How a dog breed looks depends heavily on its coat. Long-haired dog breeds have their own charisma, which makes them captivating and elegant. They make heads turn wherever they pass with their distinctive features.
Other than their beautiful coats and sharp features, these canines also have impressive personalities that make them playful, gentle, and enjoyable companions. We have gathered 7 of the most attractive dog breeds that are known for their luxurious coats but require constant grooming for the care and upkeep of their hair.
Read on to learn more about these long-haired dog breeds, how pet parents can cater to their extensive grooming needs, and whether they make good family pets or not.
Long Haired Dog Breeds With Unique And Striking Looks
1. Komondor
Also referred to as the Hungarian Sheepdog, the Komondor’s unique coat gives it the label of the most distinctive long-haired dog breed. Their unique coat serves as the breed’s hallmark characteristic, which makes it difficult for predators to see them and pick a fight.
As the dog ages, their outer coat becomes rough, protecting and locking the soft undercoat, which forms the long corded coat. Other than giving them their unique coat, these thick cords protect them from cold weather by keeping them warm and also keep them safe from predators by camouflaging them.
Fancy this breed? Well, before you bring these marvelous pups home, you must be fully prepared for an extensive grooming session for proper coat maintenance. Their cords should be maintained weekly to remove harsh elements and dirt, if any. According to Hill’s Pet, their coat should be sheared once or twice a year to clean their undercoat and skin. This also helps to keep the cords free of dirt.
2. Pekingese
An ancient toy dog breed with a noble history, the Pekingese is known for its distinctive coat that is longest around their neck, giving it the appearance of a lion’s mane. These pups have a long and straight coat, which is coarse to the touch, but their inner coat is soft and dense.
Pekingese have a large head, which is strikingly bigger than their body, and their flat face with large eyes gives them their unique look. Dog lovers who want to adopt a Pekingese must be ready with a brush and comb to fulfill their grooming needs.
Their lush hair needs daily brushing, especially during the shedding and coat change season, to prevent painful tangles. Before brushing, you must also check for small, harsh elements that may have stuck to their hair like twigs or leaves. It is recommended to bathe these fluffy dog breeds once or twice every two months with a mild shampoo.
3. Bearded Collie
Known for being active and playful dogs, Bearded Collies have a thick double coat with a thick coarse outer layer followed by a soft and furry inner layer. Their soft undercoat keeps them warm during cold weather, but they do require daily brushing as a part of their grooming routine.
Bearded Collies are defined by their large, expressive eyes and a broad head. Their ears hang down, and their face is covered with a long fringe. They don’t have a mustache naturally, but their long hair makes it seem otherwise. It is recommended to keep their hair short enough that it does not touch the ground, as they are herding dogs.
According to the AKC, they are known as the dogs of changing colors because many of them have a fading gene. For instance, a dark brown color at birth may shift to a milk chocolate shade in a time of 8 weeks. Their double coat is prone to matting, which is why it is essential to brush it daily to keep the coat healthy and tangle-free.
4. Old English Sheepdog
Known for its jolly temperament and a fluffy appearance, Old English Sheepdogs are exactly what you see on the internet. According to PetMD, these fluffy dog breeds have a body much like a panda and are covered with a shaggy coat. Their appearance is truly deceiving. You may think of them as lazy dog but they are the hardest working pups from the canine world.
Because of being high-energy dogs, these pups require a good amount of exercise and mental stimulation to stay well-behaved and satisfied. Many dog lovers are fond of this breed, but they shy away because of their dense double coat that requires a lot of care and upkeep.
As the owners of these affectionate dogs, you must keep at least 3-4 hours a week for their daily grooming and to keep their thick coat free from debris and matting. Regular trimming can make things quite easier, but their dense coat is very demanding and requires daily brushing to prevent matting, tangles, and skin infections.
5. Lhasa Apso
Being a long-haired breed, you might think these pups shed a lot, but it is the opposite of that. These dogs do have long, silky hair closely resembling human hair, but it does not shed that much compared to other long-haired dogs. Their hair grows continuously, which is why it needs constant grooming and daily brushing to upkeep their striking appearance.
This silky, flowing coat of these lion dogs keeps them warm in harsh temperatures, which is why you must keep good care of their hair. Long hair parted from the center is the most striking feature of the breed. You may get them a puppy cut to keep their hair manageable, but you will still need to reserve a good amount of time for their grooming.
To keep their skin and coat healthy, it is recommended to bathe this ancient breed with a milk shampoo and also use a conditioner to make it easier to brush their floor-length coat. These long-haired dogs pay you back for their grooming needs by being great family dogs who are affectionate and fun-loving.
6. Afghan Hound
Famous for their long hair and silky coat, Afghan Hounds truly are the most high-maintenance canines when it comes to grooming. These long-haired dogs need a session of thorough daily brushing for their upkeep and to prevent tangles. Dog lovers who can give enough time for their grooming are ideal owners of these beautiful canines.
Because of their appearance, you might only know them for being show dogs, but they are actually more than that. They are robust working dogs and can also be trained to be therapy companions, helping those in need.
Other than caring for their long coat, these pups require consistent training to keep their independent nature in check and control their strong prey drive. These pups must be kept in a closed fenced area so they don’t run off after prey.
7. Puli
Another visually striking breed that is known for its corded coat that resembles thick dreadlocks, the Puli is a Hungarian dog breed that was initially bred for herding. Its unique coat not only protects them from harsh weather but also confuses predators and keeps them safe.
Their thick cords give them a unique look that makes everyone turn their heads. Their eye-catching coat requires a good amount of grooming for its upkeep and maintaining its signature look. Instead of brushing, these cords must be separated by hand to prevent tangling.
You might wanna think twice before bathing them as their thick cords take at least 2-3 days to dry completely. They may be low-shedding dogs, but owners must be ready for an extreme maintenance schedule.
Conclusion
Long-haired dogs are beautiful and charming, but before you decide to bring them home, you must be ready and willing to spend a good amount of time fulfilling their grooming needs. These fluffy dogs may only be known for their beauty and their beautiful long coat, but there is more to them than just their looks.
These pups are smart, intelligent, friendly, and get along well with everyone in the family. They pay back for their grooming with their loyalty and devotion towards their pet parents. So, what are you waiting for? If you think you can handle high-maintenance dogs, then these breeds are the perfect choice for you.
