11 Small Dog Breeds With Long Hair (with Pictures)

Small dogs with long hair are not only adorable, but their luxurious coats and petite size make them a popular choice for those who adore fancy-looking pets.

Many of these breeds are well-known and beloved for their unique charm and eye-catching, soft, long fur. However, their beautiful coats require some care. Daily brushing and regular baths are essential to keep their fur shiny, healthy, and free from tangles and mats. This extra grooming effort is well worth it, as these fluffy companions are perfect for cuddling.

For those considering adding a small, fluffy dog to their family, our article offers a comprehensive list of 11 long-haired dog breeds, complete with all the necessary information to help you make the best choice.

Small Dogs with Long Hair 

Delve into the delightful world of small dog breeds with long hair, where petite size meets luxurious, flowing coats, capturing the hearts of dog lovers everywhere!

1. Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise, known for its powder-puff coat, has a silky, curled outer layer and a fluffy undercoat. They come in shades like white, white and buff, cream, apricot, or gray, and need daily brushing to keep their fur looking great.

Bichons are friendly and cheerful dogs known for getting along well with children and other pets. They’re not big barkers, making them great for apartment living. Thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to learn, they’re easy to train, though it’s important to be firm yet gentle.

These small, long-haired dogs are also excellent for therapy work. Their gentle nature and engaging personalities make them perfect for visiting hospitals and treatment centers.

2. Toy Poodle

Poodles, known for their elegance, come in three sizes – Toy, Miniature, and Standard – all part of the same breed, differing only in size. The Toy Poodle, the smallest of the trio, boasts a long, curly coat available in a variety of colors, including white, brown, yellow, black, and parti-color. Their curly coat is their most distinctive trait, and their minimal shedding makes them a great choice for people with allergies.

With a confident demeanor and wide black eyes, Toy Poodles exude self-assurance and attentiveness. They are highly intelligent and devoted to their families, enjoying the limelight with their trick-performing and walking routines.

These playful companions are great with kids and shine in agility and obedience training. Their intelligence makes them easy to train, and their alertness qualifies them as effective watchdogs.

3. Skye Terrier

The Skye Terrier, a small, long-haired dog breed, hails from the Scottish Highlands. This breed is recognized for its distinctive shaggy coat, which is available in fawn, steel blue, or dark gray. Regular grooming is key to preventing their long hair from matting and tangling.

Skye Terriers are known for their independent and sometimes stubborn nature, but they are also loving and devoted to their families. They may be shy initially, so it’s important to supervise them around new people. However, once they warm up, they often become very friendly.

Socializing with other dogs can be challenging for Skye Terriers. While they enjoy chasing, they don’t require much activity, making them well-suited for apartment living. Despite their qualities as companions, the Skye Terrier remains a rare breed.

4. Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier, affectionately known as the “Yorkie,” stands out as a toy-sized, small, long-haired dog breed. Its long, silky coat, which can be kept long or short, is a defining feature and comes in colors like black and gold, blue and tan, and parti-color. Regular grooming is essential to maintain its lustrous appearance.

Yorkies are hugely popular, particularly in various American cities, and are known for their big personalities packed into their small, self-assured frames. Not only are Yorkies long-lived and hypoallergenic, but they also make excellent little watchdogs.

Despite their petite size, Yorkies are lively and playful. Their small space requirements make them perfect for those living in apartments or small houses. Additionally, they are sociable and great with children, making them ideal family pets.

5. Silky Terrier

The Silky Terrier, originally from Sydney, Australia, is larger than its relative, the Yorkshire Terrier. True to their name, their silky, smooth, long coats, featuring a mix of deep brown on the face and silvery blue on the body and tail, make them easily recognizable.

The coat of a Silky Terrier, which can be kept long or short, requires just a weekly brushing to maintain its shine and health. Their fur is so soft that it’s often compared to human hair, and they’re low-shedding, which is great for people with allergies.

Silky Terriers are known for their intelligence, charm, and curiosity, forming strong bonds with their owners. Despite their small size, they have large personalities. Their small size makes them well-suited for apartment living, but they still need daily walks and plenty of mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

6. Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu, known for its small size, toy-like appearance, and long, fluffy coat, comes in a variety of colors, such as black, white, gold, and brown. Regular grooming, which can be done at home or through professional grooming services, is essential to maintain their coat.

Shih Tzus are outgoing and friendly and thrive on human interaction. They are typically gentle and affectionate, often enjoying hours of lap time in the evenings. They’re great with children and other pets, making them ideal family dogs.

Adaptable to various living conditions, Shih Tzus are as comfortable in apartments as they are in houses. Their exercise needs are modest; they are content with short walks and indoor play, making them suitable for less active lifestyles.

7. Pomeranian

The Pomeranian, a small breed known for its fox-like features, alert ears, and luxurious long coat, boasts an abundant double coat that extends over its chest and shoulders. This coat comes in a wide range of colors, often seen in shades of orange or red.

Due to their heavy shedding, Pomeranians require regular grooming, ideally once or twice a week and even more frequently during shedding seasons. Pomeranians are generally cheerful and sociable. Despite their small size, they sometimes show a bold attitude towards larger dogs and can be quite vocal. Early socialization is important to manage their tendency to bark.

Pomeranians are active but don’t require extensive exercise; indoor play and short walks are sufficient, making them well-suited for both city and suburban living. While they are generally easy to care for, some Pomeranians can be fussy eaters, but they are not typically prone to obesity due to their active nature.

8. Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso, a breed with a rich history dating back thousands of years in the Himalayas, originally served as watchful guardians in palaces and monasteries. Their long, thick fur, which sheds minimally and can be straight or wavy, is a hallmark of the breed. This coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and comes in a variety of colors, from white to shades of gold, gray, and black.

Known for their intelligence and confidence, Lhasa Apsos are often family comedians but can be reserved around strangers. They are highly trainable and capable of learning various tricks and tasks, and their vigilant and loyal nature makes them excellent watchdogs. However, they can be stubborn, so patience and consistency are key in their training.

Lhasa Apsos are great for apartment living due to their small size and sociable nature, but they still require regular exercise. They are also known to be good with children, making them a fantastic choice for families.

9. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small breed known for its warm, affectionate personality and silky, long coat available in colors like black and tan, ruby, or tri-colored. To maintain their beautiful coat, weekly brushing, and regular professional grooming are essential.

With a name that reflects its British royal heritage, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed of elegance, grace, and even temperament, truly a nobleman in the dog world. Originally bred as lapdogs, CKC Spaniels are incredibly versatile. They are calm and peaceful, qualities that make them excellent therapy dogs.

They get along well with children and other dogs, fitting into various lifestyles seamlessly. Whether with active families or more relaxed owners, they can be lively and athletic or content couch companions, making them perfect for both sporty households and those who prefer a quieter life at home.

10. Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear is a small, fluffy dog breed renowned for its long, cotton-like coat. Unlike many breeds, their coat is more like hair than fur, contributing to their nearly hypoallergenic nature, making them a great option for allergy sufferers.

Predominantly white, these dogs are known for their cheerful disposition and love for spending time with their owners, whether it’s lounging at home or showing off their agility at the dog park.

The bond they form with their owners is often described in human-like terms due to its depth and intensity. High-spirited and always ready for a cuddle, their calm temperament and affection for children make them ideal family pets, fitting seamlessly into various household dynamics.

11. Bolognese

The Bolognese, part of the Bichon family, is a charming small breed known for its compact, square body and long, fluffy, white coat. Perfectly suited for being lap dogs due to their small size, they are a captivating presence in any home.

This breed has a rich history, captivating enough to inspire artists of the past to feature them in their works. The Bolognese is known for its serious demeanor and is not typically a high-energy dog, but it is intelligent and has a charming wit.

The Bolognese get along well with children and other animals, but they can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. Therefore, they are best suited for owners or families who have flexible schedules and can spend ample time with them.

Conclusion  

Pet owners who adore the smallest dog breeds have a delightful array of choices, each with their unique coat types. From the flowing coat of the elegant Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the shaggy coat of the playful Skye Terrier and the silky hair of the intelligent Yorkie, these breeds add not only beauty to a home but also warmth and joy.

Whether it’s the fluffy coat of a Bolognese or the luxurious locks of a Shih Tzu, these breeds prove to be wonderful family dogs, bringing love and companionship to their human counterparts.