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Are you considering adopting a dog that looks like a Poodle? Would you like a dog that has curly hair like a Poodle, but isn’t a Poodle? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
We’ve put together some information about dog breeds that look like Poodles. These are dogs that are not hybrid Poodles but purebred dog breeds that resemble Poodles with their curly hair! These dogs all require plenty of brushing, but not all have to have their hair trimmed regularly!
Let’s take a look at the Poodle, and next, dog breeds that look like Poodles! Let’s get started!
What is a Poodle?
The Poodle is an iconic dog often associated with dog shows and a luxurious, lazy lifestyle! However, these dogs make excellent family companions, whether you show them or not. What’s more, Poodles are working dogs bred to retrieve waterfowl, work as service dogs, and more. That’s because these dogs are highly intelligent and easy to train.
These dogs have a beautiful curly coat designed for the breed’s original job of retrieving waterfowl. The coat was trimmed to keep it from snagging on branches and other underwater rubbish. Their hair was often left long on the joints and vital organs (chest and tummy) to keep the dogs warm in colder water.
Poodles come in three sizes which are the standard (large), miniature (medium), and the toy (smallest). These three varieties are all classified as purebred Poodles!
The dogs are all playful yet can be very noble. They’re also very friendly with people and need to be with their families. If left alone for long periods, Poodles can develop separation anxiety and become destructive.
Poodles usually stand between 10 to 22 inches tall and weigh between 6 to 70 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
This is a quick overview of the Poodle dog breed! Now, let’s move on to our list of dogs that look like Poodles!
Dog Breeds That Look Like Poodles
Here’s our list of dog breeds that look like Poodles! Each dog breed has its own characteristics; however, they all have curly hair that resembles a Poodle’s!
1. Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog (also called Cao de Agua, which means “dog of the water”) originally came from Portugal, where they were developed to help fishermen. The dogs were used to drive fish into nets, retrieve fishing gear in the water, and more. These dogs are medium-sized and have a curly coat that’s similar to the Poodle’s.
These dogs are friendly and loving; they do best with an active family. They also love water (naturally!). The dogs are also highly intelligent and excel at dog sports such as agility, obedience, and more. They also love working as service dogs.
The Portuguese Water Dog stands between 1 ft 5 in and 1 ft 11 in and weighs between 35 to 60 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years.
2. Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is another dog breed that looks like a Poodle. They’re originally from the north part of England, where the dogs were bred to get rid of rats, badgers, and other animals. Today, however, they are wonderful family companions!
When you first see one of these dogs, you may think you see a lamb. That’s because the dogs sport curly white hair. However, they are very entertaining dogs that know their own minds. They’re highly intelligent, curious about everything, alert, and can be aggressive toward small animals.
These dogs love to be with their families and be the center of attention. They’re even friendly with guests; however, these dogs also have an instinct for shady characters. For this reason, Bedlington Terriers make excellent watchdogs.
Bedlington Terriers are cute dogs that require proper training and socialization from a young age. They can be stubborn and may be aggressive with other dogs or small animals.
The Bedlington Terrier stands between 15 to 16 inches tall and weighs between 17 to 23 lbs. They have a life expectancy between 14 to 16 years.
3. Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is another dog breed that looks like a Poodle! They’re often mistaken for a chocolate brown Poodle due to their curly hair! The Irish Water Spaniel’s history is unknown; however, the dogs seemed to have made an appearance in Ireland in the 1800s. They were developed for hunting, pointing, and retrieving. The dogs also love water and are excellent at retrieving waterfowl.
These dogs can also be somewhat of a clown! They’re highly intelligent and love to make a game out of almost anything. Even so, the dogs are easy to train. Irish Water Spaniels are active dogs that have a ton of energy.
The dog breed’s dense coat requires regular care and should be brushed at least two or three times a week. Brushing helps to remove dirt from the dog’s hair and distribute natural oils through the fur to keep it healthy and shiny.
One more unique trait of these dogs is they have webbed feet! This feature makes them excellent swimmers!
Irish Water Spaniels usually stand between 1 ft 9 in and 2 ft and weigh between 45 to 65 lbs. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
4. Lagotto Romagnolo
Here’s another dog that looks like a Poodle—the Lagotto Romagnolo! These dogs were originally developed in Italy during the Renaissance and were bred for hunting and retrieving waterfowl. Breeders wanted dogs with curly coats (like a Poodle) that were also water-resistant.
The Lagotto Romagnolo has a coat that feels more like human hair, and they come in a wide variety of colors. What’s more, these dogs don’t shed much; these dogs may be a good choice for some allergy sufferers who are allergic to dogs. The dog’s fur must be groomed on a regular basis to keep the coat from matting.
The dogs are very loving with their families and thrive on companionship. They also need enough exercise to wear off excess energy. However, they can easily adapt to living in an apartment, as long as they get plenty of exercise.
Lagotto Romagolos usually stand between 14 to 19 inches tall and weigh between 24 to 35 lbs. They have a life expectancy between 14 to 17 years.
5. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is sometimes mistaken for a Poodle because these small dogs also have curly hair! You can’t help but smile when you see one of these dogs. They always look happy and bright! The dogs are famous for their good-natured disposition, too.
These dogs are small yet hardy. They are always white, with black eyes and noses. The dogs have a confident air about them and have plumed tails that curve over their backs.
The Bichon Frise makes a wonderful family companion. They love to play and want to be with their family most of the time. For this reason, the dogs may develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. What’s more, these small dogs don’t shed like other dogs and may be good for some allergy sufferers.
The Bichon Frise usually stands between 9 to 11 inches tall and weighs between 7 to 12 lbs. They have a life expectancy between 12 to 15 years.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSumming It Up
So, there you have it! This is our list of dogs that look like Poodles. Each dog breed has curly hair and a different disposition. Most of these dogs would make a lovely family companion and can get along with kids and other pets.
No matter which dog you choose, we’re pretty sure you’ll have a loving, fun, curly-haired companion for many years to come!
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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