From city apartments to country backyards, dogs with silky, flowing coats catch the eye and often require a bit more planning for care. Spotting them at parks or in shows makes it clear that coat type affects daily life, from brushing routines to how often you’ll visit a groomer.
There are 21 soft-coated dog breeds, ranging from the Afghan Hound to the Yorkshire Terrier. For each entry you’ll find the columns Scientific name,Coat (length & texture),Grooming (times/week) so you can compare coat type and care requirements side by side — you’ll find below.
How often will I need to groom a soft-coated dog?
Grooming frequency depends on length and texture: long, silky coats usually need daily brushing to prevent mats, while shorter soft coats may only need a few sessions per week; the Grooming (times/week) column gives typical ranges and helps set realistic care expectations.
Which breeds on the list tend to be better for first-time owners?
Look for breeds with lower grooming needs and manageable energy levels; check the Coat and Grooming columns for maintenance demands, and balance that with temperament and exercise needs shown by the Scientific name and coat details to pick a good match for your lifestyle.
Soft-Coated Dog Breeds
| Breed | Scientific name | Coat (length & texture) | Grooming (times/week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghan Hound | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Hound) | Very long, fine, silky coat | daily |
| Maltese | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Long, single-layer, fine and silky | daily |
| Havanese | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Long, soft, silky and slightly wavy | 4/wk |
| Shih Tzu | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Long, dense, silky coat | daily |
| Lhasa Apso | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Non-Sporting) | Long, dense, straight and soft | daily |
| Bichon Frise | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Non-Sporting) | Curly, soft, cottony coat | 4/wk |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Silky, medium-length feathering | 3/wk |
| American Cocker Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Sporting) | Medium-long, silky, profuse feathering | 4/wk |
| English Cocker Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Sporting) | Medium, silky with feathering | 3/wk |
| Pomeranian | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Thick double coat; fluffy, soft undercoat | 3/wk |
| Papillon | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Long, fine, silky coat with fringed ears | 2/wk |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Long, fine, silky single coat | daily |
| Silky Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Terrier) | Long, fine, silky coat | daily |
| Tibetan Terrier | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Non-Sporting) | Medium to long, profuse and soft | 3/wk |
| Japanese Chin | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Silky, medium-length, straight and soft | 2/wk |
| Pekingese | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Toy) | Long, abundant, soft mane-like coat | daily |
| Bearded Collie | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Herding) | Long, shaggy double coat, soft undercoat | 3/wk |
| Old English Sheepdog | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Herding) | Very long, profuse, shaggy and soft | 3/wk |
| Golden Retriever | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Sporting) | Medium-length, dense, water-resistant and soft | 2/wk |
| Samoyed | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Working) | Thick double coat; plush, fluffy undercoat | 3/wk |
| Tibetan Spaniel | Canis lupus familiaris (AKC Non-Sporting) | Medium, silky, feathered around ears | 2/wk |
Images and Descriptions
Afghan Hound
An iconic silky-coated hound with flowing, very soft hair that needs daily brushing to avoid matting. Elegant and aloof, Afghans suit owners who want a showy, low-activity companion and can commit to intensive grooming.
Maltese
Tiny companion breed with a gleaming, single-layer silky coat that feels like soft hair. Maltese are affectionate and adapt to apartment life but need daily brushing and regular trims to keep their coat tangle-free.
Havanese
A cheerful, small dog with a soft, silky coat that’s pleasant to touch. Havanese are social and trainable; their coat needs frequent brushing and occasional trims to prevent mats and keep a tidy appearance.
Shih Tzu
Compact and affectionate, the Shih Tzu’s long flowing coat is silky and luxurious. They thrive with owners who enjoy grooming routines—daily brushing and regular trims keep the coat healthy and comfortable for indoor life.
Lhasa Apso
Sturdy, historic companion with a full, soft coat that grows long and reaches the ground. Lhasas are independent but loyal; their beautiful coat requires daily care and occasional professional grooming to prevent tangles.
Bichon Frise
Small, happy breed known for a plush, soft, curly coat that feels like a cotton ball. Bichons are playful and people-oriented; regular brushing and professional grooming every 4–8 weeks keep the coat healthy and fluffy.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Affectionate and gentle, Cavaliers have silky ears and feathering that are soft to the touch. They’re great family dogs; moderate grooming several times a week keeps feathering clean and reduces matting around ears and chest.
American Cocker Spaniel
Known for a luxurious, soft coat with abundant feathering, American Cockers are friendly and eager to please. Their coat needs frequent brushing and periodic trims to prevent mats and maintain the classic show silhouette.
English Cocker Spaniel
Energetic and affectionate, English Cockers have a soft, silky coat with feathered legs and chest. They fit active families but need regular brushing and occasional trimming to manage shedding and keep the coat tidy.
Pomeranian
Tiny but bold, Pomeranians have a plush, fluffy undercoat that feels soft and gives a “puffy” appearance. Regular brushing several times weekly prevents matting and helps manage the heavy shedding of the undercoat.
Papillon
Delicate and lively, Papillons feature soft, silky hair and distinctive ear fringes. They’re intelligent and adaptable; light weekly brushing keeps the coat neat while highlighting their graceful appearance.
Yorkshire Terrier
Small breed famous for a long, straight, silky coat that resembles human hair. Yorkies suit owners willing to brush daily or keep a shorter “puppy cut”; they’re spirited companions with grooming needs for tangle prevention.
Silky Terrier
A lively small terrier with a straight, silky coat that’s soft to the touch. Silky Terriers need daily brushing to avoid mats and regular trims; they’re best for owners who like spirited, trainable companions and grooming routines.
Tibetan Terrier
Not a true terrier by function, this breed has a dense, soft, shaggy coat that feels pleasant to touch. Tibetan Terriers are loyal and good-natured; brushing several times weekly keeps their coat healthy and mat-free.
Japanese Chin
An elegant, quiet companion with a fine, silky coat and feathered tail. Japanese Chins are well-suited to apartment life; light grooming a couple times weekly and occasional baths keep their coat sleek and soft.
Pekingese
Compact and regal, Pekingese have a profuse, soft mane and long coat around the neck. They prefer calm homes; daily brushing and periodic trimming prevent heavy mats and preserve the breed’s distinctive appearance.
Bearded Collie
Active and bouncy, Bearded Collies have a long, shaggy coat with a soft undercoat. Their friendly nature suits family life; regular brushing three times weekly prevents tangles and keeps the coat manageable.
Old English Sheepdog
Large and affectionate with a profuse, shaggy coat that’s soft and dense. Old English Sheepdogs are steady family dogs; frequent brushing several times weekly and occasional professional grooming control mats and bulk.
Golden Retriever
Classic family dog with a lush, soft undercoat and smooth outer coat that’s pleasant to touch. Goldens are friendly and active; weekly brushing increases during seasonal shedding to keep loose hair under control.
Samoyed
Famous for a snow-white, plush coat that’s soft and dense. Samoyeds are energetic and friendly; regular brushing several times a week is essential, with heavy grooming during seasonal blows to remove loose undercoat.
Tibetan Spaniel
Small, alert companion with a silky medium-length coat and feathered ears. Tibetan Spaniels are independent yet affectionate; light grooming a couple times weekly keeps the coat tidy and prevents minor tangles.
