Poodles: Classic curly-haired dogs, intelligent, great companions. Standard poodles were originally bred as game retrievers. Available in large, miniature, and toy sizes.
Portuguese Water Dog (PWD): Sporty curly-haired breed, strong swimmer, assisted fishermen. Popular as a companion or competitor in dock diving, agility, and obedience.
"Bichon Frise": French name for curly-haired dog, small companion with white powder-puff coat. Regular grooming needed to prevent matting. Soft hair with coarse guard hairs.
Airedale: Largest terrier breed, distinctive wiry coat in brown & tan. Texture differs from other terriers, can be tightly curled or relaxed like a wave.
Hungarian Pumi: Distinctive medium-length coat, mix of curls & waves, soft hair & coarse guard hair. Coat starts straight/wavy, later forms curls as guard hairs grow.
French Barbet Water Dog: Lesser-known curly breed. Coat best at 3-5 inches, thick & wooly, ideal for retrieving in chilly water. Curly locks hang loose.
Curly-Coated Retriever: Large, old retriever breed. Developed from Irish water spaniels and poodles. Hunting companions, retrieving game in all weather, with curls providing warmth and protection.
Bedlington Terrier: Resembles lamb, soft & coarse hair. Curliest on head. Born with dark coat, lightens to blue, sandy, or dark-brown liver color. Soft as a lamb!
Bolognese: Companion breed related to bichon frise. Medium-length curly fur, needs brushing few times per week, daily grooming recommended for the wavy coat.
Kerry Blue Terrier: Unique curly blue-gray coat, soft, dense, and wavy. Tidy overall appearance sets it apart from other curly-haired breeds per AKC standard.