robust breed of sporting dog known for its water-repellent coat of ringlets, which require no trimming; coat is short, curly, and crisp all over body except on face, where it is smooth and short; may be solid liver or solid black in color; ears are relatively small, hang close to head, and are covered with tight curls; tail is short and straight; eyes are black or brown; adult stands 22–24 in. (56–61 cm) tall at shoulders and weighs 55–70 lbs (25–32 kg); best adapted to hunting and retrieving quail and waterfowl; can be quarrelsome with other retrievers; excellent guard dog; very faithful; breed developed in Great Britain in the early 1800s from crosses between British water spaniels, various retrievers, pointers, and possibly even poodles; now a very popular hunting dog in New Zealand and Australia,