10 Small Dog Breeds With Long Hair (With Pictures!)

Our beloved canine companions come in all shapes and sizes, coat types, eye colors, and of course, personalities! It can be difficult to pick the right dog for your home with so many breeds to choose from. Every dog has different needs and those should be taken into careful consideration before bringing your new pup home.

If you love a long-haired dog and have the time and patience to maintain their coats, perhaps a small breed dog with long hair is right for you!

These top ten breeds we’ve gathered feature long, flowing locks and still fit perfectly in your lap.  

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Top 10 Small Dogs With Long Hair 

1. Yorkshire Terrier

Height	7-8 inches
Weight	7 pounds
Lifespan	11-15 years
Temperament	Affectionate, energetic, loyal

One of the most recognizable breeds around the world, the Yorkshire Terrier has a beautiful, floor-length coat. The Yorkie’s coat is more closely related to human hair and much like our hair will require an extensive grooming routine. To keep their coats from tangling and matting, you’ll need to brush them daily. 

This breed can wear its coat either long or short, depending on the owner’s preference. Using a small bow to keep their bangs up from their faces can be positively adorable! 

Keep in mind that while this breed will claim your lap as their throne, they’re a terrier breed and will hunt small prey. They’re also known to be bossy but once you’ve attended to their wishes, they’ll lavish you with affection. 

2. Coton de Tulear

Height	9-11 inches
Weight	8-15 pounds
Lifespan	15-19 years
Temperament	Loyal, silly, gentle

Perhaps not a common breed many people are aware of, the Coton de Tulear hails from Madagascar. Known to be the clowns of the family, these little guys have a jaunty spirit and want to be a part of the attention. 

Coton, French for cotton, is actually what their coat feels like! Fluffy, white, and oh so soft, the Coton de Tulear looks like a small cloud with legs. You can trim their fur to a manageable length if need be but otherwise, they’ll require daily brushing. This fun little breed will be happy to curl up with their families after entertaining them! 

3. Shih Tzu

Height	9-11 inches
Weight	9-16 pounds
Lifespan	10-18 years
Temperament	Playful, affectionate

A popular choice for those who live in apartments or smaller homes, the Shih Tzu is an old Chinese breed with a big personality. Easily recognizable with their silky coats, the Shih Tzu is a family favorite. 

As with most dog breeds, they can be shaved to minimize grooming needs. For those who love the long-haired look, daily brushing and frequent baths will be required. To protect their eyes, either cut the bangs short or tie them up as they can be easily irritated. 

Referred to as the “lion dog” of palaces, Shih Tzus have enjoyed a life of comfort in the laps of royalty and will expect no less from you! Known to be silly and affectionate, these guys are a great choice for families with kids  

4. Skye Terrier

Height	9.5-10 inches
Weight	35-45 pounds
Lifespan	12-14 years
Temperament	Fearless, affectionate, loyal

A striking breed, the Skye Terrier has a long coat that swishes when they trot by your side. This coat is a bit easier to manage and will only require weekly brushing to keep them ship-shaped. 

Bred to flush out vermin on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, this terrier breed has a moderate level of energy. They can be stubborn and prefer to do their own thing, so a firm hand is required to train them properly. 

As excellent diggers, it’s best if you can provide them with a space for them to safely dig in. Terrier breeds were bred to dig out ground-dwelling vermin, so don’t be surprised when your Skye Terrier begins digging up your couch! 

5. Maltese

Height	7-9 inches
Weight	7 pounds
Lifespan	12-15 years
Temperament	Affectionate, playful

As one of the oldest toy breeds, the Maltese was a favorite of royals and have grown in popularity around the world. Their beautiful, long white coats are silky and flow with grace. To keep them flowing perfectly, your Maltese will need to be brushed daily. Their coats are similar to human hair and can tangle easily. 

This is an excellent breed for allergy sufferers! Please note that no dog is “hypoallergenic”, but some breeds are less likely to cause allergies. Combining this with a playful personality and affection for their owners, the Maltese is a perfect canine companion. 

6. Lhasa Apso

Height	10-11 inches
Weight	12-18 pounds
Lifespan	12-15 years
Temperament	Affectionate, independent, aloof

A breed well-loved by Tibetan priests, Lhasa Apsos are an ancient dog breed that has a regal bearing and makes excellent guard dogs. They have famously long coats that part like curtains on their bodies and carry them with dignity. 

They’ll need daily brushing to keep their coats smooth and show-ready. You can have your Lhasa Apso trimmed to help with maintenance. These guys were bred as guard dogs and can be suspicious of strangers so early socialization and training are needed. 

It is said that Dalai Lamas (Tibetan priests) are reincarnated as Lhasa Apsos if they don’t reach Nirvana. You could have a thousand-year-old monk running around your house! With a glorious coat, of course. 

7. Pekingese

Height	7-8 inches
Weight	7-12 pounds
Lifespan	13-15 years
Temperament	Intelligent, devoted

Another royal breed, Pekingese were favorites of the Imperial Chinese court and enjoyed a royal status. Their long coats lend them a fierce look that earned them the nickname “lion dog”, much like the Shih Tzu. 

They have a longer coat around their neck and shoulders, hence the lion dog nickname! With a double coat, these guys will require long brushing sessions to ensure they stay tangle-free. For such a small size, Pekingese make excellent guard dogs. They’ve also got an independent streak, probably from being royalty, so prepare to have patience! 

8. Bolognese

Height	10-12 inches
Weight	6-10 pounds
Lifespan	12-14 years
Temperament	Playful, devoted

Gifted between the wealthy and royalty, the Bolognese is a small Italian breed with a big personality. With a fluffy, white coat that begs to be petted, these small guys can rock a short or long coat. They’ll need weekly brushings and the occasional bath to clean up. 

This is a faithful breed that will enjoy being with their families at all times. They have a calm temperament and are often playful with those they love. Be warned though, these little guys have a stubborn streak and will use their cloud-like appearance to bend you to their will! 

9. Long-Haired Dachshund

Height	9 inches
Weight	9-32 pounds
Lifespan	12-14 years
Temperament	Energetic, loyal, courageous

The German Dachshund can be found in three varieties: smooth, long coat, and wire. The long-coat Dachshund will require daily brushing to keep their coats smooth and tangle-free. 

The long-haired variety needs more upkeep than the other two but will reward bonding grooming time with unending loyalty. Their coats can come in multiple colors, including the striking spotted or dapple coat. 

A feisty breed that is unafraid of larger animals, the Dachshund is a compact hunting dog with an affectionate side for its families. This breed is not suited for homes that have many steps and should not be allowed to jump on/off of furniture due to their low backs. 

10. Pomeranian

Height	10-11 inches
Weight	3-7 pounds
Lifespan	12-16 years
Temperament	Active, intelligent

While the Pomeranian’s coat doesn’t hang to the floor like some of our other breeds, they do have a thick, fluffy coat that requires attention. Their double coat needs a regular brushing 1-2 times a week and daily during shedding season. They can come in quite a variety of coat colors, including red, white, black, and even blue! 

Alert and active, Pomeranians make a surprisingly good guard dog. They have “small dog syndrome”, meaning they think they’re a big dog and will act like it! Quite the active little entertainer, Poms love to learn tricks! They’ll thrive on learning new skills and then ending the day in your lap. 

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Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, the top 10 dog breeds with long hair!

Toy breeds with long hair make great pets but will need that extra attention to their coats. While most of them can be trimmed to shorter coats, all of them will require coat maintenance. 

If you have the time and patience to maintain your dog’s coat or are looking to show your pet, one of the above breeds will be a great match! If you’re still unsure if you can handle the longer coats, speak with a professional groomer to get an experienced opinion. 

Long-hair dog breeds are absolutely wonderful to look at and it’s no wonder they own the show ring! As most of our breeds on this list come from royalty, prepare to have a tiny king or queen running around your home. As long as you treat them as befitting their royal status, these breeds will be life-long, loving companions.