Which dog breeds have curly hair? Out of 162 breeds in our database, 10 have a curly coat. They range from tight Poodle curls to looser Lagotto waves. Most of them shed very little, but nearly all need regular brushing and clipping.
Each breed has its size, weight, lifespan and temperament from our breed data. If grooming is a concern, use the dog grooming cost calculator to budget for visits.
Barbet
The Barbet is a French water dog with a thick, curly coat in black, brown, fawn, gray, white. It is on the AKC list of breeds that tend to suit people with allergies.
The Barbet is a medium breed in the AKC Sporting Group. Adults weigh 35 to 65 lb (16 to 29 kg) and stand 19 to 24.5 in (48 to 62 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 12 to 14 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as friendly, bright and sweet-natured. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 5 on a scale of 1 to 5.
The AKC grooming rating is 5 out of 5, the highest possible. Expect to brush often and to clip the coat to keep it from matting.
Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is famous for looking like a lamb, with a curly, fluffy coat and a rounded head. Colors in our data: blue, liver, sandy, blue and tan, liver and tan, sandy and tan.
At 17 to 23 lb (8 to 10 kg) and 15 to 17.5 in (38 to 44 cm) tall, the Bedlington Terrier counts as a small dog (in the AKC Terrier Group). Expect 11 to 16 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as loyal, charming and frollicking. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Despite the lamb look it is a real terrier, and it moves fast. The coat needs regular clipping and brushing.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a powder puff of tight white curls. In our data the colors are white, white and cream, white and apricot, white and buff. The photo shows a Bichon in the classic white coat.
The Bichon Frise is a small breed in the AKC Non-Sporting Group. Adults weigh 12 to 18 lb (5 to 8 kg) and stand 9.5 to 11.5 in (24 to 29 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 14 to 15 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as curious, playful and peppy. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 5 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Regular brushing and trimming keep the curls from matting, and a groomer visit every few weeks is typical. Use our dog grooming cost calculator to plan the cost. The Bichon is also in our list of dog breeds with white-tipped tails.
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a dense coat of tight curls in one color, liver. It has a topknot of curls on its head and a smooth, straight tail.
At 45 to 68 lb (20 to 31 kg) and 21 to 24 in (53 to 61 cm) tall, the Irish Water Spaniel counts as a large dog (in the AKC Sporting Group). Expect 12 to 13 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as playful, hardworking and brave. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.
It is the biggest dog with a curly coat after the Standard Poodle, and it was bred to retrieve in water. It loves to swim, so rinse and dry the coat after a swim.
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo has a thick, curly, woolly coat in off-white, brown, orange, brown roan, orange roan, white. It began as a water retriever in Italy and is now known for finding truffles. The roan colors also put it in our spotted coats guide.
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium breed in the AKC Sporting Group. Adults weigh 24 to 35 lb (11 to 16 kg) and stand 16 to 19 in (41 to 48 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 15 to 17 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as affectionate, keen and undemanding. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 2 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Its AKC shedding rating is 1 out of 5, and the lifespan in our data is 15 to 17 years. Trim the coat regularly, and clean the ears carefully.
Miniature Poodle
The Miniature Poodle is the middle size of the Poodle. It has a dense, curly coat in black, white, apricot, cream, brown, red, silver, gray, blue, cafe au lait. The AKC treats the three sizes as varieties of one breed, but our data lists them separately.
At 10 to 15 lb (5 to 7 kg) and 10 to 15 in (25 to 38 cm) tall, the Miniature Poodle counts as a small dog (in the AKC Non-Sporting Group). Expect 10 to 18 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as active, proud and very smart. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.
Poodles are smart and active. Many owners book a groomer every month or two and brush at home most days.
Mudi
The Mudi is a Hungarian herding dog with a curly coat in black, white, yellow, gray, brown, merle. It is also in our merle breeds list.
The Mudi is a medium breed in the AKC Herding Group. Adults weigh 18 to 29 lb (8 to 13 kg) and stand 15 to 18.5 in (38 to 47 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 12 to 14 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as loyal, intelligent and active. The AKC rates shedding 2 and grooming needs 1 on a scale of 1 to 5.
The AKC grooming rating is only 1 out of 5, the lowest on this list. It is an energetic herding dog, so plan for 90 to 120 minutes of exercise a day.
Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog has a long, curly coat in black, brown, white, black and white, brown and white. It worked alongside fishermen in Portugal, and it still loves the water.
At 35 to 60 lb (16 to 27 kg) and 17 to 23 in (43 to 58 cm) tall, the Portuguese Water Dog counts as a medium dog (in the AKC Working Group). Expect 11 to 13 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as affectionate, adventurous and athletic. The AKC rates shedding 2 and grooming needs 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.
The AKC grooming rating is 4 out of 5, and it is on the AKC list for people with allergies. Expect regular trims.
Standard Poodle
The Standard Poodle is the biggest Poodle, with a dense curly coat in black, white, apricot, cream, brown, red, silver, gray, blue, cafe au lait. It began as a water retriever.
The Standard Poodle is a large breed in the AKC Non-Sporting Group. Adults weigh 40 to 70 lb (18 to 32 kg) and stand 18 to 26 in (46 to 66 cm) at the shoulder. The lifespan in our data is 10 to 18 years, and the AKC describes the temperament as active, proud and very smart. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.
It is a smart, athletic dog. The AKC data gives a lifespan of 10 to 18 years. Brush often so the curls do not mat close to the skin.
Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the three sizes, with the same curly coat in black, white, apricot, cream, brown, red, silver, gray, blue, cafe au lait.
At 4 to 6 lb (2 to 3 kg) and 8 to 10 in (20 to 25 cm) tall, the Toy Poodle counts as a toy dog (in the AKC Toy Group). Expect 10 to 18 years of company, and a temperament the AKC sums up as intelligent, agile and self-confident. The AKC rates shedding 1 and grooming needs 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.
The lifespan in our data is 10 to 18 years, but small dogs are fragile, so handle them gently around children.
Why do some dogs have curly coats?
Curly coats are not limited to Poodles. By AKC group, our data includes Sporting (3), Non-Sporting (3), Terrier (1), Herding (1). 8 of the 10 breeds above have the lowest AKC shedding rating (1 out of 5), and 0 are on the AKC list of breeds that tend to suit people with allergies. That list is not a guarantee, so spend time with the breed before you buy. For a longer list, use the hypoallergenic dog breed finder.
Low shedding does not mean low upkeep. AKC grooming ratings here run from 1 to 5 out of 5. Curls trap loose hair, which is why they mat when you skip brushing. A curly coat is different from a wiry one, covered in our wire-haired dog breeds guide.
We do not go into the genetics of the curly coat here, because we would rather cite only what the AKC breed pages say.
Sources:
All 10 curly-haired dog breeds at a glance
| Breed | Size | Weight | Lifespan | Shedding / grooming (of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbet | Medium | 35-65 lb | 12-14 years | 1 / 5 |
| Bedlington Terrier | Small | 17-23 lb | 11-16 years | 1 / 3 |
| Bichon Frise | Small | 12-18 lb | 14-15 years | 1 / 5 |
| Irish Water Spaniel | Large | 45-68 lb | 12-13 years | 1 / 3 |
| Lagotto Romagnolo | Medium | 24-35 lb | 15-17 years | 1 / 2 |
| Miniature Poodle | Small | 10-15 lb | 10-18 years | 1 / 4 |
| Mudi | Medium | 18-29 lb | 12-14 years | 2 / 1 |
| Portuguese Water Dog | Medium | 35-60 lb | 11-13 years | 2 / 4 |
| Standard Poodle | Large | 40-70 lb | 10-18 years | 1 / 4 |
| Toy Poodle | Toy | 4-6 lb | 10-18 years | 1 / 4 |
Conclusion
Curly-haired dogs range from 4 to 6 lb to 45 to 68 lb, so there is a curly dog for almost any home. Pick by size and energy first, then check that you can afford the grooming. Compare breeds with the dog breed comparison tool and filter more traits with the dog breeds by trait finder or the dog breed selector.
For other coats, see fluffy dog breeds, wire-haired breeds and spotted coats.
