When it comes to curly-haired dogs, perhaps the first breed that people think of is the poodle. The fluffy poodle is a classic curly-haired dog in large, miniature, and toy sizes.
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.
The name "bichon frise" literally means "curly-haired dog" in French. This small companion dog has a white, powder-puff-like coat. It has short, fluffy curls that give the dog a round appearance when groomed right.
The Airedale is the largest of the terrier breeds and 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 wave.
The Hungarian Pumi has a unique medium-length coat characterized by a combination of curls and waves and is a mixture of softer hair and more coarse guard hair. At birth, the Pumi’s coat is usually straight or wavy.
The curly-coated retriever is one of the largest curly-haired dog breeds and one of the oldest retriever breeds. Curly-haired dogs like Irish water spaniels and poodles likely contributed to this breed’s development.
The Bedlington terrier bears a resemblance to a lamb—and feels as soft as one with its combination of soft and coarse hair. The dog’s head tends to be the curliest part of its body.
The Bolognese is a companion breed related to the bichon frise. Unlike the bichon, which has tight, short curls, the Bolognese has medium-length curly fur.
The curly blue-gray coat of the Kerry blue terrier is its most unique feature. According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, the coat should be soft, dense, and wavy.