Size
The Curly is an active, well-muscled dog bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. The Curly is somewhat different in structure than the more common retrievers. A well-bred Curly will appear slightly leggy but is actually slightly longer than tall.
Height:
- Males: 25 to 27 inches (63.5 to 69 centimeters) at the withers
- Females: 23 to 25 inches (58 to 63.5 centimeters) at the withers
Weight:
- Males: 70 to 90 pounds (29 to 41 kilograms)
- Females: 50 to 70 pounds (29 to 39 kilograms)
Coat and Color
The breed sports a coat of tight, crisp curls. It is balanced and agile with a significant air of endurance, strength, and grace. The only acceptable colors for the Curly Coated Retriever are solid black and solid liver (brown). Occasional white hairs are permissible, but white patches are a serious fault. Their eyes should be either black or brown in black dogs, and brown or amber in liver dogs. Yellow eyes are undesirable. The nose should be fully pigmented, and the same color as the coat as the dog.