The physical characteristics of dogs are one of the factors that influence their popularity. Many dog lovers think of a poodle when it comes to curly-haired dogs only to find out that there’s more available. Here’s a list of 20 Breeds with Curly Hair and tips on how to maintain their lovely coats.
Are you interested in other curly-haired dogs aside from the typical poodle? This list will help you find the perfect dog that matches your needs. We’ll discuss the methods of grooming as well as keeping your pets safe and healthy.
Discover more charming breeds and learn about the recommended routine for them. Let’s get started!
1. Bichon Frise
Pronounced as “bee-shon free-zay,” this fluffy white dog is a popular family pet. It ranks 46th out of 197 breeds in the American Kennel Club’s popularity list. And is one of the best breeds with curly hair.
They weigh between 12 to 18 pounds and are around 9.5 to 11.5 inches tall. It is suitable for people residing in the city and is looking for small dogs.
If you have allergies, this dog may be your next best companion because it does not shed. To maintain its velvety coat, you need to brush its fur at least twice a week. Bichon owners have their dogs groomed by professionals every four to six weeks.
2. Portuguese Water Dog
This breed with curly hair stays true to its name, from being a reliable fisherman’s assistant to a water rescuer. It’s intelligent, easy to train, and needs a lot of physical and mental activities.
This Portuguese Water Dog breed is a great match for pet owners residing near bodies of water such as lakes or ponds. It’s a medium-sized dog weighing from 35 to 60 pounds, depending on its gender.
Its attractive coat needs plenty of care, including daily brushing and weekly grooming. Giving it occasional baths will be worth the work because it does not shed.
3. Curly-Coated Retriever
Curlies, one of the oldest retriever breeds with curly hair, have already existed as early as the 1900s. Due to wars and the existence of new breeds, its popularity and population declined. Although independent, it can be active and puckish.
While known to have a dense and curly coat, it has straight hair on its face. Weighing 60 to 95 pounds and a height of 23 to 27 inches, this dog is a perfect hunting companion. Regular exercise and activities involving water will keep them less energized.
Busy pet owners may want to get this dog because it has minimal grooming requirements. Shedding occurs once for males and twice for females. Pet owners are not required to brush its coat regularly.
4. Kerry Blue Terrier
Originating from Ireland, this curly-haired dog boasts a stunning blue coat. As a puppy, it is born black, and its coat turns lighter as it gets older. Despite being loyal and friendly, its appearance may frighten people, especially kids.
This medium-sized breed with curly hair can be a family pet or a hunting buddy. It stands up to 19 inches and weighs up to 40 pounds. It is a temperamental dog requiring regular exercise for physical and mental health.
Kerries do not shed, but its coat needs weekly brushing to avoid tangled fur. To maintain the coat, you must groom it every six to eight weeks. Its nails grow fast, so trimming its nails from time to time is advisable.
5. Irish Water Spaniel
The origins of this dog may be unknown, but it’s a fact that people love it for its mischievous disposition.
This breed with curly hair makes guard dogs but is not suitable for living in apartments. But, they are outstanding companions to people who love outdoor activities. Being bred as a hunter, nature trips to hike or swim are activities this dog will enjoy.
It’s best to familiarize it with brushing and grooming while they’re young. Its hypoallergenic coat needs weekly brushing along with ear and nail cleaning. You need to trim its fur every two months.
6. Komondor
It’s hard to fail in recognizing a Komondor because its features are unique. They are often seen in dog shows boasting their curly locks.
Before, this breed with curly hair served as a dog in Hungary that guards flocks of sheep. Nowadays, they are reliable guard dogs for homes and families. Loyal and obedient, this 100-pound dog can provide complete protection for your home.
Taking care of a Komondor may be a challenge because it needs a lot of attention. Pet owners fix matting by bathing their dogs in diluted shampoo. Because they are large dogs with long fur, there is more work to dry their coats.
7. Puli
Known as the “acrobat dogs of the world,” it moves in a quick yet graceful way. Pulis have kept their herding nature and herd anything within their reach – even children! Its thick cords served as a protection from the harsh weather in Hungary, where it originated.
Fast-learning and obedient, this 17-inch dog often catches attention in competitions. The best forms of exercise for a Puli are walks on dry farms or backyards. The usual weight of a Puli ranges from 25 to 35 pounds.
Until a Puli is about eight to ten months old, grooming is not required. Once done, all you need to do is give it baths and separate the cords. Afterward, you will need to separate the cords until they become distinct.
8. Barbet
The existence of this sweet dog (pronounced as bar-bey) dates back to the 16th century. They were saved from being extinct due to wars because of the effort of their enthusiasts.
The color of the Barbet’s coat may vary from black, brown, gray, or fawn with white streaks. It’s suitable as a family dog because they are friendly and can learn and adapt well. They weigh around 35 to 65 pounds and stand as tall as 24.5 inches.
Grooming a Barbet starts from brushing its coat, bath, blow-dry, trim, and air-dry. The recommended length for trimming is three to five inches. It’s suggested to cut its nails regularly.
9. Bedlington Terrier
Aside from its curly hair, this breed is unique because of its curved and tasseled ears. Up to this day, they still keep their hunting nature and have an excellent sense of smell. They charm the audience in dog shows because of their intelligence and calm nature.
Its weight ranges from 17 to 23 pounds and could grow up to 17.5 inches. Because a Bedlington Terrier has a composed nature, it is often a pet choice for people who love lounging.
As a pet owner, you need to be diligent because its fast-growing hair needs trimming every two months. Also, its coat does not shed but needs brushing at least once a week.
10. Bolognese
The heaviest it could weigh is only 9 pounds, and it could grow up to 12 inches. It is suitable for small homes, but it could have adverse effects if it is alone for a long time. Because of this, people who are not at home often will not be a good match for this dog.
Its cotton-like coat needs regular grooming and an occasional bath. Many owners prefer to keep the hair on its head untrimmed while keeping an inch of fur on the body.
11. Pumi
This small and captivating dog was previously bred to herd sheep. It’s easy for them to adapt to apartment living and live with their owners. They are also admired for their facial expressions and telling ears.
They are small and weigh about 29 pounds. As with any other breed, it requires regular exercise and a healthy diet.
It will lose its curls when you blow-dry its hair. When grooming a Pumi, do not use a blow-dryer because it will lose its curls. Its hair is not all soft nor completely rough. There is a good balance between soft and harsh textures in its fur.
12. Toy Poodle
The most popular dog on this list is the elegant toy poodle. It’s common to see toy poodles in the Continental Clip. But, most pet owners choose the Sporting Clip. This style emphasizes the dog’s square build and muscles.
The smallest variety is the toy poodle, weighing 4 to 6 pounds and standing at 10 inches or less. These dogs are intelligent, versatile, and active.
To maintain a toy poodle’s luscious curls, you need to brush it daily to prevent matting. If you fail to do this, you will have to shave your dog’s hair and restart the process. However, it does not shed, and professional grooming is not mandatory.
13. Lagotto Romagnolo
The American Kennel Club ranks the charming Lagotto Romagnolo as the 99th most popular dog breed. Despite its toy-like appearance, this breed with curly hair has a rare talent for searching for truffles.
Its curls cover its entire body weighing not more than 35 pounds, and it is 19 inches tall. A Lagotto’s coat is often likened to a human’s hair because it’s soft and smooth.
An ear infection is common among Lagottos, and regular checking is important. Matting is not the same in all dogs, but regular trimming is recommended.
14. American Water Spaniel
With thickly padded and webbed toes, this American dog breed boasts physical features that fit water activities. This breed with curly hair is bred in the Great Lakes region and is small enough not to tip a boat while jumping in and out.
They can get aloof with strangers and are sometimes stubborn. They are 18 inches tall and weigh up to 45 pounds. Many people love it because it’s athletic, smart, and adaptable.
Its brown weatherproof coat can be curly or wavy. It sheds and needs regular trimming. Weekly grooming is advisable to maintain its coat.
15. Labradoodle
A Poodle mix of two popular breeds, this breed with curly hair is a great family dog. This amiable and intelligent dog originated in Australia. It was originally bred as a guide dog to assist visually impaired individuals.
Labradoodles are about 22 to 24 inches tall and weigh 16 to 65 pounds. Because it’s a mixed breed, there is a high chance of differences and unpredictability in each dog.
This dog’s coat is called “fleece” or “hair,” depending on which parent it inherits its coat from. It is also not easy to determine whether a Labradoodle will shed or not. Combing its coat twice a week is suggested. It’s been one of the most popular breeds for the last few years.
16. Spanish Water Dog
The Spanish Water Dog is great outdoors as a herder but is also admired as a family watchdog. This breed with curly hair is covered in a curly coat from head to toe, and one word used to describe it is “rustic.”
It has a perfect balance of playfulness and obedience. It is a medium-sized dog standing up to 19.75 inches tall and weighs up to 49 pounds.
The same length of hair should be maintained from head to toe for this dog. Brushing its coat is also discouraged to keep its curls. Furthermore, maintaining its cords needs expertise because it’s different from other breeds.
17. Airedale Terrier
Another popular breed with curly hair, Airedale Terriers, is also called the “The King of Terriers.” They are classified as hunters, companions, or athletes because of their many traits.
The largest terrier breed, an Airedale Terrier, is 23 inches tall and weighs around 50 to 70 pounds. It is strong-willed, which matches its dark eyes and impressive mustache. It’s firm in its purpose and motivated, which makes it excel in various activities.
Its coat is low-maintenance, and full grooming is only done quarterly. But, weekly brushing is recommended to avoid tangled hair. In the event of matting, it can be teased out with your fingers.
18. Bouvier Des Flandres
The American Kennel Club ranked the Bouvier des Flandres as the 84th most popular breed. Its powerful muscles and heavy bones make it an outstanding barnyard assistant.
This breed with curly hair stands as high as 27 inches and weighs as heavy as 110 pounds. Many dog lovers admire it because beneath its strong physique is a good-natured dog. It’s an outstanding guardian but requires a larger space and attention.
Weekly nail trimming is a must to avoid pain while they are walking. A pin brush or a comb is perfect for the required weekly brushing.
19. Aussiedoodle
The second crossbreed in the list is a mix between Australian Shepherd and Poodle. This dog is not only smart but is also strong despite its size. It’s starting to become more popular as a home companion.
This breed with curly hair could weigh from 25 to 70 pounds and are good to keep if you have children at home. They are described as sweet, energetic, and merry.
Also called the “Aussie-Poo,” it requires frequent cleaning and trimming. Pet owners need to clean it once a day and trim its nails every two months. Keeping its teeth clean with daily brushing and nail clipping is essential.
20. Poodle
If you were asked to give an example of a breed with curly hair, the poodle might be your initial answer. A standard poodle is the largest and most athletic compared to miniatures and toys. It’s so well-loved that it belongs to the American Kennel Club’s top 10 most popular dog breeds.
A poodle can stand over 15 inches and weigh between 40 to 70 pounds. It is versatile and often described as a “real dog.” It’s a superb companion at home and can play well with kids.
Its grooming requirements are identical to that of the toy poodle. It does not shed and is suggested for people who have allergies.
Great news for dog lovers with allergies! Not only do dogs with curly hair look adorable, but they are also commonly low-shed. This means that to maintain their curls, minimal attention is usually needed.
Matting is common, so regular brushing and grooming are advisable. Not brushing your dog’s coat could cause harm to you and your dog because of bacteria. After walking your dog in the park, you need to clean its feet and backends because dirt may be trapped.
If your dog’s coat is called “hair,” that means your dog has a single layer of coat. Meanwhile, if your dog’s coat is referred to as “fur,” that would describe your dog as having a double coat.
A double coat is an outer layer of thicker hairs serving as protection. The second layer is an undercoat characterized by thin, lightweight hairs.
An undercoat is shorter than an outer coat. If your dog has a double coat, it should feel wooly on the skin. Most dogs with undercoats shed their undercoats as a reaction to seasonal changes.
Various factors affect the shedding of dogs, like their coat layers, texture, and season. It may vary per breed, but poodles are one of the most popular hypoallergenic breeds.
Knowing what to consider and identifying the several factors causing shedding will help. An important practice to maintain your dog’s coat is using the right type of brush. The type of coat it has will determine the kind of brush you need to use. With this simple choice, you will be able to properly manage the shedding of your dog’s coat.
The period when a poodle’s hair gets curly depends on the variety. For toy and miniature poodles, their wavy coats turn into curly coats starting at nine months. This transition from wavy to curly hair is completed in another nine months.
The transition from wavy to curly may start at any age between 9 to 16 months for standard poodles. But, the completion of this change will only take three months.
There are two methods you may choose from in brushing your dog’s hair to keep it curly. These are: The Line Brushing Method and Straighten with Pin Brush Method.
The first step is training your dog to love grooming sessions. It needs to be comfortable before you start the process. Using the right tools plays a huge factor, too. Following through with regular brushing as needed will prevent it from matting.
Aside from poodles, there are many more breeds with curly hair that are equally adorable and sweet. In finding the right type of dog for you, you should consider your time and lifestyle. Many of the dog breeds listed above are great for living in apartments. But, some require outdoor activities and need your physical strength, too.
Regular hair clipping, grooming, and brushing are all key ways to take care of your curly-haired dogs. Professional assistance is not necessary for some breeds. However, to ensure that your dog’s curls are maintained well, visiting a groomer is still the best option.