Forget the clean-cut look—there’s a special kind of charm in a scruffy beard and shaggy coat, especially when it’s on a dog. Bearded dog breeds are full of character, with faces that look like they’ve seen (and snacked on) a thousand adventures. These whiskered wonders come with a hint of wild, a touch of wisdom, and a whole lot of cuteness.
From the wiry-muzzled Schnauzer to the wonderfully unkempt Bearded Collie, scruffy dogs have a way of standing out in the best way possible. They often look like old souls wrapped in fur, complete with wise eyes and a face that tells a story. And let’s be honest—nothing beats watching a bearded pup bounce around with their tongue out and their fur flying.
But these lovable scruffballs aren’t just about looks. Many of them are smart, loyal, and overflowing with personality. Today, we’ll showcase the most endearing scruffy dog breeds, big and small, and give you a glimpse into their grooming needs, temperaments, and lifestyles. Warning: after reading, you might just want to grow your dog family (and maybe your own beard).
Scruffy Bearded Dog Breeds
1. Airedale Terrier
Beard Style: The “Sir Woofs-a-Lot”
Energy Level: Medium-High
The Airedale Terrier is like the James Bond of bearded dogs—handsome, clever, confident, and always ready for action. He’s the largest of all terriers and wears his scruff like a badge of honor, usually paired with alert ears and a “Yes, I am smarter than your average poodle” expression.
With its sturdy, square build and dense, wiry coat typically in a tan and black pattern, the Airedale is both striking and athletic. This breed is known for its confident and spirited personality, often displaying a blend of playfulness, loyalty, and independence.
Don’t be fooled by that dignified look, though—Airedales are goofy at heart. They’ll chase tennis balls like they’re chasing international spies, and they’re not above splashing through muddy puddles just to ruin your clean car seats.
They thrive in active households and require regular physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved. While they are generally friendly with family members and good with older children, they may show dominance toward other dogs.
Fun fact: Airedales served as message carriers during World War I. Beards and bravery? We stan.
2. Bearded Collie
Beard Style: The “Free-Spirited Floof”
Energy Level: High
The Bearded Collie, affectionately known as the “Beardie,” looks like he should be prancing through a meadow while an indie folk song plays in the background. This medium-sized dog is easily recognized by its long, flowing double coat, which comes in various shades including black, blue, brown, or fawn, often with white markings.
Its “beard,” created by the long hair under its chin, gives the breed its name and adds to its endearing, wise appearance. And yes, that beard collects everything from twigs to bits of your dinner if you’re not careful.
They are incredibly friendly and social, making them excellent companions for families with children or other pets. Intelligent and quick-witted, Beardies are easy to train but thrive best with positive reinforcement and consistency.
As per WebMD, Bearded Collies are highly energetic dogs that thrive when playing outdoors, no matter the weather. They prefer a fenced-in yard and are best suited for large yards in rural areas.
Beardies are bouncy, bright, and always ready to play. They’ve got a permanent smile, an enthusiastic tail wag, and a tendency to jump up for hugs like it’s a full-body celebration. Warning: your Bearded Collie will try to herd literally everything—kids, ducks, other dogs, rogue shopping carts…
They also have a PhD in “puppy eyes.” You’ll lose every debate, so just give them the snack.
3. Brussels Griffon
Beard Style: The “Tiny Professor Who Judges You Silently”
Energy Level: Moderate
The Brussels Griffon is proof that great beards come in small packages. With their big soulful eyes, pushed-in noses, and iconic scruffy faces, they look like a cross between a wise old gnome and an emotionally complex cartoon villain.
These versatile breeds don’t walk—they strut. They’re expressive, opinionated, and certain that the world revolves around them (and honestly, it kind of does). Their beard is often styled by sleep, snacks, and mild drama, which is part of the charm.
Brussels Griffon is full of character. It is affectionate, intelligent, and often quite attached to its human family, sometimes even displaying a bit of a “Velcro dog” tendency. Their intelligence makes them highly trainable, though their somewhat stubborn streak means consistency and gentle guidance work best.
Grooming a Brussels Griffon depends largely on its coat type—smooth or rough—and each requires a slightly different approach to keep them looking their best. For smooth-coated Brussels Griffons, grooming is relatively low maintenance. Their short, glossy coat only needs brushing once or twice a week with a soft-bristle brush or grooming mitt to remove loose hairs and keep their coat shiny. On the other hand, rough-coated Brussels Griffons need a regular grooming regimen.
Bonus: If you’ve ever seen “The Dog” from the movie As Good As It Gets—yup, that’s a Brussels Griffon, stealing scenes and hearts.
4. Miniature Schnauzer
Beard Style: The “Sherlock Bones”
Energy Level: High
The Miniature Schnauzer walks into the room like he’s on a mission—usually involving suspicious squirrels, unclaimed socks, or that one squeaky toy that keeps disappearing under the couch.
According to PetMD, Miniature Schnauzers are the smallest of the three Schnauzer sizes, with the other two being the Giant and Standard Schnauzer. With his perfectly shaped eyebrows and dramatic beard, he looks like he should be solving mysteries in London, not begging for belly rubs in your kitchen.
But make no mistake—this is no boring gentleman. Mini Schnauzers are hilariously bold, often way too smart for their own good, and talkative (yes, they’ll tell you when the mail arrives, and again when the mailman leaves).
They’re hypoallergenic, fiercely loyal, and have just the right amount of mischief behind those soulful eyes. Think of them as your bearded security guard with a PhD in drama and cuddles.
Fun fact: their iconic beard isn’t just for show—it historically protected them while rat-hunting. Today, it mostly protects crumbs from ever making it to the floor.
5. Scottish Terrier
Beard Style: The “Short King With a Beard Game Stronger Than Yours”
Energy Level: Moderate
If the dog world had a monarchy, the Scottish Terrier would be the stoic king who only speaks when necessary—and when he does, it’s with impact. Known for their low-slung bodies, confident strut, and dramatic facial furnishings, Scotties are the definition of classy with a side of sass.
They carry themselves with regal dignity, but they’re also secretly hilarious once they warm up to you. They’ve got that dry, witty energy like, “I knocked over the trash bin because I could, not because I wanted to.”
Scotties are independent thinkers—read: stubborn—but oh-so-loyal once you earn their respect. They don’t need a crowd to feel cool. They’re the introverts of the dog world with big “don’t call me unless it’s important” energy.
Bonus trivia: A Scottish Terrier named Fala was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s beloved sidekick. Fala even had a press secretary. That’s not a joke. That’s a legacy.
6. German Wirehaired Pointer
Beard Style: The “Adventure Beard With a Side of Burrs”
Energy Level: Zoomies-Level High
The German Wirehaired Pointer looks like he’s ready to star in an outdoor gear commercial—rugged, scrappy, and staring off into the distance like he smells a duck a mile away (he probably does).
With wiry fur, bushy eyebrows, and a beard that gives “grizzled explorer,” this breed isn’t just here to look cool—he’s built for action. These dogs were bred to hunt in rough terrain, retrieve from water, and probably leap small fences in a single bound just for fun.
They’re incredibly smart, intelligent, determined, loyal, and full of beans. Like, non-stop, espresso-in-dog-form kind of energy. If you’re into hiking, running, or living life like a National Geographic documentary, this is your bearded soulmate.
Note: Their beard is not just a fashion statement. It’s a functional crumb catcher, water soaker, and occasional small twig holder. Do not be alarmed.
7. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
Beard Style: The “Freshly Toasted Loaf of Bread”
Energy Level: Moderately playful and forever enthusiastic
The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is the dog equivalent of a cinnamon roll—sweet, golden, soft, and just a little sticky if you’re not careful.
Their silky, flowing coat is topped off with a soft, shaggy beard that somehow makes them look both elegant and like they’ve been digging up treasure in the backyard. And they smile. Like, smile—big goofy grins that melt your heart and make you forget they just chewed your new sneakers.
Wheaties are known for their “Wheaten greetin’”—a full-body tail-wagging, jumping, twirling tornado of joy when you walk in the door (or even leave the room and come back 2 minutes later).
As noted by Hill’s Pet, Wheaten Terriers do not make good kennel dogs and prefer being with their owners. While they are less scrappy than their terrier cousins, they remain energetic and capable of causing plenty of mischief.
They’re hypoallergenic, super loving, and just the right amount of goofy. Their beard will absolutely dip into their water bowl and come out dripping like a mini mop, but look at that face. You’re not staying mad long.
Conclusion
Scruffy dogs with beards bring charm, character, and a unique appearance that sets them apart from other dogs. From the Yorkshire Terrier and Lhasa Apso to the Wirehaired Jack Russell and the Traditional Jack Russell Terrier, these handsome dogs with their distinctive beards and facial hair and bearded faces steal hearts everywhere they go.
Whether it’s the bold confidence of the terrier breeds, the shaggy elegance of bearded dogs, or the impressive size of the biggest dog breeds, there’s a scruffy pup out there for every type of pet parent. Their typical terrier tenacity, big personality, and ability to get along with boisterous children make them wonderful companions. Loyal, loving, and full of facial fuzz, these dogs don’t just look good—they make the perfect loyal companion for families who can appreciate their charm and energy.
