Pet parents who love shaggy dogs for a canine companion can have their pick among the shaggy dog breeds on our list. The list can go on and on from the Barbet to the Komondor, Affenpinscher, Spanish Water Dogs, and more. All these canine breeds are very adorable, though with different maintenance needs.
Table of Contents
1. Barbet
Literally, Barbets are named for their shaggy coats (Barbe is a French word meaning beard), their coats are nearer to hair in comparison to fur, and this kind of coat calls for regular grooming to keep snarls at bay.
The coats of the Barbet dog breed are naturally fashioned to keep the animals warm during the cold. They are cheery and tireless pups that are innately eager to play and work.
Members of this canine breed stand 19 to 25 inches at shoulder level. They are non-shedding dogs with moderate activity levels and have a life expectancy between 12 to 14 years.
2. Komondor
If all shaggy dog breeds were to context for an award, you bet the Komondor is likely to emerge the winner. The breed is comparable to the Pulis and the Bergamasco Sheepdogs with their extended corded coat of fur that sways gracefully as they walk. The dog is classified as a Hungarian shepherd considering its independent, protective, and willful personality.
With that said, a steady and strong training session is the only way to socialize the Komondor.
Life expectancy for this non-shedding dog is 10 to 12 years. 25 to 28 inches in height with 80 to 100 pounds in weight, the breed has a moderate activity level.
3. The Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher is called the monkey terrier because of its face that looks so much like that of the monkey. The toy breed is one of the shaggy dog breeds on our list and even though they fall under the classification of terriers, they are far removed from your regular terriers.
The activity level of the Affenpinscher is pretty high, though the breed is quite affectionate. The breed members can be overly protective, thus, pet parents must be sure to start socializing their pooch early to make them accept visitors and strangers. This breed is best reared in homes without little kids that may injure them.
4. Spanish Water Dog
Spanish Water Dogs are shaggy dog breeds that are curly, wooly, yet hypoallergenic. The breed is different from others mentioned on this list because they are low-maintenance dogs. In fact, you will never need to brush the pup out. Occasional baths are all you need for maintenance and remember to squeeze the curls and never rub or else you will be left with horrible mats. A few trims yearly will keep your pooch in tip-top condition.
Weighing 30 to 50 pounds, Spanish Water Dogs stand 15 to 20 inches tall at shoulder level. This Hypoallergenic breed is active, and protective, with a high level of activity. The breed can survive up to 12 to 14 years.
5. Schapendoes
From Holland, the Schapendoes also called Dutch Sheepdogs come with a dry long disheveled outer coat and a soft fleecy fluffy undercoat that calls for regular brushing to prevent tangles and knots.
At one year old, members of this breed shed their puppy coats, making way for the double coats that will be carried into adulthood. The result of this is a shaggy dog that looks ready for play and cuddle.
The 16-20 inches high dogs are lively, friendly, and brave. Weighing 26 to 55 pounds, the Schapendoes love activity, its shedding factor is low to moderate and life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.
6. Old English Sheepdog
When you give the coat of a Komondor dog breed a blowout, it may resemble an Old English Sheepdog. The OES comes with a fluffy coat with a mellow, smart, and affectionate temperament. They are huge and strong canines; the Old English Sheepdogs love to hang out with children. The breed is double-coated, thus, owners must be sure to handle the high maintenance level it requires. Frequent shedding call for frequent grooming.
The 21 to 24 inches high dog weighs 60 to 100 pounds. Life expectancy is 12 years.
7. Black Russian Terrier
The shaggy double coats of the Black Russian Terrier can grow as long as four inches in length which calls for weekly brushing and trimming since it is a low-shedding pup. It is a working dog, very smart, sensitive, calm, laidback, and protective.
As an intelligent canine breed, the Black Russian Terrier is highly responsive to training and mental stimulation exercises. Popular for their work ethics, the pup excels whenever you give it something to do.
The life span of this shaggy dog bred is 10 to 12 years. It is 80 to130 pounds in body weight and stands at a height of 26 to 30 inches.
8. Bergamasco Sheepdog
The coat of the Italian Bergamasco Sheepdog is really striking with its three unique fur types. Separating them into flat mats makes grooming easy. Born with a soft puppy coat, this shaggy dog breed grows a coarse coat at age one. The onus is now on the pet parents to “rip” the fur into mats. During the ensuing mats, regular checks must be conducted on the coat to ensure that it is maintaining its shape.
The Bergamasco Sheepdog will be fully grown at age five and trimming shouldn’t be shorter than five inches at this stage since the mats are for the regulation of body temperature.
The breed is a non-shedding dog that can live up to 13 to 15 years with a low activity level. It has a mellow and independent personality, and stands 22 to 24 inches in height, with 57 to 84 pounds in body weight.
9. Brussels Griffon
The body of the Brussels Griffon may not appear so shaggy but the pup earns a place on this list thanks to its extremely shaggy mustache.
This toy breed is sturdy, durable, affectionate, and very snuggly. The Brussels Griffon is your typical lapdog but with lesser hair compared to other lapdogs. The breed can be sensitive which can be fixed with early socialization.
The pup is likely to thrive in small family units as it has the propensity to exclusively bond with a single person – a veritable “one-person dog”.
The coat of the Brussels Griffon can occur in a couple of varieties – the rough-coated ones are the shaggiest.
10. The Tibetan Terrier
The long shaggy coat of the Tibetan Terrier does not shed, however, the owner must endeavor to brush it on a daily basis. As the name implies, the breed originated from Tibet. Though not an eligible member of the popular terrier group, it got its name from European travelers because of its close resemblance to terriers.
Fast facts
What breed is a Shaggy Dog?
A variety of breeds can be shaggy dogs as the name doesn’t apply to a particular dog breed. Shaggy dogs can be found in breeds like Brussels Griffon, Bergamasco Sheepdog, and Black Russian Terrier among others.
What are big shaggy dogs called?
Big shaggy dogs don’t have a universal name but can be acquired in different breeds. Irish Wolfhound, Afghan Hound, Puli, and Komondor are some of the big shaggy dog breeds around.
What are small shaggy dogs?
Shih Tzu, Maltese, Havanese, Papillion, and Lhasa Apso are some of the small shaggy dog breeds you can get.
What kind of dog looks like Benji?
Benji is a fictional character created by Joe Camp and the character dominated the movie industry from 1974 down to the 2000s. Benji was a mutt, a breed of cocker spaniel, poodle and schnauzer.