Fluffy Dog Breeds

If you’re thinking of adding a new dog to your home and a fluffy coat is an absolute requirement, you might be wondering which dog is your ideal fit. With so many different fluffy breeds to select from, you’ll be spoiled for choice for options in every size, shape, and color. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular fluffy dog breeds to help you narrow down the prospects when it comes to the purchase of the next puffy pooch to join your family.

Pomeranian

A toy breed that is a member of the spitz family, the Pomeranian may be small of stature, but this is one dog that is big on personality. Weighing between three to seven pounds, the Pomeranian’s voluminous coat makes this spirited little dog seem far larger than he actually is.

The Pomeranian is named for the region from which it hails: Pomerania, Germany. The breed was much beloved by Queen Victoria who was the first to permit the breed to participate in conformation shows.

If you’re looking for a dog that is fluffy, feisty, and fun, you can’t go wrong with a Pomeranian. Naturally independent minded, the Pomeranian isn’t always the easiest of dogs to train. This breed is strong willed and likes to chart its own course, a path that sometimes leads the dog into trouble.

The ideal Pomeranian head should resemble that of a fox. A dog with coat to spare, the Pomeranian comes in many different shades including red, orange, cream, white, blue, brown, or black. On occasion, you may come across a parti-colored Pomeranian (a Pom with a solid base color with markings of a different color). The hallmark of the breed’s coat is the thick, soft “ruff” located around the neck and chest. A dog with a double coat, the Pomeranian’s coat is deceptively easy to care for, requiring only brushing a few times a week to stay in good condition.

Bichon Frise

The charming Bichon Frise makes for a wonderful family companion. With its soft, white fluffy coat, this handsome pooch looks just like a stuffed toy. A dog breed renowned for its sweet and upbeat personality, the Bichon Frise is sometimes confused for a miniature Poodle.

The Bichon is a relative of several small fluffy breeds including the Coton de Tulear, the Havanese, and the Maltese. The Bichon Frise traces its roots to the Mediterranean and was then brought to other countries where the breed increased in popularity.

A small breed dog, the Bichon is a dog of substance and a hearty constitution. Though small of size, the Bichon belongs to the Non-Sporting group and not the Toy.

The Bichon Frise comes in one color only: white. One of the characteristics the breed is known for is its voluminous plumed tail that is carried in a graceful arc across its back.

The Bichon is a low shedding breed and is often suggested as the ideal dog for people that suffer from pet-related allergies. Their coat does require a lot of grooming to remain plush, white, and mat-free. Tear staining can be an issue, a problem that requires regularly facial cleaning to help eliminate.

For a breed that is happy, playful, good natured, and fun, it’s hard to go wrong with the fluffy, white-coated Bichon Frise.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is the original hybrid, the result of a purposeful breeding between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. Available in several different sizes, the Cockapoo also goes by several different names including Cockapoodle, Cockerpoo, and Cock-a-Poo.

Fluffy as can be and exceptionally cute, the Cockapoo is loving and friendly to all he meets. A joy-filled dog, the Cockapoo spreads happiness wherever he goes, making him a true joy to live with.

Cockapoos are lower on the grooming spectrum than either of their parents, making them a great choice for families that don’t want to do a lot of coat maintenance on their dogs. Though the intent behind this breeding was to produce a coat that was hypoallergenic, that is not always achieved in the resulting offspring of this pooch pairing.

For a sweet natured dog with a fluffy, relatively low maintenance coat, the Cockapoo may be the ideal dog for you!

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu traces its roots to Japan where it was a proud family member of Chinese royalty during the Ming Dynasty. The Shih Tzu has impressive flowing locks that are often tied into a top knot and bow on the pinnacle of the skull to perfectly frame this elegant breed’s face.

The Shih Tzu is sometimes considered to be a very self important dog, and his original purpose as a lap decoration for its family members reinforces this belief. However, the Shih Tzu is a very spirited, sociable dog renowned for his immense loyalty to those he loves most.

A dog of immense personality, the Shih Tzu is extremely popular amongst people of all walks of life. This may be because the Shih Tzu excels at fulfilling the one role it was created for: to love and be loved by his family. This breed has never met a stranger, making friends with ease.

The Shih Tzu is a small breed dog belonging to the Toy group. The breed has an exceptionally sweet personality that endears them to all. Though small of size, the Shih Tzu is a breed with lots of substance.

For families not intending to show their dog in conformation events, it is recommended that the Shih Tzu’s coat be clipped to yield a fluffier texture. The breed sheds moderately. Keeping a Shih Tzu in show coat requires a great deal of ongoing maintenance, and for this reason, most families opt for a pet clip instead.

Barbet

The plush coated Barbet belongs to the same family as the Poodle and the Briard. A dog that is descended from France, one of the most unique traits of this dog is his webbed paws that enable him to easily pursue water birds. The Barbet is affectionately referred to as a mud dog. However, the name Barbet itself traces back to the French term “barbe” which refers to the breed’s bearded appearance.

A dog breed that traces its roots back as far as 1387, the Barbet has always found work as a water retrieving dog both for the aristocracy and the average family man. One of the breed’s defining characteristics is its dense, water resistant coat that enabled him to retrieve birds from even the coldest bodies of water.

The texture of the Barbet’s coat is woolly. It can be wavy or curly and may be black, gray, brown, fawn, red fawn, or white. To keep this coat in good condition, daily brushing is an absolute must. The Barbet’s fluffy coat is an easy target for items such as burrs, leaves, and other debris, meaning regular coat maintenance is necessary to prevent knots and mats from occurring. The Barbet’s waterproof coat is very low shedding, a bonus for families with allergies to pet hair and dander.

The Barbet is intelligent and perennially happy, making him a wonderful family companion. A versatile dog, the Barbet excels at any activity he puts his paw to.

Considered to be a rare breed, today, there are only 600 Barbets in existence in the world.

Shetland Sheepdog

The fluffy Shetland Sheepdog is a small, lively breed sometimes referred to as a Sheltie. Originating in Scotland, this vivacious little dog is full of life and enjoyed his role on the farm, alert barking at the presence of strangers, barking at creatures that dared venture near, and herding sheep.

A breed that is exceptionally loving, the Shetland Sheepdog makes for an ideal family companion. Shelties are naturally very protective of their property and their people. They enjoy the sound of their own voices and must be taught to keep their barking to a minimum.

Shelties are among the world’s smartest breeds. Couple this with their desire to please and their natural athleticism, and you have a versatile dog with the ability to pick up new skills with ease. The breed excels at many different activities including agility, obedience, Rally, flyball, herding, conformation, and much, much more.

If not given a job to do, the Sheltie will create its own fun. Unfortunately, you won’t like what your Sheltie gets up to when left to his own devices. For this reason, daily mental and physical stimulation is a must for this breed.

The Shetland Sheepdog’s thick, plush coat sheds a great deal. Their coats require a great deal of brushing and regular bathing to keep them in good condition.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is a breed that was primarily developed in the United States. A dog with a beautiful thick and fluffy coat, the Australian Shepherd is sometimes referred to as simply an Aussie. A dog breed bred to herd sheep, the Aussie is a true working dog, requiring a job to do to remain physically and mentally content.

The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent dog with energy to spare. This is not a breed for families that prefer a sedentary lifestyle. The Australian Shepherd enjoys any active pursuit but is particularly fond of any activity that allows him to use both his body and his brain. If this energy is not productively channeled, it can result in behavior that is destructive and/or neurotic.

The Australian Shepherd’s thick, plush coat comes in several different colors including blue merle, red merle, red, tri-color, or black. The coat requires regular brushing and occasional baths to keep it from becoming matted. The Aussie’s coat is medium in length and is water resistant to keep the dog comfortable in all types of weather conditions. The coat may be straight or wavy.

This breed sheds fairly heavily on a year-round basis.

Bernese Mountain Dog

The Bernese Mountain Dog is easily spotted with his distinctive black, white, and tan coat and a prominent “Swiss cross” across the chest. A truly fluffy dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog, sometimes called a Berner, traces its roots to Switzerland where the breed was employed both in herding and drafting work.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is gentle and loving by nature. Though originally a working dog on farms in Switzerland used in a wide variety of capacities, the breed fell out of popularity in the 1900s and nearly became obsolete. Today, interest has dramatically increased in this breed.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is dedicated, loving, people driven, and highly intelligent. The breed enjoys learning new things and approaches life with a laidback enthusiasm. The Berner is a friendly dog and is a natural born comedian.

The Bernese Mountain Dog’s thick coat requires regular brushing as well as consistent baths and blow drying to stay looking its best. In addition to this, the Bernese Mountain Dog is also a very heavy shedder.

Sadly, the Bernese Mountain Dog can be plagued by health problems and has a relatively short life span, the one drawback to this breed.

Old English Sheepdog

A dog breed with a coat that is both fluffy and deliberately shaggy, the Old English Sheepdog is a sweet-natured, laidback dog. Intelligent and eager to learn, this dog breed is known for its immense coat that is blueish gray and white in color. The breed is strong, hardy, and loves to have a job to do.

The Old English Sheepdog is naturally very comical, but he is also fiercely loyal to those he loves most. For those looking for a dog with minimal shedding and grooming requirements, the Old English Sheepdog is not the ideal choice. This dog breed requires regular brushing to prevent mats from occurring. If brushing is not in your plans, the Old English Sheepdog can be clipped short to keep the coat more manageable. As with most breeds with voluminous coat, this dog type sheds profusely.

If you’re thinking of adding this dog to your home, you will need to know up front that you will have to spend a minimum of three to four hours per week to keep your Old English Sheepdog’s fluffy coat tangle and mat free. In addition to this, regular grooming by a professional groomer is an absolute must.

Samoyed

The Samoyed, a breed easily recognized by his characteristic “Sammy smile” has a fluffy white coat that is the hallmark of the breed. A happy dog with a sweet and positive nature, the Samoyed is a true people pooch, thriving in the company of his family and friends.

The Samoyed is a Nordic breed, believed to have come from the Taimyr Peninsula of Siberia thousands of years ago. The Samoyed’s original purpose was multi-fold and includes such jobs as pulling sleds, herding reindeer, hunting games, and providing protection for its family and friends.

A coat that is extremely thick; particularly in the winter, the Samoyed sheds year round but loses even more hair during the spring months. The hair shed by the Samoyed is ideal for weaving and is often used by weavers to create wool for making scarves, socks, or hats.

Don’t buy a Samoyed unless you enjoy grooming a lot. The Sammy’s coat must be brushed daily to prevent matting.

Looking for your next fluffy breed? Consider our list of some of the most popular fluffy breeds. You just might find your next best canine pal there!