There is something really appealing about a huge dog with fluffy fur. Maybe it fulfills our childhood dreams of having a teddy bear for a friend or maybe they are the best to hug. Whatever your reason, if you’re searching for the perfect large breed of dog with a thick, long coat, you might not know where to start.
In this guide, we’ll help you learn about the different dog breeds that fit this criteria and give you an idea of what to expect when it comes to caring for these gentle giants.
You may already have some idea of what kind of dog you want, but there’s more than just good looks to consider. You also want to consider your lifestyle and family when choosing a dog.
Not all dogs have the same personality. Some traits are more common by breed, so you should take that into consideration. If you have small children, for example, you may want to choose a dog with a gentle and patient temperament. If you’re always active and on the go, you’ll want to choose a dog that has more energy and can join you on your adventures.
Some dog breeds are also known to be more independent and can be left alone for stretches during the day, but others won’t do well without company.
For the most harmonious home, and for your dog’s health, make sure you choose a dog that suits the way you live. This will make it easier to integrate them into your daily life and will ensure that the dog’s needs are being met.
Many fluffy dog breeds originate from colder climates where their thick coats are protection against snow and wind. Most of us, however, don’t have cold weather all year long. This isn’t necessarily an issue as long as you are taking appropriate measures to keep your dog from overheating in the hot months.
If you live in a climate that’s hot for most of the year, it may not be the best choice to adopt a dog with a heavy coat. Of course, if you’re aware of the challenges and prepared to take on the grooming challenges, you may find a way to make it work.
As a rule of thumb, groom your dog regularly, especially in the summer. Save walks and outside play for early in the morning or late in the evening, allowing them a cool indoor space to rest for the hottest part of the day. Always make sure they have plenty of clean water to stay hydrated, and consider adding more wet food into their diets during hot spells.
When it comes to fluffy dogs, you must be prepared for, well, the fluff. Longer-haired dogs often have a thick undercoat that acts as insulation to protect them from cold weather. This means that they have two layers of fur that shed, particularly in the summer.
Brush your dog every day if they’re a breed that sheds to make sure most of that fur ends up on the brush instead of all over your house and clothing. Regular bathing will also help keep their fur in good condition.
It may be worthwhile to invest in professional grooming once per season to keep your dog looking and feeling good. If summers get hot where you live, you might even consider getting your dog shaved that time of year so that they can more comfortably enjoy outdoor activities during the hot days.
Check out the profiles of these big fluffy dogs, ranging from big to absolutely massive in size, all with cuddly fluff to enjoy.
Originating in Canada, this working dog breed was bred for the fishermen of Newfoundland. Full-grown Newfies, as they are commonly called, are typically between 120 and 170 pounds. Fortunately, their large bodies are home to a loving and gentle heart.
Newfoundlands are calm, gentle, and intelligent, making them highly trainable. As you might expect from a dog that traditionally worked alongside fishermen, Newfies are strong swimmers and are still used to assist with water rescues.
A Newfoundland dog would be ideal for families with children, especially if you enjoy water activities as a family. Their coat is lower maintenance than many fluffier breeds, needing weekly maintenance. They also do well with other dogs thanks to their sweet, patient demeanor.
Samoyeds are more moderately sized dogs, generally ranging from 35 to 65 pounds, but what they lack in mass, they make up for in fluff. Known for their striking white coats, Samoyeds were designed to be sled dogs, so they have an extra thick coat, an upturned mouth that prevents drooling, and they tend to be extremely agile.
Sociable and smart, Samoyeds need training and attention to thrive. They don’t do well on their own (According to the American Kennel Club, Samoyeds left alone can turn destructive) and often prefer the company of their human family even to other dogs. Once they receive structured training, they can thrive in a variety of settings and learn to do a number of tasks.
Besides being emotionally high-maintenance, Samoyeds’ coats also require a lot of attention. It’s recommended to brush them nearly every day and avoid keeping them in hot conditions.
Perhaps one of the most teddy bear-like breeds has to be the Chow Chow. Originating in China, this dog typically reaches between 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. These aristocratic dogs grow a fluffy main that is very appealing and distinctive.
Chow Chows are ideal for busy individuals or couples because they are relatively low-maintenance and clean. They are easy to housebreak, have almost no odor, and are tidy in their personal habits. They are fine with children, but less friendly towards other dogs, though they’re rarely aggressive.
Chow Chows have fewer social and exercise needs than many other dogs on our list. They are okay with being left alone for a few hours and won’t often seek out cuddles. Perfect for a busy and independent owner looking for a companion that won’t drain them.
Reaching almost 100 pounds, Alaskan Malamutes can sometimes be mistaken for huskies. While both are traditional sled dogs, huskies are smaller and sleeker in appearance. Malamutes tend to be a little calmer in indoor settings and less vocal than huskies.
Malamutes are friendly and playful, loving to run. However, they are also natural pack dogs, so you have to establish yourself as their pack leader or they will assume they’re in charge. They are ideally suited to running around with children, perfect if you have energetic little ones who need some wearing out each day.
Malamutes have a thick water-resistant coat that helps them tolerate a number of weather conditions. It will need weekly grooming to keep it in good condition, however.
The bearded collie has a long, shaggy coat, giving their face a bearded appearance. This breed comes from Scotland, where it was bred to be a shepherding dog. Adults of the breed can grow up to 60 pounds.
As a shepherding dog, the bearded collie was designed to thrive in energetic and social settings, making it ideal as a family dog. Beardies, as they’re often called, are affectionate and charismatic, befriending people and animals everywhere they go. Their coat is super silky, making them a pleasure to cuddle — which is one of their favorite pastimes.
Their long shaggy fur will require regular grooming every couple of days, but they don’t drool and their shedding is surprisingly moderate.
This Japanese Mountain dog has a dense fluffy coat that just demands snuggling. This breed is known for being fiercely loyal and even affectionate with their family, but the American Kennel Club does caution that they need to be well-socialized from a young age.
Akitas can be overly wary of unfamiliar people if they don’t have exposure to a variety of humans as a puppy. They also prefer to be the only pet in the family.
The Akita is the ideal dog for an active introvert. They are relatively high energy, so they will love joining you for a hike, especially in the chilly mountains, the environment they were bred for. They also have a protective nature that makes them great security dogs, so they are especially perfect for people who like to enjoy outdoor activities alone.
Groom them regularly to get ahead of any shedding and enjoy the moments when they reveal their playful, goofy side to you– a sure sign that you’ve become one of their chosen people.
Despite their Aussie roots, the Australian shepherd has a reputation for being a cowboy dog. These dogs take their shepherding work seriously and even as a family dog, will herd anything they can. This is perfect if you want a dog that can keep an eye on your kids, and the Aussies have the energy levels to tire little ones out as well. These aren’t ideal dogs for couch potatoes.
Australian shepherds are highly intelligent and thrive in environments where they can have little tasks assigned to them and have play worked into their everyday schedule. Since they are so intelligent, they are easy to train and can learn a large number of commands and recognize many words.
Their thick marled coat gives them a distinct look and fortunately, it’s relatively low maintenance. They don’t shed too heavily, but when summer rolls around, their undercoat will need cleaning and brushing to keep it in good condition.
While the name “Komondor” may not ring a bell, the nickname “mop dog” probably will. These Hungarian sheep dogs have a very distinctive long coat that forms into long cords almost like dreadlocks. These big muscular dogs were built for work, but they are gentle giants who love nothing more than to receive affection from their families.
As shepherding dogs, Komondors are protective guardians who are fiercely loyal to their flock, whether that flock is made up of sheep or of people. Despite this, they are pretty independent and can be left alone for a few hours without destroying your house.
Their famous coat does take a good bit of maintenance. You’ll need to regularly separate their coat cords to make sure no tangles or mats form in their coat.
When bathing a Komondor, it’s important not to work the shampoo into their coat in a circular motion — this can risk some major tangles. Instead, work it down their natural cords. Komondors also take up to 24 hours to dry, so avoid washing them on a humid day, because this can make it take longer.
One look at this breed makes it clear that they were built for work. Bouvier des Flandres are, unsurprisingly originally from the region of Flanders, Belgium. They were bred for farm work and besides having a charming tousle-coat (that needs almost daily grooming), they are large, muscular dogs.
The Bouvier is intelligent, trainable, and very affectionate. They love spending time with people and don’t do well if they are regularly left alone for hours on end.
Because of their working background, they thrive when there are tasks for them to perform. Whether it’s training them for competitions, teaching them commands, or using them as guard dogs, they will be happiest when they can be involved.
Even if you don’t have a farm, a Bouvier is a sporty companion who will be all too happy to receive affection from the whole family. However, they can be somewhat territorial with other dogs of the same gender, so bear that in mind if you’re going to be a multi-pet family.
When you think of a Bernese mountain dog, you probably conjure images of daring mountain rescues. While these big dogs are bred to be well-suited to the task, they actually enjoy being house dogs just as much. While they will certainly take up a lot of space in your house, they will fit in very well with your family.
Bernese mountain dogs are calm, gentle, and agreeable. They make great family dogs for people with small children and also get along well with other pets. They are smart and social but don’t need constant stimulation like some other breeds. However, they do struggle with being left alone for long periods of time.
The breed tends to be relatively friendly with new people, but only if they are well-socialized. If they had little exposure to anyone outside their family as puppies, they could end up being quite timid.
Their thick, silky coat makes them ideally suited for colder temperatures, so be sure to take good care of them if you get hot weather for part of the year. This dense coat makes its presence known with a lot of shedding, so brush them regularly to get ahead of it.
Also known as Pyrenees mountain dogs, these dogs originated in France where they were bred to guard livestock. As you may expect of a dog raised to deter predators like wolves, they are extremely protective. They make excellent watchdogs who will loyally protect their families.
As watchdogs, they are comfortable being left alone for stretches of time during the day, but they will need some play time and cuddles when you get home.
According to the AKC, these guardians are very mellow family dogs who can be quite lovey-dovey with their owners. Of course, like any good guardian, they can go from calm and serene to on-guard in a second if they feel their people are threatened.
Their thick coats are naturally weatherproof and do shed, so groom them regularly to remove any loose hair. They can easily weigh over one hundred pounds and reach over 32 inches high, so make sure you have the space for them in your home and outdoor space for them to spend time in as well.
As you can see, there are many big fluffy dogs with a variety of desirable traits. You can decide which dog’s personality best suits your family and lifestyle so you can have a happy life together.
Some of the dogs on our list need a lot of exercise and attention, but others are lower maintenance, so it’s up to you to decide what even of time and care you can dedicate to your canine companion.
Just make sure you’re prepared for the maintenance the longer and fluffier coats need so that your dog stays healthy. Enjoy grooming them at home for some bonding time, but seek professional help from time to time to keep their coat in good condition.