There’s nothing quite like cuddling your dog. They don’t judge you, they’re very forgiving, and they love you unconditionally. And this simple act is beneficial for us, relieving stress and tension, bringing comfort in times of sadness, and just making us feel that all is well. It’s a gift beyond value.
While lap dogs and smaller breeds are great, there’s something about hugging a great big teddy bear that is really satisfying. Beneath all that fluff and fur, they are solid. As well as being comforted, we feel protected.
So, which breeds are we talking about? Are some better than others?
We’re going to answer that question by looking at big fluffy dog breeds to find the biggest and best to snuggle with!
Hypoallergenic Big Fluffy Dog Breeds
This is a good place to start, as pet allergies are common: around 30% of Americans are allergic to their family pet! The last thing you need is to throw your arms around your pooch and bury your face in its fur, only to end up with streaming eyes and a sneezing fit.
If you have mild allergies, you might want to know which big fluffy dog breeds are hypoallergenic, so here’s our selection to get you started:
1. The Standard Poodle
They’re great with kids, active and playful, extremely intelligent, and easy to train. They’re also famous for their hypoallergenic coats!
While the Standard Poodle might seem the perfect family dog, it’s not all plain sailing. Although they are generally okay with other pets and dogs, certain lines can be highly-strung, making them timid and nervous. This can cause an aggressive streak, so it’s important to research the bloodline and breeder before buying.
The typical Standard Poodle will be polite with strangers and sociable toward other dogs. Their intelligence makes potty training and obedience training an easy process, but this intelligence can also cause them to become anxious if they don’t have enough mental stimulation. And although they are a vigorous breed that loves to be active, they generally prefer a calm, quiet environment. Loud noises and tension in the home may lead to stress and anxiety, which could lead to undesirable behavior.
That fluffy coat will need clipping regularly – at least every six weeks. Whether you do this yourself or use a professional groomer is up to you, depending on your budget and whether you have the time to spare. Don’t worry too much about the style – you don’t have to opt for one of the more ridiculous cuts seen in the show ring! A simple puppy cut, short cut, or teddy bear cut will keep them looking cute and cuddly while making sure that their coat is healthy and manageable.
On average, Standard Poodles measure between 20 and 23 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 45 and 80 pounds, putting them in the medium-to-large dog category.
2. The Samoyed
Smiling Sammies, as they are affectionately known, are one of the happiest, friendliest dog breeds around. They always seem to be smiling, although this is believed to be a genetic feature they evolved to deal with cold climates rather than the fact that they are perpetually happy!
Even so, it adds to their reputation as friendly, cuddly dogs. They’re not the biggest of the bunch, ranging from 19 to 23.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 35 and 65 pounds. However, they still deserve a place on our big fluffy dog breeds list, and they have the bonus of being classed as hypoallergenic.
The Samoyed is a Spitz dog from the Nordic region. These are fox-like animals with pointed features, fluffy coats, and small, pricked ears. They range greatly in size, from the Pomeranian and the American Eskimo to the Alaskan Malamute.
As you may have guessed, there are some potential negative points about the Samoyed. They can possess a high prey drive, so they may chase after small animals, and in some cases, they may grab them, resulting in injury. They have a strong herding instinct, too, so there’s a chance they may round up animals and small children with the occasional nip. The best way to deal with these problems is through extensive, consistent training and socialization.
They are also very vocal, with a piercing, high-pitched bark. This can become irritating very quickly!
Sammies are extremely people-oriented and will not take kindly to being left alone or being chained up in a yard (this is never fair to any dog breed, and many states are rightly passing legislation to stop this cruel practice).
This dog thrives on being part of the family, joining in with all the activities you enjoy.
3. The Bouvier Des Flandres
This is a pretty rare dog, so there’s a chance that you’re unfamiliar with the name.
As you will have seen, this dog hails from Belgium (or France, depending on who you believe!), where it has been used as a herder since medieval times. Its survival into the modern era is a remarkable achievement, as the fields and farms where this breed was developed and bred were devastated by the horrors of World War I.
Often called the Bouvier for short, this breed is known for its calm, placid demeanor. These dogs are reliable, loyal, and very intelligent. They are not naturally aggressive, but they do have a strong will combined with a highly developed sense of protectiveness. If they are pushed to do so, they will defend their ‘flock’ using force if necessary.
The Bouvier Des Flandres definitely qualifies for our big fluffy dog breeds list, standing between 23.5 and 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 70 and 110 pounds.
Their rough, double-coat is hypoallergenic, which is excellent news for allergy sufferers. However, this will probably require daily brushing, so you’ll need to set aside the time to do this.
The word hypoallergenic is often misunderstood, so it’s important to be clear: it does not mean that your dog is guaranteed 100% allergy-free. The word hypoallergenic simply means that something is less likely to induce an allergic reaction.
Humans with pet allergies are allergic to the proteins in dog dander, saliva, and urine (to a certain extent). Dander (flakes of dry skin) can float around your home or become attached to loose hairs that fall off the dog’s coat. These hairs may also have dried saliva on them from when the dog washed itself.
When people with allergies come into contact with the hair and dander, their immune system overreacts, mistakenly identifying the proteins as a harmful substance. Signals are sent to the mucus membrane to produce more. We sneeze to rid our noses of the irritant. Sometimes the allergens make contact with our eyes, which react by becoming watery and itchy.
In extreme cases, allergic reactions can include shortness of breath, wheezing, and asthma attacks.
All of these symptoms are caused by our own bodies trying to protect us from something that is otherwise harmless!
Big Fluffy Dog Breeds That Don’t Shed
One drawback of owning a fluffy dog is that some are heavy shedders. All that extra fluff has to go somewhere, often finding its way onto your furniture, clothes, carpets, rugs, bed, and even in your dinner! This is also linked to pet allergies, as the more loose hair your dog sheds, the more likely you are to be exposed to allergens.
So, which big fluffy dog breeds are better when it comes to shedding?
Well, the Standard Poodle makes this list, as does the Bouvier Des Flandres, and, to an extent, the Samoyed.
In addition, we should mention the following big fluffy dog breeds:
1. The Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound has a long, silky single-coat that flows to the ground and covers its feet unless you keep it clipped. This dog has an unusual look, with slender, pointed features and long, flowing locks. Don’t let its aloof appearance and graceful movement fool you – they can be as goofy as anything when the mood takes them!
They can be sensitive and require gentle handling. With the right care and attention, they are loyal and affectionate companion dogs. They have a lot of energy, and you must ensure they get enough exercise.
Surprisingly, that long coat doesn’t shed very much if it is groomed regularly. However, you’ll need to brush it daily to avoid matting and tangling.
The Afghan Hound is affectionate towards its owners and happy to be around kids. It is highly adaptable and can cope well with apartment living, though you’ll have to make sure its exercise needs are met. It doesn’t do well when left alone, as this may result in destructive behavior.
As for its size, the Afghan Hound measures between 25 and 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 60 pounds.
2. The Labradoodle
With its Poodle parentage, this dog (along with many other Doodle Dogs!) fits into both the low-shedding as well as hypoallergenic category.
This is one very affectionate dog! With the kindness and friendliness of a Labrador and the fun-loving nature of the Poodle, you could say that they are the perfect family dog.
As they generally weigh between 50 and 65 pounds and measure between 21 and 24 inches at the shoulder, they are classed as big dogs. And they are definitely fluffy!
As big fluffy dog breeds go, you’d struggle to find a cuddlier example. And this one has the benefit of being hypoallergenic as well as low-shedding.
3. The Portuguese Water Dog
These dogs were once loyal companions of intrepid Portuguese fishermen as they sailed the Atlantic, from the more temperate regions right
