Stately and elegant, agile and strong and at the same time very smart dog. This is a Curly Coated Retriever. A feature of this breed, of course, can be considered a thick and curly coat. The dog has a docile nature, unpretentious care, swims well. This animal has a bright appearance. His body and figure resembles a pointer, and his thick and curly coat resembles a poodle. And this is not surprising: many noble bloodlines are mixed in the breed. Experts believe that the ancestors of retrievers were great poodles and Labrador retrievers, Newfoundlands and water spaniels.
The Curly-Coated Retriever was originally a working dog. Not lords and peers went hunting with them, but ordinary hunters, and sometimes poachers, who needed to quickly get a bird under cover of night. That is why, at the birth of the breed, several of its names took root: Curly Retriever, Curly, Curly Retriever.
A bit of history
This is one of the oldest breeds in England, first mentioned in the first half of the 19th century. The experts considerthat along one line it belongs to the Newfoundlands (small), on the other - to the Irish Spaniels (water). Probably, poodles, Labradors and setters took part in the creation of the breed. For the first time, a curly-coated retriever, the photo of which you can see in this article, was presented at an exhibition in 1860. For almost forty years the breed did not have its own club. It appeared only in 1896. In 1913, the first breed standard was adopted.
In England in the middle of the 19th century, these dogs were more often kept as pets than hunting assistants. In our time, the Curly-Coated Retriever breed is quite rare (especially in Russia). It is more common in New Zealand and Australia.
Curly-Coated Retriever: character, photo and description
This is a large and stately dog with a muscular and strong physique. It has an elongated proportional (relative to the body) head and a short body. The chest is not too wide, but deep. Ears hanging. At the withers, the height of males is on average 68.5 cm with a weight of 35 kg. Bitches are slightly smaller - 63.5 cm. Their weight should not exceed 30 kg. The dog is very kind and obedient, playful and wise. She can become a faithful assistant and a devoted friend.
Wool and its care
The Curly Coated Retriever has a unique appearance. Its main feature is wool, which will not allow you to confuse this breed with any other. The entire body and ears of the animal are covered with a dense and dense mass of small and steep curls that lie close to the skin of the dog. On the muzzle, forehead and limbsthe coat is short, straight and smooth.
Such a fur coat reliably protects the animal from wind and bad weather. Shedding occurs twice a year, has an average intensity. This is especially attractive to many owners of the Curly Coated Retriever. It requires minimal maintenance. It is enough to brush your pet twice a week with a stiff brush. Bathe the dog if necessary, using a mild shampoo so as not to disturb the protective properties of the coat.
You should regularly check the ears of your four-legged friend so that dirt does not accumulate in them, which can provoke the appearance of various infectious processes. The most common diseases for this breed are eye diseases and hip dysplasia. You can also keep a retriever in a city apartment, but subject to frequent and long walks. Such a dog feels more comfortable in the fresh air, outside the city.
Character
I would like to tell you more about him. The Curly-Coated Retriever is a calm and cautious animal. Unlike Labradors, the dog carefully considers every step he takes. It is necessary to train a dog. Classes should be given a lot of time, because the pet needs to be explained why it is necessary to execute this or that command. The owner's wish alone will not be enough for this.
This breed is characterized by three main qualities - prudence, devotion and balance. In this case, the dog may seem tooindependent, precisely because of her tendency to make decisions on her own. Boundless faith and devotion to the owner attracts coldness to strangers. With the wrong upbringing, this can cause even weak aggression, which does not pose a real threat.
The Retriever really needs to communicate with a person. But this dog definitely does not pretend to be the best nanny. He won't let a small child twist his ears or bite his nose, he'll just walk away and find a quieter place for himself. But, when your baby grows up, you won’t find a better companion for him. The Curly-Coated Retriever gets along well with any animal. In the company of other dogs, he behaves independently, but does not show any special leadership inclinations, while he will never take the position of a subordinate.
Curly Coated Retriever Puppies
If you decide to get such a charming companion, then you should know how to choose the right baby. First of all, pay attention to the conditions in which the puppies are kept. Refuse to buy if the room where the animals live is dirty. With such care, it is unlikely that puppies will be completely he althy. Outwardly, babies should be well-fed and well-groomed.
Care and maintenance
Retriever puppies can't live outside (nor can adults). At first, the baby needs to allocate a place in the house or apartment. He can live in a corridor in a small box or a makeshift booth covered with a warm blanket. Firstthe line in the house of the baby should be formed zones: for sleeping and eating. It must be protected from drafts.
From his warm spot, the puppy needs to see what's going on in the house. These kids are extremely curious, it is vital for them to be the center of attention. Don't forget about vaccinations. Usually, when buying an animal, the breeder introduces the vaccination schedule to the new owner. If you have not received such information, your veterinarian will tell you everything in detail.
Feeding the puppy
You can choose one of two options - either cook natural food yourself, or give your baby dry food (for puppies). It largely depends on what the dog is accustomed to in the breeder's house. Retriever owners need to be aware that good quality food is usually quite expensive. In addition, you need to choose food wisely. Only premium or super premium food is suitable for feeding retriever puppies. All other species can be dangerous to the he alth of the baby.
You can cook food for your pet yourself. Both of these methods have pros and cons. Dry food is completely balanced, contains all the necessary nutrients, and besides, you do not have to spend quite a lot of time on daily cooking.
When natural feeding the puppy should be given raw fish (marine, without bones). The dog loves meat, he can be given pieces of lean beef or veal, but not minced meat, because it is difficult to digest in the stomach, and sometimes it can even cause decay. It is better to cut the meat into pieces, pour over boiling water and only then give it to your pet. Feeding natural products has its own challenges. It is difficult for a novice owner to make a complete diet on their own, so you will need the help of a veterinarian. He will also prescribe a complex of vitamins and minerals that should be added to food.
