15 Long Haired Dogs Breeds For All Pet Lovers

Long-haired dogs are easy to fall for. One look at a silky coat, a fluffy tail, or a shaggy face and suddenly you are picturing slow-motion walks through the park. Then reality walks in holding a slicker brush.

This guide to 15 long-haired dog breeds for pet lovers is built for real US pet parents, not just show-ring daydreams. You will meet small companion dogs, active family dogs, ancient breeds, double coated breeds, and a few glamorous dogs that need more coat care than some people spend on their own hair.

Quick Comparison: 15 Long-Haired Dog Breeds

Long-haired dog breeds can be wonderful pets, but the coat changes daily life. Some need quick weekly brushing. Others need daily brushing, careful combing near sensitive areas, and professional trimming to keep the coat healthy and tangle free.

VCA's grooming and coat care guide explains that long, silky, or curly coats often need daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats, especially around the ears, armpits, and backs of the legs. AKC's home grooming advice also notes that longhaired dogs need the right tools, such as pin brushes, and that brushing helps prevent matting and control shedding.

Breed	Size	Coat type	Brushing need	Shedding	Best fit
Afghan Hound	Large	Long silky coat	Daily or near-daily	Low to moderate	Experienced owners
Samoyed	Medium-large	Thick double coat	Frequent, daily in shedding season	Heavy seasonal	Active family
Bearded Collie	Medium	Long shaggy double coat	Several times weekly to daily	Moderate	Active homes
Old English Sheepdog	Large	Thick shaggy double coat	Weekly deep brush or more	Moderate	Grooming-ready families
Cocker Spaniel	Medium	Silky feathered coat	Several times weekly	Moderate	Gentle family homes
Shetland Sheepdog	Small-medium	Long double coat	Weekly, more during shedding	Moderate-heavy	Training-focused homes
Havanese	Small	Silky or wavy coat	Frequent to daily	Low	Companion dog fans
Maltese	Toy	Silky white coat	Daily if long	Low	Small homes
Coton de Tulear	Small	Cottony long coat	Frequent to daily	Low	Gentle families
Yorkshire Terrier	Toy	Silky human hair-like coat	Daily if long	Low	Small-dog lovers
Shih Tzu	Toy	Long flowing double coat	Daily if long	Low-moderate	Companion homes
Lhasa Apso	Small	Heavy long coat	Regular brushing	Low-moderate	Patient owners
Long-Haired Dachshund	Small	Soft slightly wavy coat	Weekly to several times weekly	Moderate	Small homes with ramps
Rough Collie	Large	Long double coat	Weekly, more in shed season	Moderate-heavy	Families who love training
Pomeranian	Toy	Thick double coat	Several times weekly	Moderate-heavy	Fluffy toy breed fans

What Counts as a Long-Haired Dog?

A long-haired dog is any breed whose coat grows long enough to flow, feather, curtain, cord, or form a thick outer layer that needs regular coat care. That sounds simple. It is not. Long coats come in different textures, and texture decides the work.

Some long haired dogs have silky hair, like the Yorkshire Terrier or Afghan Hound. Some have a thick double coat, like the Samoyed or Rough Collie. Some have a wavy coat, like many Havanese. Others have a shaggy coat, like the Bearded Collie or Old English Sheepdog. These coat types do not behave the same way after rain, a muddy yard, or one dramatic roll in grass.

Do long-haired dogs shed a lot?

Some do. Some do not shed much at all. Long haired dogs shed based on breed, coat type, season, health, and grooming routine. A Samoyed can leave clouds of loose hair during seasonal coat blow. A Maltese may shed far less, but still needs daily brushing if kept in a long coat.

Here is a quick coat cheat sheet:

• Silky coat: prone to tangles, often needs daily brushing.

• Double coat: sheds undercoat seasonally, should not be shaved without vet or groomer advice.

• Wavy coat: can mat if loose hair stays trapped.

• Shaggy coat: hides knots near skin, so line brushing matters.

• Cottony coat: soft and cute, but mats fast behind ears and legs.

15 Long-Haired Dog Breeds to Know

Below are 15 long-haired breeds worth knowing. I grouped them in one list because pet parents rarely shop by kennel group first.

1. Afghan Hound

• Height: 25-27 inches

• Weight: 50-60 pounds

• Lifespan: 12-18 years

• Personality: Independent, elegant, sensitive, loyal with family, sometimes aloof with strangers

• Health issues: Hip dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts, hypothyroidism, bloat risk, and skin or coat problems if grooming is skipped

• Best for: Experienced owners who enjoy grooming, daily exercise, and a dog with a mind of its own

The Afghan Hound is one of the most glamorous long haired dog breeds, with a silky coat that needs real commitment. This is an ancient breed with a proud streak, so training works best when it feels fair, calm, and worth their time.

2. Samoyed

• Height: 19-23.5 inches

• Weight: 35-65 pounds

• Lifespan: 12-14 years

• Personality: Friendly, social, bright, playful, family-oriented

• Health issues: Hip dysplasia, eye disease, heart concerns, diabetes, and breed-linked kidney disease

• Best for: Active families who can handle brushing, exercise, and loose hair

The Samoyed is a fluffy white dog with a thick double coat built for harsh weather. That beautiful coat sheds heavily, especially during seasonal coat blow.

3. Bearded Collie

• Height: 20-22 inches

• Weight: 45-55 pounds

• Lifespan: 12-14 years

• Personality: Bouncy, friendly, smart, funny, sometimes willful

• Health issues: Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, eye problems, allergies, and some autoimmune conditions

• Best for: Active homes that like playful dogs and regular grooming

The Bearded Collie has a long shaggy coat and a lively herding-dog brain. Beardies need daily exercise, mental stimulation, and coat care that reaches down through the hair, not just a quick surface brush over the top.

4. Old English Sheepdog

• Height: 21 inches and up

• Weight: 60-100 pounds

• Lifespan: 10-12 years

• Personality: Gentle, adaptable, affectionate, playful, often clownish

• Health issues: Hip dysplasia, eye problems, hypothyroidism, deafness, bloat risk, and skin issues under mats

• Best for: Families ready for professional grooming or serious at-home brushing

The Old English Sheepdog is a big shaggy dog with a thick double coat and a soft, comic personality. The coat can look effortless in photos. It is not. Full-coated dogs need careful brushing down to the skin so mats do not hide underneath.

5. Cocker Spaniel

• Height: 13.5-15.5 inches

• Weight: 20-30 pounds

• Lifespan: 10-14 years

• Personality: Merry, gentle, affectionate, playful, eager to be with people

• Health issues: Ear infections, eye problems, allergies, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and dental disease

• Best for: Families who want a gentle dog and can keep up with coat and ear care

The Cocker Spaniel has a silky coat, feathered ears, and a sweet face that has convinced many people to forgive muddy paws. Cockers can be great family pets, but ears, feet, and feathering need steady care to prevent mats, yeast, and irritation.

6. Shetland Sheepdog

• Height: 13-16 inches

• Weight: 15-25 pounds

• Lifespan: 12-14 years

• Personality: Intelligent, loyal, alert, sensitive, trainable

• Health issues: Collie eye anomaly, hip dysplasia, thyroid disease, epilepsy, skin disease, and MDR1 drug sensitivity

• Best for: Owners who enjoy training and can manage coat care plus vocal habits

The Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is a bright small-to-medium herding breed with a long double coat. Shelties often love training, routines, and their people. They can bark more than some companion dogs, so apartment life takes planning.

7. Havanese

• Height: 8.5-11.5 inches

• Weight: 7-13 pounds

• Lifespan: 14-16 years

• Personality: Cheerful, social, gentle, funny, attached to family

• Health issues: Patellar luxation, eye problems, heart murmurs, deafness, and dental disease

• Best for: Small homes, companion-dog lovers, and families who want a social little dog

The Havanese is a sturdy little companion dog with silky or wavy hair and a sunny personality. Many pet parents keep Havanese in a shorter trim for easier maintenance, which is smart if daily brushing sounds like a bad deal.

8. Maltese

• Height: 7-9 inches

• Weight: Under 7 pounds

• Lifespan: 12-15 years

• Personality: Sweet, lively, brave, devoted, people-focused

• Health issues: Dental disease, patellar luxation, liver shunt, heart issues, tear staining, and low blood sugar in tiny puppies

• Best for: Adults or gentle families who want a small devoted companion

The Maltese is tiny, brave, and famous for a long white coat with a silky texture. It can be a lovely choice for small homes, but the coat tangles fast if kept long.

9. Coton de Tulear

• Height: 9-11 inches

• Weight: 8-15 pounds

• Lifespan: 15-19 years

• Personality: Happy, gentle, bright, playful, affectionate

• Health issues: Patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, eye problems, allergies, and dental disease

• Best for: Families wanting a happy small dog with regular brushing time

The Coton de Tulear has a soft, cottony coat and a gentle nature. This little dog can be a devoted companion, but cottony coats can mat if skipped for days. Cute does not mean maintenance-free.

10. Yorkshire Terrier

• Height: 7-8 inches

• Weight: Around 7 pounds

• Lifespan: 11-15 years

• Personality: Bold, affectionate, alert, confident, tiny but not timid

• Health issues: Dental disease, patellar luxation, tracheal collapse, liver shunt, and eye issues

• Best for: Small-dog fans who like topknots, tidy routines, and big personality

The Yorkshire Terrier has silky hair that AKC compares to human hair. AKC's Yorkshire Terrier page says a long coat needs daily brushing and a bath every week or so. Yorkies are small, but they do not usually act fragile.

11. Shih Tzu

• Height: 9-10.5 inches

• Weight: 9-16 pounds

• Lifespan: 10-18 years

• Personality: Friendly, affectionate, playful, calm indoors, people-centered

• Health issues: Breathing trouble linked to flat-face anatomy, eye injuries, dental disease, ear infections, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation

• Best for: Companion homes that can commit to coat care or schedule shorter trims

The Shih Tzu is a classic companion dog with a flowing coat and a friendly, people-centered nature. AKC's Shih Tzu grooming advice says a long coat requires daily brushing and regular eye-area care. Many families choose a puppy cut to keep life easier.

12. Lhasa Apso

• Height: 10-11 inches

• Weight: 12-18 pounds

• Lifespan: 12-15 years

• Personality: Confident, watchful, loyal, independent, sometimes stubborn

• Health issues: Eye problems, skin allergies, ear infections, dental disease, patellar luxation, and kidney concerns in some lines

• Best for: Patient owners who appreciate a small dog with confidence

The Lhasa Apso has a heavy long coat and a bold little watchdog spirit. AKC's Lhasa Apso page says long hair requires regular brushing and bathing, while shorter clips still need maintenance. This is a little dog with a big sense of duty.

13. Long-Haired Dachshund

• Height: Standard 8-9 inches; miniature 5-6 inches

• Weight: Standard 16-32 pounds; miniature 11 pounds and under

• Lifespan: 12-16 years

• Personality: Curious, brave, playful, stubborn, deeply attached to family

• Health issues: Intervertebral disc disease, obesity, dental disease, eye problems, and patellar luxation

• Best for: Small homes that can manage stairs, jumping, and back safety

The Dachshund comes in smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired coat types. AKC's Dachshund page notes that longhaired Dachshunds may need more frequent brushing depending on coat thickness. Their coat is easier than many full-coated breeds, but their back needs careful daily management.

14. Rough Collie

• Height: 22-26 inches

• Weight: 50-75 pounds

• Lifespan: 12-14 years

• Personality: Gentle, loyal, bright, responsive, family-focused

• Health issues: Collie eye anomaly, MDR1 drug sensitivity, hip dysplasia, bloat risk, and skin conditions such as dermatomyositis

• Best for: Families who want a responsive, elegant dog with brushing built into the week

The Rough Collie is the flowing-coat version many people picture from classic family-dog stories. This breed has a long double coat, a gentle nature, and a smart herding background. It is a beautiful family dog for owners who enjoy training and do not mind brushing through seasonal shedding.

15. Pomeranian

• Height: 6-7 inches

• Weight: 3-7 pounds

• Lifespan: 12-16 years

• Personality: Bold, lively, alert, affectionate, confident

• Health issues: Tracheal collapse, patellar luxation, dental disease, eye problems, heart disease, and alopecia X

• Best for: Toy-breed lovers who can brush several times a week and manage shedding

The Pomeranian is a little dog wearing a very big coat. Poms have a thick double coat, a plumed tail, and a bold personality. They are small dogs, yes. They are not low-effort stuffed toys.

How to Choose the Right Long-Haired Dog

The prettiest coat is not always the best coat for your life. That is the part people skip. They picture the show ring, not the Tuesday night bath, the burr stuck in the tail, or the mat hiding behind the ear.

Start with grooming time:

• 5 minutes most days: consider Long-Haired Dachshund, clipped Havanese, clipped Shih Tzu.

• 15 minutes several times a week: consider Cocker Spaniel, Sheltie, Pomeranian, Rough Collie.

• Daily brushing or pro help: consider Afghan Hound, Maltese in full coat, Yorkshire Terrier in full coat, Old English Sheepdog, Bearded Collie.

• Heavy shedding tolerance needed: Samoyed, Rough Collie, Sheltie, Pomeranian.

Which long-haired dog is best for first-time pet parents?

For many first-time pet parents, a Havanese, Cocker Spaniel, Shih Tzu in a puppy cut, or Long-Haired Dachshund can be more manageable than an Afghan Hound or Old English Sheepdog. The caveat: every puppy needs training, socialization, grooming practice, daily exercise, and vet care.

Match the dog to your home:

• Apartment: Havanese, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Yorkie, Lhasa Apso.

• Active family: Samoyed, Bearded Collie, Sheltie, Cocker Spaniel.

• Calmer companion: Maltese, Coton, Shih Tzu, Havanese.

• Training fan: Sheltie, Bearded Collie, Rough Collie.

• Grooming hobbyist: Afghan Hound, Old English Sheepdog, Yorkie in long coat.

Mental stimulation matters too. Smart long-haired breeds get bored just like short-haired dogs. Puzzle feeders and interactive dog toys can help, especially for herding breeds and busy companion dogs.

Grooming Routine for Long-Haired Dogs

Long coats stay beautiful because someone does the work. There is no shame in using a professional groomer. Honestly, I love a good pro groomer. They save coats, spot skin issues early.

Here is a simple grooming routine:

1. Run your hands over the coat daily.

2. Check sensitive areas: behind ears, armpits, belly, groin, tail, collar line, and backs of legs.

3. Brush in sections, working from the skin outward.

4. Use a comb after brushing to catch hidden tangles.

5. Remove loose hair before bathing.

6. Dry the coat fully after a bath.

7. Trim nails regularly.

8. Check ears and teeth weekly.

9. Book professional grooming every 4-8 weeks for breeds kept in styled trims.

How often should you brush a long-haired dog?

Most long-haired dogs need brushing at least several times a week, and silky, cottony, curly, or full-length coats often need daily brushing. VCA says long, silky, or curly coats need daily brushing to stay free of tangles and mats. That tracks with real life. Skip a few days on the wrong coat and the hair starts plotting.

For tools and supplies, start simple: pin brush, slicker brush, metal comb, detangling spray, nail tool, dog-safe shampoo, and towels. A reliable grooming setup beats a drawer full of random gadgets.

Bathing depends on coat type and lifestyle. Muddy dogs need baths sooner; indoor dogs may go longer. For deeper timing advice, see how often can you bathe a dog.

One more home tip: long coats collect outdoor debris and shed hair onto bedding. A washable dog bed makes life easier, especially for fluffy breeds that bring half the yard inside.

Shedding, Allergies and Coat Health

Long hair does not always mean heavy shedding. A Yorkie has long silky hair and sheds lightly. A Samoyed has a thick double coat and can shed enough undercoat to make a second dog. Both are long haired. Very different laundry situation.

Double coated breeds need special care. Their undercoat helps with insulation in heat and cold, and shaving a double coat can damage regrowth or expose skin. If you want a shorter trim, talk with a groomer or vet first.

To reduce shedding and keep the coat healthy:

• Brush before loose hair turns into mats.

• Use the right brush for the coat type.

• Feed a balanced diet.

• Keep fleas and skin irritation under control.

• Dry wet coats fully.

• Do not ignore scratching, redness, odor, or bald patches.

Coat health starts at the skin. VCA notes that skin and coat condition can reflect overall health, and regular grooming helps keep the coat clean while giving owners a chance to spot lumps, parasites, and sensitive areas.

If allergies are part of the decision, spend time with the breed before bringing a dog home. Low shedding may help some people, but no breed can promise zero reaction.

FAQs

What breed of dog has very long hair?

The Afghan Hound is one of the best-known dog breeds with very long hair, thanks to its long, silky, flowing coat. Other very long-haired dog breeds include the Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Old English Sheepdog, and Bearded Collie.

What is the most hairy dog breed?

The Samoyed, Old English Sheepdog, Bearded Collie, Rough Collie, and Pomeranian are among the most hairy dog breeds because they have thick coats or dense double coats. The Samoyed is especially famous for its fluffy white coat and heavy seasonal shedding.

What dog has long curly fur?

The Havanese can have long wavy or slightly curly fur, while the Coton de Tulear often has a soft cottony coat that can look fluffy and textured. Other curly-coated long-haired dogs include the Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog, though they are not part of this 15-breed list.

Conclusion

Long-haired dogs can be beautiful, loving, funny, and deeply rewarding. They can also be a grooming commitment with legs. The right match depends on coat type, brushing time, shedding tolerance, exercise needs, and the kind of companion you want at home.

Choose the dog whose daily care you can keep up with, not just the one whose photo stops your scroll. That is how long coats stay soft, skin stays comfortable, and pet parents stay sane.