Longevity
Life expectancy
Its usual life expectancy is between 8 and 12 years. Suitable activity, maintaining a healthy weight, a balanced diet and regular veterinary follow-up help preserve its quality of life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its build is solid and its overall stamina is good. Its high activity level nevertheless requires a reasoned progression of exercise during growth and long-term monitoring of the locomotor system.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
The main points of vigilance concern the joints and the eyes. Screening in breeding dogs and appropriate veterinary check-ups make it possible to better prevent or manage the conditions to which the breed may be predisposed.
Joint dysplasia: The breed may be predisposed to dysplasia, particularly of the hip and elbow, which can lead to pain, lameness, and osteoarthritis.
Entropion: The rolling of the eyelid inward can irritate the cornea and requires a veterinary evaluation.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The breed generally tolerates cold as well as heat. Its lack of undercoat nevertheless requires staying attentive during extreme conditions, limiting exertion during hot hours and offering it a dry shelter as well as permanent access to water.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Its tendency to gain weight is rather moderate, but its ration must remain proportionate to its actual activity. Monitoring its body shape and weight helps to avoid an overload that is harmful to the joints.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the eyes checked regularly and consult in case of redness, tearing or discomfort.
- Monitor the gait and report any limping or stiffness to the veterinarian.
- Adjust exercise during growth in order to protect the joints.
- Monitor weight and body shape throughout life.
Vaccination
Curly-Coated Retriever vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Curly-Coated Retriever need? Like all dogs, Curly-Coated Retrievers should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Curly-Coated Retriever vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Curly-Coated Retriever booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Curly-Coated Retriever need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Curly-Coated Retriever
Before breeding, it is recommended to check the health of the hips and elbows and to carry out an ophthalmological examination. For the companion dog, an annual veterinary check-up, supplemented according to age and the signs observed, allows early detection of joint or ocular disorders.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
