shaggy dog breeds with some big hair

There are lots of options if you’re thinking about getting a shaggy dog. There are numerous small and large shaggy dog breeds. The majority of these breeds also have the benefit of being among the most devoted canines for households with young children. They make friendly, playful pets that are social and friendly. It may require more maintenance to maintain their coat than that of the majority of other dog breeds, but having one in your family is well worth it. These canines are adorable. In this article, we are going to take a look at shaggy dog breeds.

What Is a Shaggy Dog Look Like?

Dogs with shaggy coats may have smooth, curly, or rough and wavy hair. Due to their propensity for painful matting, these gorgeous coats frequently require more upkeep and grooming than other dog breeds.

What Breed Is the Shaggy Dog?

Numerous dogs are included in the shaggy dog category. Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, Bearded Collie, Briard, Berger Picard, Pyrenean Shepherd, Otterhound, and Spanish Water Dog are a few of these canines. These dogs are all socially and physically active. In the following, we will introduce the shaggy dogbreed that have some big hair based on their size (from small to large).

Small Shaggy Dog Breeds

There are a variety of small shaggy breeds available if you want to brush your dog’s coat and are thinking about getting one. These shaggy dogs are known to be affectionate, so families with young children should consider getting one. Below we will some of the small shaggy dog breeds.

Affenpinscher

Small, curious, and shaggy, Affenpinschers are a breed of dog. Because of their mustache and shaggy fur, they are frequently referred to as “monkey dogs.”. These diminutive shaggy dogs, which resemble terriers and are under a foot tall, have tidy shaggy coats. Due to their independent nature, Affenpinschers should start obedience training right away. They are entertaining and affectionate though. To keep the fur out of their eyes, their medium-length coat should be brushed twice a week as part of routine grooming.

Havanese

Havanese dogs are small and charming, known for their expressive eyes and silky, wavy coat. havanese is one of the small shaggy dogs. They are native to Cuba and are nicknamed the “Velcro dog” due to their desire to be close to their human family members. The Havanese is a playful and affectionate breed, often forming strong bonds with all family members, including children and other pets. They are intelligent and trainable, making them well-suited for obedience and agility activities. Regular grooming is necessary to keep their coat tangle-free and looking its best. Havanese dogs thrive on companionship and will be happiest when surrounded by their loved ones.

Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie)

Yorkshire Terriers, or Yorkies, are tiny yet bold and confident dogs. They have a long, silky coat that requires regular grooming to prevent matting. Yorkies were originally bred in England for rat-catching in mines but have since become popular as companion dogs. Despite their small size, they are known for their brave and feisty nature. Yorkies are affectionate with their families and often form strong attachments to one person in particular. They may have a spirited personality, so early socialization and training are essential to help them become well-behaved pets. Yorkshire terrier, tibetan terriers and black russian terrier are shaggy terrier dog breeds.

Maltese

The long, straight coat of the Maltese breed is well known. Although many people adore them for their beauty, they are also affectionate with their pet parents and wonderful with kids. Despite their diminutive size, Maltese make up for it with their friendliness. To avoid tangles, their long, white coat needs to be gently brushed every day. Consider using coat conditioner regularly to keep their fur looking its best. Maltese is one of the most lovely shaggy dog breeds in the world.Maltese is one of the most beloved dog breeds in the world. If you want to know the smallest dog breeds in the world, read this article:

Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apsos are small dogs with a rich history as temple guards in Tibet. They have a long, flowing double coat that requires regular grooming to prevent tangles and keep it looking elegant. Lhasa Apsos are independent and assertive dogs, often displaying a sense of self-importance. Despite their small size, they can be quite alert and make good watchdogs. They are generally loyal to their families but may be reserved with strangers. Early socialization is crucial to ensure they develop into well-adjusted pets. Lhasa Apsos can thrive in various living environments, making them suitable for apartment living as long as they receive proper exercise and mental stimulation.

Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus are small, toy-sized dogs with a distinctively regal appearance. Originating from China, they were once treasured by Chinese royalty. Their luxurious double coat consists of a soft, dense undercoat and a long, flowing topcoat. Due to their long hair, regular grooming is essential to prevent tangles and mats. Shih Tzus are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them excellent family pets and companions. They have a gentle temperament, enjoy human company, and get along well with children and other pets. Despite their small size, they can be surprisingly alert and make good watchdogs.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises are adorable small dogs with a cheerful and playful personality. Their soft, curly coat doesn’t shed much, making them a popular choice for people with allergies. They are highly sociable and love being the center of attention, making them great family pets. Bichon Frises are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, forming strong bonds with their owners. They are intelligent and respond well to positive reinforcement during training. Regular grooming is necessary to maintain their coat and prevent matting. Their joyful and lively demeanor makes them a delight to be around.

Medium Shaggy Dog Breeds

Medium-sized shaggy dog breeds are lovable creatures. For example, the Lagotto Romagnolo is a very loving breed that gets along well with other dogs and young children. Even though they don’t shed much, they need to be groomed regularly. These dogs have thick curls that cover the majority of their bodies and are prone to matting. In the following, we will take a look at other medium-sized shaggy dog breeds.

Schapendoes

White and gray Schapendoes are medium-sized dogs who are incredibly amiable and loving to both people and other dogs.
The Schapendoes is a shaggy herding breed originating from the Netherlands. They have a thick, weather-resistant double coat that is soft and curly. Their coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangles. Schapendoes are known for their intelligence, agility, and herding skills. They are friendly and social dogs, forming strong bonds with their families.

Barbet

The Barbet is a shaggy water dog originally from France. They have a dense, curly coat that is water-resistant, which makes them excellent swimmers. Barbets are gentle dogs with long black, gray, or brown coats. They make excellent hunters due to their agility and athleticism.

To remove their shaggy fur, barbets require routine grooming. Barbets look their best with their fur trimmed up to five inches from their bodies. They ought to be air-dried as opposed to blow-dried because they naturally have curls. Barbets are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them great family pets. They can be considered one of the most beautiful brown shaggy dog breeds.

Spanish Water Dog

Spanish Water Dog heights differ based on sex because females are frequently much smaller than males. These dogs are animated and playful. When they’re young, they’re simple to train and eager to pick up basic dog commands. While affectionate, Spanish Water Dogs need to be trained and socialized with other dogs from a young age if they want to feel at ease around them. The Spanish Water Dog should not have its coat brushed, unlike the other dogs on this list.

Irish Water Spaniel

Another friendly, devoted and shaggy dog breed is the Irish Water Spaniel. They have a dense, curly coat that is water-repellent, allowing them to work well in water. Their coat is typically liver-colored.
Irish Water Spaniels, however, need to be trained as soon as possible because they are playful. Fortunately, because they’re intelligent, they’re not too difficult to train. Irish Water Spaniels should have their coats trimmed at least every two months and should be brushed weekly.

Puli

Pulik, or Puli dogs, are Hungarian herding breeds with a unique corded coat that resembles dreadlocks. Their dense, shaggy coat is weather-resistant and protected them from harsh conditions during herding tasks. Puli dogs are intelligent, agile, and excel in dog sports like agility and obedience. They have a strong herding instinct and may try to herd family members or other pets. Socialization from a young age is crucial to ensure they are well-mannered and friendly with strangers. Puli coats require special care to maintain their cords and prevent tangling, but their striking appearance is one of their most distinctive features.

Tibetan Terrier

Tibetan Terriers, despite their name, are not true terriers. They are medium-sized dogs originally from Tibet and were kept by Tibetan monks as good luck charms and companions. The Tibetan Terrier has a shaggy double coat that comes in various colors. They are known for their intelligence, agility, and loyalty. These dogs are social and enjoy being part of a family, but they can be reserved with strangers. Tibetan Terriers are good with children and other pets, making them great additions to active households. Regular grooming is essential to maintain their coat and keep it free from tangles.

Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dogs are medium-sized, working breeds hailing from Portugal. They were historically used by fishermen to help with fishing tasks, including herding fish into nets and retrieving lost gear. Their coat is curly and water-resistant, which makes them excellent swimmers. They come in black, brown, or white with black or brown markings. Portuguese Water Dogs are intelligent, energetic, and eager to please, which makes them highly trainable and well-suited for various dog sports and activities. They are also known for their affectionate and loving nature, making them excellent family pets.

Lagotto Romagnolo

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a medium-sized Italian breed known for its truffle-hunting abilities. Their dense, curly coat is hypoallergenic, which means they shed less and are suitable for allergy sufferers. They are intelligent and trainable, with a strong desire to please their owners. Lagotto Romagnolos are affectionate and bond closely with their families. They are good with children and other pets, making them a suitable choice for family life. Regular grooming is necessary to prevent matting and keep their coat in top condition.

Polish Lowland Sheepdog

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog, also known as the PON (Polski Owczarek Nizinny), is a medium-sized herding breed from Poland. They have a thick, shaggy double coat that comes in various colors. PONs are intelligent and energetic, bred to work closely with farmers and herding livestock. They are loyal, loving, and protective of their families. Early socialization and training are essential to channel their intelligence and energy effectively. Polish Lowland Sheepdogs require regular grooming, especially for their dense undercoat, to prevent mats and tangles.

What Is the Big Shaggy Dog?

These large shaggy dog breeds offer a mix of intelligence, loyalty, and beauty, making them impressive and beloved companions. Their shaggy coats require proper grooming and care to keep them healthy and looking their best. When considering any of these breeds, it’s important to provide them with adequate space, exercise, and mental stimulation to ensure they lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees, also referred to as the Pyrenean Mountain Dog is the largest breed of shaggy canine. Even though these dogs have a maximum weight of about 160 pounds, they don’t let that stop them from showing affection and love. Pyrenees make devoted companions and watchdogs because they are guardian breeds.

Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog, often referred to as “Bobtail” is a large and gentle breed with a distinctive shaggy double coat. They were originally bred in England for herding livestock, particularly sheep. Despite their size, they have a friendly and affectionate nature, making them excellent family pets and companions. Old English Sheepdogs are known for their intelligence and adaptability, and they are generally good with children and other pets.

Their dense, shaggy coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and maintain its appearance. They have a playful demeanor and enjoy being involved in family activities. As for this shaggy dog breed price, it is one of the priciest dog breeds, healthcare for this breed could cost over $7,000. Also, this dog breed is known as one of the slowest dog breeds in the world and its speed of around 10-12 km/h or 6-8 mph.

Briard

Briards have long, coarse hair that is slightly wavy and dry, and they are noble, intelligent herding dogs. This large dog breed has a reputation for being tireless, tenacious, and self-assured. Guard dogs, Briards are extremely devoted to their owners, including kids. They have even been known to defend young children from parental punishment.

Although they can be lovable and affectionate, their main priority is your safety. Although frequently misidentified as outside dogs, Briards won’t tolerate being separated from family members when they know you’re inside and may act out as a result. Briard is one of the blonde shaggy dog breeds.

Komondor

Komondors are a large, shaggy dog breed that enjoys cuddling with their owners. It is best to introduce them to other animals gradually because they aren’t always amiable toward canines. Additionally, you should exercise caution when around young children as these dogs don’t understand their size. Komondors have a white, long corded coat that should not be brushed. Instead, they will require routine bathing to keep the cords clean.

Bouvier des Flandres

The Bouvier des Flandres is a robust and versatile breed that hails from Belgium. Historically, they were used for herding cattle and driving them to markets. Bouviers have a rough, shaggy coat that provides protection in harsh weather conditions. They are known for their loyalty and protective nature, making them excellent guard dogs and family protectors. Despite their imposing appearance, they are gentle and affectionate with their families. Bouvier des Flandres require regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition and prevent matting. Early socialization and training are important to ensure they grow into well-mannered and confident adults.

Bearded Collie

Bearded Collies, also known as “Beardies,” are medium to large-sized herding dogs with a shaggy double coat. They were originally bred in Scotland for herding sheep and cattle. Beardies are highly intelligent, agile, and energetic, which makes them well-suited for herding and dog sports. They are known for their exuberant and playful personalities, making them great companions for active families. Bearded Collies are affectionate and form strong bonds with their owners, but they can also be independent thinkers. Regular grooming is essential to prevent matting and maintain their coat in top condition.

Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is a majestic and elegant breed known for its long, flowing, and silky coat. Originally from Afghanistan, they were bred for hunting in the rugged terrain of the region. Afghans are known for their dignified and aloof demeanor, but they can also be affectionate and gentle with their families. They have a strong prey drive and love to chase, so they should be supervised in outdoor areas. Their luxurious coat requires regular grooming to keep it clean and free from tangles. Afghans thrive in a calm and peaceful environment and can be a wonderful addition to a patient and understanding family.

Irish Wolfhound

The Irish Wolfhound is a giant and ancient breed with a rough, shaggy coat. They are one of the tallest dog breeds and were originally bred in Ireland for hunting wolves and guarding livestock. Despite their size, they have a gentle and friendly nature, often referred to as the “gentle giant” of the dog world. Irish Wolfhounds are known for their calm and noble demeanor, making them excellent family companions. Early socialization is essential to ensure they grow up to be well-mannered and confident dogs. While their shaggy coat is not as high-maintenance as some other breeds, regular grooming is still necessary to keep it in good condition.

The Bottom Line

Consider getting a shaggy dog breed if you prefer to spend time with your dog while brushing their coat rather than grooming them frequently. Since many saggy dogs are affectionate and friendly toward kids and other animals, they make wonderful pets. But before bringing a new dog home, always do your research. Additionally, keep in mind that every dog is unique, so be ready to begin socializing and training them right away.