Dogs With a Lot of Hair: What You’re Actually Signing Up For

You see them at the park. Those walking clouds of fluff that look more like high-end rugs than actual canines. You think, "I need that in my life." But honestly, owning dogs with a lot of hair is a lifestyle choice that borders on a full-time hobby. It’s not just about the aesthetic of a fluffy Samoyed or the regal drape of an Afghan Hound; it's about the reality of finding tumbleweeds of fur in your morning coffee and spending your Saturday afternoons wrestling with a slicker brush.

Living with a high-coat dog is a commitment.

Some people think a quick brush-through once a week is enough. It isn’t. Not even close. If you neglect a double-coated or long-haired breed, you aren't just looking at a messy dog—ies you're looking at painful skin infections and "pelted" fur that has to be shaved down to the skin. It’s a lot.

The Science of Why Some Dogs Have So Much Hair

It’s mostly about survival. Take the Tibetan Mastiff. These dogs weren't bred to look cool on Instagram; they were bred to survive the brutal, freezing altitudes of the Himalayas. Their coat is a sophisticated dual-layer system. You’ve got the coarse outer guard hairs that repel water and dirt, and then that dense, woolly undercoat that traps heat.

Evolution is practical.

According to Dr. Jerry Klein, the Chief Veterinary Officer for the AKC, that undercoat is what usually causes the most trouble for owners. When the seasons change, these dogs "blow" their coats. It’s a biological explosion. For about two to four weeks, twice a year, the undercoat detaches in massive clumps. If you don't brush it out, it stays trapped against the skin, prevents airflow, and creates a breeding ground for hot spots.

Double Coats vs. Continuously Growing Hair

There is a huge difference between a dog that is "hairy" and a dog that has "hair."

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• Double-Coated Breeds: Think Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Great Pyrenees. They have a set length. The hair grows to a certain point and stops. They shed. A lot.
• Single-Coated / Hair Breeds: Think Poodles, Afghan Hounds, or Briards. Their hair is more like human hair. It keeps growing and growing. They don't shed much, but they mat if you even look at them wrong.

Dogs With a Lot of Hair: The High-Maintenance Hall of Fame

If you’re looking for a dog that doubles as a space heater, these are the heavy hitters. But be warned: their grooming bills can sometimes rival a monthly car payment.

The Old English Sheepdog

You know the one. The "shaggy dog." Historically, these were drovers, helping farmers move cattle and sheep to market. That profuse, shaggy coat protected them from the elements and the occasional nipping bovine. If you keep them in a "show coat," you are looking at three to four hours of brushing per week. Minimum. Most pet owners opt for a "puppy cut" just to keep their sanity intact.

The Puli

This is the mop dog. Literally. The Puli’s hair naturally forms cords—essentially doggie dreadlocks. It’s fascinating to look at, but the maintenance is specialized. You don't "brush" a corded Puli. You hand-separate the cords to ensure they don't mat into one giant solid sheet of felt. And drying them? If a Puli gets wet, it can take 24 hours for that coat to fully air dry.

The Chow Chow

Chows are famous for two things: their blue-black tongues and that massive lion’s mane. They are incredibly clean dogs, almost cat-like in their grooming habits, but they have a staggering amount of fur. Because their coat is so thick around the neck, they are prone to overheating. You’ve gotta be careful with them in the summer. Honestly, a cooling mat is a non-negotiable for a Chow owner.

The "Hypoallergenic" Myth and Long Hair

Let's clear something up. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic. People aren't usually allergic to the hair itself; they’re allergic to the dander (dead skin cells) and saliva attached to the hair.

Dogs like the Poodle or the Portuguese Water Dog are often recommended for allergy sufferers because they have "hair" instead of "fur." They don't drop dander all over your carpet because the shedding hair gets trapped in the curls. This is great for your allergies, but it’s a nightmare for matting. If you don't brush those curls out, the trapped "dead" hair weaves itself into the "live" hair. It becomes a knot. Then a mat. Then a pelt.

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Real Talk: The Cost of Professional Grooming

If you aren't doing it yourself, you’re paying a professional. For a large-breed dog with a lot of hair, like a Saint Bernard or a Bernese Mountain Dog, a professional grooming session in 2026 can easily run between $120 and $200.

Why so much?

It’s labor-intensive. It involves a "deshedding" bath, high-velocity blow-drying (which takes forever), ear cleaning, nail clipping, and hours of brushing. If the dog is matted, many groomers will charge a "matting fee" because it dulls their equipment and takes extra time.

Some owners try to save money by shaving their double-coated dogs in the summer. Don't do this. It’s a common mistake. Shaving a double coat ruins the hair's texture and, surprisingly, makes it harder for the dog to stay cool. That coat actually acts as insulation against the heat, not just the cold.

The Gear You Actually Need

If you’re going to survive living with a hairy dog, you need the right kit. Don't buy the cheap plastic brushes from the grocery store. They won't penetrate the coat.

1. A High-Quality Slicker Brush: The Chris Christensen Big G is the gold standard. It’s expensive. It’s also the only thing that actually gets through a dense coat without scratching the skin.
2. Undercoat Rake: This is for the heavy shedders. It pulls out the dead fluff before it hits your floor.
3. Metal Greyhound Comb: Use this to check your work. If the comb can’t slide through the fur from the skin out, there’s a mat hiding in there.
4. High-Velocity Dryer: If you wash your dog at home, a standard hair dryer won't work. You need a forced-air dryer to blast the water out of that thick undercoat.

Health Issues Hidden Under All That Fluff

One of the biggest risks of having a dog with a lot of hair is that the hair hides things.

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Tumors. Ticks. Scrapes. Hot spots.

I once knew a Great Pyrenees owner who didn't realize their dog had gained ten pounds because the coat masked the weight gain perfectly. Conversely, a dog can become dangerously thin, and you wouldn't know by looking at them. You have to "hands-on" your dog. Every week, run your hands through their fur down to the skin. Feel for lumps, bumps, or parasites.

In tick-prone areas, a long-haired dog is a walking magnet. A tiny deer tick can easily hide in the feathers of a Golden Retriever or the dense coat of a Pomeranian.

Managing the Mess at Home

Let’s be real: your house will never be "clean" again. You will find hair in your butter. You will find hair in your laundry.

Robot vacuums help, but most can't handle the sheer volume of a Malamute blow-out. You’ll be emptying the bin every ten minutes. The best strategy is "prevention at the source." Brushing the dog outside for 15 minutes a day reduces the indoor "fur-drift" by about 70%.

Also, get a good lint roller. Or five.

Actionable Steps for Future Hairy Dog Owners

If you're still set on getting a dog with a lot of hair, here’s how to handle it like a pro.

• Start Grooming Early: If you get a puppy, touch their paws, ears, and tail every single day. Run a brush over them even if they don't need it yet. You need them to be stone-cold chill when the groomer turns on a loud dryer.
• Budget for the Groomer: Factor in $1,500 a year for professional grooming if you aren't doing it yourself. It’s a legitimate line item in your budget.
• Invest in a "Mud Room" Setup: Have a station at the door with towels and a "paw plunger." Long hair holds onto mud and burrs like Velcro.
• Line Brushing Technique: Look this up on YouTube. It’s the process of peeling back the hair and brushing layer by layer from the skin. It is the only way to ensure a long-haired dog isn't matting underneath the top layer.
• Hydration and Nutrition: A coat is only as good as the food the dog eats. High-quality fats (like Omega-3 fatty acids) keep the hair supple and less likely to break or tangle.

Owning one of these dogs is a labor of love. It’s a lot of work, but there is nothing quite like the feeling of burying your face in the clean, soft fur of a dog that looks like a cloud. Just make sure you have a really, really good vacuum.