Unlike cute little curly balls, dogs with curly hair are trendy because of their very little shedding curly coats. Dogs like poodles and curly-coated retrievers were mainly bred for sporting.
However, their coiled hair can be perfect for many water activities. Dogs with curly hair in generally are also surprisingly not as common as we think - There are only very few genes that control a dog's coat to curl.
Here is our list of the eight cutest dog breeds with curly hair.
Bichon Frise
Who is better to start our list than the one whose name means “curly-haired dog” in French!
Bichon Frise is a small, white, and puffy curly-haired dog. It has short and fluffy curls, which give it a round appearance. Their curly hair is a soft and coarse guard, leading to matting. Therefore, it is recommended to brush their hair every day and provide them with a bath/groom at least once a month.
Bichon Frise is one of the non-sporting dog breeds. Their height is only 9 to 12 inches, and they weigh 7 to 12 pounds. Bichon Frise lives from 12 to 15 years.
Curly-Coated Retriever
The retriever is probably one of the most widely adored curly-haired breeds. Dogs from this breed are large and often used as hunters because of their ability to withstand snow, water, and other harsh weather conditions.
The curly-coated retriever has easy maintenance, and it only requires periodic trimming and no brushing. These dogs have only one curly coat of curly hair that needs to stay away from the brush. You can give them an occasional pass with a grooming rake, and they are ready to go!
Retrievers are very smart and energetic. Therefore, they need to be kept busy at all times with regular exercises.
Curly-coated retrievers are one of the oldest retriever dog breeds. They are sporting breeds that can reach a height of 27 inches. They weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds and have a life expectancy from 9 to 14 years.
Poodle
When someone says curly-haired dog breeds, we can all admit that our mind immediately goes to poodles. This fluffy dog breed is the classic curly-haired dog in various large, miniature, and toy sizes.
Poodles are great companions and brilliant pups. But unfortunately, they are more about fashion than sport, and their fur requires frequent trimming and brushing to avoid tangles.
One not so commonly known fact about poodles is that they are hypoallergenic. As a result, they don’t shed, which is excellent for people who suffer from allergies.
The standard poodles reach 15 inches in height and from 45 to 70 pounds in weight, the miniature’s size is from 9 to 15 inches, and they weigh from 14 to 18 pounds, and the toy is under 10 inches and 10 pounds. They live from twelve to fifteen years.
Portuguese Water Dog
If you remember Bo, the beloved dog of the Obama family, then you are familiar with this dog. The PWD is a curly-haired dog breed that is sporty. This breed was initially meant to assist anglers in retrieving lost tackle or rescuing drowning people. So as the name suggests, these dogs are very strong swimmers.
The PWD is a hypoallergenic pup and is considered a minimal shedder like the poodles. Still, this dog breed needs regular grooming and daily brushing.
They are lovable, easy to train, and great family companions. They are in the category of working dog breeds and can reach from 16 to 23 inches in height. Their weight is anywhere from 30 to 60 pounds, and their life expectancy is eleven to thirteen years.
Kerry Blue Terrier
These lovely pups have a unique blue-gray curly coat that is soft, dense, and wavy. Unlike other curly-haired dog breeds, the appearance of this dog should always be tidy.
It is essential to groom, brush and comb their fur regularly, at least once a week. This way, you will keep your Kerry Blue Terrier neat. Their curly hair grows very fast, so schedule a trimming appointment every six months if you plan on having this dog breed.
The Kerry Terrier is a sturdy, tall-standing, one-of-a-kind dog. These lovely family companions can live from 12 to 15 years, reach a height of 19 inches at most, and weigh from 30 to 40 pounds.
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Spaniel, the same as the Spanish Water Dog, is another one of the curly-haired water dog. It has a double coat of curls that helps it perform water tasks and keeps it warm in winter.
The Irish Water Spaniel is a famous sporting dog in Europe and the United States and is among the first breeds registered with the American Kennel Club. This pup has smooth and short hair on the face and tail, while the rest of the body is covered with tight curls.
Brush and comb your Irish Spaniel at least once a week, and bathe/trim him every 6 to 8 weeks if you want to take care of him.
These dogs have a life expectancy from 10 to 12 years.
Bedlington Terrier
This lamb-looking pup is one of the softest dogs with curly hair! The Bedlington terrier is born with a dark coat, and then gradually, as it grows older, the skin gets lighter.
The Bedlington Terrier does not shed much, and with weekly combing, you will easily manage the curls free of debris and matting. They are sweet, pear-shaped, and have a curved back. Who wouldn’t want this little curly fur ball in their life?
This loyal dog breed is very family-friendly and has a life expectancy from 12 to 14 years.
Airedale Terrier
The last on our list is the Airedale Terrier. This breed is typically brown and tan, one of the largest terrier breeds. They have a more relaxed curl resembling a wave and a very different texture than other terriers.
The Airedale Terrier is also a hypoallergenic dog breed. They are low maintenance and require brushing or combing every week. Also, this lovely pup needs to visit the groomer for a haircut three times a year.
They can grow to be 23 inches tall and 70 pounds in weight. Their average lifespan is ten to twelve years.
Final Thoughts
Each curly-haired dog requires a particular routine: washing, frequent brushing, and grooming appointments. Still, that does not stop us from loving to have them in our home!