10 Big Fluffy Dog Breeds for You To Cuddle! (With Pictures)
Big fluffy dog breeds are some of the most impressive in the doggie kingdom. They come in all different kinds of colors (literally black through to white) and have thick coats you just want to bury your hands in. They’re the perfect snuggle partners and all the pups on this list make wonderful pets for the right owner.
But there are a couple of things to consider when taking on a big fluffy dog breed. Of course, many of these amazing dogs have high grooming needs. As an owner, you need to keep their fluffy coats looking as good as possible. It’s also important to think about their size.
Big dogs aren’t for everyone and they do come with their own needs (mainly space), so you must research the breed carefully to find out whether they’re the correct dog for you.
So, without further ado, here are 10 amazing giant fluffy dog breeds for you to enjoy!
10 Big Fluffy Dogs
Seeing a large fluffy dog breed is something you won’t forget anytime soon. Here are some of the best show-stoppers out there.
#1 Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is a majestic, large, and very fluffy dog. These French dogs were bred in the mountainous region that borders France and Spain. Their primary job was to guard cattle and sheep and protect them against large predators such as wolves and bears.
These stunning dogs are very gentle, and patient, and don’t mind spending time on their own. They’re good around kids and can sometimes be territorial when it comes to dogs they don’t know.
Great Pyrenees have a stunning white coat that’s thick, medium-length, and very fluffy. Surprisingly, they don’t require a lot of grooming as their coat is tangle and dirt-resistant. They might shed a lot, though, especially in the shedding season.
#2 Tibetan Mastiff
As far as big fluffy dog breeds go, you can’t get bigger or fluffier than the Tibetan Mastiff. These stunning dogs are guarders through and through and will do anything to protect their property and those they love.
As the name suggests, they were originally bred in Tibet as livestock and property guardians. They tend to live an aloof and somewhat independent life, feeling much more at home spending their days wandering around their grounds than jumping around in a dog park.
These pups can be many colors and have stunning markings. They’re sometimes referred to as ‘lion dogs‘ thanks to their stunning mane that goes around their neck.
They can be quite shy and reserved at the beginning, so any owner will have to put in a lot of time to build trust and socialize these dogs well.
#3 Chow Chow
How amazing is the fluffy Chow Chow? These pups were originally bred in Ancient China and have been used as guarders, hunters, and even herders. Their seriously cuddly, playful, and intelligent dogs that can be 5 different colors: red, cream, cinnamon, black, and blue. Something else potential owners should know about Chow Chows is that they have blue-black tongues!
These fluffy and adorable dogs have thick coats that need to be brushed twice a week. They’re very clean pups and only need to be bathed occasionally.
It’s really important to train and socialize a Chow Chow well as they can be independent, aloof, and a bit standoffish. If you do socialize them well, they’ll be a loyal, happy, and very gentle dog breed.
#4 Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is an excellent worker, first bred in the Swiss mountains as the perfect farm dog. These big mountain dogs were used for all sorts of jobs their farmers needed doing and have therefore grown into versatile, adaptable, and great family pups.
These stunning tri-colored doggos are known to be amazing with kids. Bernese Mountain Dogs are patient, caring, fun-loving, and very playful – which is an excellent combination!
The Bernese Mountain Dog, like lots of other pups bred in the mountains, has a dense and seriously fluffy coat. They shed quite a lot and you’ll probably need to brush them daily during the shedding season.
#5 Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are amazing, energetic, and hard-working dogs that originated in Alaska. They were bred to pull heavy loads over ice and snow so, as you might imagine, they have thick fluffy coats to keep them warm too!
These dogs really do look like wolves, mainly because of their pointy ears, muzzle, and unique colorings but they’re actually very affectionate. Alaskan Malamutes need lots of daily exercise and will enjoy having a job to do. They like competing in doggie competitions (especially when it involves pulling something) and will be happy to accompany you on any hike or jog.
These dogs are definitely pack animals and you must distinguish yourself as the leader from the beginning. If not trained and socialized well from puppyhood, an Alaskan Malamute may become dominant.
#6 Newfoundland
Newfoundlands are gentle, patient, and adoring large dogs with thick coats that can be several different colors. These impressive dogs were bred to help fishermen with daily tasks including reeling in nets, fishing, pulling equipment, and swimming to detangle caught nets. In fact, these doggos are such great swimmers they even have webbed feet!
Despite their enormous size, Newfies are actually very gentle are are great nanny dogs. They always keep a watchful eye out for the little family members and are fiercely loyal. They’re intelligent dogs that can be used in lots of roles, including search and rescue.
Although active, they don’t actually need huge amounts of exercise and are happy with a daily walk or swim or a large garden to wander around in.
#7 Leonberger
These big fluffy dogs are seriously impressive to see. Standing at over 31 inches and weighing up to 170 pounds, you’re getting a whole lot of dog when you adopt a Leonberger! Arguably one of the fluffiest dog breeds around, the Leonberger is known for its lush, thick coat, triangle ears, and calm nature.
Male dogs also have a beautiful mane (hence the ‘Leon’ in their name).
Something any potential owner should know is that Leonbergers shed a lot and even more during the shedding seasons. If you’re not a fan of dog hair all over your home, you’ll really need to brush these dogs every day.
Although calm and even-tempered, Leonbergers aren’t a good fit if you live in an apartment. They need space to play in and some vigorous exercise every day.
#8 Old English Sheepdog
Out of all the big fluffy dog breeds on this list, we particularly love the Old English Sheepdog. These shaggy gray dogs are seriously athletic under all that fur and are very agile when it comes to herding. They’re experts in the field and can spend all day looking after their flock or accompanying their owners on outdoor adventures.
They’re highly intelligent and need regular training to keep their brains active and happy. If you don’t live on a farm or have jobs for these pups to do, they’ll benefit from toys such as fun herding balls to hone their skills.
The Old English Sheepdog is a wonderful family pet and gets on really well with kids and other pups they’ve grown up with. They’re kind, alert, and protective of those they love. They’re also very playful and can be silly at times – which is always fun!
If you like the thought of an Old English Sheepdog but want a slightly more hypoallergenic coat, you could always get a Sheepadoodle. They’re big fluffy dogs too!
#9 Rough Collie
There are two types of beautiful Collies – the Rough Collie and the Smooth Collie. Rough pups have longer and fluffier coats whilst smooth dogs have shorter and sleeker ones. As you can see from the film Lassie, the Rough Collie is a dependable, loyal, and very affectionate breed known for their incredible intelligence.
A Rough Collie has a sweet and kind personality and is an amazing family pet. They love to be around kids and join the family on excursions. As with many herding dog breeds, these pups have dense coats that help them stay warm while working in the fields.
They also need lots of daily exercise and will love to go on runs, chase after balls (a doggie ball launcher can be a great source of entertainment), or take part in canine classes.
This big fluffy dog breed needs to be brushed regularly to stop matting – especially behind the ears and elbows. The American Kennel Club recommends brushing them down to the skin once a week to remove dead hair and spread important oils.
#10 Golden Retriever
Perhaps not the largest fluffy dog on the list but a big fluffy dog breed nonetheless. America’s beloved Golden Retriever is the perfect family pet. They’re cuddly, kind, intelligent, protective, and a little goofy at times. They’re also very beautiful dogs and come in a range of different golden colors (we particularly love the red Golden Retriever).
These pups were first bred to accompany hunters and are excellent companions. Nowadays they’re also used as therapy dogs as well as by search and rescue teams.
Because Golden Retrievers have such thick coats, you can expect them to shed – especially twice per year when they shed their coats ready to grow a new one for the upcoming season. Brushing them once or twice a week can help to keep most of it under control.
So, Which Of These Big Fluffy Dog Breeds Is for You?
All of these big fluffy dogs are amazing canines and they can be the perfect pet for the right owner. Naturally, bigger and fluffier dogs come with their own special needs and they may not be the right match for everyone. Size can be an issue when it comes to training and living requirements and many of these dogs have quite high grooming needs. You’ll also have to think of the added expenses that come with a bigger pup, for example, you’ll need to buy more dog food than for a tiny pooch.
But, if you do decide one of these big fluffy dog breeds is for you, you’ll certainly be getting an impressive dog, full of personality and character!
