Are Curly Coated Retrievers easy to groom?

The grooming reality for Curly Coated Retrievers

What the coat needs

Curly Coated Retrievers have a manageable coat that needs a quick brush once a week. It is a light routine that keeps the coat healthy and cuts down on hair around the home without any specialist work.

Time and cost

Most of the work is done at home with a decent brush and the occasional bath. Costs stay low: nail clippers, shampoo, and a brush suited to the coat are about all you need, with a salon trip only if you fancy a tidy-up.

The bits every dog needs

Whatever the coat, the basics are the same. Trim or file nails every few weeks so they do not click on the floor or splay the toes, check and gently clean ears to catch infections early, and brush the teeth several times a week to head off the dental disease that is common and costly in dogs. Start all of this in puppyhood so handling becomes routine rather than a battle.

Personality and cooperation on the grooming table

One of the oldest retriever breeds, the Curly Coated Retriever is a self-assured, tireless working dog with a distinctive coat of tight curls. Equally excellent in the field and as a loyal companion.

Confident dogs handle unfamiliar grooming environments and new equipment with little hesitation, which tends to make professional appointments considerably easier from the start. Intelligent dogs learn the grooming routine quickly, associating the brush or the clippers with a predictable, low-stress process once it has been repeated a handful of times. An active dog finds it hard to stay still through an extended grooming session without some exercise first to take the edge off its energy.

Training and temperament during grooming

Building tolerance for handling

Curly Coated Retrievers pick up tolerance for grooming with a reasonable amount of consistent practice, particularly when sessions start short and build up gradually.

Vocal protest during grooming

Curly Coated Retrievers bark a moderate amount generally, and an occasional grumble during a fiddly part of grooming, such as nail trimming, is not unusual.

Family involvement and other pets

Curly Coated Retrievers are generally good with children, and older kids can often be taught to help with simple brushing under supervision, which is a useful way to build the dog's comfort with being handled by different people. A resident cat is unlikely to be bothered by grooming sessions, and shed hair from brushing is worth clearing up promptly in a multi-pet household either way.

Grooming costs across a dog's lifetime

Curly Coated Retrievers typically live 10 to 12 years, and grooming needs tend to change with age: older dogs often have thinner, more sensitive skin and less patience for long sessions, so shorter, gentler grooming suits a senior curly coated retriever better than the routine that worked at two years old. Insurance for a Curly Coated Retriever in the UK typically runs about £35 to £70 a month, and skin problems from neglected coat care, matting, hot spots, and infected ears among them, are a common reason that cover gets used. Starting handling and brushing early with a Curly Coated Retriever puppy, which typically costs around £800 to £2000 in the UK, makes every grooming session for the rest of the dog's life considerably easier.