Curly-Haired dog breeds are often popular for their low shedding coats and their distinctive appearance. Many curly-haired dog breeds were developed for Sporting News. Since the tight curls serve as good insulation for water retrieving activities. However there are also herding breeds and companion breeds the featured curls in abundance. Here is a look at some curly-haired dog breeds along with insight into the basic grooming regimen you can expect. Here we have listed "Top 10 Cute Curly Haired Dog Breeds".
Poodle Dog :
The most obvious of the curly haired dog breeds may be the poodle. The Poodle is a classic curly-haired dog in large miniature and toy sizes. The standard sized poodle was originally bred as a keen retriever of game. The tight curls were clipped to keep the vital organs and joints of the dog warm as it plunged into chilly water. But today the classic Poodle cut is more of a fashion statement than a functional need for most pets (1).
Portuguese Water Dog :
The Portuguese Water dog or PWD is another of the sporty curly-haired dog breeds. Originally bred to assist fishermen in retrieving lost tackle or even rescuing drowning sailors. These dogs needed to be strong and agile swimmers, today the breed is popular as both a companion pet or a canine competitor in sports like dark diving agility or obedience. The coat of the Portuguese Water dog is hypoallergenic it is considered to be a very minimal shutter but does require regular grooming (2).
Bichon Frise Dog :
The Bichon Frise is a small companion dog, that has a white powder puff light coat. The short buff fluffy curls give the dog a fluffy round appearance. When properly groomed, these dogs have both soft hair and more coarse guard hairs. Which can lead to matting for this reason the Bichon Frise of America recommends daily brushing of your Bichon and monthly trip to the groomer for a bath and haircut (3).
Airedale Terrier Dog :
The Airedale is the largest of the terrier breeds, it has one of the most distinctive coats typically brown and tan in color. The wiry coat can be tightly curled or may have a more relaxed curl that resembles a way. It is notably different in texture than many other Terriers, for a curly-haired dog breed the Airedale Terrier is very low-maintenance (4).
Curly-Coated Retriever Dog :
The Curly Coated Retriever is one of the largest curly-haired dog breeds. And is also one of the oldest retriever breeds, while the origin of the Curly Coated Retriever is uncertain it is believed that Irish Water Spaniels. Also a curly-haired dog breed contributed to the breeds development in the 1800s poodles were introduced to the genetic pool and this resulted in an even tighter curl for the coat. Unlike some other curly-haired dog breeds, these dogs have a single coat of hair that sheds about every six months or so (5).
Also Read This : All Dog Breeds - Names and Pictures | Complete List of Dog Profiles
Bedlington Terrier Dog :
The Bedlington Terrier bears a resemblance to a lamb, and feels about as soft as one thanks to the curly coat. This curly-haired dog breed has a combination of soft and coarse hair and the dog's head tends to be the curliest part of its body. Interestingly these dogs are often born with a dark coat which gradually lightens to the softer blue sandy or liver colors. That the Bedlington Terrier is known for maintaining the coat of a Bedlington Terrier isn't too complicated. A week combing we'll keep the curls free of debris and matting (6).
Barbet Dog :
A French water dog the Barbet is a lesser-known curly-haired dog breed. The coat is generally kept to a medium length of three to five inches, giving plenty of opportunity for those curly locks to hang loose. The hair of the Barbet is described as thick and wooly which was especially important for dogs, that earned a living retrieving game from chilly water. Keeping the Barbet well-groomed is no small task the coat needs to be brushed and combed several times each week, to keep the hair from becoming a tangled mess (7).
Irish Water Spaniel Dog :
Another curly-haired dog breed with a job to do in the water. The Irish Water Spaniel has a double coat of curls, that serve to keep the breed warm during its water retrieving duties. Interestingly the breed has smooth short hair on the face and tail. While the rest of the coat is covered in tight curls, the Irish Water Spaniel became a very popular sporting dog in Europe and the United States. And was among the first breeds registered with the AKC in 1878 (8).
Komondor Dog :
A unique looking dog for a curly-haired dog breed. The Komondor has a coat that naturally forms into long cords. The natural dispersion of course guard hairs among the softer hairs of the undercoat results in this natural felting process. And has earned this breed the nickname of mop dog. keeping up with the care of the Komondors coat involves a special regimen of bathing but not brushing (9).
Puli Dog :
The Puli is closely related to the Komondor and is also sometimes referred to as a mop dog. However unlike the Komondor, this breed of curly haired dog either has ported fur or fluffier brushed out masses of curls. The fur of the pulley is a combination of a soft under quart and more coarse guard hairs. These will naturally begin to separate into the felted cords as the dog approaches 9 to 10 months of age or you could keep up with regular brushing to maintain a fuller coat of curls (10).