Long-haired dog breeds are adorable and hard to resist. They are beautiful and impressive, but they come with a lot of responsibilities. Such as: regular grooming to maintain their silky coats, brushing, and bathing.
All of this needs to be done with great care. They are loveable and loyal companions. Above all, you will also need professional grooming for these breeds because you would not want to spoil the silky coat.
The coats of dog breeds are groomed according to their requirements. For instance, a silky coat requires daily brushing, whereas a double coat requires a professional groomer every month. Having a long-haired dog breed isn’t just cute, it’s a big deal that’s heavier on your pocket.
This guide will walk you through the top 10 magnificent long-haired dog breeds, their sizes, temperaments, affordability, and grooming needs. So, you can choose the right dog breed as per your requirements.
Top Magnificent Long-Haired Dog Breeds to Adore
1. Old English Sheepdog
With their shaggy white coat, finding Old English Sheepdogs’ eyes is also a task. Their body is entirely covered with a dense coat. Often, it’s said about the Old English Sheepdog that they have peek-a-boo eyes.
They are intelligent, kind, and affectionate in nature. These qualities make them a perfect and loyal companion. They are also among the best watchdogs and belong to a herding group. With a size of 21 inches, they are big dogs that require regular exercise and daily grooming.
According to Purina, they shed a lot, so proper grooming is important. But it can be tiring and time-consuming. And on top of that, if the old coat is matted with the new coat, you will have to clip. So, routine cleaning is preferred, and double checks are important when they are outdoors.
2. Bolognese
Bolognese is a loyal, affectionate, and calm breed witha long, fluffy, and white coat. They are referred to as a “small cloud” because of their size and appearance.
This breed needs to be pampered for two reasons. First, they have been the favorites for ruling royals. That makes them luxurious dogs as well. Secondly, they faced extinction but were saved by serious breeders.
Although Bolognese dogs do not shed a lot, they require daily brushing to look neat and clean. Some people call them witty or serious dog but they make a loyal and friendly family companion.
Bolognese is like a soft teddy bear that you bring home, and it keeps cheering you up. But they are prone to various health conditions, as listed by PetMD, like patellar luxation and eye problems. So, you have to keep a balanced check on their health.
3. Briard
Briards have a long, fluffy, and brown coat that covers their entire body from head to toe. Only their black nose and pink tongue are visible. This magnificent breed originated from France.
It also belongs to a working and herding group. And has worked as herding sheep and guarded flocks. Their job roles define their personality; they are highly energetic and active dogs. Combined with these traits, their calm and friendly nature makes them a great family companion.
Moreover, the long, fluffy coat requires regular brushing at least 3 times a week, and grooming to maintain hygiene and protect them from various skin problems. They require proper training and socialization so that they perform their roles at home and at work properly.
4. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound has a long and silky coat. There is a purpose for its long and dense coat; it protects them in Afghanistan’s cold weather. But the Afghan Hound is a high-maintenance dog that requires daily brushing to avoid tangling and matting.
Often, with the silky coat, brushing is easier, but handling it is tiring. What’s famous about the Afghan Hound? They never miss their prey because of the high prey-drive and fast speed.
They require proper training to make them adaptive in family environments. But training them is not a piece of cake since they are stubborn. Hill’s Pet shares their history in detail, where these “couch potatoes” have popularized themselves with their skilled hunting.
5. Maltese
Maltese is a cute little dog with a silky and long white coat. The top knot adds to its cuteness. The coat is as soft as cotton, making it touch the ground. It requires proper grooming every 6 to 10 weeks to make them look neat and protect the silky coat.
They are known for their gentle and playful nature that makes them a family companion. With their small size, they make great lap dogs that you can cuddle with to relieve stress. They are also called “toy dogs”.
They are highly energetic dogs, but if you are a lazy owner, the good thing for you is that they do not require regular exercise. Occasional exercise with a daily minimum walk keeps them fit. They are intelligent and stubborn dogs; if trained properly, they respond remarkably.
6. Komondor
Komondor is another long-haired dog breed that is entirely covered with its long coat. It has a thick, curly, and dense coat. The thick corded coat adds to their weight and requires special care.
Like combing curly hair is a task, likewise, Komondor’s coat brushing seems challenging. The proper way to groom the coat is to give them regular baths. After bathing them, make sure that you dry the coat because it may smell and cause various skin problems.
They are known for their loyal and protective nature. They are also athletic dogs that belong to the working group.
They need to be trained properly if you have to keep them around children. They are loud barkers and remain always alert. Their coat not only enhances their beauty, but it also contributes to protecting them in extreme cold weather.
7. Skye Terrier
Skye Terrier belongs to the Terrier group and has a brave, intelligent, and courageous nature. They’re not huge in size but wide in length, known for their muscular power. They have a cute appearance with floppy ears covered with a silky coat.
When trained properly, they are safe to be around children and other dogs. Although they require regular brushing, not in the form of clippering or scissoring, which makes it easier for the owner. For a Skye Terrier, it is advised not to scrub the coat as it causes matting.
What’s great about them is that they like walks and exploring the fence in the yard. But ensure that your Skye Terrier is trained and does not jump from the fence. They like to spend a lot of time with their owners.
8. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog has been bred in Switzerland and belongs to the working group. It worked as a farm dog in the 1920s. With 27.5 inches in size, they are huge but sweet, friendly, and calm in nature.
The Bernese has a thick double coat that protects them in cold weather. These Mountain Dogs are known for their bravery. Also, they are not preferred for extreme hot weather. They require regular exercise and like to play and enjoy during the cold times of the day.
They are easy to train, affectionate, and playful dogs that enjoy being with their owners. But do not consider them as alert dogs, because their tendency to bark is low. They have a lot of health issues like Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), hip or elbow dysplasia, etc. So, make sure you get their routine checkups done to avoid any health-related problems.
9. Havanese
Havanese is an energetic and toy-sized dog breed that is playful, and children like to be around it. It has a long, silky, and luxurious coat. Their soft, long locks make them look adorable, so nobody could resist seeing them.
They are friendly and active dogs that make a great bond with their family members. These energetic dogs require proper training and socialization if you want them to be around children. It enjoys being outdoors and responds well when around other dogs.
However, they have a high tendency to bark, which can be limited with training at the right time.
Their soft, long locks require daily brushing to keep them tangle-free. If you are lazy, a Havanese is not for you. Because a good amount of time is required for their grooming. They need daily exercise for half an hour to keep their mood fresh the entire day.
10. Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a long-haired, silky dog that is entirely covered with its coat. The pure white, thick, and double coat sheds very little. But still, professional grooming is mandatory with brushing their coat 2-3 times a week.
They are known to be great family companions because, with the right training, they can get along with children and other pets. The good thing about Lhasa Apso is that they are not couch potatoes, and also work as therapy dogs.
As they are intelligent and easy to train, they can pick up their exercises on their own. For grooming a Lhasa Apso, make sure that you use the right tools and techniques.
Conclusion
These are a few of the top magnificent long-haired dog breeds to adore and enjoy your time with. In terms of grooming these breeds, one thing is common: you must have proper tools and guidance. Because without guidance, if you try to groom them, you may put them in trouble.
All of these breeds make a beautiful appearance and are known as great companions! So, before you bring any one of them home, make sure you are ready for their responsibility in terms of caring, looking after their expenses, and fulfilling their grooming needs.
