Long Haired Dog Types: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Breed

If you're considering bringing a long-haired dog into your family, you'll want to start by thinking about the level of grooming you're willing and able to commit to. Long-haired breeds require regular brushing to prevent matting and tangling, which can be time-consuming but ultimately worth it for the beautiful coats they produce.

Some long-haired breeds are more low-maintenance than others, such as the Afghan Hound, which requires only occasional brushing. On the other hand, breeds like the Old English Sheepdog need to be brushed daily to prevent their thick coats from getting knotted.

The amount of grooming you'll need to do will also depend on the individual dog's temperament and energy level. For example, a high-energy breed like the Samoyed will require more frequent brushing to keep its coat looking its best.

Additional reading: Welsh Corgi Grooming

Old English Sheepdogs are known for their shaggy hair that covers their entire body and face, including their peek-a-boo eyes.

They have a dense double coat that requires weekly, thorough grooming sessions to keep their long, beautiful coat knot-free.

These dogs are friendly, enthusiastic, and perfect for life as a family dog, but they do need early training and socialization by an experienced owner.

Daily exercise is crucial to maintain their health and happiness, and avoid destructive and unwanted behaviors.

The Afghan Hound is a stunning breed with an iconic long hair coat that requires regular maintenance. They have a silky, flowing coat that's a hallmark characteristic of the breed.

Afghan Hounds are sighthounds, which means they hunt prey using their keen eyesight and swift speed. They originated in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan, where their thick, silky coat helped protect them from the harsh climate.

To keep their coat healthy, it's essential to brush them regularly, ideally several hours a week. They should also be bathed regularly, using both shampoo and conditioner.

On a similar theme: Black English Pointer Dog

As puppies, Afghan Hounds have short curly coats that grow into long, silky smooth coats as they mature. It's crucial to use a spray bottle with water and dog conditioner before brushing their coat to prevent damage.

Afghan Hounds are a large breed, weighing between 20-28Kg and reaching a height of 70cm. They have a moderate exercise need, but they can be quite lazy, so regular walks are essential to keep them active.

Their long hair coat makes them a high-maintenance breed, but with the right care, they can thrive in a family home.

The Old English Sheepdog is a beloved breed known for its shaggy, long-haired coat that requires regular grooming sessions, ideally weekly, to prevent knotting.

Their temperament is kind and agreeable, making them loveable family dogs and astute watchdogs. They are protective of their family and are great companions.

Old English Sheepdogs have a dense double coat that covers their entire body and face, including their peek-a-boo eyes.

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They are relatively easy to train, but training and socialization should start at an early age by an experienced dog owner.

This breed enjoys mental and physical challenges, so daily exercise is essential to maintain their health and happiness.

If groomed regularly, they don't shed much hair, but their coat, especially around the face, can become smelly if not bathed often.

Old English Sheepdogs are big, weighing around 30Kg, so care should be taken when young children are around to avoid accidental injury.

Here are some key points to consider if you're thinking of buying an Old English Sheepdog:

The Newfoundland is a large, long-haired dog that was bred in Canada to be strong working dogs and loyal companions. They can weigh up to 150 pounds.

Their majestic, long coat is pure black, brown, or black and white. It needs significant maintenance, including regular brushing with a long-toothed comb.

Newfoundlands are highly gentle dogs ideal for families. They're playful and get along well with young children.

To keep them safe, consider using dog GPS trackers and pet tracking devices whenever you're out with your dog.

The Afghan Hound and the Old English Sheepdog are both known for their beautiful, silky coats that require regular grooming. They have a thick undercoat and a long, fine outer coat that sheds heavily.

The Afghan Hound's coat can be up to 6 inches long, and it requires daily brushing to prevent matting. The Old English Sheepdog's coat is even longer, often reaching up to 10 inches in length.

Both breeds are known for their intelligence and trainability, but they can be independent and stubborn at times. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are essential to keep them happy and healthy.

If this caught your attention, see: Types of Hound Dog

The Bearded Collie is a beautiful breed with a shaggy, thick double coat that's a mix of white and gray colors. They're intelligent and loyal, but can get bored quickly, so early training is essential.

These dogs require a lot of exercise daily, which means you need to establish a proper walking schedule to keep them happy and healthy. If you don't, they can become quite a handful.

Bearded Collies are not a commonly found breed, but they're definitely worth considering if you're looking for a loyal companion. They love people and plenty of exercise, but city center or apartment living is unsuitable due to their high energy levels.

Here are some key points to consider when thinking about bringing a Bearded Collie into your life:

Its iconic long fur grows in various hues and patterns, including white, black, and brown.

This breed has a narrow wedge-shaped head, which, combined with its long hair, gives it a very unique and beautiful appearance.

The Full-Coated Collie is an athletic and energetic dog who is loyal and intelligent.

It has enjoyed a long-standing position as one of America's most trusted family dogs.

The Komondor is one of the world's most recognizable dog breeds, with its long corded coat that looks like dreadlocks.

They have lengthy white hair with mop-like cords, which serve an essential purpose: protecting them from scratches and bites from bears and wolves, as they were initially bred in Hungary for guarding livestock.

Komondors are affectionate dogs, but they're very protective of their families and tend to act aggressively towards strangers.

To keep their unique coat healthy, it's essential to dry their cords completely with warm air, as damp cords can develop mildew.

The Komondor's coat is made up of two layers: a soft undercoat and a coarse outer coat that traps the undercoat to form cords.

These cords begin forming between 8 months and a year old, and as the dog ages, they lengthen.

Komondors don't need a lot of brushing, but they do require regular attention to keep their mop-like coats clean.

This breed is often called the "Mop Dog" due to its remarkable coat, which resembles a mop.

In terms of size, Komondors are very large, growing up to 80cm in height and weighing up to 60Kg.

Here are some key points to consider when thinking about bringing a Komondor into your family:

The Lhasa Apso is a small, hardy dog belonging to the non-sporting group. They are intelligent, funny, and confident.

These dogs have a floor-length coat that drapes on either side of their bodies, requiring moderate grooming. They are light shedders, but their double coat with slightly rough outer coats means they need regular attention.

Lhasa Apsos are known for their long, silky coat that always looks ready for a selfie. A gentle breeze or a fan set to low is enough to make them look like they're posing for a photo shoot.

They have a rich history, originating from the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet. They were prized possessions of Buddhist monks and Dalai Lamas, and even served as interior watchdogs in palaces and monasteries.

Here are some key facts about Lhasa Apsos at a glance:

The English Setter is a great example of a long-haired dog breed. They have a flat and silky coat that's often wavy, which requires minimal grooming.

English Setters are a bit on the larger side, with males reaching up to 68cm in height and weighing around 36Kg. Females are generally a bit smaller.

One of the standout features of the English Setter is their gentle and friendly nature. They're mild-mannered, sensitive, and very sociable, making them great companions.

Here are some key characteristics of the English Setter breed:

The English Setter is a very sociable and friendly dog. They thrive on being with people and being included in their daily lives.

English Setters are generally gentle and friendly, mild-mannered and sensitive. They have a long hair coat that is flat and silky, often quite wavy, with large eyes and a dark nose.

A fully-grown male English Setter can be up to 68cm in height and can easily reach a weight of 36Kg. Females are usually a little smaller.

English Setters are alert, intelligent, and protective of their owners. They get on well with other dogs.

The average life span of an English setter is 12+. They are active dogs that need plenty of exercise.

Here are some key characteristics of the English Setter breed:

English Setters are a good all-round breed with a reasonably long coat that does not require too much by way of grooming.

The Irish Setter is a stunning breed with a rich history. They were originally bred in Ireland to hunt game such as birds and small mammals.

Their distinctive red coat is a result of their genetic makeup, which is influenced by the production of a pigment called eumelanin. This pigment is responsible for the production of black and dark brown colors in animals.

Irish Setters are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities, traits that have made them a popular choice as family pets. They are highly social and love to be around people.

Their intelligence and athleticism make them well-suited for a variety of activities, including agility training and hunting.