Longhaired dog breeds are the ultimate blend of elegance and charm, their flowing coats turning heads wherever they go. Whether you’re a proud owner or simply an admirer, it’s easy to see why these breeds make such an impression. Their luxurious fur often comes with a reputation for grooming dedication, and we can’t escape that, but the payoff is undeniable.
Whether it’s plush coats, flowing manes, or feathered ears, longhaired dogs have a special appeal, offering both beauty and personality in one stunning package.
We’ve rounded up 32 long-haired dog breeds of all shapes and sizes, that bring both style and substance to the table. From the regal Afghan Hound to the diminutive Yorkshire Terrier, these dogs showcase a variety of textures and colors, each with their own unique characteristics. Whether you’re looking for a silky companion to stroke or a high-energy dog breed that loves to work out on the mountainside, there’s sure to be a breed that fits your lifestyle and aesthetic. You might just want to read these dog grooming tips first!
32 longhaired dog breeds
1. Afghan Hound
When Afghan Hounds are born, the puppies have short, fluffy coats (with fuzzy facial hair known as monkey whiskers), but they quickly metamorphose into sleek and silky hair as the dog reaches adolescence.
Their flowing coat is indisputably stunning, but it does require hours of grooming and regular bathing to keep it clean and free from tangles.
2. Alaskan Malamute
Not all Alaskan Malamutes have long hair – those that do are fondly nicknamed “Woolies”. They have both a soft undercoat and a soft guard coat, which needs extensive grooming.
However striking the long coat is, it is considered a fault as it is not functional for a Malamute’s original purpose – sledding. The long coat not only gathers snowballs, which is impractical, particularly on the feet, but it is also not waterproof – a catastrophe in its native climate of Alaska. But as beloved domestic pets, the “woolies” make for an adorable fluffball.
3. American Cocker Spaniel
In comparison with their English counterparts, the American Cocker Spaniel has an especially glamorous coat, more suited to the show ring than flushing out undergrowth. While the English version is a more rough-and-tumble, sporty type, the American Cocker has a longer, silkier coat, particularly on the ears, chest, tummy, and legs. Their coats need regular and relentless maintenance, but in return will flow and ripple as they sashay along, like a well-dressed supermodel.
4. Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie has an impressively thick and bounteous coat. While it can be washed and brushed to look glamorous and flowing, their natural look is more rugged. This is a working sheepdog, so their coat should not grow excessively long and impede their work. Their undercoat is soft and dense, while the outer is flat, harsh, and shaggy. Their coats naturally fall in a parting of either of their bodies.
5. Biewer Terrier
These delicate little terriers have a long, silky coat that requires daily attention. It very easily tangles and mats, and can get fuzzy and straggly if not well cared for. Some experts recommend using a special oil to keep these coats in tip-top shape after washing.
6. Borzoi
A majestic sighthound with a gloriously silky, long coat. Hailing from Russia, where the climate can get very cold, this large greyhound type is naturally blessed with this insulating coat, which tends to be thick and slightly wavy.
7. Chow Chow
Chow Chows are renowned for their abundantly plush coats but there are two varieties, the rough and the smooth. The rough coat is longer and gives the impression of even more hair although it stands up on end rather than being the long and flowing type. The longer coat is also softer, being less bristly than the short.
8. Chinese-crested (long-haired)
There are two types of Chinese-Crested – hairless and “powderpuff”, which denotes a soft, silky coat, with delightfully feathered ears. This toy breed’s hair, though long, is fine and gossamer-like, over a soft undercoat.
9. English Setter
This setter breed has a particularly showy coat. Besides being long and silky, the coat of an English Setter often has distinctive patterns, such as the speckled “Belton”, liver, lemon, and orange. They are especially hirsute in certain areas, with fringed ears, neck, legs, chest, belly, and tail.
10. Great Pyrenees
These thick-coated mountain dogs shed heavily all year round – but their medium to long hair does an outstanding job protecting them from the harsh elements, while the pale color is likely to have provided camouflage against the snow. On top of a soft, dense undercoat, their long, coarse outer is weather-proof and resistant to tangling and dirt.
11. Havanese
Havanese show dogs have long hair – although as family pets, many are trimmed to make their abundant tresses more manageable. Either way, they’ll need plenty of grooming with specific brushes to keep their bouffant in tip-top condition and mat-free.
12. Irish Setter
Irish Setters have long silky hair in certain places on their body, with particularly feathered ears, chest, belly legs, and tail. Their flashy red coats are flat and fine, never fluffy.
13. Komondor
If you’re going to have long hair, do it in style, like the Komondor – whose nickname is “mop dog” on account of its long coat which clumps into profuse cords. Rather than trying to brush these dreadlocks, Komondor owners typically wash the dogs regularly – though it takes a long time to dry!
14. Lhasa Apso
Very similar to the Tibetan Terrier, the Lhasa Apso’s head-turning long coat requires effort and dedication on the part of the owner. Their hair is fine and flat and famously drapes down to the floor from a middle parting down their back. Their feathery tail curls over their backs, while their eyes peep out from beneath a copious fringe.
15. Maltese
Renowned for its white, straight, silky hair, the attractive Maltese is a low-shedding breed despite its profuse coat. They only have a single coat of hair, which minimizes the grooming and shedding, but means they can feel the cold.
16. Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is renowned for its shaggy coat and peek-a-boo fringe. Although their thick fur is appealing to fans of the breed, it does require extensive weekly grooming. However, it is fantastic at protecting them from harsh elements in their original job as a guardian of the flock in extreme weather conditions out on the hillside.
17. Papillon
These toy dogs with their butterfly ears may look dainty but they pack a punch when it comes to athleticism. Blessed with both a sporty physique and stunning looks, their long, silky coat with a plumed tail is just one of their assets. Furthermore, it doesn’t take hours to groom despite its length, as there is no undercoat. However, as Papillons are partial to dashing about, their hair is prone to matting around the leg “culottes”.
18. Pekingese
These compact toy dogs have long coats that are especially profuse around the neck and shoulders, which gives them their distinctive lion’s mane. Show Pekes will have an extensive coat, their pride and glory, while pet dogs will often be trimmed for practicality’s sake.
19. Puli
These powerful herding dogs are easily identified by their eye-catching corded coat and are one of the most unusual dog breeds. The dreadlocks form naturally as the hair clumps, creating these dense woolly cords.
They aren’t totally unique, with the Komondor – also hailing from Hungary – having a similar coat, but the Puli is far smaller and more acrobatic. He’s more of a herder, while the larger Komondor is primarily the flock’s guardian.
20. Rough Collie
The much-beloved Rough Collie, made famous by the Lassie movies, is easily distinguished from other Collie breeds thanks to its luxuriously thick and flowing coat. It has both a dense insulating undercoat, and a long, coarse outer. While it does require extensive grooming and looks undeniably glamorous, the Rough Collie is in fact hardy and athletic herding dog, who can stand up to harsh elements and plenty of work out on the hillside.
21. Saluki
Not all Salukis have long hair as they come in two types: feathered and smooth. The former gives the impression of having long hair as its drop ears and tail are stunningly feathered. Coupled with their innate grace and elegance, the overall impression is of dignified beauty with a touch of the rugged side. (You might just need to pop the ears in a snood to save them from dunking in the feed bowl).
22. Samoyed
The bright white Samoyed has a famously abundant coat to protect him in temperatures of -60ºF, as he is bred to work as a sledding dog in brutally cold weather. Blessed with a perpetual smile (their upturned mouth prevents icicles from forming), their profuse fur is another superb asset against the snow and ice. The undercoat is soft and wooly, while the outer features a longer coat of coarser hair. There’s definitely something of the polar bear about them...
23. Shih Tzu
A Shih Tzu’s hair is straight, silky, and impressively long – typically hanging to the floor from its petite frame. To enable them to see out beneath their fringe, they often have a topknot. This level of haircare doesn’t come easily – owners need to be regular and thorough in their grooming routine.
24. Shetland Sheepdog
Long fur is a breed standard requirement in the Shetland Sheepdog. “Shelties” have an abundant coat, mane, and frill, well-feathered legs – but a smooth face. This impressive coat is superb at keeping them warm while at work herding sheep in their native Shetland Islands, the most northerly part of the British Isles. Their beautiful coats are just one of the many things to love about Shetland Sheepdogs.
25. Skye Terrier
A long straight coat hanging down to the ground is a defining characteristic of the Skye Terrier. This fringe can also cover much of the dog’s face – giving them a peekaboo look. Twice as long as they are high, these terriers with their long coats and batwing ears have a particularly distinctive appearance.
26. Tibetan Spaniel
With a flat, silky coat and lion’s mane, complete with plumed tails curling over their back, the Tibetan spaniel has more in common with other Tibetan sentinel breeds than with spaniels. Their coat possibly looks longer than it is due to its silky flatness allowing it to hang down, while the thickness around the neck, ears, and tail adds to the impression.
27. Tibetan Terrier
This ancient watchdog has magnificently insulating fur, with a profuse wooly undercoat topped with a long, fine, and slightly wavy outer coat. They also have large feet, shaped like snowshoes, which served them well in the harsh mountainous terrain of their native Tibet. Very similar to its smaller Lhasa Apso cousin – from the same homeland.
28. Yorkshire Terrier
The “Yorkie’s” long silky hair is part of the breed standard, and it is one of the most distinctive coats on the planet. Happily for those suffering from allergies, the Yorkie hair is similar to a human’s, with minimal shedding and dander. However, expect to spend many hours a week tending to those luxurious locks. Looks this good doesn’t come easy.
29. Saint Bernard
The massive Saint Bernard breed comes in two types, long (or rough) and short-haired (smooth). Both have dense insulating coats, but the long hair has a longer, wavy outer. However, for this iconic mountain rescue dog, the smooth is arguably more suitable, as the long hair can ice up with snowballs.
30. Keeshond
These adorable Spitz dogs have a plush double coat with silver and black fur. Their stand-up ruff adds to the impression of hirsuteness, as do the feathery forelegs and profuse trousers.
31. Löwchen
Known as “little lion dogs”, these big-hearted companion dogs have long, dense, and flowing hair which is especially thick around the neck and withers. It’s a mix of soft, fluffy, and silky, which is appealing to stroke. In the show ring, they have a traditional clip that emphasizes the impression of a little lion.
32. Bolognese
This fluffy white companion dog has a long, wavy coat, which has a tendency to clump together if not regularly groomed. Kept in good nick, it’s a real stunner – an adorable pooch floating in a soft, white cloud!
Not up for the care of a longhaired dog breed after all? Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up our favorite shorthaired dog breeds, too!
