4 Gorgeous Breeds of Curly Coated Dogs

There are some gorgeous curly coated dogs around and one of the great things about owning one is they tend to shed very little hair or none at all. From larger breeds to smaller ones, curly coated canines are very attractive and many of them boast a working ancestry which is more often than not in watery environments which their wonderful coats protect them from.

Below are 4 breeds curly coated dogs that boast stunning looks and lovely characters.

The Irish Water Spaniel

This lovely looking medium to largish size dog boasts a strong muscular build and a gorgeous tight curly coat. The Irish Water Spaniel is not only smart looking but they are intelligent "smart" too. They are renowned for being gentle, laid-back characters always quick and willing to please. However, they need a firm but gentle hand during their training which means they are not the perfect choice for first time dog owners.

Irish Water Spaniels need to know who is "boss", puppies need to be well socialised because otherwise they tend to be a little timid. If they are well cared for and trained from an early age, they turn into devoted canine friends, boasting a mischievous side to their characters. One of the nice things about the breed is they don't tend to bark for no reason, so when you do hear them barking, you know something is wrong.

Their coats are fabulously curly, consisting of tight, dense and crisp curls although around the face their fur is smooth and short with a striking topknot which is the breed's characteristic trait. Colour wise, their coats tend to be a rich liver hue right through to a much darker liver colour that has a purple tinge to it – this is sometimes referred to as "puce liver"!

Looking after their tight curls to prevent them from matting is essential which means Irish Water Spaniels need to be groomed every week and they should be regularly trimmed too. These lovely, smart looking canines shed very little hair or none at all which means they are a great choice for people who suffer from allergies.

Interesting Facts About the Breed

Irish Water Spaniels are thought to have originated by crossing a Poodle with an Irish Setter although some people believe it was the Poodle and the Curly-Coated Retriever that were used to produce the breed. Other people, however think it could have even been a Poodle crossed with a Portuguese Water Dog!

The Curly-Coated Retriever

This lovely athletic breed of dog boasts a wonderfully tight curly coat, they are highly intelligent which is why they are such popular working dogs. However, they need a firm but gentle hand otherwise they can be a little too naughty and tend to be a little wilful. Curly-Coated Retrievers need lots of physical exercise, but they also need to be mentally stimulated too. Daily outings are essential and this needs to be energetic walks full of thrills and spills. They absolutely adore being around water with swimming being top on their list of favourite pass times.

The Curly-Coated Retriever is best suited to people who lead extremely active outdoor lives because they tend to get bored quickly which in turn means they can develop some unwanted behavioural problems which includes being destructive around the home. The breed is not the ideal choice for first time dog owners because they need to know who is the "leader of the pack". Curlies are known for being superb watch dogs but they are often used as therapy dogs too.

Their gorgeous coats consist of small tight and very neat looking curls with the breed typically being either black or liver in colour. When it comes to grooming, they are extremely easy maintenance not requiring much at all – just the occasional bath!

Interesting Facts About the Breed

The origin of the breed is not really known although it is believed to be one of the oldest retriever breeds around. Some people think they could be descendants of the English Water Spaniel others believe that either St John's Newfoundland or the Poodle that could be their ancestors.

The Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is also known as the Waterside Terrier, these lovely smart looking dogs are a cross between a Welsh Terrier and an Otterhound. The breed is known as the "King of Terriers" due to their large size. They are very courageous and will protect their owners but they also boast being rather independent by nature. The breed is also known to be very good with children which means they are a popular choice as a family pet.

However, Airedales need a firm hand and puppies need to be well socialised early followed by a consistency in their training so they learn and know who is boss. They are not the ideal choice for first time dog owners because of this. Because they are clever creatures, it means that although they are very easy to train, Airedales also learn the "bad" things quickly too!

Their gorgeous coats are very wiry and dense but their undercoats are wonderfully soft. One of the things that many people like about the breed is the fact they shed virtually nothing. When it comes to colour, the breed is typically black and tan with their legs, undersides, chests, heads and ears being tan in colour. However, some Airedales boast a red tinge in their black markings and some even have a white marking on their chests albeit very small ones.

Kerry Blue Terrier

This lovely breed is full of life and are known to be real comedians which makes them a great choice as a family pet. However, they need lots of mental stimulation and physical exercise for them to stay happy and healthy. The one thing Kerry Blues hate is being left on their own for any great length of time because they get bored quickly and therefore tend to develop some unwanted behavioural problems. The other thing they don't like too much is to be teased or treated unfairly.

Puppies need to be well socialised from an early age and this needs to be followed by fair, gentle and a consistency in their training. The breed is not very good around other animals and this includes cats or smaller pets because of their strong hunting instinct. However, if introduced early and well socialised from a young age, this should not be too much of an issue.

Their coats are delightfully wavy and a gorgeous blue-grey in colour which is what makes the Kerry stand out from the crowd. Puppies are typically black when they are born but their coats change colour as they age with some even turning various shades of brown. They are also known to be odourless dogs that do not shed either which makes them a popular choice with people who suffer from allergies. Their coats do need regular grooming and should be trimmed at least five times during the year and this should ideally be done by a professional dog groomer.