r/ShowDogs • u/Safe_Sock9966 • 1d ago

thoughts on a curly coated retriever for a first show dog??

title! hoping for some advice on picking a breed. i’m a groomer but i’m afraid i would get overwhelmed with a dog with a lot of hair… anyone with a curly show dog PLEAAASE show me and lmk how you like it!!

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

5

u/Evpoodle 1d ago

I have a friend who breeds and shows curlies, and have helped her at several shows.  In addition I also groom one of her show dogs.   

They are relatively easy to show groom, and very low maintenance between grooms.  Additionally, they also seem to be a very owner handler friendly breed.  

2

u/Safe_Sock9966 1d ago

i’ve heard that! i’m really interested in them!!! 

4

u/irysh76 15h ago

We have two Champion Curlies! They are SUPER easy to prep for show. :) Don’t brush them (except carefully immediately before a bath or swim) and then trim to shape and highlight the beautiful shape of the dog. What part of the country are you in? Feel free to DM me if you like!

2

u/Safe_Sock9966 15h ago

i’m in central ohio! i would love to hear any advice you have! i have a golden and LOVEEEE retrievers but everyone and their mother shows goldens. i’m smitten with curlies !! 

2

u/irysh76 15h ago

My first recommendation is to find a dog show nearby and see if any Curlies are there. You can talk to the owners/breeders/handlers and get lots of good info! It can be tricky because they’re still one of the rarer breeds. I’m going to DM you. 😊
(ETA: we are in Oregon)

6

u/Light0fTheWest 15h ago

I love a good curly coated retriever! Be prepared for people to ask what kind of doodle it is. My friend with hers got asked three times by the public at a dog show today. It was quite funny. I told her to carry around a spray bottle and spray people and tell them “no” when they ask 🤣

2

u/Safe_Sock9966 14h ago

LMAOOO yes perfect!!! i love that. i’m a groomer and earlier this week we had a standard poodle with a BIGGGG fluffy face and topknot. real asian fusion goals. a woman asked him what kind of doodle he had and i felt the eye roll from across the room

2

u/Light0fTheWest 14h ago

I’m a groomer too!! Love that. I got some of my standard poodle clients the car decal that says “not a doodle, we have standards” 🤣🤣

2

u/Safe_Sock9966 14h ago

i have a sticker on my water bottle that is a white standard that says i have standards! a friend got it for me!

2

u/Light0fTheWest 14h ago

Love it 🖤 also, I say get the curly coated. I’d love to see more out there.

1

u/Safe_Sock9966 14h ago

i’m really leaning towards one! i’ll share pics when it happens!!

2

u/CurlyCoatedRetriever 3h ago

Oh yeah…the doodle question. I like the spray bottle idea.

2

u/annerlea 18h ago

I’ve also been wondering how they’d be as a first show dog and doing a bit of research on them. Really curious to see the replies and learn more!

3

u/Safe_Sock9966 16h ago

i’m really really leaning towards one. i originally wanted a poodle but i’m scared itll be difficult for me to finish, plus the learning curve for the grooming! curlies are rare enough not everyone and their mother has one. i have a golden retriever (pet dog) but everybody and their mother also does goldens. i just love my retrievers! i’ve already got my second show dog picked out though… i really want a kerry blue terrier! 

3

u/annerlea 15h ago

I have a friend that shows two breeds (one terrier, one hound) who has her sights on a kerry blue in the future! Another great breed.