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20 Long-Haired Dog Breeds That Give Rapunzel a Run for Her Money

An Afghan Hound with long hair, a long-hair dog breed
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The silky swish of an Afghan Hound’s trot. The impressive bounce of a Puli’s cords. The top knot on a Yorkie’s tiny head! These are just a few of the many styles you may find on a long-haired dog breed. Some long-haired breeds, like German Longhaired Pointers, require daily brushing. Others, like Keeshonds, are surprisingly low maintenance. A few—lookin’ at you, Portuguese Water Dogs—are even hypoallergenic! If you’re considering a long-haired dog breed, do plenty of research beforehand. While many can be trimmed short (called a puppy cut) if you don’t plan on showing them at events like the National Dog Show presented by Purina, breeds like the Bergamasco Sheepdog should never get haircuts. Keep reading to find out more about furry, fluffy and fascinating long-haired dog breeds.

Meet the Expert

Dr. Lisa Chimes is the founder and CEO of DOG by Dr Lisa, an Australian line of eco-friendly, vegan and organic pet grooming and health products. It’s possible you’ve seen her on the TV shows “Bondi Vet” and “Dr Lisa to the Rescue.” A practicing veterinarian, Dr. Lisa loves animals and wants them to look their best.   

Types of long-haired dog coats

When it comes to lengthy locks on canines, you’ll likely find one of the following types:

  • Silky - shiny, smooth, can be double- or single-coated
  • Double - one soft, fluffy undercoat with a second thick, long outer coat
  • Curly/Wool - can be tightly curled, mildly wavy or straight; many are hypoallergenic
  • Wire - rougher to the touch, more hair-like than fur-like

Now, some people would argue anything longer than a Labrador Retriever’s short, smooth coat means it’s a long-haired breed. Others would say until your dog has locks à la Rapunzel, it ain’t a long coat! Generally speaking, anything over a few inches could be considered a long coat.

Caring for a long-haired dog breed

The type of coat your dog has determines how you should groom them. Long-haired breeds typically need more attention when it comes to brushing.

“Brushing is the single most important part of taking care of your dog’s coat,” Dr. Lisa says. “It should ideally be done every day. Brushing helps pick up loose hairs, dirt, and debris while spreading the natural oils of the coat and improving circulation through the skin.”

Silky long-haired coats do best with daily slicker brush sessions. Not only does this tool detangle and remove debris, it is gentle on finer fur. Curly and wool-coated dogs should also get frequent slicker brush sessions to keep their coats healthy. If a curly-haired pup knots easily, a detangling brush does the trick.

Double-coated long-haired dogs, like Newfoundlands, should not be trimmed close or shaved down. Their coats protect them from cold weather and hot sun. But Dr. Lisa says long-haired dog breeds typically require appointments with a professional groomer for a trim every four to six weeks.

Many will shed as seasons change to allow for thicker or thinner fur, depending on the time of the year. “Double-coated breeds need to have their loose undercoat removed regularly” as they shed, Dr. Lisa says. She designed a rake comb as part of her DOG by Dr Lisa line for just such occasions. 

A wide-toothed comb, like the DOG Comb, will come in handy if you notice any small mats or knots. Dr. Lisa says a wide-toothed comb like this also works well for single-coated long-haired breeds who benefit from regular combing. 

Wire coats need to go through a process called stripping every three to four months. Since these coats don’t shed the way softer coats do, the hair must be hand stripped to remove dead strands. Groomers can certainly handle it for you, or you can invest in a stripping comb to do it yourself.

Long-haired dogs should definitely be checked frequently for ticks, fleas or mites. While brushing, take a look at their skin and really explore to make sure nothing is hiding in their locks.

Mixed breed dogs could present unique challenges if their coats have properties from several coat types. In this case, follow your dog’s lead or ask your vet for guidance. PureWow Executive Editor Dara Katz used a doggy DNA kit and learned her pup, Oakley, is part Pekingese, Briard, Dachshund and Pug. “Her coat gets fluffy and longer, but she doesn't really shed that much so we only groom her seasonally,”  Katz says. Seasonal visits only are fine with Oakley, who hates groomer visits.  

Do long-haired dog breeds need more baths?

“Only wash them when they absolutely need it,” Dr. Lisa says of long-haired breeds. She recommends cleaning wipes to freshen up your pup between baths. 

“If your dog is visibly dirty and you can’t get them clean with a wipe or brush, then it’s time for a bath,” she says. “I always recommend brushing them before bathing to remove loose hairs. Then use a gentle cleanser like our DOG by Dr Lisa Wash, followed by a conditioner like our DOG by Dr Lisa Leave in Conditioner, which is essentially a moisturizer for the skin and coat.”

After towel-drying, if your dog will let you, use a gentle hair dryer as you brush their coat to prevent tangles. Once dry, your dog is good to go!

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, so get to know your breed! One piece of advice that goes for all dogs and all coat types: Do not ignore your dog’s coat. We repeat: Do not ignore your dog’s coat! Matted fur and dirty coats can be painful and lead to skin lesions or infections. Caring for your pet’s fur is part of the deal.

5 Hairless Dog Breeds That’ll Standout at The Dog Park


long haired dog breeds afghan hound
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1. Afghan Hound

  • Height: 25-27 inches
  • Weight: 50-60 pounds
  • Personality: Independent, proud
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High
  • Shedding Factor: Low
  • Life Expectancy: 12-18 years
  • Trainability: independent, difficult to train

As puppies, Afghan Hounds have short curly coats. As they age, the coats grow into long, silky smooth works of art. The Afghan Hound Club of America warns you should never brush a dry Afghan coat; this means using a spray bottle full of water mixed with doggy conditioner before a daily brushing or bathing your dog a few times a week before grooming. Definitely work with a reputable breeder to get some hot tips for keeping an Afghan Hound’s coat healthy.

long haired dog breeds barbet
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2. Barbet

  • Height: 19 - 25 inches
  • Weight: 35 - 65 pounds
  • Personality: Cheerful, tireless
  • Activity Level: Moderate
  • Shedding Factor: Non-shedding
  • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
  • Trainability: fairly easy to train

This French dog breed is a water dog, which means the coat is thick, long and curly (or wavy). Barbets can be trimmed down to three to five inches. The Barbet Club of America suggests brushing out the fur frequently to avoid mats or tangles. (Re-wetting it will bring back those bouncy curls.)

long haired dog breeds bergamasco sheepdog
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3. Bergamasco Sheepdog

  • Height: 22-24 inches
  • Weight: 57-84 pounds
  • Personality: Independent, mellow
  • Activity Level: Low
  • Shedding Factor: Non-shedding
  • Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
  • Trainability:  train well with firm, consistent techniques

Welcome to the world of corded coats. The Bergamasco Sheepdog is a calm shepherding breed designed to weather the rough conditions in the Italian Alps. Their cords are completely natural and help regulate their body temps, which is why they should never be shaved down or trimmed close. Bergamasco Sheepdogs have three distinct types of fur: dog, goat and wool. Once the goat and wool fur comes in (around one year old), you’ve got to
 separate the coat into the mats by hand. Despite its complicated appearance, this coat is pretty hands-off after the initial matting process.

long haired dog breeds briard
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4. Briard

  • Height: 22-27 inches
  • Weight: 55-100 pounds
  • Personality: Protective, sweet
  • Activity Level: High
  • Shedding Factor: Low
  • Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
  • Trainability: may be difficult to train

A Briard’s hairstyle is reminiscent of Shawn Hunter on Boy Meets World circa 1994. Their coats are long, wavy and slightly coarse.
he Briard Club of America estimates you’ll spend at least two hours every week brushing and grooming. They don’t shed a ton and their coats don’t accumulate much dirt but keeping them tangle-free is a must.

long haired dog breeds collie
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5. Collie

  • Height: 22 - 26 inches
  • Weight: 50 - 75 pounds
  • Personality: Devoted, athletic
  • Activity Level: Moderate to High
  • Shedding Factor: Seasonal
  • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
    Trainability: easy to train

Collies come in both rough- and smooth-coated varieties. The rough-coated Collie is the one most people recognize with its long, fluffy coat and Lassie-like coloring. These coats need to be brushed about once a week. Though they don’t shed a ton, season changes will probably fill your house with more hair than you’re used to. Focus on the ears and elbows to make sure you don’t miss mats!

    long haired dog breeds german longhaired pointer
    Tommi Valtanen/flickr

    6. German Longhaired Pointer

    • Height: 22-28 inches
    • Weight: 55-80 pounds
    • Personality: Friendly, sweet
    • Activity Level: High
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
    • Trainability: easy to train

    If you plan on hunting outdoors with your German Longhaired Pointer, prepare to brush daily and snip out any burrs or twigs that get stuck in their tails. (The fur behind their ears also tends to mat easily.) Since these German dogs are double-coated hunting dogs, helping them with frequent brushing will make shedding season easier on both of you.

    long haired dog breeds gordon setter
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    7. Gordon Setter

    • Height: 23-27 inches
    • Weight: 45-80 pounds
    • Personality: Affectionate, intelligent
    • Activity Level: High
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 12-13 years
    • Trainability: fairly easy to train, may bore easily

    The tagline of The Gordon Setter Club of America is “Beauty, Brains & Birdsense.” Need we say more? A Gordon Setter’s fur should be brushed at least once per week. Whether wavy or straight, trimming around the feet, ears and tail every month helps keep those spots free of knots (make sure to check their floppy ears frequently for built-up dirt!).

    long haired dog breeds irish setter
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    8. Irish Setter

    • Height: 25-27 inches
    • Weight: 60-70 pounds
    • Personality: Affectionate, social
    • Activity Level: High
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
    • Trainability: fairly easy to train

    Like Gordon Setters, Irish Setters have silky coats that need weekly brushing. Combs and dematting tools are ideal for these dogs, as their silky hair can tangle easily - especially since much of the longer hair is on their legs and underbelly. Show dogs will definitely have straighter, longer coats, but as family pets, Irish Setters can be trimmed slightly shorter.

    long haired dog breeds keeshond
    Daniela Duncan/Getty Images

    9. Keeshond

    • Height: 17-18 inches
    • Weight: 35-45 pounds
    • Personality: Lively, smart
    • Activity Level: Moderate to High
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
    • Trainability: easy to train

    Keeshonds are spitz-style German dog breeds with unique glasses-like coloring on their faces. Their coats consist of two layers of fluffy fur that is incredibly low maintenance. The Keeshond Club of America recommends having a variety of brushes and combs available to tackle the under coat and top coat throughout the year, even when it’s not shedding season, and taking time to make sure there aren’t hidden knots.

    long haired dog breeds komondor
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    10. Komondor

    • Height: 25-28 inches
    • Weight: 80-100+ pounds
    • Personality: Sweet, protective
    • Activity Level: Moderate
    • Shedding Factor: Non-shedding
    • Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
    • Trainability: independent, may be trick to train

    Look at these cords! Komondors, like Bergamasco Sheepdogs, require no brushing after their coats are initially corded. These are big, yet agile dogs. Komondor cords begin forming (with your help) between 8 months and a year old. As they age, their cords lengthen. The Komondor Club of America says a dirty coat can be simply rinsed with water. Always—always—dry their coats completely with warm air. Damp cords can develop mildew. Keeping a corded coat healthy takes diligence, but it’s worth it to see these agile, powerful dogs happy and healthy.

    long haired dog breeds lhasa apso
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    11. Lhasa Apso

    • Height: 10-11 inches
    • Weight: 12-18 pounds
    • Personality: Intelligent, protective
    • Activity Level: Moderate
    • Shedding Factor: Low
    • Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
    • Trainability: trains fairly well, may be stubborn 

    If you’re not planning on showing a Lhasa Apso at dog shows or don’t want to give them a good bath every two weeks, a short-trimmed cut is totally doable. Both styles require brushing to keep their silky fur from tangling. Like corded coats, dry Lhasa Apso coats completely! Leaving them wet could make them more snarly than pre-bath.

    long haired dog breeds newfoundland
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    12. Newfoundland

    • Height: 26-28 inches
    • Weight: 100-150 pounds
    • Personality: Friendly, loving
    • Activity Level: Moderate
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate to High
    • Life Expectancy: 9-10 years
    • Trainability: fairly easy to train

    Want a real challenge? Groom a Newfoundland. Get ready to brush these big, quiet dogs several times a week with both a slicker brush and a comb. Their thick, double coats can mat easily and they shed a ton; brushing helps maintain control over both issues. Go slow and steady, ensuring you don’t miss any patches on this big dog body.

    long haired dog breeds old english sheepdog
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    13. Old English Sheepdog

    • Height: 21-24 inches
    • Weight: 60-100 pounds
    • Personality: Smart, sweet
    • Activity Level: Moderate
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 12-12 years
    • Trainability: trains well, may bore easily

    Another long double coat! The Old English Sheepdog is basically a giant ball of fluff. The key to a happy, healthy pup is brushing down to the skin multiple times each week to ensure there aren’t snarls or snags. It’s also wise to trim their paws, as extra hair between toes can add to dirt build-up. If your Old English Sheepdog needs a bath, brush thoroughly beforehand! Otherwise, New England Old English Sheepdog Rescue says you may have to shave your pup completely to get rid of nasty knots. Not fun.

    long haired dog breeds pekingese
    Alex Potemkin/Getty Images

    14. Pekingese

    • Height: 6-9 inches
    • Weight: 14 pounds
    • Personality: Confident, loyal
    • Activity Level: Low
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
    • Trainability: can be difficult to train

    The long, double-coated Pekingese has lengthy hair around its neck and head, like a poofy mane. While you can certainly trim their coats shorter, constantly keeping their coats very short can destroy coloring and texture. A trim every now and then is best. Whether long or short, brushing a few times a week is crucial to keeping the Pekingese coat healthy. The AKC recommends at least one hour weekly

    long haired dog breeds portuguese water dog
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    15. Portuguese Water Dog

    • Height: 17-23 inches
    • Weight: 35-60 pounds
    • Personality: Smart, athletic
    • Activity Level: High
    • Shedding Factor: Hypoallergenic
    • Life Expectancy: 11-13 years
    • Trainability: trains well, needs firm consistency

    Another thick-coated water dog! The Portuguese Water Dog is hypoallergenic and has curly-cues or easy waves in its black, brown and white fur. Often, show dogs have their hindquarters clipped very close to the skin (called a lion clip). Pet owners may opt to let a Portuguese Water Dog’s curls run wild. As long as you brush every day to avoid knotted curls and give them a full-body trim once a month, you’re golden.

    long haired dog breeds puli
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    16. Puli

    • Height: 16-17 inches
    • Weight: 25-35 pounds
    • Personality: Obedient, loving
    • Activity Level: Moderate
    • Shedding Factor: Non-shedding
    • Life Expectancy: 10-15 years
    • Trainability: smart, trains well, may bore easily

    Described as “wooly, dense, and weatherproof” by the American Kennel Club, a Puli’s coat is pretty high maintenance. Their coats can actually be kept brushed out (which ends up looking like crimped fluff), trimmed (kind of like a Golden Doodle coat) or corded. Because of their double-coated curly fur, Pulis can become tangled easily. Like other corded dogs, they can be bathed but must be rinsed and dried thoroughly, which can be time-consuming. Check out the Puli Club of America for tons of guides on maintenance. 

    long haired dog breeds pyreneean shepherd
    happyborder/Getty Images

    17. Pyrenean Shepherd

    • Height: 15 - 21 inches
    • Weight: 15 - 30 pounds
    • Personality: Playful, affectionate
    • Activity Level: High
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 17-19 years
    • Trainability: easy to train

    Pyreneean Shepherds come in both smooth- and rough-coated varieties. All have double coats, though maintenance isn’t too crazy! Brushing once or twice a week is necessary to keep their coats free of snags and debris. The Pyrenean Shepherd Club of America says the rough-coated variety may develop natural cords in their coats if not brushed, which tends to look a little disheveled but is actually totally normal (it’s the look of a farm dog, the club says). 

    long haired dog breeds shetland sheepdog
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    18. Shetland Sheepdog

    • Height: 13-16 inches
    • Weight: 15-25 pounds
    • Personality: Playful, friendly
    • Activity Level: High
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
    • Trainability: smart, easy to train

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great with kids, so don’t be afraid to wrangle the whole family when it comes to grooming them. Cousins with the Collie, this herding breed has a similarly rough double coat. In fact, their dense undercoat makes brushing every few days necessary to avoid mats and tangles. Do not trim them down! A Shetland Sheepdog’s coat protects them from elements—hot and cold.

    long haired dog breeds tibetan terrier
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    19. Tibetan Terrier

    • Height: 14-17 inches
    • Weight: 18-30 pounds
    • Personality: Clever, sensitive
    • Activity Level: Moderate to High
    • Shedding Factor: Moderate
    • Life Expectancy: 15-16 years
    • Trainability: trains well, may bore easily

    A Tibetan Terrier’s wooly double coat keeps them warm even when temperatures are frigid. Their coats come curly, wavy, wiry, smooth and even straight. The longer their coat, the more you better be brushing. While they can certainly have their coats trimmed shorter, Tibetan Terriers may want to keep their luxurious locks depending on the time of year.

    long haired dog breeds yorkshire terrier
    John Kelly/Getty Images

    20. Yorkshire Terrier

    • Height: 7-8 inches
    • Weight: 7 pounds
    • Personality: Affectionate, lively
    • Activity Level: Moderate
    • Shedding Factor: Hypoallergenic
    • Life Expectancy: 11-15 years
    • Trainability: trains well when socialized early

    Yorkies have coats akin to human hair. Due to its silky texture, it needs to be brushed every day and bathed weekly if you keep it long. (Trimming is totally cool with Yorkies and recommended every four to six weeks if you want to go this route!) To avoid eye infections or vision issues, pull any lengthy locks on their heads up into a cute topknot. Since their coats are only single layers, be sure to keep Yorkies warm in winter months with sweaters or jackets.kets.



    SAshley Headshot PureWow

    Freelance Writer

    Sarah Ashley covers dogs, cats and pet products for PureWow. She's also tackled mental health, travel and her own struggles with infertility. Beyond earning a Certificate in Creative Nonfiction, covering PetCon and the National Dog Show, Sarah is currently working towards her Masters in Journalism. You can read more of her work on The Click, Culture Trip and Reductress.