Is the Frisian Water Dog or the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever better for families with children?

Both the Frisian Water Dog and the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.

Which sheds more, the Frisian Water Dog or the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever?

The Frisian Water Dog and Murray River Curly Coated Retriever shed a similar amount (low).

Which is easier to train, the Frisian Water Dog or the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever?

Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.

Is Frisian Water Dog or Murray River Curly Coated Retriever bigger?

Frisian Water Dog is the larger breed; Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is smaller and more compact.

Which barks more, Frisian Water Dog or Murray River Curly Coated Retriever?

Both bark a similar amount (low).

Which is better for apartment living, Frisian Water Dog or Murray River Curly Coated Retriever?

For apartment or apartment living, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.

Frisian Water Dog vs Murray River Curly Coated Retriever

Frisian Water Dog vs Murray River Curly Coated Retriever: full comparison

Trait	Frisian Water Dog	Murray River Curly Coated Retriever
Size	Large	Medium
Energy level	High	High
Trainability	High	High
Friendliness	High	High
Good with children	High	High
Grooming needs	High	Very High
Shedding	Low	Low
Barking	Low	Low
Protectiveness	Low	Low
Adaptability	Medium	Medium
Typical lifespan	13 years	12 years
Hypoallergenic	Yes	No

Key differences at a glance

The Frisian Water Dog is a larger dog than the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever, which affects space, food and exercise needs.

Size and living space

The Frisian Water Dog is a large dog that does best in a larger home with room to stretch out, ideally with access to a yard. By comparison, the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is a medium-sized dog that is comfortable in most homes, though a bit of space and a yard are welcome. If space, transport or budget are tight, the smaller of the two is the more practical choice.

Exercise and energy needs

The Frisian Water Dog needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever needs a good deal of daily exercise — long walks, running or vigorous play. Their exercise needs are broadly the same, so this is unlikely to be a deciding factor.

Grooming and shedding

The Frisian Water Dog needs plenty of coat work, including trips to a groomer and sheds only lightly. The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever demands daily coat care plus professional grooming to stay in shape and sheds only lightly. The Frisian Water Dog is also considered hypoallergenic, an advantage for allergy sufferers. If low upkeep matters to you, factor this in — the difference adds up over a dog's lifetime.

Temperament, training and family life

The Frisian Water Dog learns quickly and enjoys the training process, speaks up only now and then and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. The Murray River Curly Coated Retriever learns quickly and enjoys the training process, speaks up only now and then and is reliably good with children and a solid family choice. On guarding instinct, Frisian Water Dog is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors, whereas Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is not especially protective and is welcoming to visitors.

Which is better for…

For apartment or apartment living, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.
For families with young children, Frisian Water Dog and Murray River Curly Coated Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For first-time dog owners, Frisian Water Dog and Murray River Curly Coated Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For being left alone during the workday, Frisian Water Dog and Murray River Curly Coated Retriever are an even match — either can work well.
For allergy sufferers, Frisian Water Dog has the edge, as it is hypoallergenic and lower-shedding.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Frisian Water Dog if you need a hypoallergenic, low-dander coat, you prefer lower grooming upkeep, or you want a bigger, more substantial dog.

Choose the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever if you want a smaller, more apartment-friendly dog.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Frisian Water Dog or the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever better for families with children?: Both the Frisian Water Dog and the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever are considered good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
Which sheds more, the Frisian Water Dog or the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever?: The Frisian Water Dog and Murray River Curly Coated Retriever shed a similar amount (low).
Which is easier to train, the Frisian Water Dog or the Murray River Curly Coated Retriever?: Both breeds have comparable trainability. Consistency and positive reinforcement work well for each.
Is Frisian Water Dog or Murray River Curly Coated Retriever bigger?: Frisian Water Dog is the larger breed; Murray River Curly Coated Retriever is smaller and more compact.
Which barks more, Frisian Water Dog or Murray River Curly Coated Retriever?: Both bark a similar amount (low).
Which is better for apartment living, Frisian Water Dog or Murray River Curly Coated Retriever?: For apartment or apartment living, Murray River Curly Coated Retriever has the edge, thanks to its size, quieter nature and more manageable energy.