The 20 Cute Curly-Haired Dog Breeds

Curly-haired dogs have lots of benefits. They’re cute, can be more hypoallergenic (bearing in mind no dog is 100 percent hypoallergenic), and provided you choose the right groomer, can be easy to maintain. Some of the most popular curly-haired breeds include the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Portuguese Water Dog, and various Doodle mixes. 

Main takeaways

• The most popular curly-haired dog breeds include the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Portuguese Water Dog, and various Doodle mixes.

• Curly-haired dogs have low-shedding coats, which makes skin dander easier to manage.

• Daily grooming with a slicker brush and metal comb is essential to prevent painful matting at the skin level.

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If you adopt a curly-haired dog, there are lots of things you should be aware of. One of them is matting, which can be very dangerous for a dog. According to Ani Corless, dog grooming expert and the founder of Luxury Groomer, matting has stages, with the first one of them hidden. “The reason for this is that matting starts down by the skin. So the top can look fine, but the base can be matted,” she says. After that, you will notice that your dog’s fur looks unsightly. By the time a parent notices, the matting is pretty severe. It can act as a net on the skin, which can cause a lack of circulation and trap dirt. 

This is why it’s essential to stop matting before it starts. Corless recommends that you take your curly-haired dog to the groomer every four to eight weeks and brush in between spa sessions. 

Are curly-haired dogs really hypoallergenic?

Curly-haired dogs don’t just look cute. Many of them have great temperaments and make terrific companions. Plus, they are less allergenic, making them better choices for pet parents with sensitivities. If you have severe dog allergies, it’s unlikely that any dog will be a good fit for you. However, if your allergies aren’t so bad, some dogs can be nearly hypoallergenic. And because curly-haired dogs produce less dander, they provoke less of an allergic response in people. 

Small, curly-haired dog breeds

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Bichon Frise

The puffy-coated Bichon Frise is a popular French-Belgian toy dog. Weighing only six to 16 pounds, they are beloved pets known for being cheerful, intelligent, and upbeat. Historically, they worked in the circus, which could be why they love to stand on their hind legs.

Traits

• Height: 9 to 11 inches

• Weight: 6 to 16 pounds

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Toy and Miniature Poodle

The Poodle is one of the most iconic curly-haired dogs, and the Toy or Miniature Poodle is maybe the most adorable version there is. While a standard Poodle can weigh as much as 66 pounds, the Toy Poodle can be as small as two to nine pounds and the Miniature Poodle a little bigger than that (seven to 28 pounds). Regardless of their size, all Poodles are known for their intelligence and friendly personalities.

Traits

• Height: 8 to 15 inches

• Weight: 7 to 28 pounds

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Bedlington Terrier

Originally from Bedlington, England, the Bedlington Terrier is a small, fluffy dog also known as Rothbury’s Lamb. Given their soft, springy appearance, it’s very easy to see why. They’re exceptional at swimming and love snow, which are merely two of many reasons to take care of their fur. Although they’re low-shedding dogs, expect to brush them regularly to remove loose hair and prevent matting.

Traits

• Height: 15 to 16 inches

• Weight: 16 to 30 pounds

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Bolognese

The Bolognese is a small, Bichon-like Italian dog who only grows to be four to 13 pounds. They have adorable, loose ringlets all over their body that will need to be groomed. These pups have been bred to be pets, and for good reason: They are small, fluffy, affectionate, and friendly.

Traits

• Height: 10 to 12 inches

• Weight: 4 to 13 pounds

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Havanese

The Havanese is the national dog of Cuba, descended from the now-extinct Bichón Tenerife. They have a long, silky coats that require quite a lot of grooming. Personality-wise, they are warm and affectionate, with a playful disposition.

Traits

• Height: 8 to 11 inches

• Weight: 7 to 16 pounds

Medium to large curly-haired dog breeds

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Standard Poodle

When it comes to curly-haired dogs, the Poodle is possibly the most iconic of them all. Traditionally a water-dog breed, the Poodle is known for their unique, curly fur. They often have very fluffy ears and can be groomed to have a funny tail. They are mostly hypoallergenic because their tight curls actually slow the spread of dander. Despite their regal appearance, Poodles are often very playful and fun.

Traits

• Height: 14 to 24 inches

• Weight: 45 to 75 pounds

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Portuguese Water Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog has a very surprising history. Originally from the Algarve (in Portugal, of course), their original job was to help herd fish into fishermen’s nets. They have thick, black coats with curly or wavy fur, and need brushing once or twice a week in addition to regular grooming. They’re actually quite rare, particularly outside of Portugal.

Traits

• Height: 17 to 22 inches

• Weight: 33 to 66 pounds

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Curly-Coated Retriever

As with many of the dogs on this list, the Curly-Coated Retriever was bred for waterfowl hunting. They have tight curls that repel water and make them great swimmers. As pets, they may seem aloof, but they can warm up to their pet parents and make great companions. Just make sure they get plenty of time to swim.

Traits

• Height: 25 to 27 inches

• Weight: 58 to 90 pounds

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Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish Water Spaniel is a black dog with loose curls and a unique topknot on their head. They are the biggest type of Spaniel and shed very little, which is great news for anyone sick of using their lint roller. They require regular grooming, so pet parents should make sure they become comfortable with the comb and clippers as young as possible.

Traits

• Height: 20 to 23 inches

• Weight: 44 to 70 pounds

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Lagotto Romagnolo

It may not surprise you, based on the name alone, to learn that the Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian dog breed. Historically, they have been both truffle and water dogs, but these days are often companions. They have an unforgettable coat, dense with tight ringlets. They need either regular grooming or a full shave once or twice a year.

Traits

• Height: 16 to 19 inches

• Weight: 24 to 35 pounds

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Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is often referred to as the “King of Terriers,” because they are the biggest of all the terrier breeds. Originally intended as a hunting dog, they have had many jobs throughout their time in the U.K. and U.S., before being considered pets in many households. They love being active and are very loyal and intelligent, but also strong-willed and energetic — so it’s best to adopt this pup only if you are an experienced canine pet parent or up for a challenge.

Traits

• Height: 22 to 24 inches

• Weight: 36 to 67 pounds  

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Bouvier des Flandres

The Bouvier des Flandres, or cow herder of Flanders, remains a working dog to this day. Although they were originally farm dogs, they now tend to work as guard dogs and police dogs. Of course, they are also very popular as pets. Bouviers tend to be black, fawn, or salt-and-pepper in color, with thick, wiry double coats that require some upkeep with the help of a groomer. They will also need weekly brushing.

Traits

• Height: 22 to 28 inches

• Weight: 60 to 103 pounds

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Barbet

The Barbet is one of the rarest dogs on this list. Their name comes from the French barbe, which means “beard,” a nod to their fluffy facial hair. The Barbet is a shaggy, black water dog with dense woolly fur. They are known for being particularly sensitive and even-tempered.

Traits

• Height: 20 to 26 inches

• Weight: 31 to 62 pounds

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Pumi

The Pumi is a medium-sized Hungarian sheepdog. Known for their wavy, shaggy fur, the Pumi is pretty tough to find in the U.S. — but if you do come across one, they are intelligent and energetic. Their unique fur comes in many colors: usually gray but sometimes black, white, or tan.

Traits

• Height: 15 to 19 inches

• Weight: 17 to 33 pounds

Popular curly-haired mixed breeds

Mixing two breeds yields incredibly unpredictable canine coats. With that in mind, although the Doodle craze has created some adorable dogs, you never quite know how smooth or curly your dog’s coat is going to be.  

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Goldendoodle and Labradoodle

The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, while the Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle. Both options are very popular, offering cute, fluffy dogs who makes great family pets.

Traits

• Height: 13 to 24 inches

• Weight: 15 to 100 pounds

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Cockapoo

A mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, the Cockapoo has, in recent years, become one of the most popular dog breeds. Most commonly bred from a Miniature Poodle, the Cockapoo has a smooth coat (thanks to this cross-breeding), but they will still need some grooming and care.

Traits

• Height: 14 to 24 inches

• Weight: 15 to 69 pounds

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Bernedoodle

The Bernedoodle, first introduced in 2003, is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. The result is a very cute, pretty big dog who can weigh as much as 100 pounds. They have white, tan, and black coloring and a fluffy coat.

Traits

• Height: 12 to 29 inches

• Weight: 10 to 90 pounds

How to groom a curly-haired dog

Corless says that it is harder than it looks to groom a curly-haired dog properly and thoroughly. “If it isn’t done this way, it isn’t helping as much as you’d think,” she warns. “The pet must be detangled all the way down to the skin, all over the body. If a metal comb doesn’t go from the skin out, it isn’t brushed out. No exceptions.” While it isn’t impossible to do this yourself, for a thorough job, it is best to trust a groomer. 

Daily brushing and mat prevention

To prevent matting, try brushing your curly-haired dog every day. Corless says that choosing the right brush is very important: “For a curly coat, I recommend a slicker brush, a pin brush, and a metal comb. Finding which one of those works best for you may take some trial and error. I would use all three, and I do.” For non-groomers, Corless says that a slicker brush with rubberized tips (that aren’t fully stiff) can help a dog feel more comfortable while being brushed at home.

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Bathing frequency and coat hydration

If you want to bathe your dog at home between grooming sessions, there are some things you should be aware of, Corless says. “Water creates and tightens mats, so if the owner is bathing at home or the dog has any swimming in its recreational activities, all maintenance of a curly coat will be much more intense.” When bathing your pup, use a shampoo that is hydrating and apply conditioner every single time. Corless also recommends adding a detangling spray to the mix. She adds, “I prefer to use those after a bath and brushed through when towel-dried but still damp.”

Finding the right professional groomer

Finding the right groomer requires knowing exactly what you want from them. You will need to take your dog to them every four to eight weeks, so building a good relationship is tantamount, Corless says. “That will look different for everyone — based on your dog’s coat, your budget, and your lifestyle.” Make sure you’re clear on what you want from them, and that they are able to deliver on this. For example, if you don’t want your curly-haired dog to be shaved down, ensure that this isn’t the only method in their arsenal.

Ready to adopt?

There are tons of pets sitting in shelters and rescues, all ready to kick off their next chapter with someone who gets them. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a pet out there who’s the perfect fit, just waiting for the chance to meet you.

Start your search on Adopt a Pet, where you can filter pets by age, color, breed, and more.

Commonly asked questions

What is the easiest curly-haired dog to take care of?

Whether or not a dog is easy to take care of depends on lots of factors, not just their fur. Look into the temperament, behavior, and personality traits of every breed before you commit to a dog. Additionally, each dog is different, so how easy they are to care for will depend on the individual dog. 

Do curly-haired dogs shed at all?

The curl gene is separate from the shedding gene, so a curly coat has little to do with whether or not they will shed. It’s best to look into each breed and individual dog when considering shedding levels.

How often do curly-haired dogs need haircuts?

Curly-haired dogs need a full groom and haircut fairly frequently: around every four to eight weeks.