Gidday All,
My name is Karen and I own the Murray Group on Yahoo. Murray River Curly Coated Retrievers like Koolies are an older Australian breed having been in Australia since around 1860. Like Koolies they are also not recognised by the ANKC... Like Koolies they slaso survived...survived because they did the task they were bred for and made great companions.

From what I can see you Koolie people are far more advanced than us...at least you have a breed club. I fear impending legislation where only members of a breed club who are registered breeders will be able to breed... unless the Murray owners take this step the breed may disappear.

I am here to learn more of the Koolie...there are a couple in a yard next to mine that never get out...I feel sorry for them, they look at my girls and just want to come and play... but I wish tolearn more of your breed club, how you went about forming it and how you agreed on standards etc...

Welcome Murraycurly!!

Do they come in a black version as my brother had one just like that Sheepish was a teriffic dog, bit strange at times but who wouldn't be living with my brother.... but at least he had a dog, shows he has some redeeming qualities.

Anyway welcome and wish you luck with getting the Murray River Curly Coated Retrievers recognised...

Hi Karen
Welcome to our forum!!
I have to admit total ignorance of the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever, even though I only live 5km from the Murray!!
It seems to be the general consensus that you need to move forward as I have had email contact with one of your group yesterday.
You have started well with your Yahoo group and are at least talking about it. I would say the sooner you get a formal group organized the better. Once you have set up a club or association you become the voice of the breed.
Firstly you need to elect a committee and then incorporate the group with Consumer Affairs. Incorporation is extremely important as it gives you guidelines to run the group, protects individuals from liability, shows that you are serious and open about running the group and gives you credibility.
Be inclusive of as many people and dogs as you can, starting with a culture of good will is easier than trying to create it later. Although it all looks very daunting it is good to be starting with a clear slate and you as the ones who know the breed best look after the breeds future. You will meet some lovely people and make friends you never knew you would have who all understand the pleasure your dogs give you and all the little quirks you laugh at and what you go through when people say "your dog is a what??".
I think I speak for the rest of the committee when I say we would be happy to give you any advice or assistance we can.
Feel free to pm or email editor@australian-koolies.info

good luck
Ann
Registrar

Welcome MurrayCurly (Karen)!!!

I have a friend who used to have a Murray River CCR! He was a lovely dog, lots of energy, lots of love and a very happy chap. He was a rescue, they believe dumped as he had a heart murmur. He had a happy life with my friend's family but passed away unfortunately a couple of years ago at the age of 6 due to heart complications possibly hastened due to an episode of tick paralysis 12 mths earlier.

What was the breed developed in Oz for originally? As I said I've met one but don't know a lot about their history. I think I've seen a website on them but can't remember the info! Shall now go and check!

Thank you for the welcome.
JackieH Murrays only come in liver and various shades of it. Some have a little white on their chests. If they have been bred back to a standard CCR they could throw to black but this is discouraged. In standard CCRs black is the dominant colour.

When people think of the Curly in Oz they generally think of the smaller liver dog that came out here with early settlers. You are welcome to join our group to learn more and help us with this breed club business..It is only 2.5 years old but we have over 130 members who are owners or supporters. It was started after I got flamed on a retriever board when I got flamed for trying to help a poor breeder with run on pups find homes. They suggested that such BYBs of designer dogs had no place on their precious pedigree board...I saw red.That board is o longer in existence but on its successor we have qualified support from the retriever people and even our own section.

I have down research into their history and photos exist from around 1860 in national and state collections with Murray type dogs. It is possible it is a representation of an earlier form of retriever that has become extinct elsewhere. Most likely descended from a Norfolk Retriever. They were meat or duck dogs...they had to earn their keep and the owners meat!

Yes we do need a formal group..I hope our members see fit to move forward soon...Murray River Curly Coated Retriever Group

Hi and welcome, I love the dogs grins they look beautiful. Especially love the curls, what are their temperaments like, my brother is looking at a type of retriever to obtain soon, I will suggest he should look into these guys. Are they good around children? They certainly look like bright sparks. So what are your dogs names and how long have you been into the Murray River Curly Coated Retrievers (phew that is long) hehe.

Hi Ceejay, generally the temperaments are pretty good. They exist to please their owner..can be real clowns and sort of talk, a Murray talk and they have a Murray dance too..They like nothing more than to carry something in their mouth and generally greet you with a treasure.The can be protective of their family and home. They are a bird dog so if you keep chooks etc these have to be introduced as young pups.

I have been around Murray River Curlies probably 50 years. When I haven;t been able to get one I have had other retrievers but always come back to Murrays. Currently I have the mini Murray Aggie who is in my avitar(she was a rescue) and Maggie who is CCRxlab. Maggie is an assistance dog.

Generally they would be smaller than other retrievers probably weigh 25kgs give or take a few ks.We have to be careful as in recent years size has been increasing and hip problems creeping in. The better breeders now test. Always come in liver...there is a litter planned up your way later this year.Pm me if you would like details.

Hi Karen and welcome to the group from the apple isle!

I actually saw and patted one some years back, up north coast somewhere in nsw, when I was showing charlies..the man who had them was talking about this issue of ANKC recognising them (not!) and registering them as a breed, way back then..I dont know a lot about it, but have always remembered this!

They look just beautiful..not as much as the Koolies of course, but nice hehehe

I wish you the best on your quest!

cheers