A simple weekly checklist for a Curly-Coated Retriever looks different from most retriever lists, because the coat asks for restraint while the body and brain ask for plenty. This is a strong, independent water dog bred for demanding retrieving work, so the week needs real activity, planned swimming, and careful ear care after every wet outing. A one-page checklist keeps those priorities visible without overcomplicating grooming that should stay minimal.
Exercise and retrieving work for a Curly-Coated Retriever
Daily work sits at the top of a Curly-Coated Retriever checklist. Plan substantial exercise that uses the dog's retrieving drive, such as marked retrieves on land, controlled swims where swimming is permitted and safe, and long hikes on varied ground. This breed matures into a capable, sometimes self-reliant partner, so weave short training refreshers into the week rather than assuming early lessons hold forever. Note which sessions left the dog settled and which left it restless, because that tells you honestly whether the workload is enough. An under-exercised Curly-Coated Retriever will invent its own projects around the house and garden. Rotate retrieving locations between fields, shores, and woodland edges where access allows, since new ground keeps an experienced working dog attentive far longer than repeating the same familiar circuit every single day.
After every swim: ears and drying
Ear care after swimming is the checklist item this breed cannot skip. Water sits in the ear canal after retrieves, so dry the outer ear gently after each swim and check for head shaking, odor, or scratching in the hours that follow. Let the curly coat dry naturally or with a light towel, avoiding vigorous rubbing that frizzes and damages the curls. During heavy shedding periods the coat may look patchy for a while, which is a normal pattern for the breed rather than a reason to shave or over-bathe. Write swim days on the checklist so ear checks automatically follow them.
Hands-on coat and body check once a week
A weekly hands-on check replaces the brushing routine other retrievers need. Run your palms over the whole body feeling for lumps, ticks after field or woodland outings, and sore spots under the collar and harness lines. The tight curls should feel springy and cover the body evenly, with a smoother area on the face and legs. Check nails, especially any dewclaws, and look at teeth and gums while the dog is relaxed. Because Curly-Coated Retrievers can be reserved with strangers, practice this handling at home so veterinary examinations feel familiar rather than confrontational.
Reviewing the week for a working water dog
The weekly review for a Curly-Coated Retriever connects workload, ears, and mood. Look back at how many swims happened, whether any ear irritation followed, and whether restlessness clustered on low-activity days. Contact your veterinarian if head shaking persists, an ear smells strong, appetite drops, or a limp lingers beyond a day of rest after hard exercise. Those thresholds are easier to act on when the checklist shows exactly what the dog did that week. Logging the review in KinsLe through Care Teams means the person who supervised the swim and the person doing the evening ear check share one timestamped record.