11 Extra-Fluffy Dog Breeds That Look Like Living Clouds of Fur
Sonja Henrikseen
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There is something a little extra special about snuggling with fluffy dog breeds. Whether you prefer small or big fluffy dogs, sinking your hands and face into thick double coats and long soft fur is so soothing. Sort of like snuggling with a living cloud, furry dogs are basically the ultimate heating blanket or pillow!
Of course, owning a furry dog is a little extra work. Long and thick-coated dog breeds need to be groomed regularly, brushing, baths, and professional grooms included. Not only do hairy dogs require more time to manage their coats they can also be more costly. A trip to the groomer every 6–8 weeks for big fluffy dogs can cost as much as $80–$200 per session, and the price goes up if you wait longer between appointments.
If you’re up for the extra work of caring for a hairy dog and you don’t mind a little loose fur in your home, one of these fluffy canines might be your perfect companion! We’re counting down to number one, so be sure to scroll to the bottom to discover the hairiest and biggest fluffy dog in the world.
11. Shih Tzu
Quick Facts:
- Height: 9–10.5 inches
- Weight: 9–16 pounds
- Lifespan: 10–18 years
- Breed Group: Toy
In the world of the fluffy dog, big breeds are perhaps more popular and sought after, but not exclusive! Small dogs can be hairy dogs, too, and they cost less to take to the groomers.
Shih Tzus are the quintessential small fluffy dog breed and have gorgeous big fluffy coats that grow continuously. Shih Tzus are a relatively low-shedding dog and the least frequent shedder on this list. Shih Tzus don’t require as much coat maintenance as other breeds but still need regular brushes and grooms to prevent matting.
Affectionate, friendly, and playful, Shih Tzus make excellent family dogs and apartment dogs as they are highly adaptable, steady, confident little dogs. Sometimes mischievous but always attentive and protective of their humans, Shih Tzus will keep you on your toes when they aren’t snuggled up for a nap with you.
10. Bernese Mountain Dog
Quick Facts:
- Height: 23–27.5 inches
- Weight: 70–115 pounds
- Lifespan: 7–10 years
- Breed Group: Working Dog
Once used as herding dogs and cart-pullers in the Swiss Alps, the Bernese Mountain Dog is now one of the most iconic big fluffy dog breeds. Tranquil, curious, and affectionate, these gentle giants may be physically strong, but Bernese Mountain Dogs are emotional and soft at heart.
Like many big fluffy dogs, Bernese Mountain Dogs historically relied on their thick double coats to protect them from the mountain wind, rain, and snow. Because of their targeted breeding, Bernese Mountain Dogs prefer cold and mild climates, and can easily overheat during warmer months. If you own Bernese Mountain Dogs or any other big furry dogs, you’ll need to establish a strategy to help them stay safe and cool during the summer.
Though Bernese Mountain Dogs are often affectionate with their humans, they can be wary of strangers and protective of both property and family members. Because of this, Bernese Mountain Dogs make good guard dogs, particularly if you live a rural life.
9. Siberian Husky
Quick Facts:
- Height: 20–23.5 inches
- Weight: 35–60 pounds
- Lifespan: 12–14 years
- Breed Group: Working Dog
If you’re interested in owning a Siberian Husky, I highly recommend checking your local animal shelter. Huskies are a commonly abandoned dog breed and the number of Siberian Huskies in US shelters has more than doubled since 2020. A high-energy dog breed, many people aren’t prepared for the amount of work owning a Husky requires, and part of that is a lot of grooming.
Huskies are one of the most beautiful medium fluffy dog breeds, and one of the highest shedding breeds, too. If you own a Husky, you can expect your home to almost always be covered in loose hair, even if you brush your dog and vacuum regularly. You’ll also need to be prepared to keep up with the Siberian Husky’s physical and mental stimulation demands. A simple walk around the block isn’t enough for this breed, and they can become destructive and temperamental when they have pent-up energy.
8. Australian Shepherd
Quick Facts:
- Height: 18–23 inches
- Weight: 40–65 pounds
- Lifespan: 12–15 years
- Breed Group: Herding Dog
Australian Shepherds are one of the world’s most popular medium fluffy dog breeds and one of the world’s only breeds with naturally occurring merle coat coloring. This charming and fluffy doggo is intelligent, alert, and eager to please thanks to their strong working lines. Australian Shepherds are natural herding dogs whose instincts can’t be suppressed and will herd you, your kids, or your other pets if they don’t have a job to do. Charming and friendly, Australian Shepherds make wonderful family pets if you have the experience to manage such a smart breed.
7. Pomeranian
Quick Facts:
- Height: 6–7 inches
- Weight: 3–7 pounds
- Lifespan: 12–16 years
- Breed Group: Toy
Lively and playful, Pomeranians love to keep their owners laughing with their hilarious antics! As adults, Pomeranians are luxurious clouds of fur, but when they’re younger they are the most tiny fluffy puppies you can imagine!
Despite their small size, Pomeranians like to stay active, and many enjoy hiking, camping, and going on outdoor adventures with their humans. While you’ve probably seen non-fluffy Pomeranians with their coats shaved short, we don’t recommend this, since shaving a double-coated dog can lead to hair damage, skin irritation, and even hair loss.
6. American Eskimo Dog
Quick Facts:
- Height: 9–12 inches (toy), 12–15 inches (miniature), 15–19 inches (standard)
- Weight: 6–10 pounds (toy), 10–20 pounds (miniature), 25–35 pounds (standard)
- Lifespan: 13–15 years
- Breed Group: Non-Sporting
American Eskimo Dogs come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. All three share the same physique, coat, and personalities, and the only real difference is their size. One of the most adorable white puffy dogs, the American Eskimo is a wonderful small or mid-sized breed known for living comfortably in small spaces and apartments.
Social and cheerful, these little dogs love being with their humans, and do struggle with separation anxiety and boredom when left alone. Eager to please and highly trainable, American Eskimo Dogs thrive when they can be with someone almost all day long. Of the hairy dog breeds on this list, the American Eskimo Dog is considered one of the best with young children.
5. Great Pyrenees
Quick Facts:
- Height: 25–32 inches
- Weight: 85–100+ pounds
- Lifespan: 10–12 years
- Breed Group: Working Dog
Great Pyrenees are beautiful cream-colored huge fluffy dogs that were bred to protect livestock from wolves and other large predators. Livestock guardian dogs like the Great Pyrenees rarely enjoy indoor life, and are not your average family pet. Not particularly affectionate, Great Pyrenees are independent and confident dogs who prefer to live with a herd of livestock (e.g. goats, sheep), and form much deeper bonds with the animals they protect than their humans. The slightest sound of distress from one of their herd will send a Great Pyranees into action, and they’ll do almost anything to protect their wards.
Sometimes described as zen, Great Pyrenees spend the majority of their time calmly laying amongst their flocks or slowly patrolling their properties. Unlike herding dogs that are bred to mimic predators to move or drive the animals to a specific location, the slow, gentle, stable disposition of the Great Pyrenees is designed to gain the trust of prey animals.
While some livestock guardian dogs live very happy lives as pets, many are uncomfortable with city life. Calm, stable, routinized environments are preferred by this breed, and you should only choose a Great Pyrenees if you have experience with livestock guardian dogs.
4. Chow Chow
Quick Facts:
- Height: 17–20 inches
- Weight: 45–70 pounds
- Lifespan: 8–12 years
- Breed Group: Non-Sporting
Dignified and fastidious, the Chow Chow is a somewhat reserved dog breed, though well-socialized individuals can be affectionate with their humans. Sometimes compared to cats for their quiet, tidy, independent demeanor, these big fluffy dogs aren’t necessarily teddy bears you can cuddle. While some individuals are family friendly, most Chow Chows aren’t big fans of small children, and prefer homes with older teens or adults only.
Sometimes aloof, this giant fluffy dog likes to sit and observe as life passes by, and isn’t the most active dog breed. Chow Chows can be stubborn, and if they aren’t in the mood to comply with your wishes, they won’t, and aren’t particularly biddable. Once they feel comfortable with a person, Chow Chows can be very friendly, but many are wary of strangers and new dogs.
3. Alaskan Malamute
Quick Facts:
- Height: 23–25 inches
- Weight: 75–85 pounds
- Lifespan: 10–14 years
- Breed Group: Working Dog
Strong-willed but deeply affectionate with their humans, Alaskan Malamutes are a giant fluffy dog breed with an interesting and polarizing personality. Malamutes aren’t easily impressed, and will happily walk all over their owners if they don’t sense that their humans are creating a stable environment with routine, clear rules, and regular training. Independent and stubborn, many Alaskan Malamutes would prefer to spend their time lounging outdoors observing the world rather than shadowing their humans.
If you’ve ever seen someone try to coax an Alaskan Malamute inside in the winter, you’ll know that this breed loves snow. Many Malamutes will sleep happily for hours in snow, and would rather be in the chill air than your heated house. For this reason, many Malamute owners discover that they need to build outdoor dog houses for their pups that have insulation and heating functions for the winter and air conditioning for the summer months.
An expensive breed to keep, Alaskan Malamutes are well worth the work if you are obsessed with giant fluffy dog breeds. Still, I don’t recommend inexperienced dog owners choose the Malamute, nor do I recommend choosing this breed if you don’t have a yard or expansive property.
2. Old English Sheepdog
Quick Facts:
- Height: 21+ inches
- Weight: 60–100 pounds
- Lifespan: 10–12 years
- Breed Group: Herding Dog
When I think of the fluffiest dog breeds, the Old English Sheepdog always comes to mind! These big hairy dogs have such long fur, that the fur on their heads often grows over their eyes, obscuring their vision. If you’ve ever wanted a fuzzy little puppy fluffy dogs like the OES start to grow their luxurious coats right away, and gain about one inch of fur per month.
Like most other big hairy dog breeds, grooming an Old English Sheepdog can be a tedious and expensive process. Some large fluffy dogs only need to be brushed a few times a week, but the Old English Sheepdog needs its coat maintained every single day. If you aren’t an experienced groomer, you’ll also need to regularly bring your OES to the doggy spa to be de-shedded, washed thoroughly, and trimmed.
Wonderful with children, affectionate, and loyal, Old English Sheepdogs make wonderful family pets as long as you can manage their herding dog instincts. While the Old English Sheepdog can be playful, this breed also possesses an inherently protective nature and will bark to alert their humans to anything unusual.
1. Tibetan Mastiff
Quick Facts:
- Height: 24–26 inches
- Weight: 70–150 pounds
- Lifespan: 10–12 years
- Breed Group: Working Dog
The king of huge fluffy dog breeds, the Tibetan Mastiff is also the world’s most expensive dog breed. One Tibetan Mastiff was sold for $1.95 million—that’s one expensive pup!
Tipping the scales at 150 pounds, the Tibetan Mastiff also takes the prize for biggest hairy dog and is actually the original Mastiff from which all other Mastiffs came. While most of us will never meet a Tibetan Mastiff much less get the chance to own one, that may be for the best. Territorial and wary of strangers, Tibetan Mastiffs aren’t the most social dogs, and prefer the privacy of home life to meeting new people or dogs.
Still, the Tibetan Mastiff is a glorious breed to behold, and you’re a very lucky person if you get the chance to meet one of these dogs in person.
