting hurts. |
| Time alone | Manages a normal working day if it is properly exercised and left something to do. |
| Noise | Quieter than most breeds. |
Where the Murray River 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 | Good fit | High energy and low barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Good fit | High child tolerance, and sociable with people generally. |
| First-time owners | Good fit | High trainability without an unusually strong will makes the learning curve forgiving. |
| Homes with cats | Good fit | Medium prey drive makes cohabitation straightforward in most cases. |
| Long working days | Depends | Medium 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
- Australian hunters
- Water dog enthusiasts
- Active families
- Rare breed collectors
Things to consider
- Extremely rare breed
- High grooming needs
- Needs swimming access
- Limited availability
Not sure which breed is right for you?
Take the free DoggyQ quiz and get a personalized match from 321 breeds based on your lifestyle, home and preferences — plus a full report on what living with that breed actually costs.
Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever good with children?
- Yes — the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is known for being very good with children and makes an excellent family dog.
- Does the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever shed a lot?
- The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever has low shedding.
- How much exercise does the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever need?
- With high energy, the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.
- How long does the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever live?
- The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever typically lives around 12 years.
- Can the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever live in an apartment?
- The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever can live in an apartment provided it gets enough daily exercise and mental stimulation.
- Is the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever easy to train?
- The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is quick to learn and a pleasure to train. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever be left alone during the day?
- The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever copes with a standard working day alone once it has been eased into it. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.