Large fluffy dogs - owners of great charm and inexhaustible kindness of the soul. Breeds with shaggy hair have been bred for centuries for grazing, guarding trade caravans, and transporting heavy loads in sleighs. Many of them are able to sleep in the snow, swim in ice water and at the same time feel great. But there are among the giants and real sissies who need exclusively home maintenance.
The variety of breeds of furry dogs is really great. But even among them there are real giants, looking at which it is difficult to believe in the peaceful nature of the animal. Who are they - furry giants with the most magnificent coat? Who should start only in a country house and what maintenance rules should be taken into account?
Features, pros and cons
A large dog in the house is a real defender, a solid guard, one of his kind inspiring fear to outsiders. At the same time, phlegmatic, balanced and calm animals that can become loyal friends, good nannies, reliable companions on hikes and walks are often found among giant breeds.
The content of large animals has its own characteristics.
A large fluffy dog may have copious undercoat and require combing regularly or changing the coat several times a year. She also needs in special conditions of detention. The animal needs space, comfortable living conditions. Many breeds have problems with joints characteristic of owners of a heavy skeleton, they need a soft bed and special nutrition. All this should be considered before the animal appears in the house.
Among the advantages of keeping a large fluffy dog can be noted:
- obtaining wool for the manufacture of yarn, many manage to build a business on this;
- the opportunity to daily receive the admiring glances of others;
- almost always - good contact with the pet;
- good protective and guard properties, the possibility of enclosure;
- safety during a walk - even an inveterate bully will not want to mess with a giant.
There are also disadvantages. These usually include significant maintenance and nutrition costs. The time spent on caring for the animal and its walking will also increase. In addition, not all visitors will want to contact a new family member. There may be difficulties with the visit of a plumber or other representative of utilities, mail delivery. And guests, if there is such a guard, would rather offer to meet in neutral territory.
Popular breeds
It is difficult to mention all the names of black dogs with long hair, white, red and having a more complex color of animals. But it is quite possible to make a top of popular breeds with a fairly lush fur coat and large sizes.
The most shaggy
The hairiest dog will definitely be found among shepherd breeds. Here you can highlight hungarian shepherd dog - with curls curling into cords and a domestic South Russian shepherd. Has a similar appearance and Bobtail - Old English shepherd dogs look impressive, and their magnificent hairstyle managed to become the hallmark of the breed.
The blackest
Among the large fluffy dogs, the title of the blackest can easily be obtained by two breeds at once. One of them - black terrier, has a very complex character and needs strict education. It is classified as a guard, most often grown and kept in service nurseries.
The exact opposite of black terriers is newfoundland or diver. Coal-black dogs with magnificent hair grow up to 74 cm, have a calm character, balanced psyche, easily get along with people and swim perfectly. The animal is suitable for use as a companion.
The longest
If the longest of large dogs is selected, this title will easily get Afghan hound. This breed with long hair has a magnificent, graceful physique. For many years she was an integral companion of man on the hunt.
The length of the coat of modern Afghans with proper care can reach half a meter or more, it literally flows with the movement of the animal.
The largest
Tibetan mastiff - a name well known outside of Asia. This breed is one of the largest in the world, the height at the withers reaches 77 cm, the dogs are not afraid of snow and cold, they tolerate street content well. Dogs are strongly attached to the owner, but with difficulty tolerate the company of children. They have a well-developed protective-guard instinct. Abundant coat requires careful care.
Most red
The title of the reddest of the big and fluffy dogs certainly deserves Golden retriever. This breed is distinguished by a thick wavy coat, with a dense undercoat that does not allow water to pass through. Dogs swim beautifully, they are distinguished by a friendly, cheerful character. Ideal companions - they are suitable for families with children, people with disabilities.
High intelligence and flexible character make Golden Retriever a good choice for home content.
I’m ready to argue for the title of the reddest dog with fluffy hair among large breeds and collie. Scottish shepherds can have a different shade of hair - black and tan, chestnut, marble. The high requirements for caring for animals remain unchanged.
In terms of intelligence and interaction with humans, collies are not inferior to the retriever.
The most serious
There will definitely be two leaders. Big fluffy dogs - alabai and caucasian shepherd - are distinguished by their independence of character, they molt quite abundantly, and are suitable for protective, guard duty. They are suitable only for experienced dog breeders, they need a solid hand, iron discipline. It is worth preparing for the fact that comb animals will have at least 2 times a week.
The most good-natured
When it comes to choosing furry giants, it's impossible to forget about saint bernaras - dogs with innate nobility, love for people. Their lush coat is designed for long movement in the snowy Alps. In the city, non-show dogs are often sheared shortly for the summer, in order to avoid overheating.
Good character and love for children make St. Bernards good family pets.
Character traits
Large fluffy dogs are usually divided into several subgroups, focused on their working qualities and temperament features. Such a dog should not be cowardly or overly vicious. For families with children, a good dog is suitable, it can give in to training well. Fans of sports and physical activity among the furry giants will also find companions. The classification itself in this case will look as follows.
Guards and guard animals
Among the owners of lush wool, there are not so many such dogs. it Caucasian and South Russian Shepherd Dogs, Black Terrier, Tibetan Mastiff.
This type of dog is characterized by distrust of strangers; they often choose one owner and obey only him.
The communication hierarchy resembles that which is built in a wolf pack - you need to constantly prove to the animal that it is not in a leading position.
Family breeds
They are distinguished by a light character, easily attached to a person, never harm children. Among the top breeds in this category can be distinguished Newfoundlands and St. Bernards, Golden Retriever, Leonberger. By nature, they are more often sanguine or phlegmatic, have a balanced psyche, are non-aggressive, but are able to protect a person and home if necessary.
Active Companions
With such a dog, you have to prepare for long walks - they need collies, Afghan hound, bobtail, samoyed. The character of the companions varies from choleric to sanguine, they are calm and cheerful, but they can pretty tired the owner with a thirst for communication or loud barking.
Independent shepherds
Komondors, South Russian, Old English Shepherds, bullets and other typical shepherd dogs and outwardly resemble the long uncut inhabitants of the shepherd. In addition to good disguise, they have a fairly independent character. And although many of these dogs are kept at home without special difficulties, they feel best of all during the free grazing of the herd.
How to choose?
If from the very beginning it is planned to select a dog breed that combines large sizes and fluffy coat, it is worth paying attention to exactly what conditions the pet is waiting for.
If you plan to keep the dog in the street, in an aviary or in a separate house, you should choose a breed with a thick undercoat that does not freeze on the street even with a significant decrease in temperature.
Suitable for these conditions Caucasian, Central Asian Shepherd Dog.
Not all long-haired dogs tolerate cold well.
Afghan hounds, bobtail, wolfhounds do not have a well-developed undercoat. With the onset of cold weather, they are not too disposed to stay on the street. Scottish Shepherd dogs, St. Bernards and Newfoundlands require home maintenance.
When choosing a breed, it is very important to pay attention to the features of housing.
Large and giant dogs are recommended to be kept in country houses, spacious city apartments. Owners of abundant wool leave it everywhere and grow quite quickly. A touching two-month-old puppy will quickly turn into a big problem if you do not take care of its placement and education in advance.
Another important point: almost all representatives of large breeds are working dogs and need constant training.
It is good if such a pet uses its instincts as intended. Otherwise, grazing and raising dogs will become the family of their master. The correct approach to training is also of great importance here. It’s definitely not possible to raise a pet spoiler and a pet from a large animal.
Basic content rules
Any long-haired breed of dog needs to create the right conditions. Among the mandatory requirements for large fluffy animals, the following can be noted.
- Regular combing of wool. In most cases it is not necessary to cut dogs. But you will have to comb out regularly, living in the house - after each walk, street - during the period of abundant molting. If the dog does not participate in exhibitions, let us arbitrarily groom the wool at the request of the owner. With exhibition bobtails or Afghan hounds, you will have to spend much more time on grooming.
- Health monitoring. For fluffy healthy men, the development of joint inflammation, osteochondrosis, and infectious diseases of the ears are characteristic. Dogs with bulging eyes may develop conjunctivitis and other inflammatory processes. Animals with plentiful hair should not spend much time in the sun to avoid overheating and heat stroke.
- Proper diet. Dogs need a balanced diet with good proportions of vitamins and minerals, high in calories, but not fat. To ensure that the heat transfer is not disturbed, animals must have free access to clean and fresh water. The optimal nutritional solution is finished feed.
Fluffy good-natured giants are one of the most pleasant representatives of the canine world in communication. Whatever breed is chosen, with the right upbringing it will be possible to get a devoted friend for many years.
In the next video, you can watch the big fluffy lifeguard.