Which statement about curly-and wavy-coated breeds is false?

Which statement about curly-and wavy-coated breeds is false?

• A. The Irish Water Spaniel should have curly hair on the body, but the coat on the legs and head should be straight.
• B. Curly coats tend to require regular brushing to prevent matting.
• C. Wavy coats can be prone to tangling and need dematting tools.
• D. Curly coats shed less than straight coats.

Answer: (A)

Coat texture and distribution drive how you groom. The Irish Water Spaniel has a dense, curly coat that runs all over the body, including the legs and head. So the idea that the coat on the legs and head should be straight while the body remains curly isn’t accurate—the curl is throughout the coat. Curly coats tend to require regular brushing to prevent matting because the curls can trap debris and tangle if not kept smooth. Wavy coats can also tangle, especially at joints and behind ears, so dematting tools are helpful to remove mats without excessive brushing force. And while curly-coated breeds often shed less visibly than straight-coated ones (the curls can hide loose hairs), shedding varies by individual. So the false statement is that the legs and head should be straight while the body is curly—the coat is typically curly all over.

Coat texture and distribution drive how you groom. The Irish Water Spaniel has a dense, curly coat that runs all over the body, including the legs and head. So the idea that the coat on the legs and head should be straight while the body remains curly isn’t accurate—the curl is throughout the coat.

Curly coats tend to require regular brushing to prevent matting because the curls can trap debris and tangle if not kept smooth. Wavy coats can also tangle, especially at joints and behind ears, so dematting tools are helpful to remove mats without excessive brushing force. And while curly-coated breeds often shed less visibly than straight-coated ones (the curls can hide loose hairs), shedding varies by individual.

So the false statement is that the legs and head should be straight while the body is curly—the coat is typically curly all over.