20 Curly-Haired Dog Breeds With Stunning Waves and Curls
Curly-haired dog breeds offer both an adorable, stylish appearance and functional, sometimes hypoallergenic benefits. From the popular poodle to the cord-sporting puli, these breeds are easy to fall in love with.
Here are 20 curly-haired dog breeds that range from recognizable to rare.
Why Do Some Dog Breeds Have Curly Hair?
Why do some dogs have curly coats while others don’t? Ultimately, it comes down to the breed’s development and genetics. Curly coats seen in breeds like poodles, Portuguese water dogs, and Lagotto Romagnolos evolved for functional purposes tied to their historical roles, says Sabrina Kong, DVM, staff veterinary writer at We Love Doodles.
Additionally, mutations in the gene known as Keratin-71 (KRT71) influence curl formation. “For example, the poodle’s iconic curls were honed for agility in water and durability in harsh climates, while the bichon frise’s curls minimized shedding for hypoallergenic friendship,” Kong explains.
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Poodle
The playful poodle’s fluffy, curly coat is perhaps their most distinctive feature. Originating in Germany to retrieve waterfowl, the poodle’s name in German, “pudel,” translates to “puddle” or “to splash.”
Equipped with a naturally dense coat that keeps them protected from water, it’s no wonder why these fun-loving, athletic dogs enjoy swimming and playing water games! Not to mention, their coat is considered to be hypoallergenic, making this breed a great option for people with allergies. With such coarse, curly fur, it’s essential to brush your poodle’s coat and see a professional groomer regularly or learn how to trim your pup’s coat yourself.
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Pumi
The affectionate and athletic pumi is a Hungarian herding dog who loves playing and working—but most of all, being with their people. The breed has a distinctive medium-length coat consisting of corkscrew curls and waves, as well as a soft undercoat and coarser outercoat that’s all one length. While the pumi doesn’t shed much, they will need occasional trimmings to keep their coat healthy and mat-free.
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Curly-Coated Retriever
The curly-coated retriever, also affectionately known as a “curly,” is known as one of the oldest retriever breeds and has none other than a characteristic curly double coat. “This breed’s curls are small and tight, making them water-resistant, and they naturally repel dirt,” Alexandra Bassett, lead dog trainer and behavior consultant at Dog Savvy says.
Curlies’ coats are relatively low-maintenance compared to curly-coated breeds, but they do require some care with occasional hand-raking or combing with a wide-toothed comb to remove debris, she adds.
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Otterhound
The rare otterhound is an extremely skilled swimmer thanks to their slightly wavy, waterproof coat, large webbed feet, and strong, sturdy build. Their rough, shaggy coat doesn’t need constant grooming but does require regular care, Bassett says. Brushing once a week will prevent mats, particularly in the undercoat. She also recommends regularly cleaning their beard since they tend to drag it along the ground.
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Havanese
The Havanese is a toy dog breed with long, silky hair that ranges in curliness but makes a statement nonetheless. Their soft, low-shedding double coat requires routine grooming to keep it well-maintained, including brushing at least once a week and monthly haircuts depending on the length you’d like to keep it at.
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Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington terrier resembles the perfect combination of a lamb and poodle with their soft and coarse curly locks. A rare breed, the Bedlington terrier has a low-shedding coat that requires weekly brushing and bimonthly coat trimmings since their hair grows quickly. Their signature look can also be accomplished with hand-scissoring.
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Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an ancient Italian working breed with a coat so curly and wooly and personality so friendly and loving, you won’t be able to help but think, ‘That’s amore!’ Their low-shedding coat requires regular brushing to keep it from developing mats or tangles. To make it easier to maintain, you can opt for a shorter haircut for your Lagotto.
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Puli
The fun-loving, energetic puli is a herding dog that hails from Hungary. The breed has thick, corded hair that was once used to protect themselves from harsh weather and potential predators. A puli puppy’s wavy-to-curly hair will form into cords when they reach about nine months old. To keep their corded coat clean and healthy, wash them, rinse out the soap, and give ample time to let them completely dry.
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Barbet
The barbet has one of the most characteristic coats—and beard! In fact, their name is derived from “barbe,” which is French for “beard.” Barbets’ curly, thick, and wooly coats require regular brushing at least several times a week to prevent mats and tangles. “They need trims every six to eight weeks to keep their coat manageable as well,” Bassett says. “Paying for grooming—or getting good at doing the grooming at home—is essential for this breed.”
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Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry blue terrier boasts a beautiful wavy-to-curly coat that comes in variations of blue-gray. The Kerry blue’s eye-catching coat grows continuously and requires monthly grooming and brushing at least every other day. This dog breed doesn’t shed much and may be a suitable pet for people with allergies or anyone looking for a rather relaxed furry friend.
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Airedale Terrier
The bold and energetic Airedale terrier has an eye-catching, wiry coat that’s usually black and tan and ranges from being wavy to curly. Their unique hair texture is low-maintenance in terms of grooming, requiring a weekly brush out and just a few haircuts a year to keep it healthy and tidy. This breed is relatively hypoallergenic and a good choice for those with allergies.
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Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish water spaniel has a unique appearance with tight curls all over their body and smooth, short hair on their face and tail. Like other dog breeds on this list, the playful, hard-working Irish water spaniel was developed to be an exceptional swimmer and retrieve waterfowl. Their waterproof coat doesn’t shed much, requiring brushing about once a week and haircuts every two months or so.
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Komondor
Known as the Hungarian sheepdog, the komondor is an instantly recognizable breed. This large dog has long, white corded hair, giving them a charming, mop-like appearance. When not corded, their outer coat is wavy or curly. As one might expect, komondor coats have unique grooming requirements similar to the puli: their cords should never be brushed or combed—simply washed and fully squeezed out every few months.
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Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese water dog, or PWD, is known for their curly fur, floppy ears, and love for water. This energetic and intelligent working dog is a great companion for active families. Their low-shedding coat also makes them suitable for people with allergies. And though they don’t shed much, the PWD needs frequent grooming. They should be brushed every day and get their hair trimmed about every month.
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Bolognese
The Bolognese, also known as the Bolo, is a small companion dog with medium-length curly, ruffled hair. Their longer, cotton-like coat requires daily brushing to keep it free of mats and odors. You can opt for a shorter haircut, like the puppy cut, for your Bolo if you’d like to make their grooming more manageable. This breed is also considered to be hypoallergenic.
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Bouvier des Flandres
Calm, confident, and loyal, the Bouvier des Flandres is a wonderful family dog. Known for their fluffy, curly hair and signature beard, this big dog has significant grooming needs. (Not to mention, exercise needs, too.) The Bouvier des Flandres’ thick coat requires frequent brushing a few times a week and regular trips to the groomer to maintain good hygiene and prevent matting.
Breed Overview
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Spanish Water Dog
The Spanish water dog is a herding dog with a low-shedding, distinctive coat. The Spanish water dog has a naturally curly coat that forms cords, resulting in a unique grooming routine,” Bassett says. Unlike most dogs, this breed should never be brushed. Instead, their coat should be trimmed to an even length about once a year, she explains. For bath time, gently squeeze out excess water and allow them to air-dry to keep their curls intact and frizz-free.
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Bichon Frise
The itty-bitty bichon frise has long, curly white fur that makes them look like an adorable cotton ball or stuffed animal. In fact, “bichon frise” even translates to “curly-haired dog” in French!
Their ever-so soft and plush hair grows continuously and should be brushed at least a few times a week to prevent mats and tangles. You can also expect to take them to get a haircut about every month. These fluffy sweethearts are excellent companions for all, especially for allergy sufferers since they’re a low-shedding breed.
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Cocker Spaniel
With expressive eyes, floppy ears, and curly locks, the cocker spaniel’s regal look is unmistakable. Their silky, medium-length fur requires frequent brushing and trimming since it’s prone to matting and tangles. This breed is friendly and calm, making them a wonderful family dog. Like any other dog breed, they’re at their best with daily physical activity and mental stimulation.
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American Water Spaniel
Happy, lively, and smart, the American water spaniel is a skilled swimmer with a curly, water-repellent coat, webbed feet, and curved tail. The American water spaniel has a medium-length, double coat that typically needs weekly brushing using a slicker brush. This breed sheds minimally throughout the year but more frequently when the weather warms up.
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