It can be difficult to resist running your fingers through a long-haired dog’s lush mane if you see one. Their puffy fur gives them a teddy bear look, making them gorgeous. However, this rich fur typically comes with a lot of commitment in terms of additional maintenance to keep it in good shape.
If you like your dogs to have a little added puff, read more about the top 10 long-haired dog breeds and their maintenance demands!
How Do You Groom A Long-Haired Dog?
Long-haired dog breeds require great care to maintain their beautiful appearance. In addition to routine visits to the grooming facility, you’ll need to implement a strict at-home grooming regimen to keep their flowing locks strong and muck-free.
When brushing, choosing a brush made for long coats is crucial. It’s best to gently untangle and remove loose hair from the fur with a curved slicker comb.
It depends on personal preference, environment, and the season when trimming your long-haired pet’s hair. If you’re entering your dog to a competition, leave its tresses and focus on frequent combing and washing to keep it unmatted.
Brooches, pins, and headbands are a great final touch for long-haired dogs, particularly those with long hair covering their faces and eyes. Help your canine have a clearer vision by clipping their hair up, which will keep their head more relaxed in the summer.
Does The Type Of Hair Determine The Grooming Technique?
Every long-haired dog breed has a unique coat texture. If you’re uncertain, book a grooming consultation to receive expert guidance on your dog’s coat type. Meanwhile, you can feel the hair to get a rough idea of its type.
Long, rough-haired dogs can be groomed using a brush that penetrates their top coat, removing stray hairs and matting beneath. A smoothing brush with delicate bristles or a simple smoothing brush would suffice.
On the other hand, use a gentler comb to softly loosen knots and tangles in the locks for silkier textures. Many dogs lose hair when the seasons change, allowing for fuller or lighter fur according to the weather.
Every three to four months, wire coatings must undergo a procedure known as stripping. Because these coats do not shed like softer fur, dead hairs must be removed by hand. Stylists can also manage it for you, or you may do it at home using a stripping brush.
How To Care For A Long-Haired Dog In The Summer?
Long-haired dog breeds are more likely to overheat in summer. A well-kept fur will aid in temperature regulation by eliminating the dead undercoat that functions as an underlayer of fur. Maintaining temperature is primarily dependent on excellent skin airflow. Clipping your dog’s fur will also help. However, never shave him entirely since this will cause additional issues such as sunburn and irritation.
When the climate becomes particularly hot, keep long-haired pets inside or in an area full of shelter. And, like with any dog, you should NEVER leave them in a car while it’s sunny. Even with a slightly open window, a dog can grow uncomfortable in the sun and dehydrate rapidly.
When out on a long trek, always bring ample water for your dog and set aside enough time for regular stops in a cover. You should purchase a portable dog container and a dish to simplify water intervals.
An uncomfortable dog will let you know. Heavy panting, reclining on its side, trouble breathing, frequent dribbling, and a weak appearance are clear symptoms that your dog needs to be moved to a cooler, shady location immediately.
If heat stroke occurs, the dog may get drowsy or fall. If it exhibits these signs, ensure that your pup has water access and call your veterinarian immediately.
Advantages Of A Long Coat
Depending on your environment, the climate, and maintenance routines, the advantages of many long-haired breeds might sometimes be considered downsides.
Appearance
It is a fact that well-groomed long-haired dog breeds look stunning. Their tresses move with them, gleaming in the sunlight like a woman in a shampoo commercial. They will truly appear insta-worthy if you keep a solid home maintenance regimen and visit a salon regularly.
If you overlook their coat maintenance, things might go wrong. Frequent brushing and washing keep their fur smooth and tangle-free. Muddy treks will destroy your pet’s fur if you don’t wash them routinely or if your dog has braids that drag on the ground.
Warmth
In the chilly seasons, you won’t ever need extra coverings for your pet. Many long-haired dog breeds originate in harshly cold climates, where they must do a great deal of outdoor duty.
In the summertime, though, temperatures can reach dangerously high levels. Long walks may rapidly exhaust your dog, leading to heatstroke or stress. You can chop off their hair, especially if your pup is active and energetic.
Protection
Their extensive coat offers additional security against various risks, including rain, snowfall, and harsh items they may encounter on long treks. This additional fur might protect them from wounds and cuts.
However, it may also attract bugs and worms, making treatment more challenging due to its heavy layer. Their thick coat may also collect extra trash as it drags down the ground or clings to plants. It’s a daunting task to spot lice or lumps and bumps because the extensive fur covers their body.
You should inspect their body regularly for any changes. It’s also possible to overlook any weight gain or loss because their coat covers most of their body.
Top Long-Haired Dog Breeds
1. Afghan Hound
Afghan Hounds have been renowned for their graceful elegance for ages. But the breed’s ultimate characteristic, the dense, velvety, cascading hair, isn’t only for show. It acted as shelter from the hostile climate in hilly areas where Afghans traditionally earned their bread.
The dog’s long coat needs immense attention. Be ready for many combing sessions each week and regular washing with shampoo and conditioner.
2. Bearded Collie
Bearded collies feature wide, lovely eyes, a broad face, and a flat topline with a low-hanging tail. The ears are floppy with an oversized fringe. Of course, the breed has a beard, which covers up a portion of the snout. The hair is lush, flowy, sleek, rough, and dense, with a delicate undercoat.
To avoid mats and knots, you should regularly comb and groom the dog’s hair, occasionally deep-brushing with an undercoat scraper and frequent washing.
3. Bolognese
This bright and loving dog is both amusing and inquisitive, and he enjoys spending time with his family, be it going on runs, strolling, or picnics. This Italian breed has long been regarded as a gentle, pleasant lapdog and devoted friend. This long-haired dog breed was on the verge of extinction in the twentieth century, but a few determined breed enthusiasts worked tirelessly to save them.
The Bolognese’s long, hairy coat does not fall out, although you must brush it regularly to avoid becoming knotted if left long. For the convenience of care, many Bolognese owners choose shorter dog clips.
4. Briard
These dogs were bred as grazing and watchdogs to defend sheep and ward off attackers before being chosen as service dogs during WWI and employed by soldiers as lookouts, communicators, and paramedics. This devoted and affectionate dog is a “heart covered in hair.”
The double coat has a rough, firm, and brittle outer coat that sits even and falls freely in long, somewhat curly tresses. The undercoat is delicate and close to the skin. Brushing the Briard at least three times per week with a pin comb and an undercoat rake to clear stray fur is required.
5. Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tulear is a cheerful family dog whose favorite pastimes include playing, romping, and chasing their beloved human about the property. The Coton is a tiny yet tough animal.
The Coton is a loving friend that does not flourish when left alone for long periods; it is vulnerable to separation anxiety. This dog needs constant combing with a hair conditioner when kept in a short clip.
6. Havanese
A dog breed indigenous to Cuba, the Havanese, is a lively tiny canine with a bounce in its walk and a shine in its wide, brown eyes. These energetic and friendly buddies have become increasingly popular in the United States. A curly tail and a lovely soft coat in various colors distinguish the Havanese.
This type looks amazing with cords but requires a lot of effort. Owners must create portions of hair that they must regularly check to prevent mats from developing, and the entire process can take up to two years.
7. Komondor
The Komondor is a massive, athletic dog breed with an excess of white corded hair that blankets its body. They have sturdy, muscular frames, long legs, a small back, and a curvy tail. If viewed from the side, the figure resembles a flat rectangle.
The Komondor, traditionally bred as a guard dog over herds of sheep, has a white coat that mimics the sheep they’re defending, giving a surprise for attackers. A completely developed coat grows slowly over two years, with the softer undercoat and rougher outer coat merging to produce fringes or cords.
8. Lhasa Apso
Lhasas are little but tough animals with noble attitudes. They’re known for their floor-length, smooth hair, which separates from the center and drapes down either side of the frame. The Tibetan species have a fluffy tail that folds over their lower body.
The thick, smooth, rich double-coat sheds little to no, requiring rigorous combing two or three times each week and requiring expert grooming regularly. Some Lhasas are maintained in a shorter, lower-maintenance haircut.
9. Pekingese
The Pekingese is the epitome of a lap dog. Chinese monarchs adored the Peke for generations, enjoying cuddling the little pups and feeling their beautiful fur. According to legend, stealing one of the Peke puppies resulted in painful punishment or death.
Regular grooming and a visit to the stylist every 2-3 months are required to keep the Pekingese hair fresh and attractive. You can maintain family dogs in a puppy cut, which needs less upkeep than display fur. To avoid sores, you should remove external substances from the eyelids daily and wipe the wrinkles on the skin.
10. Yorkshire Terrier
You’ve likely seen these cheerful little puppies frolicking everywhere, from dog parks to handbags. Several major dog info sites classify the usual fine, flat, and smooth Yorkshire Terrier fur as hypoallergenic. Yorkshire Terriers do not shed as much compared to several other dogs, losing only some strands when showered or groomed.
Yorkies are bold and sometimes accused of “small dog syndrome,” in which they believe they are much bigger than they are. They’re little, with an optimal weight ranging between 4-7 lbs. They are typically less than 10 inches tall and can survive up to 16 years.
To Conclude
Planning to get a long-haired dog breed? It is best to research ahead of time. Many breeds can have their hair clipped short, which gives them a “neat” look. However, some breeds should never be given trims if you don’t plan on presenting them at contests.