Who is this breed suited to?
This breed suits an involved owner drawn to an energetic working companion and willing to maintain a substantial curly or wavy coat.
Daily time commitment
RKC gives up to an hour of adult exercise. Include training, retrieving games and daily grooming; swimming requires safe access and supervision.
Coat and everyday care
Arrange daily coat attention and regular trimming. The traditional lion clip reflects water work, but discuss a manageable pet routine.
Challenges to plan for
Enthusiasm for water is not a substitute for water-safety training. Wet-coat drying and grooming can add considerable time after an outing.
How does it compare?
The Spanish Water Dog also has water-working history, but its corded coat routine differs; do not copy a grooming method indiscriminately.
Questions to ask a breeder
Which coat type do these parents have, how do you introduce grooming and water, and what screening records accompany the litter?
Sources and further reading
Reviewed October 2026. Breed tendencies are not a prediction for an individual dog. Exercise guidance concerns healthy adults; age, condition and weather change the plan.
