15 Shaggy Dog Breeds That Prove Big Coats Mean Big Personalities
October 9, 2026
Ask anyone who owns one of the classic shaggy dog breeds and they will tell you the mop-like coat is only half the story. These dogs belong to the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) family tree’s hardest-working branches, bred to herd sheep in the Pyrenees, guard monasteries in Tibet, or haul fishing nets out of icy Canadian water. A thick, tousled coat was never just decoration; it was survival gear.
This list covers 15 shaggy dog breeds ranging from mid-size herders to giant guardians, in colors that span solid black to pure white. Some need daily brushing, while others are surprisingly low-maintenance once you know their coat type. A few corded breeds like the Bergamasco and Puli are famously never brushed at all, but the dogs covered here mostly rely on regular grooming to stay mat-free and comfortable, according to PureWow’s grooming guide.
Pro Tip: Before bringing home any shaggy breed, invest in a slicker brush, an undercoat rake, and a wide-tooth metal comb. Most double-coated shaggy dogs need brushing several times a week to prevent painful matting.
| Breed | Typical Size | Origin | Coat Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old English Sheepdog | Large | England | Dense, shaggy double coat |
| Otterhound | Large | England | Rough, double coat |
| Polish Lowland Sheepdog | Medium | Poland | Long, thick double coat |
| Bearded Collie | Medium | Scotland | Long, shaggy double coat |
| Irish Wolfhound | Giant | Ireland | Rough, wiry coat |
| Tibetan Mastiff | Giant | Tibet | Dense, woolly double coat |
| Newfoundland | Giant | Canada | Water-resistant double coat |
| Samoyed | Medium-Large | Siberia | Thick, white double coat |
1. Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is what most people picture when they hear “shaggy dog.” According to the American Kennel Club, the Old English Sheepdog is the archetypical shaggy dog, famous for his profuse coat and peek-a-boo gaze that often hides its eyes entirely. That famous bobtail wasn’t originally natural, either.
The breed’s docked tail traces back to old English tax law, since working sheepdogs were exempt from a livestock tax that applied to dogs with tails. Today’s Old English Sheepdogs still herd instinctively but are far better known as gentle, clownish family companions. Their coat needs brushing several times a week, which is a heavier commitment than the low-shedding dog breeds many apartment dwellers prefer.
2. Otterhound
The Otterhound is one of the rarest purebred dogs in the United States, and its shaggy, oily double coat was purpose-built for a job that no longer exists. The breed was developed in medieval England to hunt otters in rivers, a practice that was outlawed in the United Kingdom decades ago, according to the AKC.
Otterhounds are generally friendly, energetic dogs with rough double coats that don’t need as much brushing as some other shaggy breeds, according to Hepper Pet Resources. A couple of brushing sessions a week is usually enough to keep the coat tangle-free. Anyone drawn to unusual, low-population dogs should also check out this roundup of rarest dog breeds, where the Otterhound frequently makes an appearance.
3. Polish Lowland Sheepdog (PON)
Known in the United States simply as the PON, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a compact herding dog with a coat built for Polish winters. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a herding dog from Poland with a long, thick, shaggy, double coat with a protective coat covering its forehead, cheeks and chin, American Kennel Club Vice President Gina DiNardo told Chewy.
That thick fringe over the face isn’t just for looks; it protects the PON’s eyes while it works close to livestock. Coats come in nearly every color the breed standard allows, including bold black-and-white and solid black patterns. Like most herding dog breeds, the PON is intelligent, energetic, and happiest with a job to do.
4. Pyrenean Shepherd
Don’t let the small-to-medium frame fool you: the Pyrenean Shepherd has the stamina and drive of a much bigger working dog. Pyrenean Shepherds descended from herding dogs in the Pyrenees Mountains, so their long, shaggy coat is perfect for protecting them against the cold, and the breed’s rough-faced coat can be long and wavy or smoother-faced, depending on the variety.
Despite the wild-looking coat, this breed’s grooming needs are refreshingly low. Brushing twice a month and washing every couple of months is generally enough to keep it healthy. The breed’s herding instincts also show up in playful ways at home, not unlike the nipping and circling behavior explored in this piece on why dogs chase their tails.
5. Berger Picard
The Berger Picard is one of France’s oldest herding breeds, and its weatherproof coat reflects centuries of outdoor farm work. Its weatherproof coat, which consists of a shaggy, wiry topcoat and short, dense undercoat, protects it from the elements while working, according to AKC’s Gina DiNardo, speaking with Chewy.
This is an athletic, independent-minded dog that needs daily exercise and a purpose, whether that’s herding, agility, or long hikes with an active owner. Historically, Berger Picards worked alongside shepherds tending flocks across northern France, a role shared by many breeds covered in this guide to meat-producing sheep breeds and the dogs bred to protect them.
6. Bearded Collie
At first glance, the Bearded Collie is often confused with a smaller Old English Sheepdog, and the resemblance is understandable. The Bearded Collie can be mistaken for the Old English Sheepdog because of their head-to-toe shaggy hair, though the Bearded Collie is a medium-sized breed topping out at about 50 pounds, according to Betterpet.
Originally bred to herd cattle and sheep across the Scottish Highlands, the Beardie’s long, wavy double coat kept it warm through harsh weather while it worked. The breed herds with more enthusiasm than force, using bounce and bark rather than the intense stare favored by Border Collies. Coats commonly come in black, blue, brown, or fawn, often fading lighter with age.
7. Irish Wolfhound
Few shaggy dog breeds command attention quite like the Irish Wolfhound. This is one of the huge shaggy dog breeds, and the Irish Wolfhound is so large that it is one of the tallest dog breeds in the world, notes the Smart Dog Guide.
This dog was originally bred to hunt game and guard against wolves, though today its extreme intelligence and athletic ability make the Irish Wolfhound a popular choice for competing in obedience training and agility courses. Despite its imposing height, the breed is famously gentle and calm indoors, a trait that surprises people expecting a guard dog. Owners drawn to size extremes might also enjoy comparing notes with fans of the opposite end of the spectrum in this guide to teacup dog breeds.
8. Briard
The Briard’s shaggy, wavy coat covers a dog with a genuinely impressive resume. These dogs were bred as herding and guard dogs to defend flocks and combat predators before being used as working dogs during WWII, according to Monkoodog. The Briard is now content to live the life of a companion dog.
Solid black is one of the breed’s most popular and striking colors, making the Briard a frequent pick among fans of large black dog breeds who also want a devoted family guardian. The long, slightly wavy coat needs weekly brushing to prevent mats from forming near the legs and chest. Despite its imposing size and history as a wartime working dog, the Briard is rarely mentioned alongside the most dangerous dog breeds, since its temperament leans protective rather than aggressive when properly socialized.
9. Schnauzer
The Schnauzer family, recognized by the AKC across Miniature, Standard, and Giant varieties, is built around a wiry double coat topped with a signature beard and bushy eyebrows. The Giant Schnauzer and Standard Schnauzer are both classified in the working group by the American Kennel Club, alongside other large, coated working breeds.
Solid black is a standard-recognized color across all three sizes, making the Giant Schnauzer a popular large black dog breed and the Miniature Schnauzer a common choice among small black dog breeds. Unlike many shaggy breeds, Schnauzers shed relatively little because their wiry coat traps loose hair rather than releasing it, which is why they often appear on lists of low-shedding dog breeds recommended for allergy-conscious households.
Pro Tip: Schnauzer coats benefit from hand-stripping rather than clipping alone. Stripping preserves the wiry texture and rich color, while repeated clipping can soften the coat over time.
10. Tibetan Mastiff
Few shaggy dog breeds look quite as formidable as the Tibetan Mastiff, a massive guardian breed developed in the Himalayas to protect livestock and monasteries. Despite their big size, Tibetan Mastiffs are surprisingly light on their feet and have no problem diving in when they sense danger, and the breed’s dense double coat requires plenty of TLC but is very handy for keeping them warm in cold climates, according to Parade Pets.
Solid black and black-and-tan are among the most recognized colors for the breed, placing the Tibetan Mastiff firmly among the large black dog breeds prized for guardian work. Because these dogs are often kept outdoors in dry, dusty regions of the American Southwest, owners should also be aware of regional health risks like the one covered in this guide to valley fever in dogs.
Important Note: Guardian breeds like the Tibetan Mastiff need early socialization and an experienced handler. Their protective instincts are strong, and inconsistent training can lead to territorial behavior that is difficult to manage later.
11. Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is a gentle giant with a thick, water-resistant double coat developed to withstand the icy waters off Canada’s Atlantic coast. Bred to help fishermen haul nets and rescue swimmers, the breed still has webbed feet and a natural swimming instinct that sets it apart from most other shaggy dog breeds on this list.
Solid black is by far the most iconic Newfoundland color, making it one of the most recognizable large black dog breeds for American families. Its calm, patient temperament around children has earned it a long-standing reputation as a nanny dog. Giant-breed owners feeding a Newfoundland-sized appetite should also brush up on which human foods are actually safe, including this rundown of fruits dogs can eat as occasional treats.
12. Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog carries one of the most photogenic coats on this list: a long, silky tricolor combination of black, white, and rust. According to the American Kennel Club, the Bernese Mountain Dog is big, powerful, and built for hard work, and also strikingly beautiful.
Originally bred in the Swiss Alps to pull carts, guard farms, and drive cattle short distances, the breed retains a strong work ethic and a deep attachment to family. Its coat needs brushing several times a week, especially during seasonal shedding periods when the undercoat blows out in clumps. The black-based coloring also makes the Bernese one of the more popular black dog breeds for families searching for a large, gentle companion.
13. Samoyed
Not every shaggy dog breed wears a dark coat, and the Samoyed proves it in dazzling white. Developed by the nomadic Samoyede people of Siberia to herd reindeer and pull sleds, this breed’s thick, standoff double coat reflects sunlight and insulates against brutal cold rather than trapping heat like darker coats do.
The Samoyed’s upturned mouth corners, often called the “Sammy smile,” originally kept the dog from drooling icicles onto its face while working outdoors. That same dense coat sheds heavily and constantly, producing what owners jokingly call “Samoyed smoke,” so this is far from a low-maintenance pick. Like several other herding dog breeds on this list, the Samoyed is intelligent, vocal, and happiest with daily physical activity.
14. Chow Chow
The Chow Chow’s dense, standoffish coat and distinctive lion-like ruff make it instantly recognizable, and its personality is just as distinctive as its looks. The Chow Chow is grouped among long-haired dog breeds like the Afghan Hound, Old English Sheepdog, and Bearded Collie that benefit most from a slicker brush, according to Betterpet.
Originally developed in China as a guard, hunting, and herding dog, the Chow Chow is known for a blue-black tongue found in no other breed and a famously independent, almost feline personality. Solid black and red are among the most popular colors, and black Chow Chows are frequently cited among striking, popular black dog breeds. Owners often compare its aloof, self-possessed attitude to a cat rather than a typical dog, a comparison explored further in this piece on cat breeds that act like dogs.
Common Mistake: Mistaking a Chow Chow’s aloofness for aggression. Chow Chows are typically reserved and independent rather than hostile, though they do need consistent socialization from puppyhood.
15. Leonberger
The Leonberger rounds out this list as one of the largest and shaggiest breeds around, with a thick, waterproof double coat built for cold-weather work. Leonbergers are crosses of the Great Pyrenees, long-haired Saint Bernards, and Newfoundland, and the breed was developed in Germany to work as watchdogs and draft dogs, according to Alpine Dog Co.
The Leonberger has a thick, lush coat that is waterproof, allowing this pup to stay comfortable in a range of weather conditions, reports Parade Pets. The breed’s lion-like mane, a nod to its namesake town of Leonberg, Germany, requires brushing two to three times a week to manage shedding and prevent tangles, per the American Kennel Club. Fans of other long-haired dog breeds will recognize a familiar pattern: big coat, big heart, and a grooming routine that never really stops.
Choosing among these 15 shaggy dog breeds really comes down to matching coat type and grooming tolerance with your own lifestyle. A Pyrenean Shepherd’s low-maintenance coat suits a busy household in a way a Newfoundland’s shedding undercoat never will, while a Tibetan Mastiff’s guardian instincts call for a very different kind of owner than a goofy, people-pleasing Old English Sheepdog. Whichever shaggy breed ends up on your couch, regular brushing, quality nutrition, and routine vet visits will keep that famous coat looking its best for years to come.