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Curly-Coated Retriever feeding guide: how much and how often

Daily calories, portions by age and practical feeding tips for the Curly-Coated Retriever.

An adult male of about 34 kg (75 lb) usually eats around 350 to 450 g of dry food a day, roughly 3.5 to 4.5 cups, in two meals. Working dogs during the shooting season or regular winter swimmers can need 20 to 30 percent more, while companions on moderate exercise often need less. Curlies are athletic and should look lean, with a clear tuck under the belly.

Curls make body condition hard to judge by eye, so feel the ribs and spine every couple of weeks. Like other deep-chested sporting breeds they carry some bloat risk: feed two meals, keep hard exercise away from meal times and slow down fast eaters with a slow-feeder bowl. A swollen belly, retching that brings nothing up or restless pacing after eating means an urgent vet visit.

Curly-Coated Retriever feeding in numbers

Illustrative adult portions

DogWeightCaloriesDry food per day
Female, relaxed lifestyle30 kg1240 kcal335 g (3.3 cups)
Female, typical pet30 kg1420 kcal385 g (3.8 cups)
Male, typical pet34 kg1580 kcal425 g (4.3 cups)
Male, very active34 kg1970 kcal535 g (5.3 cups)

Puppy portions need measured weight, growth stage and the food’s energy content. A breed-average curve is not a feeding plan. Calculate with measured inputs and review the result with your vet.

Bowl capacity

1800 ml

21.5 cm across

Product height estimate

45.5 to 51.5 cm

not a veterinary recommendation

Rough drinking estimate

1.6 to 1.9 L

keep fresh water freely available

Adult examples assume midpoint breed weights, neutered pets and food with 370 kcal per 100 g. Cups assume 100 g per cup; actual food density varies. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Feeding guides for similar-sized breeds