20 Adorable Curly Haired Dog Breeds You’ll Love in 2025 

Curly-haired dog breeds are loved for their unique, eye-catching coats that look really good. These breeds often shed less, which makes them a popular choice for people with allergies and those looking for a hypoallergenic pet. 

These breeds come in various sizes, colors, and temperaments, making them suitable for different households and lifestyles. In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular curly-haired dog breeds, categorizing them by size and color to help you find your perfect fluffy dog.

20 Best Curly Haired Dog Breeds

Curly-haired dogs are not only charming but also practical for many households. Their coats often require regular grooming, but reward owners with minimal shedding and a hypoallergenic presence. From playful companions to hardworking herders, these breeds offer a variety of personalities and sizes to fit any lifestyle.

In this table, we have listed the top 10 curly-haired dog breeds:

Breed	Size	Temperament	Coat Texture
Poodle (All sizes)	Varies	Intelligent, Active	Dense, Harsh Curls
Bichon Frise	Small	Playful, Curious	Soft, Dense Double Coat
Portuguese Water Dog	Medium	Affectionate, Adventurous	Tight Curls or Wavy
Lagotto Romagnolo	Medium	Keen, Affectionate	Dense, Woolly Curls
Kerry Blue Terrier	Medium	Spirited, Alert	Soft, Wavy-to-Curly Coat
Irish Water Spaniel	Large	Playful, Hardworking	Dense, Tight Crisp Curls
Bedlington Terrier	Medium	Gentle, Playful	Crisp, Linty Curls
Curly-Coated Retriever	Large	Confident, Proud	Tight, Crisp Small Curls
Airedale Terrier	Large	Clever, Confident	Dense, Wiry Topcoat (Wavy)
Bolognese	Small	Calm, Playful	Fluffy, Cottony (Non-curly)

Now, let’s get into the details of each of them to better understand which dog you should go with.

1. Poodle (Standard, Miniature, Toy)

Poodles are the most iconic curly breed. They have a dense, harsh, single-layered coat of curls that are non-shedding, making them popular with allergy sufferers. Available in three sizes, they are exceptionally intelligent, trainable, and adaptable, excelling in various dog sports and as companions. 

Their coat requires regular professional grooming every 4-6 weeks to prevent severe matting and maintain specific clips, along with consistent brushing at home.

2. Bichon Frise

These cheerful small dogs charm with their “powder-puff” look, achieved by a plush double coat featuring a soft, dense undercoat and coarser, curly outer coat. 

This structure results in minimal shedding but necessitates daily brushing to prevent tangles and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks to maintain the rounded silhouette. Known for their playful, affectionate, and curious nature, Bichons thrive on companionship and fit well into various households, including apartments.

3. Portuguese Water Dog

This robust, medium-sized working breed gained fame as a presidential pet. They possess a dense, waterproof, low-shedding coat that comes in two types: tightly curled or looser waves. 

Originating as fishermen’s helpers in Portugal, they are highly intelligent and energetic, and require significant daily exercise and mental stimulation. Regular grooming, including clipping every 6-8 weeks, is essential to manage their profuse coat and prevent mats, especially if they enjoy swimming.

4. Lagotto Romagnolo

Hailing from Italy, this ancient breed serves as the world’s foremost specialized truffle hunter. The Lagotto sports a unique, dense coat of woolly, ringlet-like curls covering its entire body, offering waterproof protection. 

While low-shedding, this rustic coat requires regular trimming to prevent matting, ideally maintaining a length of about 1.5 inches. They are affectionate, keen, relatively easy to train, and possess a sharp sense of smell, making them excellent active companions.

5. Kerry Blue Terrier

This spirited Irish terrier stands out with its striking blue-grey coat, which is soft, dense, and uniquely wavy-to-curly. Puppies are born black, with the coat gradually transitioning to shades of blue by 18 months. 

Although non-shedding, their coat needs diligent weekly brushing and professional trimming every 6-8 weeks to maintain its texture and shape. Intelligent, alert, and people-oriented, Kerry Blues require consistent training and socialization, thriving in active homes.

6. Irish Water Spaniel

One of the largest and oldest spaniel breeds, the IWS is instantly recognizable by its dense coat of tight, crisp, liver-coloured curls covering the body, sharply contrasted by a smooth face and a distinctive, tapered “rat tail.” 

This water-repellent coat requires thorough weekly brushing to prevent mats, particularly in the dense leg furnishings, and occasional trimming. They are playful, hardworking, intelligent, and possess great stamina, making them excellent energetic companions.

7. Bedlington Terrier

Often likened to a gentle lamb due to its unique appearance, the Bedlington possesses a distinctive coat mixture of hard and soft hair, creating crisp, linty curls that stand off from the skin. 

This coat is notably non-shedding but requires regular clipping every 6-8 weeks to maintain its specific silhouette, including the tasseled ears and arched loin. Despite their mild look, they have typical terrier tenacity and make gentle, playful family pets.

8. Curly-Coated Retriever

As one of the oldest retriever breeds, the “Curly” is distinguished by its hallmark coat: a dense mass of tight, small, crisp curls covering the entire body except for the face and front of legs. 

This low-maintenance, water-resistant coat offers excellent protection in harsh weather and water, requiring less grooming than many other curly breeds, primarily occasional brushing and minimal trimming. They are confident, loyal, intelligent, and slightly more independent than other retrievers.

9. Airedale Terrier

Known affectionately as the “King of Terriers,” the Airedale is the largest of the terrier group. They sport a dense, wiry, broken topcoat with distinct waves and texture, lying close to the body over a softer undercoat. 

While not tightly curled like a Poodle, the coat’s texture and wave are prominent. It sheds minimally but requires regular brushing and professional grooming, typically hand-stripping or clipping every few months, to maintain its condition. Airedales are clever, confident, and versatile.

10. Bolognese

This charming toy breed, related to the Bichon Frise, originates from Italy. They possess a unique single coat characterized by long, fluffy, cottony hair that forms loose flocks or ringlets rather than tight curls, covering the body from head to tail. 

Although it sheds very little, this coat demands daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats from forming. Bolognese dogs are known for their calm, playful, yet somewhat reserved nature, making devoted and serene companions.

11. Barbet

A historic French water dog, the Barbet is recognized by its long, dense, woolly coat that naturally forms curls and can develop cords if left long. This thick, water-resistant coat served to protect the dog while retrieving waterfowl in chilly waters. It requires significant grooming, including regular brushing down to the skin to prevent mats and occasional trimming. Barbets are known for being joyful, intelligent, friendly, and loyal family companions who enjoy activity and water.

12. Spanish Water Dog

This rustic, medium-sized breed from Spain is a versatile herder, retriever, and companion. Their distinctive coat is woolly and curly, naturally forming tapered cords if allowed to grow long. 

A unique aspect of their grooming is that the coat should never be brushed; instead, it’s typically sheared down evenly once or twice a year. They are loyal, highly intelligent, and hardworking dogs that require consistent training and an active lifestyle to thrive.

13. Komondor

Instantly recognizable by its extraordinary white coat, the Komondor is a large, muscular Hungarian livestock guardian. Their coat consists of heavy, felt-like cords that form naturally as the puppy matures, providing excellent insulation and protection against predators and weather. 

This unique coat requires specialized maintenance, including separating the cords regularly to prevent large mats and ensuring thorough drying after bathing, which can take considerable time. They are protective and loyal.

14. Puli

Another distinctive corded breed from Hungary, the Puli is a medium-sized herding dog known for its agility and intelligence. Like the Komondor, their dense, weather-resistant double coat naturally forms cords, although they are typically thinner. 

The coat comes in various colours, including black, white, and grey. Maintaining the cords requires regular separation down to the skin and careful drying after baths. Pulis are lively, smart, and loyal companions, needing activity and engagement.

15. American Water Spaniel

Developed in the Great Lakes region of the USA as a versatile gundog, this medium-sized spaniel possesses a dense, water-resistant double coat. The outer coat ranges from uniform waves (marcel) to close curls, protecting water and upland cover. 

Liver or brown, the coat requires regular weekly brushing to prevent matting and occasional trimming. They are eager to please, happy, and charming dogs, well-suited as both hunting partners and family companions.

16. Bouvier des Flandres

Originating as an all-purpose farm dog in Belgium, the Bouvier is a large, powerfully built breed. They feature a weather-resistant double coat with a rough, shaggy-looking outer coat that is thick and wavy, providing excellent protection. 

While not tightly curled, its tousled appearance is characteristic. This coat needs thorough weekly brushing to prevent mats and occasional trimming. Bouviers are known for being loyal, courageous, steady, and make imposing yet gentle family guardians.

17. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

This joyful terrier hails from Ireland and is named for its unique single coat of soft, silky hair that grows abundantly and falls in gentle waves, resembling ripening wheat. 

Unlike the harsh coats of many terriers, the Wheaten’s coat is non-shedding but requires diligent daily combing and regular trimming to prevent mats and maintain its shape. They are known for their friendly, exuberant nature and characteristic “Wheaten greetin’,” making them spirited family pets.

18. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

A versatile gundog adept on land and in water, the Griffon boasts a harsh, wiry outer coat and a dense, downy undercoat, providing superb protection in rough conditions. Often described as having an “unkept” appearance, the coat is thick, bristly, and distinctly tousled or wavy rather than curly. 

It requires regular weekly brushing to remove debris and dead hair, along with occasional hand-stripping to maintain proper texture, shedding minimally otherwise. They are friendly and hardworking.

19. Schnauzer (Giant/Standard)

While renowned for their wiry coats, the larger Standard and Giant Schnauzers often exhibit significant waviness in their harsh, dense topcoats, particularly if not maintained by regular hand-stripping. 

Their double coat offers weather resistance but demands consistent grooming, including frequent brushing and professional clipping or stripping every few months to manage growth and maintain texture. These Schnauzers are intelligent, protective, and robust working dogs and companions.

20. Havanese

The cheerful national dog of Cuba, this small companion breed typically boasts a long, profuse double coat known for its soft, silky texture. While often seen straight, the coat can also be distinctly wavy or even exhibit slight curls, especially if kept in a shorter “puppy cut.” 

Despite its volume, the coat sheds very little but requires dedicated daily brushing and combing down to the skin to prevent tangles and mats from forming. Havanese are playful and affectionate.

Curly Haired Dog Breeds By Size

Curly-haired dog breeds come in all sizes, from tiny lap dogs to large, powerful guardians. Each size category offers unique coat types and grooming needs, so it’s important to choose a breed that fits your lifestyle and space.

Curly Haired Dog Breeds Small

Small curly-haired breeds are perfect for apartments or those seeking a compact companion. Their coats are often soft and hypoallergenic, but require regular grooming to stay tangle-free.

Bichon Frise:

Their powder-puff curls are soft and plush, needing frequent brushing to prevent mats. Bichon Frise

Bolognese:

This breed’s long, cotton-like curls are hypoallergenic and need daily brushing. Bolognese

Toy Poodle:

With tight, springy curls, Toy Poodles are low-shedding and require regular trims. Toy Poodle

Miniature Poodle:

Similar to the Toy, their dense curls are hypoallergenic and stylish. Miniature Poodle

Havanese:

Their wavy to curly coat is silky and needs frequent grooming. 

Love small pups? You might also enjoy our list of the Top Cute Small Dog Breeds You’ll Love for more adorable options!

Medium Curly Haired Dog Breeds

Medium-sized breeds offer a balance of energy and manageability. Their curly coats can be dense or corded, providing both style and function.

Portuguese Water Dog:

Their wavy or tight curls are water-resistant and require regular grooming. Portuguese Water Dog

Lagotto Romagnolo:

Woolly, curly hair that’s hypoallergenic and needs frequent brushing.

Puli:

Corded, mop-like curls that need special care to prevent matting.

Bedlington Terrier:

Mixture of coarse and soft curls, low-shedding, and easy to maintain. Bedlington Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier:

Tightly curled, blue-gray coat that’s soft and requires regular grooming. Kerry Blue Terrier

Large Curly-Haired Dog Breeds

Large breeds with curly hair are often working or guardian dogs. Their coats are thick, protective, and require consistent grooming to stay healthy.

Curly-Coated Retriever:

Tight, water-resistant curls that are easy to maintain with weekly brushing.

Komondor:

Long, corded curls that offer protection and warmth, requiring special drying after baths. Komondor

Bouvier des Flandres:

Thick, curly double coat that needs frequent brushing and grooming. Bouvier des Flandres

Saint Berdoodle:

Thick, curly, or wavy coat that’s low-shedding but prone to tangles. Saint Berdoodle

Black Russian Terrier:

Dense, curly double coat that requires regular brushing and trimming. Black Russian Terrier

If you’re fascinated by big, fluffy companions, don’t miss our list of the Largest Dog Breeds in the World for more gentle giants to admire!

Curly Haired Dog Breeds By Colour

The stunning coats of curly-haired dogs come in a wide array of colors. While some breeds are strongly associated with a specific color (like the Kerry Blue Terrier), many others, such as the versatile Poodle, can be found in numerous shades.

Black Curly-Haired Dog Breeds

Black curly-haired breeds are striking and elegant. Their dark coats often accentuate the texture of their curls, making them stand out in any crowd.

The top three black curly-haired breeds are the Curly-Coated Retriever, Portuguese Water Dog, and Black Russian Terrier. The Curly-Coated Retriever’s tight, water-resistant curls are solid black and easy to maintain. 

The Portuguese Water Dog features wavy or tight black curls that are hypoallergenic and water-repellent. The Black Russian Terrier has a dense, curly double coat that’s both protective and stylish, requiring regular grooming to prevent matting.

Rank	Breed	Size	Coat Type
1	Curly-Coated Retriever	Large	Tight, crisp curls
2	Portuguese Water Dog	Medium	Wavy/tight curls
3	Black Russian Terrier	Large	Dense, curly
4	Poodle	Small-Large	Tight curls
5	Puli	Medium	Corded, curly
6	Kerry Blue Terrier	Medium	Tightly curled
7	Labradoodle	Medium-Large	Wavy/curly
8	Sheepadoodle	Medium-Large	Wavy/curly
9	Bouvier des Flandres	Large	Thick, curly
10	Irish Water Spaniel	Medium	Dense, tight curls

Brown Curly-Haired Dog Breeds

Brown curly-haired breeds offer a warm, inviting look. Their coats can range from light tan to deep chocolate, with curls that are soft, dense, or corded.

The top three brown curly-haired breeds are the Lagotto Romagnolo, Labradoodle, and Irish Water Spaniel. The Lagotto Romagnolo’s woolly, curly coat is often a rich brown and hypoallergenic. Labradoodles can have chocolate brown, wavy, or curly coats that are low-shedding. 

The Irish Water Spaniel’s dense, tight curls are often liver-brown and water-resistant, perfect for active families.

Rank	Breed	Size	Coat Type
1	Lagotto Romagnolo	Medium	Woolly, curly
2	Labradoodle	Medium-Large	Wavy/curly
3	Irish Water Spaniel	Medium	Dense, tight curls
4	Poodle	Small-Large	Tight curls
5	Barbet	Medium	Dense, curly
6	Bedlington Terrier	Medium	Mixture, curly
7	Bichon Frise	Small	Soft, powder-puff
8	Bouvier des Flandres	Large	Thick, curly
9	Sheepadoodle	Medium-Large	Wavy/curly
10	Komondor	Large	Corded, curly

White Curly-Haired Dog Breeds

White curly-haired breeds are known for their pristine, fluffy appearance. Their coats often require extra care to stay clean and tangle-free.

The top three white curly-haired breeds are the Bichon Frise, Bolognese, and Poodle. The Bichon Frise’s powder-puff curls are soft and hypoallergenic, needing frequent grooming. 

The Bolognese has a long, cotton-like curly coat that’s hypoallergenic and requires daily brushing. The Poodle, available in white, has tight, springy curls that are low-shedding and stylish.

Rank	Breed	Size	Coat Type
1	Bichon Frise	Small	Soft, powder-puff
2	Bolognese	Small	Long, cotton-like
3	Poodle	Small-Large	Tight curls
4	Bedlington Terrier	Medium	Mixture, curly
5	Havanese	Small	Wavy/curly
6	Maltese	Small	Silky, wavy
7	Komondor	Large	Corded, curly
8	Puli	Medium	Corded, curly
9	Sheepadoodle	Medium-Large	Wavy/curly
10	Barbet	Medium	Dense, curly

Conclusion: Poodles Are The Best Curly-Haired Dog Breed

Curly-haired dog breeds are a wonderful combination of unique looks and personalities. From the elegant Poodle to the mop-like Komondor, these breeds show nature’s creativity through their different curl patterns and textures. 

Whether you’re drawn to the hypoallergenic qualities many curly breeds offer, their often water-resistant coats, or simply their eye-catching appearance, there’s a curly-haired companion for every lifestyle and living situation. 

Remember that most curly coats need dedicated grooming routines to maintain their health and beauty, but the reward is a distinctive dog whose appearance turns heads wherever you go. Get your curly companion today!

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