Most Popular Long-Haired Dog Breeds & Their Coat Types

Dogs have some varied coat styles when it comes to whether the coat is long or short, colorful or plain, or whether they are silky or not. In some rare cases, a dog can also be hairless like the rather famous Mexican Hairless Dog.

Besides this, dogs normally come in coats that can be short, medium, or longer depending on how they are bred, their genes, or the recessive genes. A long-haired dog in particular, while looking elegant and regal, will be exceptionally hard to care for due to the grooming process for their long coat hair.

Even then, some may simply want a dog breed that may just look beautiful and catch the attention of others based on their unique and fluffy fur, if you are such, then this list of top 20 long hair dog breeds may just be useful for you! Keep reading below to know more about the breeds and how they may fare in terms of grooming.

Top 20 Long-Haired Dog Breeds

1. Afghan Hound

Breed Overview:

• Group: Hound
• Height: 25-27 inches
• Weight: 50-60 pounds
• Coat and Color: Silky and long coat. Colors may be combinations of Silver, Black Cream, etc.
• Life Span: 12-18 years
• Origin: Afghanistan

Elegant and beautiful, the Afghan Hound truly has one of the best long-haired coats out of many dog breeds. Almost even bordering on looking like a human’s hair, the amazing finesse of the Afghan Hound’s long hair also comes with lengthy and hour-long grooming sessions.

A puppy in the hand of this breed will have a short coat, therefore it can be even more of a surprise when these dogs finally grow up to their current looks.

2. Coton de Tulear

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 9-11 inches
• Weight: 8-15 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double coat that is wavy and long. Color is generally White.
• Life Span: 15-19 years
• Origin: Madagascar

The Coton de Tulear, also called the “Royal Dog of Madagascar”, are some of the cutest yet most energetic dogs.  With their fluffy and wavy coat, these dogs will require constant grooming to keep their coats free of dust and matted hair.

These dogs are perfect as companion dogs and for emotional support, although unless you keep their coat hair in a puppy cut, you should be ready to groom these dogs with all your strength.

3. Yorkshire Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 7-8 inches
• Weight:  7 pounds
• Coat and Color: Silky coat that is long sized. Colors include: Black & Tan, Black & Gold, Blue & Gold or Blue & Tan
• Life Span: 11-15 years
• Origin: England

Affectionate and ready to spring into action whenever called or played with, the Yorkshire terrier has an almost human-like hair with how they hang from the sides, something that makes these dogs recognizable.

Small and fluffy, these dogs will need a bath every week or two along with making sure their coats are not matted or stained with dust. The coat should also be brushed twice if the owner is intending to keep it long and furry.

4. Bergamasco Sheepdog

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 22-24 inches
• Weight: 57-84 pounds
• Coat and Color: Corded lush coat that is long with colors being either Black or Gray.
• Life Span: 13-15 years
• Origin: Italy

With their eyes heavily covered by their frizzy and wild hair, the Bergamasco Sheepdog, despite their delicate looks, are the perfect dogs for herding as they have been bred for such. Their coat’s hair, on the other hand, consists of three types: ‘dog’, ‘goat’, and ‘wool’.

Once the latter two start appearing as the dog becomes a day old, it may safely be ripped into mats. Once this is done, the Bergasmaco will no longer need grooming as they simply won’t shed by themselves.

5. Pomeranian

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 6-7 inches
• Weight: 3-7 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double coat that is long. Colors may involve shades of Black, White, Cream Sable, etc.
• Life Span: 12-16 years
• Origin: Germany, Poland

Adorable and friendly, the Pomeranian dog breeds are the perfect cuddle buddies for when an owner is feeling down emotionally and just wants a good ol’ cuddle. Their overly fuzzy double coat will need regular and frequent brushing along with bathing once a week.

Generally, it is recommended to find a professional groomer to do the grooming for this particular dog as their fur can be very complicated to handle in many ways.

6. Rough Collie

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 22-26 inches
• Weight: 50-75 pounds
• Coat and Color: Rough or smooth double coat that is either long or short depending on the type. Colors are generally Black White & Tan, Blue Merle, etc.
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: Scotland, United Kingdom

There are two types of Collie; Smooth and Rough coated ones. The rough collie has a long coat that often looks rugged and hanging. Originally bred to be used for herding, these dogs are the perfect mixtures of looking sleek while being slick.

Smooth collies won’t need as excessive amounts of grooming as the rough collie. A rough collie will require special attention to make sure that there is no matting and will regularly need brushing once a week to keep its coat healthy and shiny.

7. American Cocker Spaniel

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 14-15 inches
• Weight: 23-30 pounds
• Coat and Color: Silky double coat that is long. Colors will include Black, Brown & Tan, etc.
• Life Span: 10-14 years
• Origin: United States

Belonging to the elusive spaniel breed, the American Cocker Spaniel is best when doing certain sports and being showy with their stunts. Due to their silky long coat, these dogs will require thorough grooming as they will easily tangle or mat up, they will also require thorough bathing sessions.

If you are not up to the challenge of maintaining your dog’s silky and lush coat, you may consider hiring a professional grooming service to do it for you instead, though it might be slightly pricey for you.

8. Maltese

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 7-9 inches
• Weight: 7 pounds
• Coat and Color: A white long coat that is white in color.
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Mediterranean Basin

Small and cute, these dogs can be perfect for the emotional sort of owner as they are always friendly and willing to play around.  Their coats are a luxurious variety and will catch the attention of onlookers.

Although such a coat also will require coat conditions such as brushing 3 times a week and bathing with quality dog shampoo to keep the coat healthy and shining.

9. Gordon Setter

Breed Overview:

• Group: Sporting
• Height: 23-27 inches
• Weight: 45-80
• Coat and Color: Medium or long coat depending on grooming. Color is normally Black & Tan
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Scotland

Despite these dogs normally having a medium-sized coat, the hairs on their coat can be rather long, especially on the ears, chest, tail, etc… Athletic and confident, these dogs can be the perfect dogs for a variety of tasks including even hunting as they were bred for such.

The coat of these dogs will need a thorough brushing and combing to keep them from matting and shedding as these dogs can shed heavily when not groomed carefully.

10. Briard

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 22-27 inches
• Weight: 55-100 pounds
• Coat and Color: Wavy double coat that is long. Colors are generally Black & Gray, Tawny or Black, etc.
• Life Span: 12 years
• Origin: France

With these dogs being distinctly recognized due to their face being covered with a flurry of fur, the Braid are exceptionally intelligent despite their slightly bored looks. This is especially evident as the dogs were originally bred for herding livestock, hence they can follow commands precisely.

A Briad’s coat will need brushing several times throughout all weeks along with using a good pin brush to eliminate debris. Bathing on the other hand will depend on the type of activities the Briad is engaging in and given such accordingly to their tasks.

11. Komondor

Breed Overview:

• Group: Working
• Height: 26-28 inches
• Weight: 80-100 pounds
• Coat and Color: Corded double coat that is long in size. The color is mainly white.
• Life Span: 10-12 years
• Origin: Hungary

Bred in Hungary, these heavy hitters with their long, corded double coats are things of magnificence and pure enigma. Born to be a guard dogs, these dog breeds are intelligent and intimidating when it comes to an intruder.

Their coat is one of the most unique traits as they are mainly long and in a corded style covering half their face. Mostly, it will be important to give your Komondor a good and nice bath with the best quality dog shampoo you may find, you will have a hard time drying them off though.

12. Keeshond

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 17-18 inches
• Weight: 35-45 pounds
• Coat and Color: Long double coat. Colors are generally Black & Silver, Gray & Black or Wolfgray & Black, etc.
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Germany, Netherlands

A spitz-type dog, these fox-like dog breeds are quite rare, although not extremely hard to find.  The most unique part about the Keeshond is their “spectacle” like design around their eyes, which can be their most distinguishing part. These dogs are highly intelligent and great watchdogs.

Their coats can be quite fizzy, although not hard to maintain. Weekly brushing with a pin brush can be more than enough to keep their coats free of dust and matting. A Keeshond can be bathed once in 4 weeks either at home or at the hands of a professional groomer.

13. Pekingese

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 6-9 inches
• Weight: 14 pounds or less
• Coat and Color: Long-sized double coat. Colors are Gray, Red, Fawn Sable, etc.
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: China

Tiny and loved by the royalty of China, this dog can be the perfect lap dog while also being a sight to behold for many. With their long and lush coat, these dogs can require fair amounts of grooming and coat maintenance to keep them from shedding too excessively.

In fact, an hour per week or two of brushing your Pekingese’s hair will be needed along with baths to keep them clean looking.

14. Puli

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 16-17 inches
• Weight: 25-35 pounds
• Coat and Color: Corded double coat. The colors are Black, Silver, and White.
• Life Span: 10-15 years
• Origin: Hungary

Distinctly recognized due to their corded coats, these dogs are very intelligent thanks to their belonging to the herding breed. Their coats are some of the thickest yet most convenient coats as they are weatherproof. Despite their heavy coat, these dogs can be surprisingly agile and fast on their feet.

Do remember that once your Puli reaches 8 or 10 months of age, you will need to pull apart or separate clumps of matted hair on your Puli’s coat till they have grown long cords. Once that is done, all these dogs will need is a good brushing and bathing regularly.

15. Tibetan Terrier

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 14-17 inches
• Weight: 18-30 pounds or smaller
• Coat and Color: Long double coat. Colors may be Black, Black & White, Gold, etc.
• Life Span: 15-16 years
• Origin: Tibet

The Tibetan Terrier is one of the oldest dog breeds, bred in mind to be a watchdog of the Buddhist monasteries. These dogs can work perfectly in a snowy climate thanks to their thick double coat and their general acclimatization to such environments.

These dogs can be slightly stubborn and may even be slightly hesitant while you are trying to clip their coat slightly. While the coat can be trimmed, if you are taking your dog out on a walk in a chaotically snowy or warm place, you may want to keep the coat full and hairy.

16. Shetland Sheepdog

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 13-16 inches
• Weight: 15-25
• Coat and Color: Double coat that is long in length. Colors are Sable Merle & White, Black & White, etc.
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: Scotland

Commonly referred to as Sheltie, these dogs are extremely loyal and obedient along with being agile. These dogs can be rather wary towards strangers and will bark when they feel threatened even slightly by them.

These dogs have a double coat that can be troublesome for an owner as it sheds rather frequently and will need a thorough brushing every week. The dog should never be shaved as their coat protects them from harsh weather conditions, whether it be the sun rays or the cold winters.

17. Havanese

Breed Overview:

• Group: Toy
• Height: 9-12 inches
• Weight: 7-13 pounds
• Coat and Color: Double silky coat that is long. Colors may include Black & Silver, Chocolate, Gold Sable, etc.
• Life Span: 14-16 years
• Origin: Cuba

A breed exclusive to Cuba, these dogs are innocent and playful looking only for affection. They can also be effective watchdogs though they won’t bark as much as other dogs. One must take care to keep these dogs company, else they will become destructive if left to their own devices.

The coat of these dogs, due to being long and silky, will need regular grooming to keep their coat hair free from any painful tangles. Clipping to a puppy cut might also be needed to keep maintenance levels to a minimum.

18. Samoyed

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 19-24 inches
• Weight: 35-65 pounds
• Coat and Color: Long-sized double coat. Colors are normally Cream, Biscuit, White & Biscuit or simply White.
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: Russia, Siberia

With an expression that screams “no more sadness”, these dogs can be the perfect companions for those who are looking to go on a slight trek or are simply looking to cuddle with a furry buddy.  These dogs need attention, else they will become slightly destructive if they are neglected for too long.

The coats of these dogs are luxurious and full, this can result in them shedding quite a bit at times, especially so during their shedding period twice a year or one. This dog should be thoroughly groomed by brushing them and combing them to remove tangles or any sort of matting.

19. Bearded Collie

Breed Overview:

• Group: Herding
• Height: 20-22 inches
• Weight: 44-55 pounds
• Coat and Color: Silky double coat. Colors are Fawn, Brown, Black, or Blue
• Life Span: 12-14 years
• Origin: Scotland

Confident and bold, these dogs are purpose breeds meant for working outdoors in any sort of climate. Recognizable due to their bored yet regal expression, magnified only by their long and shining hair that droops down their face.

These dogs can be heavy maintenance ones thanks to their dense double coat which can take half an hour or more depending on how much you need to brush or how much their hairs are matted. A professional groomer might be needed in this case at times if you do not have the time yourself to do much grooming.

20. Lhasa Apso

Breed Overview:

• Group: Non-Sporting
• Height: 10-11 inches (might be less)
• Weight: 12-18 pounds
• Coat and Color: Silky long coat. Colors include White, Red Gold, Black, Cream, etc.
• Life Span: 12-15 years
• Origin: Tibet

Tiny yet alert and looking for a fun time, these dogs can be the best lap connoisseurs or the perfect playmates depending on how an owner treats them. With a fluffy and shining long coats, these dogs certainly can be eye-catching.

Whether you are going for a short puppy cut or keeping the long hair, you will need to regularly groom your dog and make sure that the dog enjoys it at the same time. Lhasa Apso should be bathed every two weeks to keep their coats soft and silky to touch, a visit to a professional groomer might often be needed if you are unable to get this done.

Conclusion

And this should be more than enough to clear your doubts about what sort of longhaired dog breed you might find in your research, especially if you are intending to keep beauty as a companion. These top 20 long-haired dog breeds should certainly be helpful enough to make you choose which one to get.

On the contrary, a longhaired dog breed will also come with the responsibility of high maintenance as most of them will need thorough grooming and bathing to make sure that their coat remains in a healthy condition and does not shed too much. Something that might be costly in the long run if you are unable to handle the grooming by yourself