Discover the 10 Most Popular Big Fluffy Dog Breeds

Big, fluffy dogs are the perfect snuggly pets! They can be high maintenance when it comes to grooming and often exercise as well, but they’re completely worth it for the right family.

Some of the most popular big, fluffy dog breeds include the Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, and Bernese Mountain Dog. These dogs have high grooming needs, and most of them shed profusely.

In this article, we’ll discuss ten popular big, fluffy dog breeds. These dogs all weigh over 50 pounds and are ranked in this article based on the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular breeds of 2022. Though there are many fluffy dogs on the list — most notably the Poodle, Australian Shepherd, and Husky —, these dogs aren’t quite large enough to meet our 50-pound cutoff.

Special Care Needs of Big, Fluffy Dogs

Consider a few things before adopting a big, fluffy dog. These include the following.

• Adopt a dog based on temperament and how they suit your lifestyle, not on appearance alone. Keep in mind their grooming, exercise, and veterinary needs.
• Skip brushing, and your dog will end up matted and sore. Matted fur hurts terribly, and most of these dogs can mat pretty quickly. You can’t skip brushing like you might with shorthaired pups.
• They will cost more to feed and vet than smaller dogs. Larger dogs eat more and need higher doses of medication when necessary, which can up your expenses.
• Double-coated breeds shouldn’t be shaved. All of the dogs on this list have double coats, which will be damaged if shaved. Some people think they’re doing their dogs a favor by clipping their coats in the summer, but double coats actually help dogs to regulate their temperatures. Shaving can lead to heat stroke and sunburn.

1. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers ranked number two on the top breeds list in 2022, and they never stray from the top of the list. They’re known as a happy, energetic, and big fluffy dog breed! They stand 21.5-24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 55-75 pounds.

Goldens have medium-length double coats that, expectedly, don’t range much in color. The AKC recognizes three coat colors: light golden, golden, and dark golden. This breed sheds pretty heavily, so a good grooming and home cleaning routine are a must — especially during shedding season in the spring and fall. You should brush your golden at least two times a week during the rest of the year and more often during shedding season.

2. German Shepherd

German Shepherds also have medium-length, double coats and rank number four in overall popularity. They’re alert, adaptable working dogs. German Shepherds are 22-26 inches tall and weigh 50-90 pounds.

Like Goldens, their coats shed heavily. Brushing them once every few days, and daily during shedding season, will help control their shedding and keep their coat healthy and mat-free. They’re bred in the following colors:

• Black
• Black and cream
• Black and red
• Black and silver
• Black and tan
• Gray
• Sable
• White
• Liver
• Blue
• Bi-color

3. Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese Mountain Dogs, or Berners, rank number 22 overall.

Berners are known as gentle giants who are friendly and affectionate. Their coats are mid-length and shed profusely. They also blow their undercoats twice yearly. Brush them weekly throughout the year and daily during shedding season to remove dead hair and keep their coat healthy.

This giant breed stands 23-27.5 inches tall and weighs 70-115 pounds on average. Their coats come in the colors black, rust, and white, and black, tan, and white.

4. Collie

Collies rank 39 in popularity in the United States. They’re beautiful herding dogs who are loyal, intelligent, and easy to train.

Collies have two coat varieties: the short, smooth-haired Collie and the rough longhair. When most people picture a Collie, they do imagine the rough-haired variety.

It’s important to comb rough Collies down to the skin once a week to avoid matting. This can also reduce shedding. Collies are moderate shedders.

Their coats come in several color varieties, including:

• Black, white, and tan
• Blue merle
• Blue merle and white
• Blue merle, white, and tan
• Sable
• Sable and white
• Sable merle
• Sable merle and white
• White
• White merle

They may also have black and tan, blue merle, sable, or sable merle markings. They stand 22-26 inches tall and weigh 50-75 pounds.

5. Newfoundland

Newfoundlands are another great breed for you giant dog lovers! They’re 26-28 inches tall and weigh 100-150 pounds.

They’re social, have moderate exercise needs, and seldom bark. Newfies shed moderately and drool heavily.

Their mid-length coats come in the following colors:

• Black
• Brown
• Gray
• White and black

They should be brushed once weekly throughout most of the year, and daily during the shedding season in the spring and fall.

6. Akita

Akitas rank at 55 when it comes to popularity. Before digging into their coat, it is important to note that these pups aren’t well-suited to inexperienced dog guardians and can be dog aggressive.

Their medium-length coats shed moderately, and they should be brushed around once a week. Their coats come in the following colors:

• Black
• Fawn
• Red
• White
• Brown brindle
• Red with black overlay
• Silver with black overlay
• Brown with black overlay
• Fawn with black overlay

Black overlays refer to black fur tips, while the root of the hair is a different color.

They might also have a black mask and white markings, a black and white mask with white markings, a pinto, black, and white mask, a pinto and black mask, or a white mask with white markings.

7. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamutes look like Siberian Huskies, but larger and with fluffier tails. They rank number 67 in popularity and are muscular, energetic working dogs.

They shed moderately and have mid-length coats and stocky bodies. They’re eager to please and protective of their people.

Their coats come in a wide variety of colors, including:

• Gray and white
• Black and white
• Red and white
• Seal and white
• Silver and white
• White
• Sable and white
• Blue and white
• Agouti and white

Malamutes should be combed thoroughly once a day to remove dead fur and prevent matting.

Males are around 25 inches tall and weigh around 85 pounds, while females stand 23 inches tall and weigh 75 pounds on average.

8. Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees dogs rank at number 69 in popularity. They’re also the largest dogs on this list!

The AKC describes Pyrs as patient and calm. They shed moderately and have mid-length white coats. While they’re only bred in one color, they may have badger, tan, gray, or reddish-brown markings.

They should be brushed thoroughly, down to the skin, at least once weekly and may need more maintenance during shedding season.

Pyrs stand a whopping 25-32 inches tall. Females weigh over 85 pounds, and males weigh over 100 pounds, with no upper weight limit assigned by the AKC. This is really a big fluffy dog breed!

9. Irish Setter

Ranking at number 71 in popularity, Irish Setters are graceful, speedy hunters with hearts of gold. They have beautiful mid-length, soft coats. Their fur comes in the limited colors of chestnut, mahogany, and red–all shades of orange-brown.

They need twice weekly brushing to keep their fur sleek and tangles-free. During the shedding season in the spring and fall, you might want to brush daily or every few days.

Male Irish Setters are 27 inches tall and weigh 70 pounds on average, while females stand around 25 inches tall and weigh 60 pounds.

10. Old English Sheepdog

These super big fluffy pups have long, thick double coats. They rank number 74 in popularity and make great family dogs so long as their needs are met. They do need a job to do and thrive when given a large, fenced property to explore, as well as plenty of exercise.

Old English Sheepdogs are bred in the following colors:

• Grizzle and white
• Blue and white
• Blue, gray, and white
• Blue merle and white
• Gray and white

They should be brushed once weekly, more during shedding season. This will take some time as you’ll need to get down to the skin and cover every part of your dog’s body to prevent matting.

Females stand over 21 inches, while males stand over 22 inches, and both weigh around 60-100 pounds.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these big, fluffy dog breeds as much as I did! As gorgeous as they all are, remember to research a breed’s temperament, exercise needs, and more before adoption. Don’t choose based on looks alone!