Dog fur comes in many shapes, lengths, and textures. Many canines have curly hair across their whole body, while others just have curly hair on their ears (at least when they are cut traditionally). It doesn’t take much for a curly-eared dog to steal your heart, especially when groomed properly.
How Are Dogs with Curly Ears Defined?
Of course, dogs cannot really have curly ears. However, they can have curly hair on their ears, which is typically what we mean when we mention curly ears.
Dogs have all sorts of coat textures. Many dogs have very straight fur, while others have not-so-straight fur. However, outside of the straight category, there are tons of other categories. Some dogs only have wavy fur, while others have extremely small ringlets. We’d count only those on the curlier side as “curly,” though you may have a different opinion.
To make matters even more complicated, some dog breeds have a scale of different fur textures. Not all purebred dogs have the exact same texture, so some dogs in a breed may have curly ears while others may not.
Below, we’ve listed dog breeds that typically have curly ears.
The 13 Dogs with Curly Ears
1. Poodles
Image Credit: Chili71, Pixabay
- Origin: Germany
- Lifespan: 10 – 14 years
- Height: 10 – 24 inches
Poodles are the quintessential curly-haired dog breed. Their whole body is covered in curly fur, including their ears. They come in three different sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. All of these sizes have the same curly hair and very similar temperaments. The only huge difference is their size, which differs widely.
Poodles also come in many different colors, like white, black, red, brown, and even apricot. While they may be known for their funky hairdos, many pet owners get them trimmed into a puppy cut, which is much easier to take care of than a show cut.
2. Portuguese Water Dogs
Image Credit: slipschutz, Pixabay
- Origin: Portugal
- Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
- Height: 15 – 22 inches
As Portuguese Water Dog’s name suggests, these dogs are from Portugal, where they were utilized by fishermen for all sorts of tasks. Like the Poodle, their curly coat was developed because it is surprisingly water-resistant, keeping the dog warm even after they got wet. Their whole coat is curly, including the fur on their ears. They often look a bit more ragged than your average Poodle, though.
These dogs are typically described as loyal and intelligent, making them easy to train. They can make great family dogs if you can keep up with their exercise needs.
3. Bichon Frise
Image Credit: Vladimir Nenezic, Shutterstock
- Origin: France
- Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
- Height: 9 – 11 inches
Bichon Frises may not be as obviously curly as other breeds on this list. Their fur looks much more “poofy” than anything. However, their name actually means “curly toy dog,” and their coat is made up of countless tiny ringlets. Their undercoat is very fluffy, but their top coat is about as curly as it gets.
Many people get these dogs trimmed relatively short, as their very curly coats are also prone to matting. However, you can keep their fur longer, making them very fluffy.
These dogs are companion dogs, through and through. They were bred solely to be companion animals, and they’re exceptionally good for families as a result. They’re incredibly happy, playful dogs that get along equally well with children and adults.
4. Bedlington Terrier
Image Credit: Sue Thatcher, Shutterstock
- Origin: England
- Lifespan: 14 – 17 years
- Height: 16 – 18 inches
The Bedlington Terrier is known for its very strange haircut. Often, the fur on the top of its head and snout is kept long, while most of its body is shaved very short. However, if you aren’t showing these dogs, you can get them cut however you’d like. Many pets aren’t given the traditional show cut, as it can be