15 Fluffy Dog Breeds You'll Want to Pet and Cuddle All Day Long

American Eskimo Dog

Smaller than a Samoyed but similar in appearance, the American Eskimo Dog is a medium-sized breed with a medium-length double coat. Most dogs of this breed are open to strangers and become fast friends with anyone they meet.

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, hard-working dog that enjoys going outside for playtime with their humans. These dogs belong to the American Kennel Club's herding group and should have access to a big backyard for all their energy. Their coats are uniquely categorized as black, red, red merle, and blue merle (merle being the genetic pattern that occurs in a dog's coat, often appearing as speckled patches of color).

Bearded Collie

Like collies of all kinds, the Bearded Collie (otherwise known as "Beardie") belongs to the herding group, so they like to herd sheep, other pets, or even kids in the family if you aren't watchful. That said, they're willful but always friendly. Standing 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder, these dogs are covered head to tail in a shaggy double coat.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a little dog with a coat so pristinely white and fluffy, it's like a cloud. While they are considered relatively hypoallergenic, they do require brushing at least two or three times a week but every day is best.

Chow Chow

One of Martha's favorites, the Chow Chow, may look cuddly but they aren't likely to have a cuddly disposition—they're quite independent. Chows have two different types of coats—rough and smooth—both of which require brushing a few times weekly; they are also very heavy shedders in the spring and fall when they blow their coats.

Coton de Tulear

The Coton de Tulear is a breed ideal for a family that includes children and other dogs. Coton means "cotton" in French, and these fluffy little dogs fit the name: Their long, soft coat is made up of hair, not fur, which helps contribute to their nearly hypoallergenic status. They're typically low-shedding, but they may shed their puppy coat before their adult coat grows in.

Eurasier

The Eurasier is a family-oriented spitz type that originated in Germany. It's a large breed and has a medium-length double coat that needs regular brushing. And since this dog enjoys the outdoors so much, baths are likely going to be frequent.

Keeshond

The Keeshond is a well-established breed that's long been raised to be family companions as well as watchdogs. These dogs have a long, double coat in striking gray, cream, and black colors.

Lhasa Apso

The Lhasa Apso's long straight hair is the hallmark of this small-sized breed. This breed is affectionate with the family and provides great comical relief, too. Be prepared to laugh and fall in love.

Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog is an old breed from the British Isles that's instantly recognizable for its thick, shaggy coat—commonly in shades of blue, grey, and blue merle, with or without patches of white. Because they have such thick undercoats, they repel water well, but can quickly become matted and tangled without proper combing.

Pekingese

The Pekingese is lovingly referred to as "lion dog" for its stocky build and long, soft mane—a nickname that harkens back to its origins as a pet for Chinese emperors. An hour of brushing every week should be enough to remove loose hairs and prevent matting, but this lap dog doesn't mind.

Pomeranian

The Pomeranian is one of the most popular and most well-known of the fluffy breeds. Small in stature but with a big personality, this dog has an undercoat that's soft and dense and an outer coat that's long, straight, and coarse; just brush them a few times weekly.

Poodle

Poodles of all sizes—standard, miniature, and toy—are known for their curly-Q coats and range of colors. While they don't shed much, they do require professional grooming every three to six weeks. They're also hypoallergenic, which has led to new mixed breeds.

• A Visual Guide to All the Different Types of Poodle Mixes

Samoyed

Popularly known for its snowy-white coat, the Samoyed is impish in personality and pairs well with an owner who is outgoing and even athletic. These double-coated dogs require regular brushing, even daily in the spring and fall, when their coat is going through its seasonal transformation known as "blowing coat."

Siberian Husky

The thick-coated Siberian Husky has a unique feature of "self-cleaning," meaning that this breed is not smelly and you'll only have to bathe them a few times a year. Brushing regularly is preferred as they shed continually throughout the year, and even more so twice annually when they "blow" their coats.