One of the oldest retriever canine breeds is that of the curly coated retriever. The curlies originated in Britain and were generally utilized as hunting dogs by English gamekeepers and poachers. Their speed, intelligence and strength made them the ideal breed to hunt down furry animals and fowl in rough terrain with very cold climates. Nowadays they are not necessarily utilized as hunting dogs and many people keep them as family pets. This article will provide information about the curly coated retriever examining its appearance, its health needs, and its personality faux eyelashes.
The Appearance
The curly coated retriever is a rather tall dog with a short curly coat. The males stand at approximately 27 inches and the females stand at approximately 25 inches. While tall, they do not present with a large mass and the heaviest a curly coated retriever could weigh is 70 pounds. This light weight was a major contributor to the animal’s speed and dexterity.
As mentioned, this dog has a short and curly coat; however, this does not mean the fur is coarse in any way. The coat on the face and on the front of the legs is rather smooth and presents with a strong sheen if groomed correctly. It should be noted that curlies are highly susceptible to coat patterning which is a hereditary trait characterized by stripes and bald spots.
The Health Needs
The dxnat curly coated retriever is typically a very healthy breed but there are some cases where the dog can suffer from health complications, particularly among pureblood animals. A heritable condition that many retrievers struggle with is hip dysplasia. This occurs when the thighbone does not fit into the hip joint and can cause long-term pain and lameness in the affected leg. Arthritis can also be experienced and is associated with hip dysplasia.
A unique health need that is seen primarily among retrievers is distichia or the presence of an additional row of faux eyelashes
. These eyelashes grow on the oil gland in the eye and can irritate the eyeball severely. Long-term difficulties associated with this condition are vision impairment and, dependent on the length of the eyelashes, blindness.
The Personality
This breed of retriever is a very lively and alert canine. The liveliness is not merely a characteristic but can be attributed to the fact that curly coated retrievers mature very slowly and are pup-like for a long time. This bright and chipper personality makes it the ideal family dog, particularly among families with young children.
Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists, , TN where he helps people train their dogs and solve behavior problems. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of the Canine Behavior Specialists faux eyelashes,