Do you dream of welcoming a little four-legged companion with long hair? Many canine enthusiasts appreciate small, long-haired dogs. Physical and behavioral characteristics, maintenance, different breeds… here is everything you need to know about small long-haired dogs!
The characteristics of small dogs with long hair
Why choose a small dog over a big one?
In the large family of dogs, if you look for a small dog, that would be an animal which weighing less than 10 kilos. Now, you still need to choose between:
A “toy” (which weighs less than 4 kilos), that is to say a pocket dog like a Yorkie or a Chihuahua
A “mini” (between 5 and 10 kilos), or a dachshund, a pug …
Opting for a small dog (whether it is a “toy” or a “mini”) will offer you many advantages:
It grows fast: having a puppy at home is good, but being able to count on a well-behaved adult dog is even better! And that’s great because, from the age of 10 months, your little dog will enter the adult world.
You can carry it everywhere with you, not only because of its small size, but also thanks to its great adaptability. By car, plane or even a motorcycle, all trips are possible!
Apartment life suits it perfectly, because it need less room to stretch its paws than its bigger cousins.
It is extremely affectionate, all races included. And they love nothing more than to hug and to follow you everywhere.
Why choose little dog with long hair?
Among other things… for the pleasure of styling it! Sure, long-haired dogs require more care than short-haired ones, including daily disentangling and regular grooming, but in compensation, they also allow you all the daring when it comes to hairstyle. Braids, palm trees, adorned with knots and barrettes of all kinds … many fantasies are allowed!
How to take care of a small dog with long hair?
Because of their small size, but also their coat, small dogs with long hair require specific care.
The diet of a small dog
Pay attention to the different phases of your small longhaired dog’s life: childhood, adulthood and old age. Each time, review its eating plan accordingly.
We do not feed an adult dog like a puppy or an old dog and it is important to respect the energy needs specific to each age, for at least two reasons:
on the one hand, because small dogs are generally very greedy.
On the other hand, because their mini size gives them a tendency to gain weight that will quickly become obesity – with all the health problems that come with it – if you don’t fix it in time.
Also, be vigilant in feeding your small dog:
Ask your veterinarian for advice on setting up your pooch’s daily menus.
Watch for fatty masses to form under their skin.
Check its weight regularly.
Does your dog seem more and more lazy to you and it is a big deal every time to take it for a walk? Maybe you’d better give him fewer treats. And above all, avoid spoiling it by giving it leftovers from your own meals. Too high in calories, they would, in the long run, do him more harm than good.
Dental care for a small dog
In proportion to its jaws, a small dog’s teeth are often very large. Hence dental fragility which promotes, more than in large dogs, the formation of tartar. To protect it as much as possible, get your pooch used to “brushing” its teeth every day with a dental toy.
Grooming a long-haired dog
Your little longhaired dog’s coat says a lot about:
The care it receives at home. Poorly maintained, its coat will form knots, gradually become dull and lifeless. Groomed regularly, on the contrary, it will be supple and shiny.
Its health. Hair that is brittle or falling outside of shedding periods, the appearance of dandruff or itchy skin should alert you. Reliable indicators of an ongoing pathology or a parasitic problem, they justify a visit to the veterinarian.
How do I groom my small long haired dog?
There are three stages to grooming a small, long-haired dog:
Brushing: it must be daily, and carried out with a suitable brush. Otherwise, knots will form and make the disentangling session as painful for your pooch as it is for you. If you let your little dog’s hair get tangled, you have no choice but to use scissors to cut straight through the tangled tuft.
Shampoo: Once a month, wash your dog’s hair with shampoo for small, long-haired dogs. Don’t forget to add conditioner to make brushing easier and to make the hair even softer.
How often to groom a small, long-haired dog
Regarding the frequency of grooming a small dog with long hair, it all depends on the season, the breed and your desires. It is advisable to brush these small dogs regularly to remove dead hair and prevent them from losing hair all over your home. For a great cleaning, it is advisable to entrust the grooming to a salon. The groomer will then take care of trimming the hair and washing your dog. It is recommended to make an appointment with the groomer every 1 to 3 months for these little animals.
What are the breeds of small, long haired dogs?
Are you looking for a small dog with long hair but, among the different breeds, you don’t know which one to choose? Here is our selection of 9 small dogs with long hair, among the most widespread breeds.
The Yorkshire Terrier
Morphology of the breed.
With his small, flat head, erect ears and long, sleek, shiny hair, the Yorkshire is all about a plush! Adult, it does not weigh more than 3 kilos.
What character does it have?
Sweet and affectionate, this dog also needs to exercise. Despite its harmless appearance, this furball retains the character of a terrier, once trained to hunt rats and act as a guard.
Why should you get this breed?
Because it is overflowing with affection … and loves taking baths and receiving beauty treatments!
How to maintain its hair?
If you are going to win competitions with your Yorkshire Terrier, you will need to grow their hair until it hits the ground. This means having to protect them carefully when you take the animal for a walk, otherwise they will collect all the dust in the street!
It is generally considered more practical to trim the animal’s hair close to the ground, which involves frequent grooming (at least 4 times a year). On a daily basis, you will need to detangle your doggie’s hair with a rubber brush, not forgetting the ears and facial hair. One shampoo per week, with the addition of a nourishing balm, is recommended.
The Maltese Bichon
Morphology of the breed.
Adult, it weighs 3 to 4 kilos, not one more. But his thick snow-white coat makes him look more fleshy than he really is! Very sensitive, he must receive quality food and careful care.
What character does it have?
This little dog with long hair has the distinction of always being in a good mood. Very playful, he is a tireless teaser!
Why should you get this breed?
For her beauty, which regularly wins it prizes in competitions and also, of course, for her very good character!
How to maintain its hair?
Long and thick, the fur of the Bichon Maltese requires daily care. Start by brushing it carefully, to soften the hair and get rid of dust. Then comb it out to untangle any knots. In case of difficulty, spray a little detangling spray. For the weekly shampoo, do not hesitate to use a lightening shampoo, which will restore its immaculate shine to the animal’s hair.
The Lhasa Apso
Morphology of the breed.
Of Tibetan origin, this dog weighing around 5 kilos has a long, wavy fur that cascades over its eyes. Its ears and tail are abundantly fringed. Quite massive and stocky, it is nevertheless very agile.
What character does it have?
Formerly used as a guard dog in the monasteries of Tibet, it is a very intelligent doggie. No matter how much it cares about you, it will always be eager to maintain its independence.
Why get Lhasa Apso?
To put everyone in agreement: Despite its parlor dog appearances, the Lhasa Apso is also an excellent guardian, one who you will always feel safe with.
How to maintain its hair?
Lined with a rich undercoat, the Lhasa Apso’s coat is straight and harsh, which has earned it the name “goat hair”. Brush it daily and give it a bath every 7-14 days, with shampoo and conditioner. After drying your pooch, you can optionally shorten its fur yourself by a few millimeters, using a pair of scissors.
The Havanese
Morphology of the breed.
With a pretty snowy coat with gray tints and drooping ears, it can reach 7 kilos as an adult.
What character does he have?
Very lively, this pooch loves lively games and stimulating activities. Rather cheerful by nature, it will thrive in a lively family environment, where everyone will give it the attention it deserves. What time of day does he prefer? The brush-time!
Why should you get this breed?
For its conciliatory and playful character associated with great intelligence.
How to maintain its hair?
The long silky hairs of your Havanese should be untangled every day, and a bath every 15 days is recommended.
The Shih Tzu
Morphology of the breed.
From the back, with its long silky hair and its small size (4 to 7 kilos for an adult dog), you could almost take it for a doll!
What character does it have?
It is a very cuddly, but also very sociable doggie, which will get along very well with your children and will return your affection to you a hundredfold.
Why should you get this breed?
Because it is love, you can make him beautiful hairstyles (long or short, your choice) and it will fit perfectly into the family circle!
How to maintain its hair?
Long and dense, devoid of undercoat, the coat of the Shih Tzu must be brushed and combed every day. First of all, first moisten its fur with an argan oil-based product, which will prevent you from breaking its fragile coat. Once a week, shampoo, followed by a nourishing balm.
Cavalier King Charles
Morphology of the breed.
With a wavy coat characterized by its many fringes and its two or three-colored coat, it weighs between 6 and 8 kilos.
What character does it have?
This extremely gentle and easy-to-train dog, an ideal companion for children or the elderly, nevertheless has a few flaws: in particular, it is very greedy and its diet must be monitored. Discreet and cuddly, they are fundamentally sociable animals, which quickly suffer from a lack of companionship.
Why should you get this breed?
Because they are the easiest longhaired dogs around, clean and are friendly with everyone, including other pets in the house.
How to maintain its hair?
Definitely very easy going, Cavalier King Charles only requires one brushing per week, using a steel comb with very fine teeth. One bath per month is enough to guarantee a coat always in its best shape.
The Cesky Terrier
Morphology of the breed.
Muscular and short on legs, the Cesky Terrier weighs around 9 kilograms as an adult. Despite their finesse, its long hairs are strong. Slightly wavy, they have a beautiful gray-blue or light brown color.
What character does it have?
Formerly used for rat hunting, it is now a companion dog with a calm but playful temperament. While it tends to be wary of unfamiliar faces, it is a great companion for children.
Why should you get this breed?
Because it is likeable and easy to train, while enduring loneliness.
How to maintain its hair?
Once a week, do a brushing session and, every 4 to 6 weeks, a bath. The Cesky Terrier’s fur does not shed, but requires professional grooming every three months or so.
Coton de Tulear
Morphology of the breed.
Featuring a thick, cotton-like, foamy coat that earned it its name, this little ball of white fur weighs around 5 kilos (4 kilos for females).
What character does it have?
Lively and cheerful, the Coton de Tulear is a player at heart . It is very affectionate with its owners, but is wary of strangers.
How to maintain its hair?
The long, fine, cottony hair requires daily brushing, to be achieved with a spiked brush. Once a week, wash your Coton de Tulear with a moisturizing shampoo and apply a nourishing conditioner, as its hairs tend to dry out. Once a month, use a color enhancer, which will restore the coat to its immaculate appearance.
The Norfolk Terrier
Morphology of the breed.
Low on legs, with strong bones and a compact body, the Norfolk Terrier is distinguished from its close cousin, the Norwich Terrier, by its hanging ears. Its coarse coat is longer in the neck area, where it forms a sort of ruff. As an adult, he weighs around 5 kilograms.
What character does he have?
This great rat hunter is distinguished by its dynamism and liveliness. Always cheerful, it is extremely sociable.
Why should you get this breed?
Because it is a pleasant companion, as easy to train as he is to maintain.
How to maintain its hair?
Tough and lying upright on the body except at the neck, shoulders, eyebrows and mustache, the Norfolk Terrier’s coat should be brushed weekly using a wire brush. From time to time, thin out the mane with scissors. Do not bathe him too often, his skin may dry out. One shampoo per month is sufficient.
Affectionate, loyal to its owner’s, full of charm … Whatever breed you choose, the small long-haired dog has more than one quality up its sleeve to seduce you!