38 Big Fluffy Dog Breeds for First Time Owners and Experience Owners

There is nothing that beats the experience of becoming a first-time dog owner. The feeling is incredible! You are adding a loyal friend to your family expecting a great adventure before you.

You may already be having ideas about the type or rather kind of dog you want and that’s great. If you have no idea, worry not, we are dedicated to giving you the best options to choose from.

It is worth keeping in mind that some dog breeds are better suited towards beginners than others. There is so much to consider as you work towards bringing home a family member whom you could stay with for about 15 years or more. So, let’s get started!

1. Tibetan Mastiff Dog

The Tibetan Mastiff history is quite a misery due to the isolation of its origin and lack of any written breeding records. What is known is that this breed existed in Central Asia for over 1000 years. It was introduced in Europe or rather the Western world in 1847. 100 years later, this breed made its way to the US.

The Tibetan Mastiff is gentle, patient, loving, and understanding and his close relationship with people makes him very sophisticated in his understanding of humans.

The Mastiff has a noble appearance, appealing colors, a long coat, and a beautiful tail. This is a powerful heavy yet athletic dog that is created to combine agility and strength. This breed is available in a wide range of colors including black, cream, red gold, blue-gray, brown and torn, and cream sable.

The dog weighs between 75 to 160 pounds. It achieves a height of 2 feet and 2 inches at the shoulder with a lifespan of 10 to 14 years. The Tibetan Mastiffs prove to be difficult to train, mostly for inexperienced dog owners. The breed is highly intelligent, learns quickly but is incredibly stubborn. They can even follow their instincts over training instructions.

They are easy to groom. Their profuse coat sheds little mostly in spring or summer. The rest of the year shedding is minimal and the dog requires just a weekly brushing and bathing when it gets dirty.

2. Great Pyrenees Dog

The Great Pyrenees’ dogs evolved from the mountain sheepdogs in Central Asia several millenniums ago. It was brought to the US in 1824 but was not recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933.

This is an intelligent dog that is used to working on his own and even figuring things out on his own. Independence is in this dog’s nature and this can come through as willfulness or even aloofness towards strangers. The dogs are trustworthy, gentle, and affectionate, but if provoked or need arises they will not hesitate to protect their territory.

With its great size, thick fluffy white coat, and impressive strength, this dog is compared to a polar bear. The dog is white with markings of badger, gray, and reddish-brown. It is white with tan markings.

The dog has a giant size with the males having a height range of 27 to 32 inches while females are 25 to 29 inches. Males weigh 100 to 130 pounds while females are 85 to 120 pounds. The Great Pyrenees have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

This breed has a medium to high shedding rate requiring routine grooming, especially an intense brushing twice a week. Their coat shed dirt naturally, so you only bathe your dog once every three months. Special care should be taken to stop exposure to hot temperatures because they easily overheat.

The dog is difficult to train because he tends to think on his own. If you are a new or timid dog owner, this might not be the perfect choice because he needs a strong owner who will train and socialize with him consistently for positive reinforcement. This breed is fairly easy to groom, requiring just about 30 minutes of work every week. If its silk-like hair gets dirty, it will dry quickly and combs perfectly and right out.

3. Rough Collie Dog

This breed was originally used as a herding dog in Northern England and Scotland. The Collie became standardized in the early 1800s. This breed gained popularity after Queen Victoria became besotted with Collies after visiting the Scottish Highlands in the 1860s.

The Collie breed is quiet unless she feels a reason to bark. However, if you leave her alone, she gets bored and barks excessively. They have a gentle, loyal temperament and are playful. They are wonderful dogs for families.

Collies have bright and dark almond-shaped eyes. Their ears tilt forward and perk up when alert. The Rough Collie has two coat types: Smooth-short hair and rough-long hair. The dog has an abundant straight outer coat harsh to the touch. Additionally, the undercoat is soft furry, and thick making it hard to see the skin when you part its hair.

Its coat requires no trimming but needs more brushing compared to the smooth Collies. This breed is naturally clean with minimal doggie odor. Generally, caring for this dog is easy

The males are 24 to 26 inches shoulder height while the females are 22 to 24 inches. The males weigh between 60 to 70 lbs while the females weigh 50 to 65 lbs. They have a lifespan of between 10 to 14 years.

Grooming is moderate. Rough Collies undergo heavy shedding twice a year, which is called blowing coats. During this time, you should brush your dog daily to keep the loose hair under control. For the smooth Collies, they do not blow their coat but shed their coat throughout the year.

4. Akita Dog Breed

The Akita breed originates from northern Japan, named for the province of Akita. This dog achieved worldwide fame in the 1920s for his loyalty. The Akita is a willful and bold dog who naturally is scared of strangers but is very loyal to her family. This breed is intelligent, alert, and courageous. They are very aggressive towards other dogs, mostly, of the same sex. Therefore, they are best suited to just one dog per home.

The Akita breed comes in different colors and combinations including white, black, chocolate, and a combination of colors and brindle or white. This breed has a rounded frame, fuzzy coat, and disproportionately massive paws.

Male Akitas Dog has a height of 26 to 28 inches while females have a height of 24 to 26 inches. The males weigh about 100 to 130 pounds while females weigh 7ot to100 pounds. The breed has a lifespan of 10 to 13 years.

This breed is very strong and athletic meaning it requires serious training and plenty of exercise. They also shed more than most dogs thus require vigilant grooming. The dog does not like hot weather due to its thick coat thus you should check for signs of overheating.

The Akita Dogs are smart dogs and are known to be stubborn and willful. Obedience training and socializing can keep your dog under control allowing their better personality traits to prevail.

Grooming this dog is moderate because she is a shedder thus requires frequent vacuuming. They need bathing after every three months.

5. Giant Schnauzer Dog Breed

Giant Schnauzers are large and sturdy dogs with an alert, loyal, and intelligent temperaments. This breed is highly energetic requiring lots of exercises though they are well-suited to apartment living.

The appearance of Giant Schnauzers is strikingly resembling a black-and-silver German Shepherd. They have large dark eyes, butterfly-shaped lips, and sharp teeth. This breed has long hair that forms a beard thus giving them the appearance of an old man, though the long hair around their muzzle gives them the resemblance of an English butler.

The males stand between 23 to 27 inches shoulder height while the females stand between 21 to 25 inches. The males weigh between 80 to 100 pounds while the females weigh 65 t0 80 pounds. They have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years.

Grooming is moderate because they often require bathing for doggie odor, lice, and fleas prevention, thus requiring frequent brushing.

6. Briard Dog Breed

Briard is a large breed that originated from France and was named after the French province of Berry. It is bred for hard and demanding farm work: it is equally suited to a companion role. The Briard has a protective and loyal personality that makes him a good watchdog and family pet and livestock. The Briard is a strong and agile dog with a powerful build.

The breed’s appearance is that of a large dog with thick and long fur. The fur is coarser and longer on the tail and mane. This breed has a long head while the chest is broad and muscular with a deep chest. Color varies from white to fawn, with or without patches of gray, black, and tan.

The males stand between 23 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder while the females stand between 21 and 24 inches. The males weigh between 65 and 95 pounds, while the females weigh 55 to 75 pounds. This breed has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

The Briard is easy to groom as the coat sheds little and only needs occasional brushing. Grooming is easy because it is a non-shedding breed requiring very little grooming.

Training this dog may be difficult because it is independent and stubborn. It needs an experienced trainer who should not use harsh training methods.

7. Border Collie Dog Breed

The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog breed from the Anglo-Scottish border region. This dog is known to be the most intelligent of all breeds, ranking number one in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs. It is considered to be one of the most obedient breeds.

About color and appearance, they are medium-sized dogs with straight or wavy fur and moderate fur length. The eyes of the Border Collie are almond-shaped and come in blue, brown, amber, or green.

Border Collies stand at 20 to 22 inches tall and weigh 30 to 50 pounds. The lifespan is 12 – 15 years.

Grooming is moderate as this dog sheds a lot, thus requiring frequent grooming. It has a double coat that may be medium to long or short, soft and dense, or thick and coarse.

This breed is easy to train because of its very intelligent nature, requiring only positive reinforcement.

8. St. Bernard Dog Breed

St. Bernard dogs are massive, powerful dog breeds with a muscular build, massive head, and large paws. They have a docile temperament, patient, watchful, and devoted to their master. St. Bernard has a long history of rescuing people in the Alps mountains.

This dog breed comes in various colors, mainly white and red. It has the appearance of a massive dog with giant paws, a massive head, and jaws. The coat is rough and dense.

They stand at 25 to 28 inches shoulder height and weigh 130 to 180 pounds. Their lifespan is also 9-11 years.

The St. Bernard breed has moderate grooming needs because it sheds a lot. Grooming is easy, they require brushing only a few times a week. They have a double coat that can be long or short.

It is easy/moderate to train this breed, but it is very intelligent and obedient.

9. Tornjak Dog Breed

The Tornjak is a medium-sized breed from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has a versatile personality, being able to perform a variety of tasks such as herding livestock. They are also one of the oldest dog breeds in the world.

They are medium-sized dogs with short, dense fur. Their eyes are brown and triangular. Their ears are medium in size and fall forward. Their tail is bushy and curls over their back.

Tornjaks stand between 20 to 24 inches tall and weigh 65 to 70 pounds. They have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

This breed has moderate grooming needs as it sheds moderately once or twice a year. Grooming is easy, they require brushing a few times a week to maintain the cleanliness of the fur coat. They have a dense double coat that requires brushing a few times a week.

Trainability depends on the training method used as this dog is independent. It can be an easy dog to train when training is done with positive reinforcement.

10. Bernese Mountain Dog Breed

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large breed from the Canton of Berne in Switzerland. This dog is known to have superior intelligence, thus performing work that requires high intelligence with endurance and speed. It was used as a draft and drover dog, pulling carts before automobiles were invented.

They are sturdy dogs with strong bones. They have a harsh, straight outer coat while their undercoat is soft and dense. Their muzzles are long with black lips while their noses are either tan or black. The eyes are dark brown while their ears are triangular, hanging downwards beside the cheeks when at attention.

They have a height of 23 to 25 inches and a weight between 80 to 110 pounds. Their lifespan is 6 to 8 years.

This breed has minimal grooming needs as they have a low shedding rate, thus requiring occasional brushings only.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is easy to train because it is intelligent, loyal, and obedient. Appropriate socialization during puppyhood helps in making the training easier since it is sensitive to strangers at a young age.

11. Finnish Lapphund Dog Breed

Finnish Lapphund is a spitz breed with medium-sized, closely fitting drop ears. It was bred to guard reindeer and pull sleds in Scandinavia’s Arctic regions. This breed is intelligent, gentle, friendly, and hardy.

The Finnish Lapphund has a double coat that sheds heavily twice or three times per year. The outer long hair coat is harsh while its undercoat is dense and wooly. They are known for their striking colors of sable or black saddle. Their muzzle tapers down smoothly to the nose which has an open nostril. Their eyes are grayish brown.

This dog breed has a height of 17 to 19 inches and weighs between 25 to 40 pounds. Their lifespan is 10 to 15 years.

Finnish Lapphunds have minimal grooming needs as they are low-shedding dogs. Weekly brushing of the coat is enough for their maintenance, plus occasional bathing when necessary.

This breed is easy to train because it has an eagerness to learn things. It is intelligent, making training easier for new owners and experienced owners. These dogs are also sensitive and responsive so training must be done with kindness and positive reinforcement only.

12. Slovak Cuvac Dog Breed

The Slovak Cuvac is medium-sized with a long, soft coat. It was bred to guard livestock in Slovakia’s forests and mountains. They are known for their endurance, speed, hardiness, and loyalty when working.

Their coats are straight but wavy at the same time with dense undercoats. Their eyes are dark brown while their noses are black with large nostrils. The ears hang down beside the cheeks when at attention while its tail curls over the back when relaxed. Color ranges from black to brown with a lighter shade of gray on the lower legs.

They stand between 22 – 27 inches tall and weigh 70-80 pounds. Their lifespan is 10 to 12 years.

This breed has minimal grooming needs as it sheds lightly twice or three times per year thus requiring occasional brushing only.

The Slovak Cuvac is easy to train as it learns new tricks rapidly with positive reinforcement and reward systems.

13. Bouvier Des Flandres Dog Breed

The Bouvier Des Flandres is a large breed from Belgium and France. It was used as a cattle dog and guard dog for farms, flocks, and homes. These dogs are loyal, dedicated, intelligent, brave, and fearless.

They have a long outer coat with a dense undercoat that is rather harsh to the touch. It is either tricolor or grayish fawn with black markings on its head and tail tip. Its muzzle is square-shaped while its tongue is red in coloration. They also have small furry ears but stand upright when at attention while their bushy tail curls over the back when relaxed.

Bouvier Des Flandres stand between 24 to 28 inches tall and weigh up to 100 pounds in weight. Their lifespan is 7 to 10 years on average.

This breed has minimal grooming needs as it sheds lightly twice or three times per year thus requiring occasional brushing only.

The Bouvier Des Flandres requires easy training since it is intelligent and learns quickly.

14. Eurasier Dog Breed

The Eurasier is a spitz-type dog breed that was developed in Germany to hunt small game, guard livestock, and work as a companion dog. This breed is loyal, loving, affectionate, gentle, intelligent, and independent. They are wary of strangers but they are always attentive when the family is present.

Eurasiers have a double coat with their undercoat being dense while the outer long hair coat is harsh in texture. Their eyes are dark brown while their noses have open nostrils with a black coloration. The ears hang down beside the cheeks when at attention while their tails curl over the back when relaxed. Color ranges from Black, Red, Fawn, Black & Silver, Wolf-Sable, Black & Tan.

They stand between 18 to 21 inches tall and weigh up to 35 pounds in weight. Their lifespan is 10 to 12 years or more.

Eurasiers have the same grooming needs as most spitz breeds with their long undercoat requiring daily brushing. However, they shed lightly twice per year, usually before the spring and autumn season so regular brushing works out for this breed’s minimal maintenance needs.

The Eurasier requires easy training since it learns new tricks rapidly. This dog breed is intelligent and it responds well to clicker training sessions too.

15. American Eskimo Dog Breed

The American Eskimo Dog is also a spitz-type breed that was developed in Germany to work as a watchdog, circus performer, sled dog, and best companion. This breed loves being with people and it is fiercely loyal to its family. It is hardy, friendly, active, intelligent, agile, spunky, and loving.

American Eskimos have a double-thick coat with the undercoat being dense while the outer-longer hair coat has a harsh feel. Color ranges from white to cream, white & biscuit, or solid black. Their eyes are dark brown and their noses have open nostrils with a black coloration.

This breed stands between 14 to 19 inches tall and weighs up to 35 and 40 pounds in females and males respectively. Their lifespan is 12 to 15 years.

Just like most spitz breeds, the grooming is almost the same with their long undercoat requiring daily brushing.

The American Eskimo Dog also requires easy training due to fast learning and high intelligence.

16. Kuvasz Dog Breed

The Kuvasz is a medium-large breed from Hungary that was bred as a flock guardian and protector. They are steady, loyal, devoted, friendly, self-confident, and fearless. This breed is wary of strangers which makes them excellent watchdogs too.

Kuvasz have a long double coat with the undercoat being dense while their outer-longer hair coat being white or cream-colored. Their tails curve over the back when relaxed even though the tail remains horizontal when attentive or excitedly excited. The ears hang down beside the cheeks when it is attention. Eyes are dark brown or black.

This breed stands between 25 to 30 inches tall and weighs up to 80 pounds in weight for females, while males’ weight is 100 pounds on average. Their lifespan is 10 to 12 years.

The Kuvasz has the same grooming needs as most long-coated breeds with their undercoat requiring daily brushing which also reduces shedding drastically. They shed lightly twice per year but the coat only sheds minimally so regular brushing works out well for minimal maintenance needs.

It is easy to train the Kuvasz since this dog breed is intelligent and responds well to clicker training sessions. They also learn new tricks quickly.

17. Borzoi Dog Breed

The Borzoi or Russian Wolfhound is a breed from Russia where it was bred as a hunter of wolves and other large animals. They are athletic, swift, agile, gracefully moving with long strides while running that easily chase off any intruders. This breed is gentle with family members but reserved around strangers.

This dog has a silky coat that is only slightly wavy to flat but should not curl. The undercoat is thick while the outer-longer hair coat feels harsh. Their tails hang down when relaxed or curved over the back when attentive or excitedly enthusiastic. Ears have an inverted V shape where they remain upright regardless of their mood. Eyes are dark brown or hazel.

The Borzoi stands between 26 to 32 inches tall and weighs up to 80 pounds in females, while males weigh up to 100 pounds. Their lifespan is 10 to 12 years.

They have a thick undercoat, so you should brush them at least two times a week. They also require regular bathing and nail trimming to keep them mentally stable and physically fit.

The Borzoi is easy to train since it learns new tricks quickly. This breed has high intelligence and obedience. It also responds well to clicker training sessions.

18. Australian Shepherd Dog Breed

The Australian Shepherd Dog is a medium to a large dog breed from the United States. It has a strong herding and guarding ability, thus one of the most intelligent breeds in the world. They were developed as working dogs used for herding livestock.

This breed has a muscular body, high-set ears, and alert expression. Their fur coat varies from short to long with various colors such as blue merle, solid black, red merle, or solid red with white markings. Some may have coonhound markings as well. The tail can be either natural or docked.

This breed stands between 20 to 23 inches in height and weighs 40 to 65 pounds. Their lifespan is 12-14 years.

This breed has moderate grooming needs as it sheds moderately every 2-4 weeks. It has a double coat that requires brushing once or twice a week.

They are easy to train because they are intelligent, loyal, and obedient. They respond well when training is done with positive reinforcement.

19. Elo Dog Breed

The Elo Dog breed originated from Germany and developed from a combination of Old English Sheepdog, the Eurasier, and the Chow Chow breed by Marita and Heinz Szobries. They were bred and developed to create a family dog that does not need to be walked, working as guard dogs, or companions.

They have a medium-sized body with a muscular build and long legs. Their eyes are brown and shaped like almonds. Their ears are triangular and naturally erect while their tail is long and bushy. However, there exist various appearances due to variation.

The Elo Dog reach a height of 18 to 24 inches and weigh between 40 to 75 pounds. Their lifespan is 14 years.

They have very low grooming needs, requiring once or twice a week brushing and are easy to train because they are developed to be the best family dog.

20. Catalan Sheepdog Breed

The Catalan Sheepdog is a breed originating from Spain. The first Catalonian Sheepdog was bred in 1774 by Abbot Guemes, but the modern-day Catalan Sheepdog was developed after World War II. This breed was bred with several European breeds, including the Pyrenean Shepherd Dog to improve its herding ability and prevent further breed extinction.

This breed is medium sized with a large head and brown eyes. Their outer coat is wirier while their undercoat is softer. Their ears are triangular-shaped but folded, hanging on each side of the head if not cropped or erect when cropped. They have a sturdy body with a long tail that they carry high.

This dog breed stands at 17 to 19 inches in height and weighs between 45 to 60 pounds, with a lifespan of 12 – 14 years.

They require low to moderate grooming once or twice a week because they shed moderately. It has a double coat that needs brushing every 2-3 days.

The Catalonian Sheepdog is easy to train because it is intelligent, loyal, and obedient. Training should start early since it learns quickly.

21. Komondor Dog (Hungarian Sheepdog) Breed

The Komondor or Hungarian Sheepdog is a large dog breed from Hungary. The Komondor was originally bred for guarding and herding flocks from predators. They have been used often to guard livestock, homes, and other properties in Europe. Today, this dog breed is bred to improve physical features such as size, coloration, stamina, and endurance while maintaining its ability to guard property.

This breed has a massive body with a broad head and wrinkled muzzle. Their ears are long and floppy when extended or folded on each side of their head when cropped or natural when left intact. They have a heavy coat with tufts of hair covering their feet that give them the appearance of wearing mittens resulting in the name “Mop Dog”.

This breed stands at 25 to 27 inches in height and weighs between 85 to 100 pounds with a lifespan of 9-12 years.

This dog has moderate grooming needs. They have a double coat that needs a thorough brushing once or twice a week.

It is intelligent, loyal, and obedient, hence easy to train. Training should start early since it learns quickly. All commands should be given in the firmest but kindest voice possible instead of using their names excessively when giving commands. It responds well when rewarded for its successful tasks while maintained on structured training.

22. Siberian Husky Dog Breed

The Siberian Husky is a medium-sized working dog breed that originated in north-eastern Siberia. It was bred by the Chukchis to pull heavy loads long distances through severe weather conditions; hence their physical characteristics were developed for hardiness and endurance over speed. This breed is recognized by various clubs. They are commonly used as sled dogs but can adapt well to home life.

They have a stocky build with a deep chest and muscular legs. Their eyes are almond shaped with colors ranging from White, Black, Gray, Gray & White, Black & White, Sable & White, Black & Tan, Red & White, to Silver-gray.

The Siberian Husky has a size of 20 to 23 inches with a weight between 35 to 60 pounds and a lifespan of 13 – 15 years.

This breed requires low grooming that can be done by brushing their coat with a firm bristle brush every 1 to 2 days.

This dog breed is independent, intelligent, and affectionate. It is loyal to its family but does not take kindly to strangers. They are easy to train but can be stubborn.

23. Golden Retriever Dog Breed

The Golden Retriever is a large-sized breed that was initially bred in Scotland in the mid-19th to retrieve downed game for hunters. The breed has physical characteristics developed out of necessity to carry out their tasks efficiently. They are commonly used as hunting, working, and gun dogs but can adapt well to home life.

In terms of color and appearance, they are solid and thick-furred with a rich golden color. They have dense water-resistant coats that are sleek which means their undercoat is not very abundant.

They are medium-sized dogs with a height between 22 – 24 inches tall and weigh 55 to 80 pounds. A Golden Retriever has an average life span of 10-12 years.

These dogs have low grooming needs that are easy to maintain with regular brushing of their coat with a bristle brush or rubber mitt.

This breed is affectionate, gentle, lively, intelligent, and loyal which makes them fairly easy to train. They are friendly towards children and make great family pets.

24. Goldendoodle Dog Breed

The Goldendoodle, also known as a Golden Poodle or Caniche is a crossbreed dog breed created by breeding the Golden Retriever and the Poodle.

This dog breed has a thick shaggy coat that can be wavy or curly.

In terms of weight, they can weigh up to 100 pounds with a height between 20 to 24 inches tall. They have a lifespan of 10 – 15 years.

Goldendoodle Dog has minimal grooming needs that are easy to maintain with regular brushing of their coat. Like the Poodle, they only need shedding once or twice a year.

This god breed is smart, friendly, gentle, and easy to train which makes them great family dogs.

25. Bearded Collie Dog Breed

The Bearded Collie is a herding dog breed that originated in the United Kingdom. They were used by Scottish shepherds to herd sheep and protect them from predators such as wolves, bears, and eagles.

Naturally, they have floppy ears, while the colors range from any grey or chocolate shade. However, they may also have white blaze, chest, feet, tail tip, and tan points.

The Bearded Collie is a medium to a large-sized dog with males having a height between 21 – 22 inches and weighing 45-70 pounds. Females are shorter with a height between 20 – 21 inches and weigh 40-60 pounds. They have a lifespan of 12 – 14 years.

This breed requires quite high grooming needs.

The Bearded Collie is intelligent, active, confident, and protective which makes them great watchdogs. They are easy to train but can be stubborn. Some have high energy levels while others are content to relax on the couch.

26. Caucasian Shepherd Dog Breed

The Caucasian Ovtcharka or Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a large breed of dog that originated in the Caucasus region.

In terms of appearance, they have a dense double coat with a shorter length on the muzzle, lower legs, and around the tail. Their skin goes from black to dark gray which makes them appear “blue” from a distance and their eyes are usually amber to brown.

They have a height of 24 – 32 inches and weigh between 100 to 155 pounds. They live for 10 – 12 years.

The Caucasian Shepherd has low grooming needs that can be maintained with regular brushing of the coat using a bristle brush or rubber mitt.

This dog breed is calm, powerful, and independent which makes them easy to train. They are wary of strangers but will protect their family from danger without any fear.

27. Newfoundland Dog Breed

The Newfoundland is a huge dog breed with a water-resistant coat and webbed feet, which makes them excellent swimmers. They were originally bred as working dogs in Newfoundland, Canada. The gentle and friendly nature of Newfoundland has made them one of the most popular family pets.

It has a thick, heavy coat with a straight or flat-lying coat. The length of the coat varies from medium to long depending on how cold the climate is for that particular Newfoundland breed. The color ranges from black, brown, or gray.

Their height ranges between 26 – 28 inches tall and weighs between 100 – 150 pounds making them one of the largest breeds of dogs. The Newfoundland breed has a life span of 8-10 years.

The grooming requirements for these dogs range from moderate to high requiring regular brushing and trimming as well as occasional bathing.

These dogs are intelligent, friendly, independent, and loyal which makes them fairly easy to train.

28. Standard Poodle Dog Breed

The Standard Poodle is a medium-sized dog from a group of non-sporting breeds. The origin of this breed is believed to come from Germany, France, or the Netherlands with its name being derived from the German word “Pūdel” which means “splash in water”. Today, they are widely known as one of the most intelligent breeds.

They have a thick curly or wavy coat with medium-length hair. Most of the time, the Standard Poodle’s coat is undocked. Their color can be black, apricot-fawn, blue, silver, and gray although there is a chocolate variety only recognized by the AKC.

Standard Poodles have a height of 10-22 inches tall and weigh up to 70 pounds. The average lifespan is 12 – 15 years.

Grooming these dogs is moderate with brushing every 2-3 days with occasional trimming needed for the face and feet.

They are easy to train, lively, loyal, act like a clown, do well in sports activities, and are good watchdogs. They make great family pets for all ages.

29. Estrela Mountain Dog Breed

Estrela Mountain dog, also known as the Portuguese Mastiff, is a large breed from Portugal. One of their earliest uses was to protect livestock from predators and strangers while shepherds were working in the mountains.

Their coat is smooth and short but dense. The color varies between red fawn, yellow fawn with a black mask, and dark fawn.

They have a height of 24 – 28 inches tall and weigh up to 1300 pounds. Their lifespan spans from 10 – 12 years.

There are moderate grooming needs for this breed with regular brushing that takes only a few minutes each day using a firm bristle brush or a rubber mitt.

The Estrela Mountain Dog is intelligent, independent, loyal, protective of family and livestock making them great guard dogs. They are easy to train.

30. Keeshond Dog Breed

The Keeshond or Wolfspitz has its roots in Germany although it is believed to be the result of breeding between German Spitz and Pomeranians. They are also known as the “Smiling Dutchmen” because of how their tails curl over their backs, which makes them look like they’re smiling.

The Keeshond’s fur is double-layered with the outer layer being wiry and the undercoat being soft. The length of their hair varies from short to medium depending on which variety it is. Their color ranges from a grayish-black mixture to a pale yellow or cream color.

They have a height of 15 – 18 inches tall and weigh between 45 – 70 pounds. Their lifespan ranges from 12 to 15 years old.

The grooming requirements for these dogs are minimal with regular brushing needed for the outer coat, combing the wiry fur occasionally, and occasional trimming of nails, feet pads, ear canals, and anus areas.

They are good family pets and easy to train.

31. Old English Sheepdog Breed

The Old English Sheepdog is from a group of herding dogs. They are also known as the Bobtail due to their tails being naturally short which creates tight curls.

Their double-layered coat comes in colors like sable, tricolor, and blue merle with or without white markings. The undercoat ranges from soft but dense while the outer layer is long and wiry. Their fur can reach up to 3 inches long.

They have a height of 19 – 22 inches tall and weigh between 55 – 70 pounds. The average lifespan for this breed spans 10 – 12 years old.

For these dogs, grooming includes brushing every other day to rid them of dirt, debris, tangles, and mats. They also need to be brushed regularly to avoid their coat getting matted, especially if they go swimming frequently.

The Old English Sheepdog is easy to train with a playful personality, great with children, and mellow but friendly disposition making them good family pets.

32. Samoyed Dog Breed

They are compactly built, active, intelligent, good with children, easy to train, loyal to one owner, and friendly making them great family pets. The Samoyed dog breed is also used as an avalanche rescue dog due to its excellent sense of smell and furry body that acts as insulation against the cold environment it has to work in.

Samoyeds are well known for their thick, white, double coats. They have a height of 20 – 23 inches tall and weigh up to 50 pounds. Samoyed Dog lifespan spans is from 12 to 15 years old.

The grooming requirements for these dogs are minimal with brushing needed once or twice a week if they are not regularly kept in show condition.

They are easy to train.

33. Chow Chow Dog Breed

The Chow Chow’s breed is known for its distinctive blue-black tongue and its deep blue-black or brown eye color. They are compactly built, active, intelligent, good with children, easy to train, loyal to one owner, and friendly making them great family pets.

Their coat is thick and coarse with colors ranging from black/blue/liver/tan/cream; any shade of gold or brown (including red); pinto (with large patches of white). Some may have a mixture of several colors in their coat like black/gold or chocolate/fawn. Their fur can grow up to 0.5 inches long while the undercoat is soft and wooly.

They have a height of 16 – 20 inches tall and weigh up to 45 pounds. The average lifespan for this breed spans 10 – 12 years old.

The grooming requirements for these dogs are minimal with brushing needed once or twice a week if they are not regularly kept in show condition.

Chow Chow Dog are easy to train.

34. Leonberger Dog Breed

The Leonberger dog breed is a large, muscular, and powerful dog with a lion-like appearance. They are also known as the Leonberg Lion Dog. Their characteristics consist of a long head shape, black mask or shadings around their eyes, medium set ears that are triangular with dark-colored rims, round paws with webbed feet to help them swim well, and a tail that is long and bushy at the end.

They have a height of 23 – 27 inches tall and weigh up to 135 pounds. The average lifespan for this breed spans 7 – 10 years old.

The grooming requirements for these dogs are minimal and are fairly easy to train.

35. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dog Breed

A Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a dog with a hard, wiry to soft coat. It has medium-length hair that falls in waves or curls all over the body. Their tails are long and can be left naturally or docked short. They have almond-shaped eyes and their ears fall forward. The color of their terrier shape and size varies but is not too long (about 8 – 9 inches) and they should always be the solid wheaten color with no markings of any other colors.

They have a height of 18 – 21 inches tall and weigh up to 28 pounds. The average lifespan for this breed spans 13 – 15 years old.

Grooming requirements include brushing once or twice a week and trimming their coats and whiskers.

Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are notably easy to train.

36. Alaskan Malamute Dog Breed

An Alaskan Malamute is a dog breed with a dense, double coat that comes in a variety of colors. They have strong bodies with more rounded hind legs. They have almond-shaped eyes that come in blue, brown, or copper color and medium-sized, triangular ears. Their necks are thick and their tails are carried over their back when they run. They make up for having shorter legs by being fast-moving dogs with endurance to match giving them the ability to haul heavy loads over long distances.

They have a height of 21 – 25 inches tall and weigh up to 75 pounds. The average lifespan for this breed spans 10 – 15 years old.

Grooming requirements include daily brushing and combing as well as occasional trimming and stripping. Training Alaskan Malamute Dog is not a challenging task because they are fairly easy to train.

37. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Belgian Tervuren)

Belgian Shepherd Dog is known commonly as the Belgian Tervuren. They are a dog breed with short-haired coats that usually come in fawn, mahogany, black, or blue color. Their tail is long and bushy (reaching to their hocks). They have chestnut eyes and pointed ears that can be naturally erect or cropped to stand up. They are a medium-sized breed that is strong and has endurance.

They have a height of 20 – 25 inches tall and weigh up to 55 pounds. The average lifespan for this breed spans 13 – 16 years old.

Grooming requirements include daily brushing, occasional trimming, and stripping.

They are easy to train too.

38. Hovawart Dog Breed

A Hovawart is a medium-sized, strong dog breed. They have a long head and their coat is wavy, dense, and short to keep them cool in hot weather conditions. Their noses come in black or brown color and they usually have dark-colored eyes that can be round or almond-shaped. Their ears hang down and their tails are docked at the 2nd – 5th vertebrae.

They have a height of 22 – 27 inches tall and weigh up to 85 pounds. The average lifespan for this breed spans 10 – 12 years old.

Grooming requirements include brushing once or twice a week with occasional trimming required every 6 months only if needed.

They are very easy to train.

In conclusion, the above article has given you some basic information about 38 Big Fluffy Dog Breeds for First Time Owners and Experience Owners. Please take time to read through it carefully and thoroughly so that the information can be deeply embedded in your mind.