15 Big & Small Fluffy Dogs That Are Absolutely Adorable
Fluffy dogs come in all shapes and sizes, there are lots of big dog breeds and small breeds that have furry, cloud-like coats perfect for cuddling. Some of the cutest dogs have thick, puffy coats and we’ve listed 15 of our favourites below.
1. Bichon Frise
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Size: 23 - 28cm
Weight: 3 - 5kg
Character: Curious, playful, intelligent
Colour: White
Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 years
Fluffy, cute, and full of character, the Bichon Frise is known for their white frizzy coat. These affectionate little dogs are incredibly entertaining and thrive on being with their family. The fluffy coat of the Bichon Frise doesn’t shed much but needs regular trimming to maintain its teddy bear look.
Take a look at our guide on Bichon Frises.
2. Pomeranian
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Size: 13 - 28cm
Weight: 1 - 3kg
Character: Inquisitive, lively, bold, social
Colour: Black, Black & Tan, White, Cream, Chocolate, Chocolate & Tan, Sable, Orange, Red, Tri-Coloured, Blue & Tan, Blue Merle
Life Expectancy: 12 - 16 years
Pomeranians are fluffy balls of energy, their long fur is soft and requires regular brushing to prevent tangles. Poms may be small in size but they have a lot of confidence and like to be the star of the show. Pomeranians love adventures but they are sensitive to heat and can shed a lot.
Take a look at our guide on Pomeranians.
3. Maltese
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Size: 20 - 25cm
Weight: 1 - 3kg
Character: Sweet, playful, charming, hardy
Colour: White
Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 years
Maltese dogs are another low shedding breed that is known for their long, flowing white coats. Maltese dogs are friendly, family-orientated and playful. The coat of these dogs needs to be brushed daily to prevent matting. Some Maltese dog owners prefer to keep their coats trimmed to a shorter length while others leave them long and grazing the ground.
Take a look at our guide on Maltese dogs.
4. Cockapoo
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Size: 25 - 38cm
Weight: 5 - 18kg
Character: Social, intelligent, gentle
Colour: Black, Brown, Red, Tan, Cream, Sable, Beige, White, Merle, Black & White
Life Expectancy: 14 - 18 years
A cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, a Cockerpoo is a sweet, intelligent, and joyous dog. They sport a thick, fluffy coat that is soft and silky. Cockapoos can have curly, wavy, or straight fur and they only shed a small amount. This breed benefits from getting regular trims.
Take a look at our guide on Cockapoos.
5. Shih Tzu
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Size: 20 - 28cm
Weight: 4 - 7kg
Character: Outgoing, affectionate, playful
Colour: Black, Blue, Brindle, Gold, Liver, Red, Silver, Black & White, Blue & White, Gold & White, Liver & White, Red & White, Silver & White
Life Expectancy: 10 - 16 years
Shih Tzus are playful, energetic and excitable. Shih Tzus have long, fluffy coats that rarely shed and need daily brushing. Their coat can be trimmed down to a more manageable length if preferred. It’s not unusual to see a Shih Tzu wearing a bow or hair tie to keep their hair out of their eyes.
Take a look at our guide on Shih Tzus.
6. Havanese
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Size: 23 - 28cm
Weight: 4 - 7kg
Character: Loyal, playful, affectionate
Colour: Black, Black & Tan, Black & Silver, Cream, Chocolate, Fawn, Red, Brindle, Sable, Gold, Silver, White
Life Expectancy: 14 - 16 years
Arguably one of the most adorable lapdogs there is, Havanese have big hearts and thrive on being social. Havanese dogs have long, soft coats that need regular brushing to keep them looking fluffy and in good condition. Despite all the fluff, the Havanese breed was developed in Cuba so tends to handle heat and sunshine better than cold conditions.
Take a look at our guide on Havanese dogs.
7. Toy Poodle
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Size: 24 - 28cm
Weight: 3 - 6kg
Character: Intelligent, endearing, high-spirited
Colour: Black, Brown, Cream, Apricot, Blue, Silver, Red, White
Life Expectancy: 14 - 15 years
The smallest of the poodles, the Toy Poodle is one of the fluffiest breeds and is low-allergen too as they rarely shed. Toy Poodles require a lot of grooming as their coats are susceptible to matting. Poodles are known for their intelligence, their trainability, and their people-pleasing natures.
Take a look at our guide on Toy Poodles.
8. Lhasa Apso
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Size: 23 - 28cm
Weight: 6 - 7kg
Character: Smart, confident, comical, versatile
Colour: Black, Black & Tan, Cream, Golden, Red, Red Gold, White
Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 years
Affectionate, fun-loving, and independent, Lhasa Apsos were once used to guard monasteries in the Himalayan Mountains and are always ready to protect their families. Lhasa Apsos have long, silky coats that don’t shed but require regular brushing.
Take a look at our guide on Lhasa Apsos.
9. Chow Chow
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Size: 43 - 51cm
Weight: 25 - 32kg
Character: Loyal, proud, independent
Colour: Black, Cream, Fawn, Red, White
Life Expectancy: 9 - 15 years
The fluffy coat and lion-like mane are key distinguishing features of the Chow Chow. Chows have one of the thickest, fluffiest coats thanks to their dense undercoat. This breed sheds a lot and requires regular brushing to keep this under control.
Take a look at our guide on Chow Chows.
10. Shetland Sheepdog
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Size: 33 - 44cm
Weight: 6 - 11kg
Character: Playful, energetic, bright
Colour: Sable & White, Blue Merle White & Tan, Black & White, Sable Merle & White, Blue Merle & White, Black White & Tan
Life Expectancy: 12 - 14 years
Shetland Sheepdogs have a beautiful thick double coat that keeps them warm in cold conditions. This breed looks similar to Collies and is a highly trainable dog breed. Shetland Sheepdogs are energetic herding dogs and they need weekly brushing and de-matting to keep their coats fluffy.
Take a look at our guide on Shetland Sheepdogs.
11. Finnish Lapphund
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Size: 41 - 52cm
Weight: 15 - 24kg
Character: Alert, friendly, agile
Colour: Black, Cream, Brown, Tan, Blonde, Wolf Sable
Life Expectancy: 12 - 14 years
With lots of fluff and a kind expression, the Finnish Lapphund is an active, friendly, and loyal companion. The breed used to be used for reindeer herding and has an impressive amount of fur to keep them warm. Finnish Lapphunds also shed a huge amount so regular brushing is a must.
Take a look at our guide on Finnish Lapphunds.
12. Australian Shepherd
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Size: 46 - 58cm
Weight: 23 - 29kg
Character: Exuberant, work-oriented, smart
Colour: Black, Blue Merle, Red, Red Merle, Red Tricolour, Black Tricolour
Life Expectancy: 13 - 15 years
One of the bigger fluffy dog breeds is the Australian Shepherd. This breed has a dense double coat that keeps them warm when herding and guarding in the elements. The beautiful coat of the Australian Shepherd does need regular brushing and does shed a fair amount too.
Take a look at our guide on Australian Shepherds.
13. Newfoundland
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Size: 65 - 90cm
Weight: 54 - 68kg
Character: Patient, devoted, sweet
Colour: Black, Brown, Grey, White & Black
Life Expectancy: 8 - 10 years
The Newfoundland is a gentle giant with a big, fluffy coat. These devoted dogs tend to shed and drool a lot, they need to be brushed weekly to keep their coats silky and soft. Newfies love to swim and were historically used to help fishermen and as water rescue dogs.
Take a look at our guide on Newfoundlands.
14. Samoyed
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Size: 46 - 56cm
Weight: 23 - 30kg
Character: Gentle, friendly, adaptable
Colour: White
Life Expectancy: 11 - 15 years
The large Samoyed is one of the bigger white fluff balls in the dog world. This working dog has a super thick double coat that is bright white and sheds constantly. Samoyeds are cute, fluffy and even look like they are smiling.
Take a look at our guide on Samoyeds.
15. Siberian Husky
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Size: 51 - 61cm
Weight: 20 - 27kg
Character: Outgoing, loyal, mischievous
Colour: Black & White, Brown & White, Black Tan & White, Grey & White, Sable & White, Red & White, White, Black
Life Expectancy: 12 - 14 years
Siberian Huskies are fluffy sled dogs that are agile, intelligent, and adventurous. The double coat of a Husky needs to be brushed a couple of times a week, they also shed seasonally so there will be periods of heavier shedding where daily brushing is required. Huskies are social dogs and they love being out and about in cold weather.
Take a look at our guide on Siberian Huskies.
Things To Consider When Getting A Fluffy Dog
Fluffy dogs may be exceptionally cute but are they the best choice for you? Keep the following factors in mind when choosing the best dog breed for your home and family.
Shedding
While fluffy dogs are perfect for cuddling, many of them are heavy shedders too. As the majority of fluffy dogs have double coats they shed year-round with periods of heavier shedding a couple of times a year. This means these dogs need regular brushing and you will probably need to vacuum frequently to keep on top of the amount of fur being shed around the house.
Some brushes can help you remove excess hair and knowing how to properly groom your fluffy dog is essential.
Grooming Needs
For a fluffy dog to remain fluffy, its coat needs to be properly cared for. As many fluffy dog breeds have a double coat, they are prone to matting if they aren’t brushed regularly.
Grooming daily or at least a couple of times a week is often the norm when you have a fluffy dog. It’s also important to use the right grooming tools for your dog's coat type and remember they may need regular professional grooming sessions too.
Temperature & Climate
Some fluffy dogs, such as Havanese, can handle warmer weather but most fluffy dog breeds are best suited to cold conditions. For many fluffy dogs, their coat is so fluffy in order to protect them from the elements and keep them warm.
Before choosing a fluffy dog breed, think about the climate where you live and whether or not the dog breed is suitable for life in that temperature/ climate. Huskies and Samoyed for example have excellent weather resistance and love the snow so would struggle in hot climates.
Getting A Fluffy Dog
If you have found the perfect dog breed for you, use Puppies to help you find a puppy from a responsible breeder. It’s important to buy from reputable breeders as they make sure all the dogs undergo the relevant health tests and checkups to help prevent health problems.
