Curly Coated Retriever: Origin, Size and Purpose

Originating in England, the Curly Coated Retriever is a dog breed from the United Kingdom. It was developed to hunt upland birds and waterfowl. Tight curls cover its body, making it easy to recognize. Curly Coated and Wavy Coated Retrievers were the earliest two recognized retriever breeds, by about 1860.

What this breed is

The Curly Coated Retriever is a retriever from England, in the United Kingdom. It was bred to hunt upland birds and waterfowl.

Its body is covered in tight curls, a defining feature of the breed.

Origins and history

The breed's origin is recorded as the United Kingdom. Curly Coated and Wavy Coated Retrievers were among the first recognized retriever breeds, with recognition dating to about 1860.

To compare breeds from its home country, see dog breeds from the United Kingdom.

Distinctive traits

The Curly Coated Retriever is recorded as the tallest of the retrievers. Its mass of tight curls makes it readily distinguishable.

Its documented working purpose is hunting both upland birds and waterfowl.

What to consider

The breed's recorded role centers on upland bird and waterfowl hunting. That working history is an important part of what it is.

Its defining coat is a mass of tight curls over the body.

Pricing

No pricing information is associated with this breed description.

Who may want another breed

Someone looking beyond a hunting breed may prefer to compare other dog breeds instead.

Verdict

Choose this breed if its English origins, retriever identity, curly coat and bird-hunting history match what you want in a dog.

Look elsewhere if those defining points do not fit your plans.

What stands out

Bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting.
Tight curls cover the body and distinguish the breed.
Recorded as the tallest of the retrievers.
Recognized as one of the first two retriever breeds.

Worth knowing

Its documented working history centers on hunting birds and waterfowl.
The breed has a dense covering of tight curls over its body.
Its origin is specifically recorded as England in the United Kingdom.

Suits

Readers seeking a retriever with English roots and a curly coat
Owners interested in a breed developed for bird hunting

Think twice if

You are not interested in a breed whose recorded purpose is upland bird and waterfowl hunting
You want a breed outside the retriever group

In short

The Curly Coated Retriever brings a clear identity: it comes from England, belongs to the retriever group and was shaped for work with upland birds and waterfowl. Its tight curls set it apart visually. The breed's place among the earliest recognized retrievers adds historical context. It makes the most sense for a reader drawn to that specific combination of origin, appearance and hunting purpose.

Questions

Where did the Curly Coated Retriever originate?

It originated in England, within the United Kingdom.

What was the Curly Coated Retriever bred to do?

It was originally bred for hunting upland birds and waterfowl.

How tall is the Curly Coated Retriever?

Its listed height is 64.

What does its coat look like?

A mass of tight curls covers the breed’s body.

How does it rank among retrievers by height?

It is recorded as the tallest of the retrievers.

When were Curly Coated Retrievers recognized?

Curly Coated and Wavy Coated Retrievers were among the earliest recognized retriever breeds, by about 1860.

More dog breeds from United Kingdom

Other Retriever breeds

Photo credits17 photographs on this page

Curly Coated Retriever — Mattias Agar · CC BY-SA 2.0 · file page
Airedale Terrier — Wikimedia Commons contributor · Copyrighted free use · file page
beagle — Jonatan De Geest · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Border Terrier — Floris16 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Bulldog — Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Bullmastiff — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — Mapovfille · CC BY 3.0 · file page
collie — Karen Arnold · CC0 · file page
English Water Spaniel — Henry Bernard Chalon · Public domain · file page
Flat-Coated Retriever — Fesoj-wr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
Fox Terrier — State Farm · CC BY 2.0 · file page
greyhound — Neurodoc · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Harrier — Smcmilla · Public domain · file page
Jack Russell Terrier — Plank · CC BY 3.0 · file page
Lakeland Terrier — sannse · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Norfolk Terrier — Robin Wellmann · Public domain · file page
Otterhound — Machinecha · Public domain · file page

Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.