Curly Coated Retriever — breed standard (AKC & FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Curly Coated Retriever — breed standard (AKC & FCI: size, coat, temperament, type)

Claims

• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* One of the oldest retrieving breeds, developed in Great Britain as a versatile hunting retriever; FCI places it in Group 8 (Retrievers), Section 1, with working trial (standard N° 110).
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Ideal height at the withers is 25–27 inches for dogs and 23–25 inches for bitches (FCI: 69 cm dogs, 64 cm bitches); a clearly superior dog just outside this range should not be faulted for size.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The coat is the breed's hallmark: a dense mass of small, tight, crisp curls lying close to the skin, water-resistant, extending up the neck and down the legs and tail; elsewhere the coat is short, smooth and straight.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Allowed colours are black or liver; a few white hairs are acceptable but a prominent white patch is undesirable.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* The head is a longer-than-wide wedge with almond eyes (black or brown in black dogs, brown or amber in liver dogs) and a scissors bite.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* In character the breed is self-assured, steady and proud; at home it is an active, intelligent and gentle companion, while in the field it is a stubborn, enduring hunter and may seem aloof.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Faults: a patch of uncurled hair behind the withers or any bald patch is severely penalized; sparse, silky, fuzzy or brittle hair is a fault; shyness is a fault and shying from show-ring examination should be penalized.
• *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* FCI disqualifying faults: aggressive or overly shy dogs, and any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities.