When adopting a dog, most people think about factors like exercise needs, food, training, temperament, and size. However, grooming requirements are often a major concern for many pet owners.
Many people love the idea of having a fluffy companion but don’t necessarily want to spend hours on grooming. While daily brushing or occasional baths are manageable, regular coat trimming and professional grooming appointments can feel like a lot to handle.
That said, grooming can also be a fun part of caring for your pet. With the right styling, clips, and trims, some dogs can look absolutely adorable. Still, it’s important to remember that not all dogs have the same grooming needs. Some breeds require frequent grooming sessions, while others may only need trimming every six to seven weeks.
If you’re planning to bring home a furry companion, it’s important to know what to expect. In this article, we’ll explore 10 dog breeds that require significant grooming, helping you choose a pup whose care needs match your lifestyle.
Top Dog Breeds with Significant Grooming Demands
1. Puli
You can tell why it’s #1 in the list if you have ever seen Puli in your neighbourhood or running in parks. This medium-sized pup is easily recognizable due to its profuse long cords. Puli does not have fur like regular dog breeds.
Their wolly undercoat entangles with coarse outercoat at 8 to 10 months of age and starts froming cord like strips. It requires manual efforts to separate each cord and prevent matting or debris undercoat.
Puli is a bright, intelligent, and faithful dog that love outdoors. It’s perfect for active families with kids who can take care of them. They require moderate exercise for mental stimulation. Pulik (Plural of Puli) was bred to be a herder and still have those herding skills that require proper training.
That being said, Pulik does not shed a lot but requires frequent grooming. Puli do not require brushing. Their cords are not brushed; they are manually separated.
Their thick coat pokes into their eyes and also creates difficulty in eating food. Plus, it gets heavy when they swim and carry a lot of debris, so cord separation and cleaning are the main grooming tasks.
2. Komondor
Komondor is a high-maintenance breed with a dense white coat of dreadlocks. So yeah, they also have cords that look like a mop. Komondor was bred to be a herding and guard dog in Hungary, and their cords helped them to blend into the sheep, as per PetMD.
They are all covered with thick and long dreadlocks, and it makes many wonder how they even see? But Komondor surprises pet owners with their agility and sense of predator detection. They are super calm and gentle with kids and perfect family pets, but not for everyone.
Komondorok require extensive grooming sessions. Download your favourite series when taking them for professional grooming because it’s going to take time. They remove the clumps at the end of cords and separate the ones that are tangling.
That being said, Komondor takes a lot of time to dry because its cords absorb water. So, only get this long-haired breed if you are comfortable with the dog’s coat and grooming appointments.
3. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise looks like a smiling cloud with the bright personality of the sun. They are one of the fluffiest dog breeds, and many people affectionately call them “fluff balls” or “marshmallows”.
This little pup is a full-time comedian that spreads giggles with its little tricks. They are preppy, curious, and super active.
Bichon Frise was bred to be a companion, so their only motto is to spread love. They are adorable and friends to everyone, even to those they have never met (including you).
That being said, this double-coated breed requires frequent grooming and regular brushing. They do not shed much, which is a plus point, but requires regular maintenance.
4. Afghan Hound
Afghan hound is known as a supermodel among all dogs, and pet lovers love its gorgeous, silky coat. This long-haired dog was bred to be a hunter and have an independent nature.
They are sort of one-man breed and do not get comfortable with strangers easily. This long-legged dog is nice to have for families when they are properly trained.
The Afghan hound is a hypoallergenic dog because it is low-shedding and produces less dander, which often reduces allergic reactions compared to other dogs. They require a lot of exercise for mental stimulation.
They have long hair around their legs, on head and all over their bodies. And that’s why Afghan hounds require daily brushing and frequent baths to prevent matting and tangling. But show dogs require baths two times a week for that shiny look.
5. Miniature Poodle
Poodle is a high-maintenance breed with a curly coat that is prone to matting and tangles. Yes, their coat is hypoallergenic, but it requires regular grooming and frequent brushing.
Some owners learn to clip and trim their Poodle at home, while others prefer to take their dog to a professional groomer every four to six weeks for bathing, grooming, and nail trimming. Because Poodles shed very little, they are often a good choice for people who have allergies.
Poodle is asmart, intelligent, and active dog that loves being around you. They make perfect friends of kids and senior citizens.
Although their coat needs proper grooming, they require minimal exercise of 15 to 30 minutes. Poodles are perfect for compact homes and apartments due to their small size. That being said, Poodle is a quick learner and learn “sit” and “stay” very quickly.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier is a dog with fur that resemble to human hair. They can have long, silky hair, or you can clip their hair short. Both of them require professional grooming every 6 to 8 weeks to prevent clumps or skin infections.
Just like many other dogs, Yorkies also demand regular maintenance and brushing. They are all cute, active, and intelligent, but often forget how small they are and act like a boss.
Yorkies are perfect for families with kids and first-time pet parents. They do not ask for much, but a casual walk around the block is their “happy moment”. That being said, they bark a lot, so you have to properly train them.
7. Maltese
Maltese is an affectionate, smart, and playful dog with a long, silky white coat. They require frequent grooming to prevent hair poke into their button-shaped eyes. Plus, you have to brush their fur daily to remove dead hairs and for better blood circulation.
With that being said, they are perfect for apartments with compact size and less exercise needs. Maltese is generally good to all, but sometimes it depends on who is interacting.
This little pup with a hypoallergenic coat is best for allergic sufferers. They are easy to train with treats and rewards, as it’s a weakness of all pups.
8. Portuguese Water Dog
Portuguese water dog is an affectionate and devoted companion with a single coat that can be curly or wavy. This dog breed has webbed feet, so they can swim easily. They were bred to help fishermen as per Orvis and became famous is U.S when former President Barack Obama adopted them.
The PWD is an affectionate and intelligent breed that is easy to train and eager to please. This large dog makes a great family pet and usually gets along well with other animals.
PWD requires professional grooming services due to their big size and lots of hair. These bear-faced dogs do not shed much but are prone to overheating.
That being said, you can groom your Portuguese dog in two styles. It can be a retriever clip (only one inch coat left all over the body) or a lion clip (muzzle hair is removed till the skin).
9. Lhasa Apso
All you can see is fur on the Lhasa Apso dog when they walk by. This dog breed has long hair that is parted from the inner and draped on both sides like many girls out there.
Lhasa Apso was also known as “Bark Lion Sentinel Dog,” and they have served in Tibet as guard dogs, AKC explains. The Lhasa Apso is an energetic and intelligent dog breed.
Originally bred as watchdogs, they tend to be independent and somewhat reserved around strangers. Because of this background, they are also known for their alert nature and loud, sharp bark.
These little dogs require grooming services every 4 to 7 weeks. You can clip down their coat to one inch or go for pony or topknot so they can see clearly. Don’t bathe them daily because their fur takes time, and go for nail trimming every 2/3 weeks.
10. Old English Sheepdog
Old English Sheepdog is a smart and adaptable dog that loves being around their owners. OES is famous for its bear-like gait, and honestly, they look like bears too, with a white and black coat.
This large dog have very fluffy and soft double coat that covers them like a blanket. They have blue or brown eyes if you get a chance to see under that fur.
OESs are gentle and patient companions for children in their families. However, kids should be taught not to pull on the dog’s shaggy coat or climb on them, as this could hurt the dog. The Old English Sheepdog is known for its friendly and protective nature, making it a loyal family pet when treated with care and respect.
OES owners say they are “too cute for the ground,” but they require grooming to keep their coat in shape. Regular brushing is a MUST to remove loose fur.
Conclusion
If you want a furry and soft pup, then be ready for frequent grooming sessions. The above mentoned dogs do not shed much but require a trimmed coat to see clearly and even walk easily.
Make sure to give them baths only when necessary after 3 to 4 weeks. They take hours to dry up, especially Puli and Komondor. They all have highly significant grooming demands but different personalities. So choose the one that you can take care of, and that matches your vibe.
