From seaside promenades to busy city streets, dogs with soft, flowing coats catch the eye and invite a gentle pat. If you enjoy learning about breeds by appearance and care needs, a focused list makes comparisons easy.
There are 19 silky dog breeds, ranging from Afghan Hound,Yorkshire Terrier to show the breadth from large to toy types. For each entry you’ll find below the columns: Scientific name,Size (weight kg / height cm),Coat & grooming (texture,length; time/wk; shedding) so you can compare size, coat texture and weekly care at a glance — you’ll find below.
How different are grooming needs across silky dog breeds?
Grooming varies widely: some breeds like the Afghan Hound need daily brushing and regular trims to prevent tangles, while others such as the Yorkshire Terrier can be kept with shorter trims to reduce maintenance; shedding levels and brushing time are listed in the coat column so you can match a breed to your routine.
Are silky dog breeds a good choice for allergy sufferers?
Silky coats don’t guarantee hypoallergenicity; many silky breeds still shed dander and require regular grooming, which can reduce loose hair but not eliminate allergens—check the Coat & grooming column for shedding notes and consider spending time with a breed before committing.
Silky Dog Breeds
| Breed name | Scientific name | Size (weight kg / height cm) | Coat & grooming (texture,length; time/wk; shedding) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghan Hound | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 20-27 kg / 61-74 cm | long, fine, silky; 3-7 hrs/wk; low |
| Saluki | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 18-25 kg / 58-71 cm | short body with silky feathering; 1-3 hrs/wk; low |
| Borzoi | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 25-48 kg / 68-85 cm | long, silky, wavy; 2-4 hrs/wk; medium |
| English Setter | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 20-36 kg / 56-69 cm | medium-long, flat, silky; 2-4 hrs/wk; medium |
| Irish Setter | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 25-34 kg / 56-67 cm | long, silky, feathered; 3-5 hrs/wk; medium |
| Gordon Setter | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 20-36 kg / 58-69 cm | long, silky with feathering; 2-4 hrs/wk; medium |
| English Cocker Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 12-14.5 kg / 38-41 cm | medium, silky with feathering; 3-5 hrs/wk; medium |
| American Cocker Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 11-13 kg / 34-39 cm | medium-long, silky; 4-6 hrs/wk; medium |
| English Springer Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 18-25 kg / 48-56 cm | medium, silky with feathering; 3-5 hrs/wk; medium |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 5-8 kg / 30-33 cm | medium, soft silky; 2-4 hrs/wk; medium |
| Papillon | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 3-4.5 kg / 20-28 cm | long, fine, silky; 2-4 hrs/wk; low |
| Japanese Chin | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 3-6 kg / 20-27 cm | long, soft, silky; 2-4 hrs/wk; low |
| Maltese | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 3-4 kg / 20-25 cm | long, pure white, silky; 5-7 hrs/wk; low |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 2-3 kg / 18-23 cm | very long, fine, glossy silky; 3-6 hrs/wk; low |
| Silky Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 3-4.5 kg / 23-26 cm | long, fine, silky; 3-5 hrs/wk; low |
| Havanese | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 4-7 kg / 21-29 cm | long, soft, silky; 4-6 hrs/wk; low |
| Lowchen | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 4.5-8 kg / 25-33 cm | long, silky; 3-5 hrs/wk; low |
| English Toy Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 4-6.5 kg / 25-28 cm | long, soft, silky; 2-4 hrs/wk; low-medium |
| Chinese Crested (Powderpuff) | Canis lupus familiaris; FCI/AKC | 3-6 kg / 28-33 cm | long, soft, silky (powderpuff); 3-5 hrs/wk; low |
Images and Descriptions
Afghan Hound
Tall, elegant sighthound from Afghanistan with a long, flowing silky coat and dignified carriage. Aloof but affectionate with family, needs daily exercise and frequent brushing to prevent mats. Best for experienced owners who can commit time to coat care.
Saluki
Ancient Middle Eastern sighthound with a smooth body coat and silky feathering on ears and tail. Independent and reserved, it needs long runs and light weekly grooming to keep feathering tangle-free. Suited to active owners with off-leash space.
Borzoi
Russian sighthound with a long, silky, often wavy coat and elegant build. Calm indoors but needs vigorous exercise; moderate grooming keeps the coat glossy and mat-free. Best for owners with space and experience handling a large, sensitive dog.
English Setter
English sporting breed with a medium-long, silky coat and distinctive freckled “belton” markings. Friendly, trainable and energetic; requires regular exercise and weekly brushing plus attention to feathering. Good family hunting companion for active homes.
Irish Setter
Striking Irish setter with a long, silky, red feathered coat. Energetic, playful and people-oriented; needs substantial daily exercise and regular grooming to maintain a glossy, tangle-free coat. Ideal for active families who enjoy outdoor activities.
Gordon Setter
Robust Scottish setter with a long, silky black-and-tan coat and elegant feathering. Loyal and intelligent, it requires regular exercise and weekly brushing plus occasional trimming. Suited to active owners who can provide mental stimulation and coat maintenance.
English Cocker Spaniel
Compact English gundog with a medium, silky coat and feathered ears and legs. Affectionate and playful, it needs daily walks and several brushings per week to prevent mats. Great for families wanting an energetic companion.
American Cocker Spaniel
Smaller American gundog with a plush, silky coat and rounded head. Friendly and people-focused, the breed requires high grooming commitment—regular brushing and trims. Best for owners prepared for coat maintenance and regular exercise.
English Springer Spaniel
Versatile sporting spaniel with a medium-length silky coat and feathered furnishings. Energetic and eager-to-please, it needs daily activity and regular grooming to control feathering and moderate shedding. Good for active families or working homes.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Small, affectionate toy spaniel with a soft, medium-length silky coat and feathered ears. Gentle and sociable, adapts well to families and apartments. Weekly brushing and moderate grooming keep the coat healthy and reduce tangles.
Papillon
Tiny, lively companion with a long, fine silky coat and distinctive butterfly-like ear fringes. Intelligent and agile, the Papillon is low-shedding but requires regular brushing to keep ear plumes tangle-free. Suited to owners who enjoy training and activity.
Japanese Chin
Graceful toy breed from East Asia sporting a long, silky coat with profuse feathering on tail and ears. Affectionate and elegant, low-shedding but needs routine brushing to avoid mats. Ideal for apartment living and gentle families.
Maltese
Small Mediterranean companion with a pure white, long silky coat. Playful yet gentle and highly devoted, the Maltese sheds very little but demands daily brushing and regular trims to prevent matting. Best for owners committed to grooming.
Yorkshire Terrier
Tiny, bold terrier with a fine, glossy, long silky coat often kept long or trimmed into a “puppy cut.” Spirited and affectionate, low-shedding but high-grooming—daily brushing prevents tangles. Suited to experienced owners seeking a portable companion.
Silky Terrier
Australian toy terrier with a long, fine silky coat and neat topknot. Lively, intelligent and courageous; low shedding but requires regular brushing and occasional trimming. Good for urban owners who can manage grooming and exercise needs.
Havanese
Small Cuban companion with a long, soft, silky coat that may be slightly wavy. Friendly, adaptable and playful; low-shedding but moderate-to-high grooming needs—regular brushing and periodic trims. Great for families and apartment living when groomed consistently.
Lowchen
Rare small companion breed known for a long, silky coat often styled in a “lion” clip. Cheerful and affectionate, the Lowchen sheds little but needs frequent brushing and periodic trims. Suited to owners seeking a distinctive indoor companion.
English Toy Spaniel
Compact toy spaniel with a long silky coat and rounded skull. Calm and affectionate as a lapdog, it enjoys gentle play; regular brushing prevents tangles. Well-suited to quiet households and owners wanting a gentle companion.
Chinese Crested (Powderpuff)
Small, elegant variety with a soft, long silky coat covering the powderpuff type. Playful and affectionate, it sheds little but needs frequent brushing to avoid mats. Ideal for owners seeking a unique, low-shedding companion.
