Long-Haired Dog Breeds: 10 Elegant Flowing-Coat Breeds

Overview

Long-Haired Dog Breeds

Long-haired dogs include both single-coated breeds (like the Maltese, where hair grows continuously) and double-coated breeds (like the Afghan Hound, where a long top coat covers a dense undercoat). Their care needs vary accordingly — single-coated long-hairs need scissoring and trimming, while double-coated long-hairs need extensive deshedding during seasonal coat blows.

What unites them is the visual impact and the grooming commitment. A well-maintained long-haired dog turns heads on every walk; a neglected one suffers painful matting and skin issues within weeks. The breeds below are the most reliably long-coated breeds — the dogs whose flowing coats are inseparable from their identity.

Breeds

Top 10 Long-Haired Dog Breeds

Afghan Hound

LargeModerate Energy12–18 yrs lifespan

Afghans wear the most aristocratic coat in the dog world — long, silky, and flowing nearly to the ground. Their grooming demands are extreme, but the result is unmatched elegance.

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Maltese

SmallLow Energy12–15 yrs lifespan

Maltese dogs have pure white, silky single coats that grow like human hair and reach the floor in show condition. Most pet owners keep them in shorter trims for practicality.

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Yorkshire Terrier

ToyModerate Energy13–16 yrs lifespan

Yorkies have steel-blue and tan single coats that grow indefinitely. Show dogs wear floor-length coats; pet owners typically opt for puppy cuts that require less daily brushing.

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Shih Tzu

SmallLow Energy10–18 yrs lifespan

Shih Tzus have long, flowing double coats originally developed for Chinese palace life. The coat reaches the ground in show condition and requires daily brushing in any length.

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Lhasa Apso

SmallModerate Energy12–15 yrs lifespan

Lhasa Apsos wear long, dense double coats designed for high-altitude Tibetan winters. Their coats are particularly heavy and require committed daily grooming.

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Havanese

ToyModerate Energy14–16 yrs lifespan

Havanese have soft, silky long coats that come in many colors. Less wiry than other long-coated breeds, they nonetheless require daily brushing to prevent tangles.

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Old English Sheepdog

LargeHigh Energy10–12 yrs lifespan

Old English Sheepdogs have shaggy, voluminous double coats that cover their entire bodies. The coat requires hours of weekly grooming and is rarely left in full length by pet owners.

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Bearded Collie

MediumHigh Energy12–14 yrs lifespan

Beardies have long, shaggy double coats that protect them during Scottish herding work. The coat is full but slightly less dense than Old English Sheepdog coats.

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English Setter

LargeHigh Energy12 yrs lifespan

English Setters carry feathering on their ears, chest, belly, legs, and tail that gives them a flowing silhouette. The coat is silky and requires regular brushing and trimming.

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Collie (Rough Collie)

LargeHigh Energy12–14 yrs lifespan

Rough Collies have the iconic Lassie coat — long, abundant double coats with a thick mane around the neck. They require regular brushing and seasonal coat-blow management.

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Considerations

The Long-Coat Commitment

Long coats demand daily attention. Most require 15 to 30 minutes of brushing per day with a slicker brush and metal comb, plus a professional grooming session every 6 to 8 weeks. Skipping daily brushing for even a week creates painful mats that often require shave-downs to fix. Many long-coated breeds also need feet, sanitary, and face trimming between professional appointments.

For owners unwilling to commit to daily grooming, most long-coated breeds can be kept in a shorter pet trim that reduces — but does not eliminate — coat care. A puppy cut Yorkie or short-trimmed Shih Tzu still requires regular brushing and grooming, just less than the show length. Be honest about your time commitment before choosing a long-coated breed.