Curly-Coated Retriever Colors & Coat Guide

All recognized Curly-Coated Retriever colors, coat types, genetics, and how color can impact pricing and health.

Curly-Coated Retriever Colors Overview

Only black and liver are accepted. Black is dominant at the B locus. The curly coat is produced by a variant of the KRT71 gene, the same gene responsible for curls in other breeds.. The breed standard defines which colors are acceptable for competition.

Prospective owners should understand that color has no bearing on a dog's temperament or health (with rare exceptions linked to specific color genes). Choose a Curly-Coated Retriever based on health, temperament, and breeder quality—not color alone.

Recognized Colors

Black Standard

Liver Standard

Dark Liver Standard

Color & Price Impact

Standard colors	Normal pricing ($1000–$2000)
Rare/unusual colors	Premium pricing (+$600–$1000)

Coat Genetics

Color genetics in Curly-Coated Retrievers involve multiple loci working together. Only black and liver are accepted. Black is dominant at the B locus. The curly coat is produced by a variant of the KRT71 gene, the same gene responsible for curls in other breeds..

Key genetic loci include E (controls whether pigment is expressed), A (pattern distribution), K (solid vs. patterned), and B (black vs. brown base). DNA testing allows breeders to predict litter colors accurately.

Rare vs Standard Colors

Rare Curly-Coated Retriever colors can be fascinating from a genetics perspective, but proceed with caution. Only black and liver are accepted. Black is dominant at the B locus. The curly coat is produced by a variant of the KRT71 gene, the same gene responsible for curls in other breeds.. Premium pricing for unusual colors beyond the standard $1000–$2000 range does not guarantee quality breeding.

The best approach is to choose a Curly-Coated Retriever breeder who health-tests thoroughly for Hip Dysplasia and Glycogen Storage Disease and produces well-tempered dogs, regardless of coat color.

Do Curly-Coated Retriever Colors Change with Age?

As your Curly-Coated Retriever puppy matures toward its adult weight of 60–95 lbs, expect their coat to change too. Most puppies undergo a coat transition between 4 and 12 months that can alter color depth, pattern visibility, and overall appearance. Only black and liver are accepted. Black is dominant at the B locus. The curly coat is produced by a variant of the KRT71 gene, the same gene responsible for curls in other breeds..

Controversial Colors

In the Curly-Coated Retriever world, so-called 'rare' colors can be controversial. The breed standard recognizes colors like Black, Liver, Dark Liver, and deviations may involve genes associated with health problems. Breeders who focus on color over health may cut corners on testing for Hip Dysplasia and Glycogen Storage Disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Curly-Coated Retriever comes in Black, Liver, Dark Liver. Only black and liver are accepted. Black is dominant at the B locus. The curly coat is produced by a variant of the KRT71 gene, the same gene responsible for curls in other breeds..

Among Curly-Coated Retriever colors, rarity reflects recessive genetics rather than quality. Only black and liver are accepted. Black is dominant at the B locus. The curly coat is produced by a variant of the KRT71 gene, the same gene responsible for curls in other breeds..

Color changes during the puppy-to-adult coat transition (4–12 months) are normal in Curly-Coated Retrievers. The transition is typically subtle for this breed's curly coat. Standard colors (Black, Liver, Dark Liver) tend to be established by maturity.

In most cases, coat color does not affect health. However, certain color genes (such as merle or extreme white) can carry health implications in some breeds. Only black and liver are accepted. Black is dominant at the B locus. The curly coat is produced by a variant of the KRT71 gene, the same gene responsible for curls in other breeds..

Popularity among Curly-Coated Retriever colors tends to track with the breed standard. The standard recognizes Black, Liver, Dark Liver as acceptable colors. Color options are limited for this breed, which simplifies the selection process. Only black and liver are accepted. Black is dominant at the B locus. The curly coat is produced by a variant of the KRT71 gene, the same gene responsible for curls in other breeds..