The 7 furriest dogs in the world

Some dog breeds are adored for their large, soft or even woolly coats. In the following article we have collected the biggest and most characteristic ones.

Although owners usually have a lot of work to do with them, it’s worth it to choose a dog with a coat. The lush coat gives its wearers a special elegance. Let’s take a look at the furriest dogs.

1.) Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is impressive not only for its fur, but also for its size. This huge dog can easily weigh up to 90 kilograms. The largest specimen ever measured was 117 kilograms. The interesting thing about the breed is that, despite its size, it was not bred as a guard dog, but as a fisherman’s helper. Their job was to haul the net into the boat and, as excellent swimmers, they were the first to jump out of the water when it was necessary to pull someone out. To this day they are used as rescue dogs.

Fur also helps them to do this, as the density of the double coat keeps them warm even in the coldest water. Their huge fur coat also makes them look much bigger than they are. Colours’ is mostly black, but they can also be grey or brown.

Newfoundlanders usually molt twice a year. They need particularly frequent brushing at this time of year, but other than that, it is a good idea to brush their coats once a day. However, frequent bathing is not recommended as it is not good for the breed’s oily, waterproof coat. Eyes and ears should always be kept clean and wiped dry after swimming. As they salivate a lot, the mouth area and chest should be regularly wetted.

The breed is very intelligent and affectionate, loving their families and protecting children from everything. Because of their high exercise requirements, they need long walks and constant exercise. It is best if they have regular opportunities to swim.

2.) Puli

Perhaps one of the most easily recognisable Hungarian dog breed is the Puli. This ‘dreadlocked’ four-legged companion was once the most loyal of shepherds, but is now more of a pet. But its agility makes it a great training companion.

Her coat protected her from the weather while herding the flock. There are four colour variations. The most common is black, so that it is visually distinct from the sheep in its care. But it can also be white, grey or masked with a dull coat. When they are still fluffy as puppies, their coats change with age and the characteristic ‘braids’ appear.

Grooming is not difficult, but it does require regular attention. Always check for false barley or any other disturbing, painful things. And the long cords need to be pulled out frequently, but there is nothing else to do. It’s good to know that it can take up to three full days after bathing for the coat to dry completely.

The Puli is very smart, very energetic and also very people-oriented. For this reason, he is highly recommended for sports and racing. It gets on well with all ages, thanks to its adaptability, and is relatively easy to train. This makes him a good choice as a family dog, also with children.

3.) Komondor

The Komondor is another Hungarian dog breed with a distinctive look. Like the Puli, the Komondor was originally a herding dog, and today their bravery and good attitude make them excellent guard dogs.

In appearance it resembles the Puli. Its long fur may be felted, ribboned or braided, but in all cases it is bone white. As its coat is self-cleaning, grooming is very easy. From the age of 7 months, it needs to be regularly brushed. In addition, the eyes and ears should be groomed. In the old days, shepherds used to trim their dog at the same time as sheeps, which was very comfortable in summer and allowed the warm hair to grow back in winter.

Their robust build can be alarming to the stranger, especially as they are now mostly used for guarding. Komondor knows his job instinctively and does not need to be trained. He is very kind to his family, endlessly loyal and affectionate. He is an intelligent animal, but his socialisation needs to start as a puppy. Also deliberate dog, only barking when he is given a signal. He treats strangers as his owner does, adapting to his owner’s behaviour.

4.) Tibetan Mastiff

At first glance, the Tibetan Mastiff, this furry giant, could easily be mistaken for a bear (in China, this happened to a woman.) It’s no coincidence that he is one of the most admired guard dogs, as he is not only imposing, but also incredibly brave and does not tolerate strangers around his gate. But he’s a teddy bear in his family, a gentle and devoted dog, and also fiercely loyal. He was originally an ancient working dog of nomadic herders and a former guard dog of Tibetan monasteries. He is very close to humans thanks to his centuries of close association with them.

The colour of Tibetan Mastiffs can be black with or without brown markings; gold, from fawn to deep red; bluish-grey, grey-cherry, or white markings on the chest and paws. Males tend to have a larger coat, which may never be wavy, curly or silky. There is typically more hair on the shoulders and neck.

The double-layered coat consists of a heavy, woolly undercoat and a coarse topcoat. The large coat, however, does not require much grooming, does not need to be clipped, and can be combed a few times a week to prevent matting. Bathing is only necessary if it gets very messy, but the eyes and ears should be cleaned regularly.

5.) Chow Chow

The blue-tongued “lion dog” is also impressive in appearance, with its huge, thick fur and distinctive coloured tongue making it very striking. Despite this, it is a rather reserved breed, especially with strangers, but beyond that it is a very loyal and calm dog.

His fur is thick, straight and dense. There are also longer and shorter haired Chow Chow, but the former is more common. While the topcoat is coarse, the undercoat is woolly and soft to the touch. Its colour can be cream, red and shades of red, cinnamon, jet black, rust black and blue, but never variegated.

The care of the variety is more time-consuming. As they shed very heavily, they require constant combing. Moreover, in their absence, their coat becomes very tangled, so regular combing should not be neglected. Behind the ears and around the neck, the hair tends to clump easily, so these areas need special attention. If necessary, the claws of the Chow Chow should be trimmed and the eyes and ears should be kept clean.

6.) Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is pure elegance. Wherever he appears, he is sure to be followed, thanks to his long coat. Originally a hunting dog, it is incredibly agile and very independent. He is affectionate with his owner and aloof with others. Because he doesn’t listen to everyone, he can be a challenge to train for inexperienced keepers and is also very sensitive. For these reasons, it is not recommended as a first dog.

Afghan Hounds have a long, silky coat that shortens to the base of the tail. They come in all colours, but white spots are not preferred. The coat requires regular grooming and frequent combing to avoid tangles. As long hairs are prone to false barley (or anything else.) So you should always check your pet’s coat carefully. Eye and ear grooming is also essential for Greyhounds, and in their case, nail trimming should also be taken care of if necessary.

7.) Havanese

The Havanese is the perfect lapdog: playful, loves people, very friendly and almost no problems. He is also a beautiful pup

Its coat is thick, soft and silky to the touch. It can be slightly wavy, straight or even curly. The colour is also very varied and all colour combinations are allowed. It can be red, black and white, black and tan, black or grey.

Its coat should be groomed regularly, especially if it is left long. The fluffy coat collects everything, so it’s a good idea to comb it out after every walk. In addition, their fur is prone to matting. But nowadays, most people prefer a short coat, which means frequent visits to the dog groomer. Eyes, ears and claws should also be checked!