Dogs with curls: 7 cute dog breeds with curly hair

Dogs with curls are extremely cute, regardless of whether those curls are pristine ringlets or downy frizz. These manes are more than just magnificent, though, they're practical too!

Dogs with curls need lots of love and care to keep their coats from matting.
Dogs with curls need lots of love and care to keep their coats from matting.  © 123RF/guruxox

Some dogs have shiny, silky locks, while others have rather dull-looking fur. But regardless of its shine, all curly dog breeds have a dense undercoat, that makes petting them a pleasure and curlicued fun.

Dogs with curly hair shed significantly less than other dog breeds, making them less likely to trigger allergic reactions in humans. But the beautiful texture of their coats requires special care and attention.

Grooming is extremely important for curly haired dogs. Canines that look a bit like Goldilocks don't shed much, but that coat of theirs needs to be brushed and combed a lot. Some of them need daily brushing to keep their coats from getting matted. If mangled, dirt and even other little animals can get stuck in their dense fur.

Dog sent to daycare to make friends – but surveillance camera shows hilarious reality!
Dogs Dog sent to daycare to make friends – but surveillance camera shows hilarious reality!

But as with many a beauty routine, grooming can go overboard. In the wild, dogs groom themselves by rolling around in the grass or crawling through bushes. Curly hair needs to retain its natural oils so it can fulfill its natural purpose of keeping a pooch warm in cold water, as well as drying quick. A diet rich in cold-pressed oil can help boost these functions, plus others like good eyesight and brain function.

Having said that, here are seven cute curly haired dog breeds that are simply too cute to compare – but we'll try ways!

Best curly-haired dog breeds in the world

Let's be real with you: Cute dogs come in all shapes and sizes, hair types and colors, and a variety of different breeds. There is, however, something truly special about curly-haired doggos, something extraordinarily adorable. Curly hair might be hard to maintain, and might cause some problems, but it's to die for.

So, what are the best breeds of curly-haired dogs? These seven dog breeds will steel your heart with their luscious locks and adorably boopable faces.

1. Dog breed with curly hair: Bichon frisé, the French delight

The little which Bichon frisé is a fantastic and beautiful family dog.
The little which Bichon frisé is a fantastic and beautiful family dog.  © Unsplash/Matt Briney

The bichon frisé is a small curly haired dog breed. Frisé means frizzy or fluffy in French. Their tightly curled, silky coat is usually white, and in stark contrast to their small black eyes and black button nose. There are also variations boasting cream, light brown, or rust-colored fur.

Although independent and stubborn at times, this curly mischief-maker is considered to be a very intelligent, obedient dog breed. They can also be sensitive, affectionate little things who love nothing more than cuddling with their owner. These little white balls of cotton fluff love to play and need a moderate amount of exercise.

They are happy to be part of the action, but aren't into super long walks.

2. Water dogs' coats protect this curly haired dog breed from their element

There are many different water dogs, and they are all some of the curliest out there.
There are many different water dogs, and they are all some of the curliest out there.  © 123RF/pfotenweltfoto

Water dogs got their name from a history of hunting in water. Even today, these breeds jump right into water search and retrieval missions. Their curly locks make these breeds special, and uniquely adapted for water. Their iconic fur tends to be dense and either curly or frizzy.

Most water dog breeds tend to have dark-colored, curly coats, but a few (such as the Lagotto Romagnolo and the Frisian water dog) have lighter or multicolored coats. Their coats also boast a naturally occurring oily film that coats each individual hair and helps to repel water from their skin.

Curly haired water dog breeds include:

  • American water spaniel
  • Barbet
  • Portuguese water dog
  • Irish water spaniel
  • Lagotto Romagnolo
  • Spanish water dog

3. Dog breed with curly hair: Poodles are the OG's of curly haired dog breeds

When most people think of a dog that needs grooming, they think of a poodle.
When most people think of a dog that needs grooming, they think of a poodle.  © 123RF/dixi_

Poodles are probably the most famous curly-haired dog breed. These proud pooches don't shed much at all, but they do need a lot of hair care. So much, in fact, that most of these dogs need to have a standing appointment with a professional groomer.

4. Dog breed with curly hair: Bedlington terriers look a little peculiar

The Bedlington terrier is famous for having a curly puff upon their heads.
The Bedlington terrier is famous for having a curly puff upon their heads.  © 123RF/sergeytikhomirov

This curly-haired dog is unique because of the mass of curls on its forehead and muzzle. They have a distinctive pear-shaped head, thanks to the way that their fur forms a "topknot". The curly tufts of hair at the tips of their ears add to this quirky appearance. The most common color for a Bedlington terrier is silver.

These terriers have a mild and gentle temperament. They are usually extremely agile and athletic, as well as fast runners and excellent swimmers. It's important to note, though, that anyone thinking about getting a Bedlington terrier should be equipped to make sure the wild thing gets the exercise it needs.

5. Dog breed with curly hair: Curly-coated retrievers are real family dogs

Curly-haired retrievers are remarkably friendly and insanely agile.
Curly-haired retrievers are remarkably friendly and insanely agile.  © 123RF/capturelight

Most people associate smooth, short fur with retrievers. But there is one kind of retriever with tight ringlets: the curly-coated retriever. This breed is a cross between Newfoundland, Irish water spaniel, and poodle. Like golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers, curly-coated retrievers are popular family dogs because of their friendly, playful temperament and love of fetch.

They can also be dominant, very energetic, and vigilant guard dogs. Curly-coated retriever owners should see to it that their best dog friend gets the training and exercise they need to be well-balanced animals.

This breed has a densely curly coat that is usually black or brown. Like most curly haired dogs breeds, their dense fur makes swimming in cold water easy. They don’t get cold too quickly – which is a good thing, because these cute things can't get enough of splashing around.

6. Labradoodle, a new curly haired dog breed

Labradoodles are a cross between labradors and poodles.
Labradoodles are a cross between labradors and poodles.  © Unsplash/Bruce Williamson

This dog's breeding mix is kind-of in the name: Labradoodle, a labrador and a poodle. More precisely, it is a cross between a Labrador retriever and a standard, miniature, or toy poodle. Like other mixed breeds, Labradoodles are not considered purebreds or a breed.

This cross-breed has the best of both worlds from its purebred parents. It has the curls of the poodle and the loyalty of a lab. In other words, this cute curly dog is a friendly, loyal, and playful pup that likes long walks or dog sports.

7. Bouvier des Flandres curly haired dog breed with silky waves for days

This powerful breed has an iconic and shaggy look, with insane curls.
This powerful breed has an iconic and shaggy look, with insane curls.  © 123RF/volofin

The Bouvier is a muscular and alert herding dog. The breed, which originated in Belgium, tends to be insanely protective of its flock and family, but isn't aggressive. In fact, this curly pup can be a friendly, evenly tempered family dog. They can be extremely affectionate and tend to get really attached to a particular person.

These work dogs have a wavy coat and are rather rough and frizzy. They have a heavy beard and mustache that needs to be trimmed regularly, as well as a cute and curly tail. As with all dogs with curly hair, this breed needs to be combed and brushed regally to keep their coat beautiful, and the skin underneath healthy.

So, are you going to buy a curly-haired doggo?

Curly-haired dogs can be some of the most loving, but also some of the most challenging dogs to own. With a giant coat of curls, you will feel like you are forever grooming your beautiful canine companion, and the problems can become quite real. It's not all bad though!

These dogs are also some of the friendliest, cutest, and most gorgeous-looking canine companions out there. Consider the disadvantages, but don't let your dog's curls get in the way of your love.

Cover photo: Unsplash/Bruce Williamson

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