Have you ever been minding your own business, only to have your world shattered by a literal walking cloud? No, I’m not talking about the floating poofs that hang out in the sky; I’m talking about dogs. Our furry buddies come in varieties ranging from hairless to puppy powderpuff, with these ten dog breeds in the category of “fluffiest dog ever.” See below for our roundup of the floofiest dog breeds around!
Resemblance to bear cubs or teddy bears is purely accidental.
1. Keeshond
The Dutch Keeshond (pronounced kayz-hawnd) dates back to the 17th century and is an affectionate dog geared toward companionship—which means you get express permission to cuddle all the floof.
2. Bearded collie
The bearded collie’s coat is thick and lies flatter than the Keeshond’s, and their coat can change colour, or “fade,” over their lifespan. Read: this dog was doing ombré hair before it was cool.
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3. Samoyed
These personified cotton balls’ fur is dirt- and water-resistant, so their fluff halo stays a consistent bright white. Despite shedding like no one’s business, Samoyeds are hypoallergenic and great at self-grooming.
4. Chow chow
These doggies are known for having a mane that rivals a lion’s, but did you know they have a less-floofy counterpart?
Yep, the smooth-coated Chow (not featured, but definitely a contender for Wrinkliest Dog). Look out for spring and autumn, as these fuzzy bear-dogs tend to lose their coat seasonally.
5. Bichon frise
With curls groomed to look like pillows, these sassy clouds have quite a bit of personality. While their coat doesn’t shed quite like the Samoyed, beware and brush regularly—those curls tend to trap any loose fur.
6. Shetland sheepdog
Shelties originated in the Shetland Islands. With a long multi-coloured coat that is water and dirt resistant, these friendly dogs were used primarily for herding sheep and cattle.
7. Pomeranian
As descendants of sled dogs in Iceland, Pomeranians wear a coat engineered for winter endurance (and lap-warming). These floor dusters come almost every colour, so you can cuddle these little gems in sable, black, blue — you name it!
8. Newfoundland
Though there is much debate about the origin of Newfies (Tibetan mastiff descendants? Brought to North America with Vikings?), they are not only one of the fluffiest, but one of the friendliest breeds as well.
With their thick water-resistant coat and webbed feet, Newfies don’t bat an eye at polar dips and were used primarily as working dogs for fishermen.
9. Old English Sheepdog
Similar in appearance to the bearded collie, the Old English Sheepdog was once one of the more recognisable breeds, even making an appearance as Prince Eric’s lively pup in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I think we can all agree with Prince Eric—we want to be part of this dog’s world!
10. Pekingese
Pekingese pups survived the sinking of the Titanic, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it was partly due to their fur doubling as a cozy floating device. The flat-faced fluffs were royalty in imperial China, acting as both guard dogs and hand warmers.
And remember, if you have to be away from your little fluffball for whatever reason, you can always find a loving dog sitter who’ll be happy to dole out cuddles on Rover.com.