Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Double coat, short.
A Curly-Coated Retriever suits
- A family with young children (rated 5 of 5 with kids)
- A home that changes often, or apartment life (adaptability 4 of 5)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 4 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 2 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 1 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 159.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Curly-Coated Retriever vs Löwchen · Curly-Coated Retriever vs Manchester Terrier · Curly-Coated Retriever vs Border Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers good with kids?
The AKC rates the Curly-Coated Retriever 5 out of 5 for being good with young children. That is the top score.
Do Curly-Coated Retrievers shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 2 out of 5 (low), and coat grooming 1 out of 5.
Are Curly-Coated Retrievers easy to train?
Trainability is rated 4 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Curly-Coated Retriever have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Curly-Coated Retriever page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.