10 Incredibly Hairy Dog Breeds

Quick Take

• One breed on this list has a coat closer to human hair than dog fur, a difference that changes everything about how you groom and live with it. See the unique coat →
• Despite its name, one of these dogs has zero connection to the place it's supposedly from, and its true origin might actually surprise you. Discover the true origin →
• Not all fluffy coats are high-maintenance. One giant breed here actually requires less grooming than dogs a fraction of its size. Learn about easy grooming →
• Some of these breeds look like perfect cuddle dogs but come with a stubborn streak that catches new owners completely off guard. Meet the stubborn side →

Although furry breeds range from small lapdogs to enormous wannabe lapdogs, our list is focused on larger dog breeds, because, as the saying goes, the bigger they are, the more they shed. Most hairy dogs are double-coated. They have a soft, dense undercoat for insulation and a coarser outer coat for protection. Most double-coated dogs blow (shed) their undercoat in two major shedding seasons per year, typically in the spring (to lose the winter coat) and fall (to lose the summer coat). During these times, they shed heavily for two to four weeks, necessitating frequent brushing, although most will continue to shed moderately year-round. Continue reading to discover 10 larger hairy dog breeds that will win your heart.

Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan malamutes are extremely hairy dogs whose thick, double coat is designed for arctic conditions. Their coats are high-maintenance, shedding heavily, particularly during seasonal blowouts twice a year. Malamutes have a coarse, oily topcoat and a thick, woolly undercoat.

Alaskan malamutes are large, powerful, independent, and high-energy dogs that require firm, consistent training and extensive daily exercise. Without proper management, they can be destructive, stubborn, and hard to manage.

Australian Shepherd

Australian shepherds are hairy, moderate-to-high shedding dogs with a thick, double-layered coat that requires regular brushing 2–3 times a week. They shed their fur year-round and heavily during seasonal changes.

Australian shepherds are easy-going but active dogs who make great companions for children and other pets. They are easily trained because of their intelligence and eagerness to please. They are herding dogs, and their instincts make them incredibly protective of their loved ones and territory.

American Eskimo Dog

American Eskimo dogs are fluffy, hairy dogs with a thick double coat designed to keep them warm in cold weather. They have a long, dense outer coat and a soft, thick undercoat that sheds heavily, often leaving white hair in their wake. Regular grooming, including brushing 2–3 times a week, is necessary to keep their long coat from becoming matted.

Even though American Eskimo dogs have thick coats that can withstand harsh winters, they can’t be exclusively outside dogs, as they need to spend lots of time with their owners. This hairy breed is available in three sizes: Toy (10 inches tall and weighs around eight pounds), Miniature (13 inches tall and weighs approximately 15 pounds), and Standard (17 inches tall and weighs about 30 pounds).

Bernese Mountain Dog

Bernese mountain dogs are exceptionally hairy, long-coated dogs. They have a thick, double coat, consisting of a longer outer coat and a woolly undercoat, designed for keeping warm in cold weather. Bernese mountain dogs shed year-round and experience heavy shedding twice a year. Daily brushing is often required to manage the shedding.

Because of their size, Bernese mountain dogs need obedience training, especially if they will be around children. However, they are great with kids and will protect them passionately.

Bernese mountain dogs are devoted pets that love human companionship and will thrive in a home where they are allowed inside. They are a large dog breed with an average weight of 93 pounds and measure approximately 25 inches tall.

Collie

Rough Collies are especially hairy dogs with a long, thick double coat. They should not be confused with the Smooth Collie variant, which has a shorter, denser coat that lies flat but is still considered a hairy breed.

Rough Collies shed moderately throughout the year and experience intense coat blowouts once or twice a year, usually in spring and fall, when they lose large amounts of fur. Regular brushing is necessary to prevent mats.

Chow Chow

Chow chows are astoundingly hairy and fluffy dogs, known for their dense double coats that require significant grooming. These hirsute dogs come in two varieties: rough and smooth. Both varieties have a thick, woolly undercoat and a prominent mane around the head.

Grooming needs vary: rough-coated Chows require daily grooming to prevent tangles and matting, while smooth-coated Chows can be brushed thoroughly once or twice a week. Chows are medium-sized dogs weighing approximately 57 pounds, and their average height is 18 inches.

German Spitz

The German spitz is an exceedingly hairy dog. They have a thick double coat: a long, straight outer coat and a soft, dense, cotton-like undercoat, both of which require regular grooming every few days to prevent matting. They are considered high-maintenance dogs in terms of their grooming needs and shed significantly twice a year. These hairy dogs are attentive, devoted, and energetic, making them exceptional companions.

The German spitz is a medium-sized dog weighing around 25 pounds and measuring approximately 13 inches tall.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenees have thick double coats that require weekly brushing. However, their outer coat does not mat, so they don’t need as much grooming as other fluffy dogs. The great Pyrenees is a gigantic dog breed weighing around 95 pounds and reaching heights of approximately 28 inches.

While regular at-home brushing will prevent matting and manage shedding, many owners choose professional grooming for their great Pyrenees, due to the breed’s massive size.

Irish Water Spaniel

The Irish water spaniel is a highly sought-after hairy dog breed notorious for its excellent hunting skills. These curly-coated dogs have a dense, double coat of tight ringlets. Their hair is often described as being more similar to human hair than to fur.

Irish Water Spaniels are low-shedding dogs and may be better tolerated by some people with allergies, but no dog breed is completely hypoallergenic, and individual reactions can vary. However, they still need a thorough brushing at least once a week. Irish water spaniels are medium-sized dogs weighing about 57 pounds and reaching heights of 23 inches.

Keeshond

Keeshonds are fantastically hairy, double-coated dogs known for their thick, plush fur, prominent neck ruff, and plumed tail. They have a woolly undercoat and a long, straight, harsh outer coat that stands off the body, requiring regular brushing to manage, particularly during periods of heavy shedding.

Their long coats need a good brush at least three times a week to keep their fur healthy and limit shedding. The keeshond is a medium-sized dog that weighs approximately 40 pounds and measures 17 inches tall.