Having a long-haired dog as a pet brings a different kind of charm and happiness to the owner. When people look at your dog and adore it for its flowing coat, unique beauty, and personality, owners feel proud of having it as a cuddly companion.
While long-haired breeds come in all sizes, from tiny to large, their fluffy coats also play a significant role, such as protecting them in different climates etc.
As their majestic looks make them stand out in a crowd, families who are excited to make them a part of their house must be prepared, because they come at a cost. Not every owner can afford these breeds, because their maintenance requires professional grooming every month, or even weekly when required. And their gorgeous hair demands dog products that are free from harsh chemicals.
However, it’s just one part of long-haired dogs; having them as a family pet means you get a dog with a wonderful personality. It bonds strongly through exercise and training, and proper socialization helps them get along with other pets and environments.
This guide aims to focus on seven flowing long-coat dog breeds, their personalities, and how owners can take care of their grooming routine to maintain their stunning appearance.
Elegant Long-Haired Dog Breeds with Stunning Looks
1. Maltese
Maltese is a quintessential lap dog that is playful, docile, affectionate, and sweet. Among popular breeds that have long hair, Maltese dogs do qualify, according to Omlet. This lovely dog stands out for its lively temperament, single-layer coat that can be styled in different ways, and as an adaptable, devoted companion.
Their gorgeous white coat requires a lot of grooming. Its silky coat is simply stunning; similarly, it gets dirty easily. So, it must be groomed regularly for better upkeep; owners can also opt for a short coat. Also, it is a hypoallergenic breed that does not shed a lot. Also, grooming prevents skin infections in Maltese.
Further, the breed’s expressive eyes add to its magnificent look, and they are prone to tear staining, so they must be cleaned regularly with wet wipes.
2. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is a fluffy dog with its beautiful silky coat. It was bred as a companion dog and is a playful and charming breed that craves human cuddles more than exercise. Apart from its temperament and coat, the floppy ears make it among the cute dog breeds. It is an adaptable lap dog that thrives in any living condition.
Shih Tzu’s hair grows continuously, so owners can opt for a short puppy cut, which makes styling easier and grooming manageable. Trying short hairstyles takes less time. Their grooming routine demands regular bathing, brushing, drying, and trimming, so if you are willing to follow the routine strictly, then opt for this outgoing breed.
They need half an hour of exercise daily to stay active and avoid obesity issues, because it’s an important element that can affect their appearance. They enjoy play sessions, cuddling with family, and learning new tricks.
3. Lhasa Apso
Lhasa Apso is a hypoallergenic breed that is one of the oldest and makes a clever and loyal companion. It is suitable for allergy sufferers, and when its long and thick coat is not trimmed, it gives it a supermodel look. It is a playful, assertive, intelligent, energetic, and fearless breed that was earlier given as gifts and highly prized because of its fluffiness and bright temperament, says PetMD.
Their fearless and loyal nature makes them good watchdogs as well. Their heavy, straight, dense double coat sheds very little, but needs to be brushed daily with a slicker brush to maintain its shine. Also, every four to six weeks, it is advised to take them to a professional groomer for a short haircut.
Furthermore, they make great family pets when they get to exercise daily for an hour. Also, training them could be a bit difficult because they have a stubborn streak, but with patience and daily practice, it could be effective.
4. Havanese
Havanese is an energetic and entertaining breed that is called a gorgeous dog because of its long hair. Being native to Cuba, this affectionate, gentle, and intelligent breed is also called the Havana Silk Dog. Their long and silky coat also helps insulate them in hot and cold climates.
Unlike other active breeds, the Havanese is also a popular family dog that thrives on positive reinforcement-based training and daily exercise for about half an hour. Considering grooming needs, they demand regular brushing to prevent tangles and matting. In summer, owners can shorten their coats, but in cold weather, they must be kept long because Havanese aren’t capable of handling cold.
As the breed looks fantastic with cords, similarly, owners must focus on their early socialization because they were originally bred to be companion dogs and enjoy forming strong bonds with families.
5. English Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel is a beautiful dog breed that is known for its easygoing and upbeat personality, elegant appearance, expressive eyes, long and satiny fur, and ears that sway when they run. The breed’s long coat and ears give it a graceful look, and its cheery temperament grabs attention wherever it goes.
The breed enjoys physical and mental challenges because it was bred as a hunting companion. So, it must exercise daily for about 30-45 minutes, followed by walks, swimming, and other interactive games. Grooming their silky coat is extremely important, because it can predispose them to skin infections if not properly groomed and maintained.
So, owners must use a high-quality dog shampoo to avoid skin irritation. And daily brushing helps evenly spread the natural oils. However, brushing must be done using a slicker brush or a metal comb.
6. Afghan Hound
Afghan Hound is one of the elegant breeds that is difficult to forget because of its flowing silky coat and stunning appearance. Originating from Afghanistan, the thick coat provides protection from the cold climate in Afghanistan’s eastern mountains. Further, these elegant sight hounds stand out because of their remarkable eyesight, agility, and quick feet.
As their coat contributes to making them beautiful, it also makes them practical dogs that are naturally confident and independent. So, they need consistent training and regular daily exercise like long walks or jogs, etc. Other activities that they enjoy are: lure coursing, agility, and barn hunting, etc.
PDSA writes that they are regarded as dogs with “clownish” behavior, and since they choose their favorite person, early socialization helps them get along with children, new people, animals, environments, and sounds easily.
7. Bearded Collie
Bearded Collie is a medium-sized herding dog from Scotland that has long hair under its bottom lip. They are also called shaggy-coated dogs that are cheerful, quick learners, bouncy, and confident. These fluffy dogs’ flowing coats and expressive faces make them stunning that every family desires to have.
On top of that, the breed’s athletic build, boundless energy, and affectionate personality are the factors that make it a great addition for the family. But this breed looks for dedicated pet parents who can follow a good grooming routine. These dogs enjoy being around people and get along with children and other pets when socialized properly.
As they were bred to be a herding dog, their long hair was developed to provide them protection from harsh weather while herding. Their signature bearded faces make them easily recognizable, but plenty of exercise and weekly brushing are important to handle seasonal shedding.
Conclusion
Long-haired dog breeds come in all sizes, so it gives owners the option of choosing any stunning breed according to their preferences and living conditions. Secondly, having them feels like having a royal dog, but it is true that beauty comes at a cost.
So, get ready to invest a lot of money in their grooming sessions. To enhance their beauty, owners must also focus on trimming their nails and maintaining their oral health. Lastly, long-haired dog breeds also shed moderately, and following a consistent grooming routine is the key to managing their shedding.
