Fluffy Dog Breeds: 9 Popular Fluffy Dog Breeds from Smallest to Biggest

There’s nothing better than cuddling up to a snuggly, warm ball of fluffy fur baby! If you just can’t get enough of fluffy dogs and you’re ready to add a new four-legged family member to your family, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what you need to know about the most popular fluffy dog breeds, including our recommendations on grooming and care.

Here are the most popular fluffy dog breeds to help you narrow down your search. We’ve also included key characteristics like personality and activity level to help you make an informed decision.

1. Bichon Frise

Topping our list of the most popular small fluffy dog breeds is the Bichon Frise. These adorable little snowballs look just like stuffed animals, and you couldn’t ask for a more affectionate family pet. They’re also known to be some of the healthiest dog breeds, ^[1] with few genetic health issues.

Even better, Bichons have a hypoallergenic, curly, fluffy coat that never sheds. Their dense coats require daily brushing, regular haircuts, and monthly baths to prevent mats and tangles. A good brush out before and after a bath and blow-dry will keep their fluffy coats looking their best in between professional grooming.

If you’re looking for a fuzzy friend that’s similar to a Bichon, you might also consider the Toy Poodle. Poodles are popular with pet lovers for their affectionate nature and high intelligence.

RELATED: Small White Dogs

2. Shih Tzu

Next on our list of the most popular small fluffy dogs is the adorable Shih Tzu. This breed is usually excellent with children and a wonderful family pet. Shih Tzus are known to be easy to train, and they make fantastic companions who love to snuggle. ^[2]

The Shih Tzu has a beautiful, silky, and fluffy coat that does not shed, so it’s another great breed for people with allergies. Their long coat requires daily brushing to prevent matting and tangling. Their soft coat can also be kept trimmed to a length that’s easier to maintain but still fluffy… kind of like a teddy bear. 

Monthly baths are essential for keeping the coat clean and removing dead hair that can lead to mats. Be sure to remove any tangles before bathing, so they don’t tighten and become hard to remove during the drying process.

READ MORE: Best Shampoo for Shih Tzu

3. Pomeranian

Pomeranians are adorable, small fluffy dogs known for their confidence and signature smile. This breed is full of outgoing personality and energy, along with a fluffy coat that’s perfect for cuddle time. Because of their boundless energy, Pomeranians make a great choice for older children who can take them for walks and play games with them. 

That said, the Pomeranians are extremely loyal family pets that bond closely with their family members. They’re a non-shedding breed with a ton of fluffy hair known as a double coat. Double coated breeds blow their coat around twice a year, and they’ll require extra brushing during this time.

Normally, Pomeranians have a dense coat that will require a good brushing about twice a week, a monthly bath, and a sanitary trim of the feet and potty areas every two to three months.

4. Border Collie

Border Collies are high-energy dogs, extremely intelligent, and very athletic. ^[3] They were originally bred to protect sheep, so lots of daily mental and physical stimulation will be required to keep this breed happy. Border collies are happiest with companionship, so they’re the perfect breed for active households who enjoy bringing the pup along for outings and adventures.

On the other hand, this breed may not be the best choice if you spend long hours away from home for work or school. This breed has a silky, fluffy coat that should be brushed a few times a week to prevent shedding. Baths and trims should be provided as needed, based on activity and lifestyle.

Other collie breeds with similar coats and personalities include the Shetland sheepdog and rough collie. Rough collies and shelties were also bred as working dogs, so they’re highly intelligent and active, with sweet personalities that make them fantastic companions.

5. Australian Shepherd

Australian shepherds are an intelligent and active fluffy dog that enjoys having a job to do. Since he was originally bred to be a working dog, he’ll need plenty of physical and mental stimulation each day. Many people fall in love with the Aussie’s distinctive blue eyes. 

The most popular coat color in this breed is the blue merle, but they can come in a range of colors. The Australian shepherd has a heavier coat that requires regular brushing but doesn’t need much trimming. A monthly bath is usually sufficient unless your active Aussie gets dirty sooner.

READ MORE: Best Brush for Australian Shepherd

6. Siberian Husky

If you’re looking for a big, fluffy dog who loves adventure, a Siberian husky just might be the perfect dog for you. Huskies love to play, have fun and explore. They require regular exercise and interaction, so they’re the perfect choice for active families. 

This breed is very social and smart, making it a great choice for dog sports like agility, and they make a great sled dog. They are made for cold weather, so they’re the perfect companion for cross country skiing and snowshoeing, too.

Weekly brushing will keep shedding to a minimum most of the time. However, the Husky is a double coat breed, meaning that they blow their coat twice a year. He will probably require daily brushing during this time. No trimming is required for this breed, but baths should be provided as needed.

READ MORE: Husky Corgi Mix: Personality, Care and Diet

7. Chihuahua

The Chihuahua probably isn’t the first breed you think of when it comes to fluffy little dogs, but the long-haired variety certainly meets our standards for softness and cuddliness. Chihuahuas are lively and loyal, making them a great pet for families or active individuals, especially in urban areas or smaller homes and apartments.

Grooming a long-haired Chihuahua is incredibly easy. Provide a good brushing two or three times a week to prevent shedding, a monthly bath, and a sanitary trim every few months as needed.

8. Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is a large fluffy dog breed known for its independent and energetic personality. This large dog loves an active lifestyle that includes lots of running, walking, and outdoor adventures. Their thick coats make them an ideal choice for those who love outdoor activities in colder climates.

Malamutes are generally social and make good family pets, but they don’t mind being on their own while you’re at work or school as long as they’re getting plenty of exercises and mental stimulation throughout the week.

Malamutes have a double coat that sheds heavily about twice a year. They’ll require daily brushing when they’re shedding and weekly brushing throughout the rest of the year. Bathing and trimming can be done as needed, based on activity and lifestyle.

READ MORE: Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky Differences

9. Great Pyrenees

The Great Pyrenees is a majestic and faithful large fluffy dog breed with a snowy, white coat. These sweet dogs are gentle giants who make loyal family pets and guardians but are reserved with people they don’t know. He’s also a working dog that needs lots of exercise and room to run. You’ll have a hard time keeping him at home without sturdy fencing, proper training, and an active lifestyle.

The Great Pyrenees has a fluffy coat that sheds just about all year long. His thick double coat should be brushed a few times a week and possibly daily in spring and summer. Baths and trims should be provided as needed based on lifestyle and activities. He’s one of the fluffiest dog breeds on our list, and it’s well worth the extra effort it takes to keep his thick coat looking beautiful.

How much do fluffy dog breeds shed?

You might be wondering how much of that beautiful, fluffy coat is going to end up on your couch, clothes, and floors. The good news is, just because a dog is fluffy doesn’t mean it’s going to shed a lot. And, with proper grooming, you won’t have to spend all of your time vacuuming.

Exactly how much your large or small fluffy dog will shed mostly depends on his coat type. Double coated breeds shed large amounts a couple of times a year, while silkier coats tend to shed smaller amounts all year long. Some fluffy dogs, like the Bichon Frise and Shit Tzu, don’t shed at all but still require a lot of brushing and regular grooming to prevent mats and tangles.

It’s also important to note that many other dogs with short hair, such as the Labrador retriever, still shed excessively. No matter which dog breed you choose, proper grooming is the key to keeping all that fur and shedding under control.

How do you groom a fluffy dog?

Grooming is essential for maintaining skin and coat health, as well as reducing shedding. Here are a few tips for grooming your fluffy dog:

• Regular brushing is a must. Some fluffy breeds will require daily brushing at certain times of the year. Most do fine with a good brush-out two or three times a week. Every dog is different, and their coats change with the seasons, so you’ll need to pay attention to your dog’s coat to determine what schedule is best.
• Baths are required as needed. Many fluffy dogs do fine with a bath every other month or so unless their lifestyle requires more frequent bathing. Just be sure to brush out the coat carefully before and after bathing to avoid matting and tangling that can be difficult to remove later.
• The right tools make all the difference. Double coated dogs require different grooming tools than curly coats and silky coats. We recommend speaking with a professional groomer or your vet to find out which tools will work best for your fluffy dog’s coat.
• Don’t forget about other maintenance tasks. Your fluffy dog’s ears and toenails also require regular maintenance, just like any other dog breed. These tasks should be performed at home or by your vet or groomer at least every two months or more often if needed to keep the feet and ears healthy.

Wrapping Up: What breed of dog is the fluffiest?

The Bichon Frise is the softest, fluffiest small dog ever, with fluffy coats that look just a plush stuffed animal after they’ve been properly groomed. If you’ve got your heart set on the largest, fluffiest dog breed, the Great Pyrenees is sure to fulfill your big fluffy dog expectations. 

Some other fluffy dog breeds that aren’t quite as well-known but are still worth considering include Chow Chows, the Bernese Mountain Dog, Bearded Collie, Maltese, Havanese dog, and the American Eskimo Dog. No matter which fluffy dog breed you choose, the fluffiest dog breeds we’ve listed here have sweet personalities to go with all that fur!

Article Sources:

1. Marston, Anna. The 12 Healthiest Dog Breeds | Puppy Smarts. 9 Jan. 2020, puppysmarts.com/12-healthiest-dog-breeds/.
2. “5 Common Shih Tzu Personality Traits.” Animal Planet, 2 Mar. 2015, animalplanet.com/pets/5-common-shih-tzu-personality-traits/.
3. “10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Border Collie.” American Kennel Club, akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/10-border-collie-facts/.