Fluffy Dog Breeds

Who doesn’t love to see a dog with fur fluffier than the clouds in the sky? There are more fluffy dog breeds in the canine world than you might think! And we’ve decided we should provide you with a comprehensive list of some of the best fluffy dog breeds, ranging from tiny little ankle biters to booming big boys. Here’s our top 20 list of the fluffiest dog breeds out there!

And who knows? You might find yourself scrolling through the local dog shelter sites, once you’ve seen these super cute fluffy dogs.

5 Small Fluffy Dog Breeds

Let’s start small; here is a list of some of our favorite tiny fluffy dog breeds at the smaller end of the spectrum, these toy breeds are irresistibly cute with their tiny faces, tiny paws, and extremely fluffy bodies, it’s no wonder these small furry dogs are often a crowd favorite.

Pomeranian

AKC recognized since 1900

The Pomeranian, particularly famed for its place within the royal family of England, is a Regal-looking pup with delicate long fur that almost gives them a cloud-like appearance. They are often described as being curious and confident, and as you would expect very much enjoy being treated like royalty.

The curiosity of the Pomeranian makes it a fantastic dog for going out on adventures and gaining new experiences, Poms love to explore and can sometimes be a little bit cheeky and push their luck, but with a face like that who can argue with them? Their fluffy coat requires a decent amount of daily grooming, and they are to shed quite excessively during shedding season. Few other small dog breeds can compare with the fluffiness of a Pomeranian.

Fun Fact: Though the Pomeranian now weighs 7-10 pounds, Pom Poms originally descended from sled dogs.

Bichon Frise

AKC recognized since 1972

Considered lovable little troublemakers, the Bichon Frise has a boisterous personality to match its boisterous look. There are also many characteristics in a Bichon Frise that match that of a Toy Poodle with their soft, dense, frizzy coats, and tiny little faces.

Bichon Frises are fun-loving, gentle small fluffy dogs, who are best suited as family pets to a family with children for them to play with, that is going to be around them constantly, as they are known to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for a long period of time. When it comes to maintaining their fluffy coat, it can become difficult to maintain as they mature, as matting can become a problem in their tight curls.

Fun Fact: Bichon Frise dogs don’t shed, their coats simply require general upkeep.

Shih Tzu

AKC recognized since 1969

The Shih Tzu definitely makes it high on our list, with its adorably flat face and friendly eyes, Shih Tzus are a highly desired breed among small dog enthusiasts.

Shih Tzus are playful, curious, and lovable, and are often likened to that of the class clown. These excitable little pups love to play and are full of energy, so giving them a good run around each day is essential. One thing to remember about the Shih Tzus’ lovely coat is that, much like the Yorkshire Terrier, their fur grows continuously, and will require a trip to a professional groomer on a semi-regular basis to keep it under control and avoid tangles.

Fun Fact: Another name for the Shih Tzu is the “Chrysanthemum Dog”, this is because the long hair around their faces looks like the petals of the Chrysanthemum plant.

Lhasa Apso

AKC recognized since 1935

An extremely independent breed that is extremely protective, Lhasa Apsos may appear to be gentle, owing to their size, fluffy coats, and friendly face,  however, they are unkind to strangers due to their natural guarding instinct and fierce loyalty. They are a hard-headed breed and require early socialization if you want them to be a family dog.

Believe it or not, Lhasa Apso dogs were actually used as guard dogs in the royal palaces of Tibet, and to this day, continue to carry out that duty. The best part, when it comes to a Lhasa Apso, is that even though their coats require a lot of brushing and trips to the groomer for a trim to keep them in good condition, they don’t actually shed.

Fun Fact: It was once thought that each Lhasa Apso was a reincarnation of Tibetan monks who had passed away.

Toy Poodle

AKC recognized since 1886

Poodles are a well-known hypoallergenic breed, so it suffices to say that the Toy Poodle is hypoallergenic as well, meaning they don’t shed.

They’re an extremely intelligent breed, eager to please, filled with joy, and have oodles of energy, making them an excellent family pet! The only problem you may encounter with a Toy Poodle is that their high intelligence can also lead to stubbornness, which can make them difficult to train as well as give them a tendency for destruction if they become bored.

Plenty of training and exercise along with mental stimulation can help to avoid any disruptive behavior, however, you should expect them to be quite vocal, a personality trait that can be difficult to train out of them.

Fun Fact: Historical records have shown that Toy Poodles were in the court of King Louis XVI

5 Medium Fluffy Dog Breeds

The perfect pillow-sized “floofers”, medium-sized dogs are the most commonly sought after for family households; they’re the perfect size to play with the kids without being so small that they get stepped on, or so big that they knock over the furniture.

Samoyed

AKC recognized since 1906

When it comes to medium fluffy coated dogs, we want to start our list off with Samoyeds, and with very good reason! Samoyeds are a wonderfully lovable breed that enjoys a good conversation by way of barking, howling and grunting, and can make you smile when you think nothing else can.

Always remember, if you’re thinking of getting a Samoyed, that talking is a big part of their personality, and so, so long as you’re willing to chat with them back you shouldn’t have a problem. Their super soft and fluffy coats require a lot of brushing on a daily basis, and you can expect that when shedding season comes around you’ll be eating that white coat in your morning cereal.

Fun Fact: Samoyeds are recognized as being “smiley” dogs, owing to the fact that the corners of their mouth curl up in a constant grin.

Bearded Collie

AKC recognized since 1977

Bearded Collies are an exceptionally fluffy dog breed, and have an adorably dopey look about them, with their big button noses and Often dangling tongue,  they are known as a very quiet breed that is both active and intelligent,  not to mention very happy and easy to please.

The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized dog breed with long sweeping fur, which can look very dramatic in the right light, and can provide a regal and proud look when it’s not lolloping about with friends. They are also a working breed and so they require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation if you want to avoid any unfortunate behavior. Bearded Collies do particularly well in agility, rally, and obedience training, which all cater to their active lifestyle requirements.

Fun Fact: Bearded Collies originated from England around the 1500s.

Finnish Lapphund

AKC recognized since 2011

Without knowing the difference between the two fluffy dog breeds, it is easy to mix this one up with the  Samoyed; this would be a fair assumption, as the Finnish Lapphund, which originated from Lapland (hence their name), has the same white coat and similar personality traits such as enjoying talking to their owners.

The main difference between the Finnish Lapland and the Samoyed, Is that their grooming is not quite so high maintenance, and the Finnish Lapphund is considered a better fit for new owners, as a Samoyed can be quite difficult to train. Also, the Finish Lapphund requires more space as they like to have plenty of room to run around.

Fun Fact: Finnish Lapphunds were originally bred for Reindeer herding in Lapland.

American Eskimo Dog

AKC recognized since 1995

Another stunning example of a big white fluffy dog breed perfectly built for family life.  The American Eskimo Dog, otherwise known as an Eskie, is curious by nature and constantly seeking out new adventures,  they are also highly energetic and love to be tested both physically and mentally.

Their thick fluffy coats require plenty of brushing, ideally every day, but if worst comes to worst no less than twice a week. American Eskimo dogs also by the affectionate nickname “Velcro dogs”,  this is because they are extremely loyal, eager to please, and love to follow their owners around the house like a little shadow,  this also means I shouldn’t be left alone for too long as they will start to become anxious.

Fun Fact: The first dog ever to walk a tightrope was an American Eskimo Dog.

Shetland Sheepdog

AKC recognized since 1911

Shetland Sheepdogs, otherwise known as “Shelties”, have a history filled with herding and farm work. They are working dogs that are fiercely intelligent, as well as making wonderful companions. Sheltie owners should always make sure that they have a job for this hard-working breed, even if it is being kept as a family dog too, this is to keep them active and stop them from getting bored.

Their fluffiness is unmatched when it comes to their long, sweeping, double coat of super-soft fur, though with such beautiful fur comes demanding grooming needs; be sure to keep a good brush nearby, daily brushing is essential to keep this fluffy dog breeds coat from matting.

Fun Fact: The modern Shetland Sheepdog as we know it today has in fact never been used as a herding dog in the Shetland Islands.

5 Big Fluffy Dog Breeds

Ranging from the Old English Sheepdog to the Alaskan Malamute, big fluffy dog breeds are truly irresistible. Every dog lover knows nothing quite beats a good cuddle from a fluffy dog; but if you don’t feel like you’re a lap dog person getting yourself a big fluffy dog breed can be a game-changer when it comes to getting those supersoft canine companion hugs.

Old English Sheepdog

AKC recognized since 1905

Old English Sheepdogs are kind-faced working dogs and well-deserving of a spot amongst our selected big fluffy dog breeds. This affectionate, intelligent, and enthusiastic dog breed is covered head-to-toe in a long shaggy double coat, ideally suited for cold weather conditions.

The Old English Sheepdog has a large amount of fur, that grows continuously, as well as having a thick double coat, this means there is a lot of fur to get tangled, particularly because it is coarse and does not flow easily. These big fluffy dogs often have their hair cut quite short in order to avoid the problem altogether. Alternatively, you would need to brush an Old English Sheepdog twice daily to avoid matting.

Fun Fact: A common nickname for the Old English Sheepdog breed is the “Bobtail”.

Chow Chow

AKC recognized since 1903

Of all the big fluffy dog breeds, the Chow Chow is probably the fluffiest. A proud, and independent dog breed, the Chow Chow is beautiful, and knows it! Despite their super soft and friendly appearance, Chow Chows are actually often given the task of guard dog, and are best placed in homes with experienced owners/trainers, and are not really recommended as family dogs.

They have immensely fluffy fur, which gives them the look of a giant walking teddy bear; though Chow Chows are anything but cuddly, and are actually better known for being elusive, independent,  hard-headed, and suspicious of others. If you are wanting one of these large fluffy dogs, you’ll need to keep on top of regular grooming sessions and make sure you’ve got a powerful vacuum cleaner, because they will shed large amounts of fur from their undercoat on a regular basis.

Fun Fact: The Chow Chow breed has a blue tongue and lips which is unique to their breed.

Alaskan Malamute

AKC recognized since 1935

Alaskan Malamutes were originally bred to be used as sled dogs, their large size and excessive strength meant they could haul large and heavy sleds across vast distances for long periods of time. Any pet parents thinking of getting an Alaskan Malamute will need to keep in mind that they can be quite stubborn in their young age, and require a firm hand when training and plenty of socialization; they’re not best suited to first-time owners.

These big white fluffy dogs have super cozy double coats and are heavy shedders year-round, however, this does become much more so during shedding season. Regular grooming and general pet care are essential; during shedding season you should be brushing your Malamute every day.

Fun Fact: 450 Alaskan malamutes were shipped to France During World War I to deliver supplies to French troops that were isolated in mountain outposts.

Akita

AKC recognized since 1974

Akitas can be likened to the Chow Chow, in the sense that they can be quite elusive and independent, and don’t necessarily make great family pets because of their stubborn nature. Any new pet parents looking to get one from this big fluffy dog breed should be prepared to be patient and do plenty of training early on. Once an Akita is fully trained it will be loyal to a fault, however, getting there can prove a little bit of a challenge.

As you can imagine, Akitas make very cute little fluffy puppies, but don’t let that sway you into making a decision to get this dog based on its looks. Outside of training and behavioral traits, Akitas also require a lot of grooming to keep their fluffy coats in good condition. Tangles are not really something you should worry about, however, they do have a very dense undercoat which can make them quite heavy shedders. Their fur is not very long and so daily brushing is not essential, however, if you are wanting to avoid getting too much of their hair all over your house then it is worth doing.

Fun Fact: Around the 17th century, in Japan, only the aristocracy has access to the Akita dog breed, as it was considered a status symbol.

Bergamasco Shepherd

AKC recognized since 2014

Unlike any of the other super cute big fluffy dog breeds we have on our list, the Bergamasco Shepherd does not actually require brushing in any way, in fact, brushing is considered detrimental to their coat. The Bergamasco Shepherd has a unique coat that develops flat dance mats which grow continuously throughout their life. These mats can be likened to the dog version of dreadlocks, and even though not needing brushing them makes grooming them sound easy, they are actually extremely high maintenance, more so than almost any other dog breed.

A Bergamasco Shepherd’s fully matted coat can take up to 3 years to develop over 3 stages,  and requires a lot of patience and help from its owner to ensure that it grows in correctly. On the plus side contrary to what you may think the natural oils in their fur actually make them very clean dog’s they will only need nothing between one and three times a year.

Fun Fact: Bergamascos never go by “Bergies” or “Bergs”, their correct full name is “Pastore de Bergamasco”.

5 Giant Fluffy Dog Breeds

Giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “bear hug”! Giant fluffy dog breeds are no easy task; there’s a lot more of that super fluffy coat to keep on top of,  and not only that but many giant dog breeds are known for being stubborn and difficult to work with; so if you’re thinking of getting a giant fluffy dog, as gorgeous as they may be, make sure you’re prepared for how much it takes to raise them.

Bernese Mountain Dog

AKC recognized since 1937

If you’re wanting a giant fluffy pooch, you need not look much further than the Bernese Mountain Dog. Though other large and giant fluffy dogs may have a tendency towards stubbornness or selective ignorance, the Bernese Mountain Dog it’s quite the opposite; Bernese Mountain Dogs are always eager to please their owners, enjoy a calm lifestyle, and are generally silly, lovable, and friendly dogs whose intelligence is a benefit for their training as opposed to a hindrance.

This particular giant dog breed has a fantastic reputation across the board for being a great family pet, as they are kind and gentle around children, as well as being very hard workers who are constantly out to seek their owner’s approval.

Their grooming needs are quite standard; they will undoubtedly shed quite a lot considering they are a big dog with a lot of fur,  but they require no more brushing more washing than any other typical fluffy dog. Fortunately, their fur is quite sleek and so brushing them a few times a week should do the trick.

Fun Fact: The Bernese Mountain Dog was barely saved from extinction by a man named Franz Schertenleib in the late 19th century.

Great Pyrenees

AKC recognized since 1933

The Great Pyrenees giant breed dog is “Great” for a reason. They are not only majestic, beautiful, and strong but they typically stand at around 30 inches tall, if not taller, and can often exceed 100 pounds in weight. So new pet parents should beware that such a big dog would be expensive to feed, and more difficult to groom, owing to the sheer volume of fur you’d need to get through.

The Great Pyrenees’ stunning white coat is a double coat to protect it in all weather conditions this is because the Great Pyrenees breed has historically been used to guard sheep in the mountains. Their guard dog history does mean that they often display stubbornness and can be quite independent, so perhaps not suited to a family with young children. However, they are not an overly boisterous breed and, in fact, are known to be quite calm, loyal, and very protective.

Fun Fact: This beautiful fluffy dog breed is nocturnal by nature.

Leonberger

AKC recognized since 2010

We can’t discuss giant fluffy dog breeds without bringing up the Leonberger, Leonbergers are much like Bernese Mountain Dogs, in that they are very similar in weight, size, and temperament. The Leonberger is a kind-natured breed that is well suited to a family home, However, their goofy nature could prove to be a test for your patience, but at the same time, their crazy antics can be quite entertaining.

Despite their comedic personalities, they are actually a very intelligent breed and have proven to do very well in competitions as well as being extremely receptive when it comes to training, owing in part to their desire to please their owner as well. Also, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, Leonbergers will want brushing several times a week And will shed large amounts from their undercoat twice a year, So get the vacuum ready.

Fun Fact: The Leonberger was only formally recognized by the American Kennel Club recently, in 2010.

Newfoundland

AKC recognized since 1886

As we move up our list the dogs only get bigger As we come to the Newfoundland,  £150 of pure joy, and a fantastic family companion. This big fluffy dog otherwise known as a “Newfie” is a very calm and loyal breed.

They are not known for being argumentative or stubborn and often go by the affectionate nickname “Gentle Giant”.  There are not many challenges when it comes to raising a Newfoundland, except perhaps their size.

Adding to their reputation as gentle Giants Newfoundland have often been used in human therapy, as well as their great strength being used for rescue missions and equipment haulage.

Fun Fact: Newfoundlands have a natural affinity towards water, so be aware of any body of water you may find yourselves near!

Tibetan Mastiff

AKC recognized since 2006

And to top off a list of fluffy dog breeds, we’ve got the biggest one of them all. The Tibetan Mastiff is one of the largest fluffy dog breeds on the planet, Weighing in at around 175 pounds and standing roughly 30 inches tall,  they are a giant walking fur Factory!

Tibetan Mastiffs can look fierce if they need to, owing to their history of being used for guarding livestock, however, they are in fact considered a patient, quiet, and loyal breed that is well suited to family life. Even though they may have the best of intentions and the kindest hearts, Tibetan Mastiffs can still be difficult to raise purely due to their size;  whilst they are young it is absolutely essential that they are properly socialized and that you begin training as early as possible because if your Tibetan Mastiff decides it fancies ripping up the couch, there’s no way you’ll be able to stop them. They have a stubborn streak that you will need to gain control of in the early days before they figure out how to push their luck.

Fun Fact: Tibetan Mastiffs were used to defend livestock against snow leopards, tigers, and bears (oh my!).

FAQ’s:

Q: How much do fluffy dogs shed?

A: The amount a fluffy dog sheds is entirely dependent on the breed of dog in question. If a dog is a hypoallergenic breed then they are less likely to shed, as typically hypoallergenic breeds have reduced dander and hair loss in order to avoid an allergic reaction. Generally speaking, all fluffy dogs outside of the hypoallergenic group will shed significantly, So you may want to prepare yourself with a good vacuum if you’re thinking of getting a fluffy dog.

Q: How do I groom a fluffy dog?

A: Fluffy coats require brushing several times a week on average, and then several times a day during shedding season which comes twice a year. Heavy Shedders during shedding season can be known to drop several fistfuls worth of fur every 24 hours, if not more, and will require a lot of daily brushing to keep on top of it.

A prudent preparatory measure when owning a dog that has a thick fluffy coat would be to purchase specifically designed grooming products designed to help you to work through their hair far easier and quicker;  there are brushes that are specifically designed to penetrate the top layer of fur and be able to remove the loose hair from underneath, as well as de-shedding shampoos and pet conditioners made to condition their double coat allowed the fur from their underlayer to fall free more easily. Find out more about dog shampoos here.

Q: How do I make my dog more fluffy?

A: If your dog is short-furred, then there is no way to create a fluffy effect. However, if you have a breed that is long furred and known for having a big fluffy coat and there are ways in which you can emphasize that fluffy look.

Give your dog a bath and pat their fur dry with a towel…

Once you have done that, you will want to set your blow dryer to warm, not hot, and use a brush to lift your dog’s hair up at the roots as you blow-dry it. Be sure to go against the grain, slowly pushing through the hair as you draw the brush out. Blow-drying is a technique that has been used to make human hair look bigger for a long time, this same technique is mirrored in the way that dogs are made to look fluffier.

Conclusion

If you found yourself wondering whether or not a fluffy dog is right for you,  at least now you can see the wide range of dogs available that fit that description. However, we hope that this list has also helped you to consider the implications of whichever breed you decide to adopt into your home. Each dog comes with its own challenges as well as its own perks, and it is extremely important that you do not focus all your attention on getting a dog that just looks pretty. Put plenty of research into their temperament, dietary requirements, exercise needs, and grooming needs before making a decision on which dog you would like. And please, wherever possible, adopt don’t shop.

Fluffy dogs awaken something in us that can be likened to child-like wonder; upon seeing a fluffy dog all we want to do is go up and give it a big cuddle, and who could blame us? They are adorable, majestic, and beautiful, and, like any pooch, are 100% deserving affections!