Compare Breeds
Compare dog breeds side by side
Select 2 or 3 breeds and compare them across purpose, size, daily life, household fit, training, health and reality. This tool uses the same verified information from each breed guide — it does not assign scores, rank breeds, or declare a winner. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time.
Preset comparisons
Overview
Original purpose
Flushing and retrieving waterfowl and upland game
Retrieving game on land and water
Country / region of origin
United States (Midwest)
United Kingdom
Academy group
Waterfowl Retrieving Gundog
Retrieving & Water Work
Life expectancy
12–15 years
9–12 years
Physical
Height range
38–46 cm (15–18 in)
58–68 cm (23–27 in)
Weight range
11–20 kg (25–45 lb)
23–41 kg (50–90 lb)
Coat type
Curly to wavy, dense coat
Tight, crisp curly double coat
Recognized colours
Solid liver, brown, or dark chocolate; small white allowed
Solid black or solid liver
Shedding
Low to moderate
Low to moderate
Grooming commitment
Moderate
Low maintenance
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
High
Mental-work commitment
High
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Moderate to high
Vocal tendency
Variable
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Variable
Children considerations
AWS can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision. No breed should be left unsupervised with you…
Curlies can live well with children and pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size, energy and prey drive require supervision around young children. Some indi…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Variable
Other-pet considerations
AWS can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision. No breed should be left unsupervised with you…
Curlies can live well with children and pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size, energy and prey drive require supervision around young children. Some indi…
Training
Training style considerations
AWS are trainable and eager but high-energy and prey-driven, so clear, consistent, engaging training works best. Key themes include recall, steadiness, impulse control an…
Curlies are trainable but independent, so clarity, fairness and consistency matter more than repetition. Harsh or heavy-handed methods can shut a sensitive Curly down. Ke…
Recall considerations
Variable
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions, heart conditions, and patellar luxation in some lines. Responsible breeding with health…
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions, and specific cancers (including histiocytic sarcoma and others) in some lines. Responsib…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, equipment and boarding. Research current costs in your area for each category.
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, equipment and boarding. Health monitoring may represent a significant ongoing cost given breed c…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Compact size suited to many homes; Eager, sociable, versatile temperament; Water willingness and retrieving ability; Curly low-shed coat
Distinctive, low-shedding crisp curls; Athletic, durable, endurance-built body; Loyalty and quiet devotion to family; Independent problem-solving ability
What can be difficult
High daily exercise needs despite compact size; Strong prey drive and chasing; Water enthusiasm that needs safe management; Coat care — avoid clipping
Reserve with strangers — not a universally social retriever; Independence that can read as stubbornness; Slow maturity and a long, bouncy adolescence; High daily exercise needs
Who this breed may suit
AWS may suit active, water-focused homes; field homes; and people prepared for daily outlets. The eager partnership can be deeply rewarding.
Curlies may suit active, experienced homes that want a durable, independent retriever; field and sport homes; and people prepared for daily work, honest health research a…
Who should think carefully
AWS may not suit homes wanting a low-exercise companion, or those unable to manage prey drive and water enthusiasm. Compact size does not equal low drive. This does not m…
Curlies may not suit homes wanting an effortlessly social, easy-going retriever, owners uncomfortable with independence, or those unable to provide daily vigorous exercis…
American Water Spaniel
Waterfowl Retrieving Gundog
Overview
Original purpose
Flushing and retrieving waterfowl and upland game
Country / region of origin
United States (Midwest)
Academy group
Waterfowl Retrieving Gundog
Life expectancy
12–15 years
Physical
Height range
38–46 cm (15–18 in)
Weight range
11–20 kg (25–45 lb)
Coat type
Curly to wavy, dense coat
Recognized colours
Solid liver, brown, or dark chocolate; small white allowed
Shedding
Low to moderate
Grooming commitment
Moderate
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
AWS can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision. No breed should be left unsupervised with you…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
AWS can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Prey drive requires supervision. No breed should be left unsupervised with you…
Training
Training style considerations
AWS are trainable and eager but high-energy and prey-driven, so clear, consistent, engaging training works best. Key themes include recall, steadiness, impulse control an…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions, heart conditions, and patellar luxation in some lines. Responsible breeding with health…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, equipment and boarding. Research current costs in your area for each category.
Fit & reality
What people often love
Compact size suited to many homes; Eager, sociable, versatile temperament; Water willingness and retrieving ability; Curly low-shed coat
What can be difficult
High daily exercise needs despite compact size; Strong prey drive and chasing; Water enthusiasm that needs safe management; Coat care — avoid clipping
Who this breed may suit
AWS may suit active, water-focused homes; field homes; and people prepared for daily outlets. The eager partnership can be deeply rewarding.
Who should think carefully
AWS may not suit homes wanting a low-exercise companion, or those unable to manage prey drive and water enthusiasm. Compact size does not equal low drive. This does not m…
Curly-Coated Retriever
Retrieving & Water Work
Overview
Original purpose
Retrieving game on land and water
Country / region of origin
United Kingdom
Academy group
Retrieving & Water Work
Life expectancy
9–12 years
Physical
Height range
58–68 cm (23–27 in)
Weight range
23–41 kg (50–90 lb)
Coat type
Tight, crisp curly double coat
Recognized colours
Solid black or solid liver
Shedding
Low to moderate
Grooming commitment
Low maintenance
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High
Training commitment
Moderate to high
Vocal tendency
Variable
Prey-drive tendency
Variable
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
Curlies can live well with children and pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size, energy and prey drive require supervision around young children. Some indi…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Curlies can live well with children and pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Size, energy and prey drive require supervision around young children. Some indi…
Training
Training style considerations
Curlies are trainable but independent, so clarity, fairness and consistency matter more than repetition. Harsh or heavy-handed methods can shut a sensitive Curly down. Ke…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions, and specific cancers (including histiocytic sarcoma and others) in some lines. Responsib…
Expected financial considerations
Costs include quality food, regular veterinary care, insurance, training, equipment and boarding. Health monitoring may represent a significant ongoing cost given breed c…
Fit & reality
What people often love
Distinctive, low-shedding crisp curls; Athletic, durable, endurance-built body; Loyalty and quiet devotion to family; Independent problem-solving ability
What can be difficult
Reserve with strangers — not a universally social retriever; Independence that can read as stubbornness; Slow maturity and a long, bouncy adolescence; High daily exercise needs
Who this breed may suit
Curlies may suit active, experienced homes that want a durable, independent retriever; field and sport homes; and people prepared for daily work, honest health research a…
Who should think carefully
Curlies may not suit homes wanting an effortlessly social, easy-going retriever, owners uncomfortable with independence, or those unable to provide daily vigorous exercis…
This comparison explains differences. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time. No breed is ranked or scored.