Stately and elegant, agile and strong and at the same time very smart dog. This is a curly-haired retriever. A feature of this breed, of course, can be considered thick and curly hair. The dog has an easygoing character, is unpretentious in leaving, swims perfectly. This animal has a bright appearance. His become and the figure resembles a Pointer, and thick and curly hair - a poodle. And this is not surprising: a lot of noble blood is mixed in the breed. Experts believe that the ancestors of the retriever were large poodles and Labrador retriever, Newfoundlands and water spaniels.
Curly-haired curly (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 origin of the breed, several of its names took root: curly retriever, curls, curls retriever.
A bit of history
This is one of the oldest breeds in England, which was first mentioned in the first half of the XIX century. Experts believe that on one line it refers to Newfoundlands (small), on the other - to Irish (water) spaniels. Probably, poodles, labradors and setters took part in the creation of the breed. For the first time, a curly-haired retriever, whose photo you can see in this article, was presented at the exhibition in I860. For almost forty years, the breed did not have its own club. He appeared only in 1896. In 1913, the first breed standard was adopted.
In England, in the mid-19th century, these dogs were more often kept as pets than hunting assistants. Nowadays, the curly-haired retriever breed is quite rare (especially in Russia). More often it is found in New Zealand and Australia.
Curly-haired 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 are hanging. At the withers, the height of the males is on average 68.5 cm and weighs 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 loyal friend.
Wool and care
Curly-haired retriever - the owner of a unique appearance. Its main feature is wool, which will not allow confusing this breed with any other. The entire body and ears of the animal are covered by a dense and dense mass of small and steep curls that lie close to the skin of the dog. On the face, forehead and limbs, the hair is short, straight and smooth.
Such a fur coat reliably protects the animal from wind and weather. Shedding occurs twice a year, has an average intensity. This is especially attractive for many owners curly-haired retriever. Minimal care is required. It is enough to clean your pet twice a week with a hard brush. If necessary, bathe the dog using a mild shampoo so as not to violate the protective properties of the coat.
You should regularly check the ears of your four-legged friend so that they do not collect dirt, which can provoke the appearance of various infectious processes. The most common diseases for this breed are eye diseases and hip dysplasia. You can 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 talk about it in more detail. A kinky retriever is a calm and prudent animal. Unlike labradors, the dog carefully thinks over each step. Raising a dog is necessary. Classes should be given a lot of time, since the pet needs to be explained why it is necessary to carry out one or another command. The owner’s desire alone will not be enough for this.
This breed is characterized by three main qualities - discretion, devotion and poise. In this case, the dog may seem too independent, precisely because of its tendency to make decisions independently. Unlimited faith and devotion to the owner leads to coldness to strangers. With improper upbringing, this can even cause 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 will not allow a small child to twist his ears or bite his nose, he will just leave and pick up a more peaceful place. But, your kid will grow up a code, there is no better companion for him. The curly retriever gets along well with any animals. In the society of other dogs, he behaves independently, but does not show 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 puppies are kept. Refuse to purchase if the room where the animals live is dirty. With this care, the puppies are unlikely to be completely healthy. Externally, the kids should be well-fed and well-groomed.
Care and maintenance
Retriever puppies cannot live outside (like adult animals). At first, the baby needs to allocate a place in the house or apartment. He can live in the corridor in a small box or a makeshift booth covered with a warm blanket. First of all, in the baby’s house, zones should be formed: for sleeping and eating. It must be protected from drafts.
From its warm place, the puppy needs to see what is happening in the house. These babies are extremely curious, it is vital for them to be in the spotlight. Do not forget about vaccination. Usually, when buying an animal, the breeder introduces the new owner to the vaccination schedule. If you have not received such information, the veterinarian will tell you everything in detail.
Puppy feeding
You can choose one of two options - either independently prepare natural products, or give the baby dry food (for puppies). In many respects it depends on what the dog is accustomed to in the breeder’s house. Retriever owners need to know that good quality feed is usually quite expensive. In addition, you need to choose food competently. For feeding retriever puppies, only “premium” or “super-premium” class feeds are suitable. All other species can be dangerous to the baby's health.
You can cook for your pet yourself. Both of these methods have pros and cons. Dry food is completely balanced, contains all the necessary nutrients, and you don’t have to spend a lot of time on daily cooking.
With natural feeding, the puppy should be given raw fish (marine, boneless). The dog loves meat, you can give him pieces of lean beef or veal, but not minced, because it is difficult to digest in the stomach, and sometimes can even cause rot. 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 difficulties. It is difficult for a novice owner to make a complete diet on their own, so you need the help of a veterinarian. He will also prescribe a complex of vitamins and minerals, which should be added to food.