While some dogs are valued for their behavioral traits, others are loved for their physical appearance. For dog lovers, nothing brings more pleasure than petting their furry friend. The idea of a perfect pet involves lots of fluff and puff.
Some fluffy dog breeds look like real-life teddy bears or little white clouds walking on the ground. Their plush and silky fur can turn heads and steal hearts. However, these adorable dog breeds require regular grooming and care.
Grooming needs include frequent brushing and occasional baths. Some fluffy dog breeds also need professional grooming every few months. Not only do they look cute, but they also have loving and adorable personalities.
Have a look at these dog breeds with exquisitely plush and silky coats.
Dog Breeds with Exquisitely Plush and Silky Coats
1. Afghan Hound
Having a long and silky coat, Afghan Hounds were originally bred as independent hunting dogs. The long and silky coat comes in a variety of colors, including blue, cream, black, tan, and red. Afghan Hounds require regular grooming to keep their coats healthy.
Several hours of brushing are required every week to keep the hair free from mats and tangles. The American Kennel Club also recommends regular bathing using a dog shampoo and conditioner. The coat not only makes them look beautiful, but also provides protection against harsh weather.
Afghan Hounds may have a reserved nature, but they are gentle and affectionate with their owners. Their sighthound build enables them to excel in activities like lure coursing and agility. These high-energy dogs require an ample amount of exercise every day for physical and mental stimulation.
2. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are a toy dog breed with silky, long coat. These hypoallergenic dogs make a good fit for allergy sufferers. Yorkies shed minimally, so you do not need to worry about pet dander. Their hair resembles human hair and should be taken care of accordingly.
Their long, flowing coat needs to be brushed regularly. If you are planning to adopt a Yorkie, expect to spend many hours a week grooming those luxurious locks. Yorkshire Terriers also need a bath every week. Sometimes, the coat can be trimmed into a short Yorkie coat.
Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred to catch rats and vermin. Having the traits of a typical terrier, Yorkies love going places and can easily fit in your purse or backpack thanks to their compact size. These small, fluffy dogs are affectionate with family and strangers alike.
Yorkies are great with kids and other pets as well. However, supervision is required around rambunctious children and smaller animals, explains PetMD.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a gentle and affectionate toy dog breed. This popular dog breed can be easily recognized by its flowing coat and expressive eyes. The lustrous, silky coat requires little more than regular grooming to stay healthy.
Brushing not only keeps the coat shiny and tangle-free, but also serves as a full-body massage. Grooming sessions also provide you with an opportunity to strengthen the bond with your pup. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were bred to be companions.
This sporting dog breed has moderate energy levels, due to which they do not need extensive exercise for stimulation. Thanks to their adaptable nature, Cavaliers do well in active households as well as with couch potatoes.
These intelligent and eager-to-please dogs enable them to learn new tricks and commands easily. Cavaliers excel at various dog sports, including obedience, agility, and rally.
4. Maltese
Having long, silky, and white fur, Maltese look like a graceful cloud walking on Earth. These fluffy dogs have a single coat; they lack an undercoat and have high maintenance needs. Maltese need coat conditioning and regular brushing to look good.
When the coat is short, it has a slight curl or wave, but as it straightens as it grows in length. These fantastic lap dogs often sport an adorable top knot. Many people trim the Maltese coat short for easier maintenance.
Maltese are affectionate dogs with watchdog tendencies, which means they can be a bit defensive around strangers. This little dog is not recommended for homes with small children due to the risk of injury to the dog.
Maltese are intelligent and athletic dogs that excel at dog sports like agility and obedience. Maltese are stubborn and determined, but respond well to positive reinforcement methods.
5. Shih Tzu
These small, fluffy dogs are known for having a big personality. With their name translating to “little lion,” Shih Tzus are loyal, affectionate, and loving dogs. Their long and flowing coat requires regular grooming to stay in top-notch condition.
The coat also requires professional grooming every few months.
You can also clip your pup’s hair short for easier maintenance. Shih Tzus are low-shedding hypoallergenic dogs, well-suited for allergy sufferers. However, like all other dogs, their coat is also prone to mats and tangles.
Shih Tzus are quite adaptable and are happy with a sedentary lifestyle. But they are also up for an adventurous walk to the park. Having a sweet disposition, Shih Tzus thrive on love and affection from their family members.
6. Irish Setter
These rambunctious canines are the life of the party. Their lengthy and luxurious coat is striking red or mahogany in color. The stunning coat requires moderate grooming to look its best. You need to brush your Irish Setter’s silky coat at least twice a week with a pin brush or a soft bristle brush.
Also, give your dog occasional baths with a gentle dog shampoo. Grooming sessions also enable you to look for any new lumps or skin problems in your Irish Setter. According to WebMD, Irish Setters are loving, affectionate, and playful dogs.
They have a lovable and outgoing personality, so they make new friends easily. Their incredible loyalty and eagerness to please make them an ideal fit for family life. Originally bred for hunting birds, they have a natural prey drive, so you need to monitor them around smaller pets.
7. Silky Terrier
Silky Terriers are loving family dogs, they are very smart, and have an eager-to-please nature. As their name indicates, they have a glossy coat, which makes up half of their body weight. Like other small dog breeds, Silky Terriers have big personalities, and they try to steal the show with their playful antics.
Their long coat should be combed two to three times a week to prevent matting and tangles. You can use a soft-bristle brush for this purpose. Professional grooming every four to six weeks also helps keep the coat healthy.
A bath once a week also helps maintain coat health and keep it smelling pleasant. These little dogs love to play and being surrounded by their family as much as possible. With proper training and socialization, they get along nicely with kids and other pets.
Conclusion
Some breeds are valued by potential dog owners due to their striking appearance and stunning coats. Their silky and plush coats, combined with their big personalities, can steal hearts. Many of them boast long floor-length coats that add to their beauty as well as their body weight.
Fluffy dog breeds need more grooming compared to dogs with short coats. Grooming needs include regular brushing and bathing to keep the coat clean and free from mats and tangles. Consider using a good quality shampoo to bathe your dog.
