You see them on Instagram looking like fluffy marshmallows, sitting perfectly still in a designer tote bag. A small long haired dog is basically the crown jewel of the pet world if you’re going for aesthetics. But honestly? The gap between that polished social media photo and the reality of finding a dried piece of grass tangled in a $90 grooming job is massive. People get sucked in by the big eyes and the floor-length coat without realizing they’ve just signed up for a part-time job.
It's a lot.
If you’re thinking about bringing one home, you've gotta look past the "cute" factor. These aren't just pets; they are living, breathing fiber projects. Whether it’s a Maltese, a Yorkie, or a Shih Tzu, that hair doesn't just stay magical on its own.
The Anatomy of the Coat (It’s Not Just Fur)
Most people use "fur" and "hair" interchangeably, but in the world of the small long haired dog, there’s a biological distinction that actually matters for your vacuum cleaner.
Take the Yorkshire Terrier. Their coat is structurally more similar to human hair than it is to the thick, double coat of a Labrador. They don’t have that soft, downy undercoat that sheds in giant "tumbleweeds" twice a year. Instead, the hair grows continuously. It’s why you see Yorkies with top-knots and bows—if you didn't trim it, they’d eventually trip over their own face. This is great for people with mild allergies because there's less dander flying around, but it’s a nightmare for anyone who hates brushing.
Then you have the double-coated breeds like the Pomeranian or the Pekingese.
These guys are a different beast entirely. They have a dense, woolly undercoat protected by long, harsher guard hairs. If you shave a double-coated small long haired dog, you might actually ruin their ability to regulate their body temperature. The American Kennel Club (AKC) often warns against shaving these breeds because the undercoat grows back faster than the guard hair, leading to a patchy, "funky" texture that can take years to fix.
The Matting Crisis: A Cautionary Tale
Matting is the silent killer of cute dog photos.
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It starts small. A little knot behind the ear where the collar rubs. A tiny tangle in the "armpit" area from their harness. If you ignore it for three days? Boom. You have a felted brick attached to your dog's skin.
Professional groomers, like those at the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA), often talk about "pelting." This is when the mats get so tight against the skin that they cut off airflow and trap moisture. It’s painful. It causes sores. Honestly, if you aren't prepared to brush a small long haired dog at least four times a week, you’re better off with a Beagle.
I’ve seen owners get defensive when a groomer says they have to "shave it all off." But here’s the reality: you cannot brush out a solid pelt. It’s like trying to comb out a sweater while it’s still on the sheep. It’s unfair to the dog.
The Specifics of the "Big Three"
- The Maltese: These dogs are ancient. Like, "Roman Empire" ancient. Their hair is single-layered and pure white. Because it lacks an undercoat, it’s silky, but it picks up every speck of dirt on the sidewalk. If it rains? Your dog now looks like a wet mop.
- The Shih Tzu: Originally bred for royalty in China, they have a dense, fast-growing coat. They are prone to "tear staining," where the hair under the eyes turns a rusty brown color due to moisture and bacteria.
- The Havanese: Cuba’s national dog. Their coat is actually designed to be a sunshade. It’s lightweight and wavy, meant to protect them from the tropical heat. Don’t let the "long hair" fool you; they handle warmth better than a shaved dog would, as long as the coat is kept thin and brushed out.
Why Small Dogs Have Big Personalities
There’s this weird myth that small dogs are just "accessories." Tell that to a Lhasa Apso. These dogs were literally sentinels in Tibetan monasteries. They are alert, sometimes stubborn, and surprisingly tough.
When you get a small long haired dog, you aren't just managing the aesthetics. You’re managing a personality that often thinks it’s ten times its actual size. This is "Small Dog Syndrome," but it’s usually the owner's fault, not the dog's. Because they look like stuffed animals, we let them get away with growling or biting. If a 100-pound Great Dane lunges at a stranger, it's a crisis. If an 8-pound Silky Terrier does it, people laugh.
Don't be that owner.
Maintenance is a Line Item in Your Budget
Let’s talk money. You can’t just buy a bag of kibble and call it a day.
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A professional grooming session for a small long haired dog usually costs anywhere from $60 to $120, depending on where you live and the condition of the coat. They need this every 4 to 6 weeks. If you skip it, the price goes up because the groomer has to spend extra time dealing with the mess.
You also need the right tools:
- A slicker brush (with those fine wire bristles).
- A metal greyhound comb (to check for mats you missed).
- Detangling spray (never brush dry hair; it breaks the ends).
- High-quality shampoo and conditioner (human stuff has the wrong pH level and will itch them crazy).
Basically, you’re looking at an extra $1,000 to $1,500 a year just on hair care. It’s a luxury hobby disguised as a pet.
Health Issues Hiding Under the Fluff
One of the biggest dangers with a small long haired dog is that the hair hides things.
Weight gain is the obvious one. You might not realize your dog has put on two pounds—which is a lot for a 10-pound animal—until you feel their ribs during a bath. Obesity in small breeds leads to collapsed tracheas and luxating patellas (where the kneecap pops out of place).
Tick checks are also a nightmare. In a short-haired dog, a tick looks like a mole. In a long-haired dog, it’s a needle in a haystack. If you live in a high-tick area like the Northeast U.S., you have to be obsessive. Run your hands over every inch of their skin every single day.
Training: They Aren’t "Dumb," They’re Just Distracted
Sometimes people think small breeds are harder to train.
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Actually, many of them are incredibly smart—the Poodle (even the Toy variety) is consistently ranked as one of the most intelligent breeds by canine psychologists like Stanley Coren. The issue is usually consistency. Because they are small and "cute," owners tend to be lax with the rules.
If you want a well-behaved small long haired dog, start training on day one. Use positive reinforcement. They respond well to treats, but keep the pieces tiny. A single "standard" dog treat is like a whole Snickers bar to a 5-pound Papillon.
The Surprising Reality of "Hypoallergenic" Labels
Science time. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic.
Allergic reactions are usually triggered by proteins in the dog’s saliva and skin (dander), not the hair itself. However, because a small long haired dog with a single coat (like a Yorkie or Poodle) doesn't shed much, the dander stays trapped against the skin rather than floating around your living room.
If you have severe asthma, don't just take a breeder's word for it. Spend an hour in a room with the specific breed first. Your lungs will tell you the truth faster than a sales pitch will.
Actionable Steps for New Owners
If you’ve decided you’re ready for the fluff, here is how you actually survive the first year without losing your mind or your security deposit.
- Establish a "Touch" Routine Immediately: From the first night, touch your dog’s paws, ears, and tail. Get them used to being handled. This makes grooming and vet visits 100% easier.
- Buy a High-Velocity Dryer: If you plan on bathing them at home, a standard hair dryer takes forever and can burn their skin. A pet-specific dryer blows the water out of the coat quickly and helps straighten the hair to prevent future tangles.
- Find a Groomer Before You Need One: The best groomers usually have a 3-week waiting list. Don’t wait until your dog looks like a swamp monster to start calling around.
- Invest in "Sanitary Trims": Even if you want the hair long, keep the "business areas" clipped short. Trust me. You do not want to be cleaning poop out of white silk hair at 11:00 PM on a Tuesday.
- Watch the Teeth: Small dogs are notoriously prone to dental disease. Long hair around the mouth can trap bacteria. Brush their teeth daily—yes, daily—or prepare for a $500 dental cleaning at the vet every year.
Choosing a small long haired dog is a commitment to a specific lifestyle. It’s about more than just the look; it’s about the daily ritual of care. If you find peace in the brushing and don’t mind the occasional leaf stuck to a tail, they are the most loyal, portable companions you could ever ask for. Just keep the scissors handy.
Next Steps for Success
To keep your dog’s coat in peak condition, start by identifying their specific hair type. A single-coated breed requires daily light brushing with a metal comb to prevent knots, while a double-coated breed needs a de-shedding tool to manage the undercoat. Schedule a "meet and greet" with a local professional groomer to establish a maintenance plan tailored to your dog's growth rate and activity level. If you notice any redness or irritation during brushing, consult your veterinarian to rule out skin allergies before changing your grooming products.