Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are large, some are small. Some are strong, some are svelte. The other main deciding factor, though, is hair length. Come across some dog breeds, and they look like they have just come back from the barber. Find another breed, and they look like they should be the lead singer in a hair metal band from the 80s!
The challenge you might have is deciding which of the various long hairs dogs out there you like. There are some breeds that should come to mind more or less instantly. Other breeds you might never have heard of. To help you make sure you can find the best long-haired dog breeds, we recommend that you look through the list below.
We have captured what we believe to be the most popular long hairs dog breeds for you to look into. These are some great dog breeds, and some make truly wonderful companions. Just a word of caution, obviously – the long-haired breeds tend to need far more maintenance. And yes, they have a habit of bringing their fur all over your house and home!
The most popular long hairs dog breeds around today
Lhasa Apso
We wanted to start our list of the best long hairs dog breeds with something that is of a normal-ish size. The Lhasa Apso fits that need, with this gorgeous Tibetan breed of dog known for its long coats and big brains. These are dogs that are very much easy to look after but do not expect them to be party animals around strangers.
They can be standoffish with people they do not know, but over time they should warm up to anyone whom you care about. Great dogs, and definitely a breed you should look after at least once.
Pekingese
Delightfully described by a friend of the site as ‘a pug with a wig on’, the Pekingese is an increasingly popular dog breed. They are known for their flat snouts and their very loving, optimistic personalities. We love having one of these around us, but their coats can be hard to manage until you get used to their regular need for grooming.
While they are loyal to you, they can become tetchy with strangers so just get used to that idea before committing to one of these dogs. They are a handful but make tremendous pets overall.
Shih Tzu
The next dog we wanted to include as part of our list is a fair bit smaller. These “lion dogs” might not really live up to their name in ferocity, but they can in hair length. They are optimistic and outgoing little dogs that can be great fun to spend time around. At the same time, though, they can be demanding in the extreme if you are not used to their personality.
They are fun dogs and typically stay at around 10” in size, so they should be easy to manage. Their coat should be at or around ground level.
Havanese
The Havanese look hilarious and part of that comes from their long, drooping hair. Native to Cuba, they are increasingly found across the USA and beyond today. They are usually around 11” in size so they are manageable dogs, but their hair does get VERY long pretty quickly.
Intelligent dogs that can manage their lives quite independently, though, are ideal for those who live busy lives and live in the city. They are very much easier to care for than some of the other long hairs dog breeds that have made this list and are popular pets.
Yorkshire Terrier
Though this might not be as long as some of the other long hairs dog breeds on this list, the Yorkshire Terrier was a must-include. They are known for being very small, but also very hairy indeed. They tend to end up with a gorgeous and lasting show coat, so you need to try and care for that coat for as long as you can.
Given they are usually around 10” or smaller, keeping their hair in check should be easier than some of the other breeds that have made this list of long-haired dogs.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
While the name of this particular long hairs dog breed might be a mouthful, these make wonderful dogs. They are friendly and endearing, but they are usually quite low effort when it comes to being busy. They are known for their long and silky coats, but they are very much a dog that tends to be very likely to cling to their owner.
While they have a natural hunting habit, some of these dogs are at their happiest when relaxing at home. If you have a particularly active breed, though, you will need to manage their long coats as they get increasingly dirty running around.
Briard
OK, so they look like they might be a highland cow mixed with a dog. But the Briard is one of our favorite long hairs dog breeds. They are quite rare in the USA, but they are increasingly suitable for those who have lots of open space. If you live in one of the major US cities, though, avoid getting a Briard.
They need lots of space and they have incredible energy reserves, so they will want to have as much space as they possibly can to run around the place. Intelligent dogs, but high commitment, so consider this closely.
Puli
The Puli is what most of us assume you would get if a noodle cloth came to life. These are dogs that look hilarious, and their small size paired with their acrobatic nature makes them very fun to watch. They have very long coats, though, and their coat is almost corded in nature, so they look very different to other dog breeds out there.
They are energetic and endearing, but make sure you can give them the space and the activity they need or they can become somewhat moody.
Bearded Collie
Moving into typically larger pets, the Bearded Collie is a very common choice for those looking at long hairs dog breeds. They are good fun to be around, but given they can hit 24” in size and can be very large, they need lots of time and effort put into their maintenance and care.
They can be quite goofy so kids love them, but they are very friendly dogs who would never hurt a fly unless absolutely forced. They can also be challenging to train, but you should have no problem getting them to adapt once you overcome that initial hurdle.
Rough Collie
Another breed of Collie we felt compelled to mention is the Rough Collie. These are the dog breed that the famous Lassie is, so you should recognize them more or less right away. Wonderful family pets, these make great animals to have around the place as they are just so engaging and fun.
However, they need to have some kind of task in their life or they can begin herding everyone – even your kids and other animals. They are easy enough to care for, intelligent enough to settle into life at home, and tremendous around children.
Great Pyrenees
Out of all of the long hairs dog breeds we have mentioned, these are among the largest. They are special dogs, easily hitting 30” in height, and tend to be very good for those who want an independent dog. However, they are prone to just going on a self-managed walk where they just vanish for a few hours – even days – without notice.
They are calm and relaxing dogs, making them good for those who live a sedate lifestyle with plenty of room for their Great Pyrenees to go out and roam around. They do, though, make tremendous canines who can live for well over a decade.
Afghan Hound
The final canine to make our list of the best long hairs dog breeds would be the Afghan Hound. Noted for their long faces and their really fluffy nature, these are big dogs that can easily break the 25” mark in size. They are strong, determined, yet intelligent dogs who love being around their family.
At the same time, though, they are very independent and they love to get out and be active. The Afghan Hound is rapid, too, so make sure you can give them lots of space to visit on a regular basis. As natural sighthounds, they might run after other animals, so try and keep them in a confined space with a high fence so they cannot just go chasing the local pet populace!
Which long hair dog is right for you?
As you can see, then, long-haired dogs are far more than the usual suspect of the Afghan Hound. Other breeds come in all shapes, sizes, and styles – and some will have differing hair lengths. As this list shows, though, some breeds are simply meant to have long hair. So, before you get it all cut off and shaved back, think about that – does this dog breed actually need longer hair?
Some do. And out of all of the breeds above, most suit – if not need – longer hair.