The dog breeds with silky coats are the closest in texture to human hair and require daily combing and care. Some breeds are famous for having long flowing coats, but a few on this list may surprise you with just how soft and silky their coats feel.
Having a dog with soft and silky fur is a full-time commitment as these coats require daily brushing to prevent tangles. In energetic dogs, these coats tend to get tangled up during their walks and need to be brushed back to their silky and tangle-free glory.
Many owners of these breeds opt to trim their long coats to avoid this. It is a smart thing to do, especially as the hair grows continuously and is soon ready for another trim!
Silky Coat Dog Breeds
1. Irish Setter
These gorgeous dogs have a loving and warm personality to match their deep brown coats. They come in vibrant shades of red, brown, and mahogany, and this is what draws attention to them.
Bred as gun dogs, this is an energetic breed with affectionate and charming personalities. This makes them great family pets as they get along well with other dog breeds as well as children.
As expected, their dense double coat requires frequent brushing, and they need regular focus on the areas around their ears, tails, and bellies to detangle the hair as it can be incredibly thick and luscious. Their long ears should also be cleaned, as the floppiness can cause dirt buildup and even infections.
2. English Springer Spaniel
Another hunting dog, the Springer Spaniel, makes for a wonderful family pet, as they are well-behaved, loving dogs. They adore pleasing their humans and do not cope with being left alone. They may seem docile at first, but make for energetic partners when outdoors.
The breed is an energetic one and will require vigorous exercise to help it expend its energy and keep it happy. They enjoy walking, swimming, and playing fetch with all their family members.
The English Spaniels are sweet in temperament, which makes them poor guard dogs as they prefer making friends to barking to scare off strangers. Their long ears can be prone to infections as the hair and floppy ear structure can stop air circulation.
Their silky hair does fine with weekly grooming and regular trimming of the paws, under the tail, and ears. This can be easily done at home with a trimmer.
3. Cocker Spaniel
Another long-haired dog breed, the Cocker Spaniel has a medium to long coat that is especially silky around the chest and ears, according to the American Kennel Club.
Originally bred as hunting dogs, these are now among the most popular companion dogs, known for their melting, deep eyes, sweet personalities, and their signature luxurious coat. Their affectionate nature makes them good pets for the entire family, and they well behaved around other breeds.
Compared to other Spaniels, they are less energetic and do well with regular walks and playing with balls indoors. Their coats require thorough grooming sessions to maintain their luxurious appearance.
They also require frequent bathing, and owners would do well to learn how to clean the ear canals to avoid dirt and deposit buildup and the risk of infections.
4. Papillon
This is one of the few long-haired dog breeds that does not need intensive brushing. Their elegant coats have long hair but no undercoat, which makes them low-maintenance. Owners will do fine with monthly grooming sessions, and a quick run over the hind quarters, thighs, and ears to avoid matting.
The refined appearance of this toy breed is a major part of its charm. They are loving dogs and make great companions. They enjoy games that involve retrieving balls or other toys.
Outdoor exercise should be supervised as they can set out after squirrels or other small animals. As lap dogs, they make for good therapy dogs with their gentle nature, according to PetMD.
5. Saluki
The Saluki is one of the oldest dog breeds, and they are available in two coat types. One has a long coat with feathery hair, while the other is called a smooth Saluki and has a short coat with less shedding, according to PetMD. Their long coat usually lies flat and adds to their regal look.
These are royal dogs with luxurious fur that have minimal grooming needs. The dog is relatively low maintenance and enjoys long walks.
They do well around children but prefer calm and quiet environments. Their elegant appearance hides a very adaptable and independent personality.
6. Australian Silky Terrier
A cross-bred descendant of the Yorkshire terrier, the Silky Terrier is named after its long silky coat. It is a small dog, but the breed has a lot of personality that peeks out from its almond-shaped eyes.
These little dogs are full of energy and sass and will brighten up your life. They are also good guard dogs and are prone to barking at any unusual activity.
These are intelligent dogs that will require regular grooming as well as professional trimming, as their coat will grow all year round. They are highly energetic and do well around young children. They don’t like sharing and will not do well around other dogs or pets.
The natural sheen of their coat requires a regulated, healthy diet. Despite their long coats and regular grooming needs, these are overall low-maintenance dogs that are a good pick for first-time dog owners.
7. Tibetan Spaniel
Another small dog breed, the Tibetan Spaniel, originated from the Himalayan Mountains, where they lived with Tibet’s Buddhist monks. They have a thick coat, which was needed in the cold climate of the mountains.
They are affectionate companions that can easily keep up with their owners on long walks and even jogs, despite their small structure.
This is another breed with long hair that does not require intensive maintenance. All they require regularly is getting the hair around their paws trimmed to keep them clean. Regular brushing and baths are good enough to help get rid of dead hair and keep shedding under control.
Conclusion
As dog lovers will agree, the breeds mentioned here are all gorgeous in their own way. The long-haired breeds usually require regular grooming, which can be a welcome bonding experience between you and your dog. Most double coat breeds are easy to maintain and are warm weather friendly, as they help to control body temperature.
To give your pet a healthy life, you need to make sure that they are exercised according to the breed specifications as well as their individual preferences. Early training for grooming, as well as other requirements, is also very beneficial and will add to any breed’s charm.
Most dogs do not respond well to being left alone for extended periods, especially when they are young. If you are a single owner, you need to get your puppy trained to handle being left alone. In fact, it is usually preferable that you get someone to dog-sit for you if you have a busy schedule.
