Large fluffy dogs - owners of great charm and inexhaustible kindness of the soul. For centuries, breeds with shaggy hairs were bred for grazing, guarding trade caravans, and carrying weights in a sleigh. Many of them are able to sleep in the snow, swim in icy water and still feel great. But there are among the giants and these sissies, who need only home maintenance.
The variety of breeds of fluffy dogs is really great. But even among them there are true giants, looking at whom it is difficult to believe in the peaceful nature of the animal. Who are they - fluffy giants, possessing the most magnificent wool cover? Who should start only in a country house and what rules should be taken into account?
Features, Pros and Cons
A large dog in the house is a real protector, a solid guard, and with one of its kind it inspires fear to strangers. At the same time, among the giant breeds, there are often phlegmatic, balanced and calm animals that can become loyal friends, good nannies, reliable companions in hiking and walking.
The content of large animals has its own characteristics.
A big fluffy dog may have abundant undercoat and require regular brushing or changing the coat several times a year. In addition, she needs in special conditions of detention. The animal needs space, comfortable conditions for life. Many breeds are characterized by problems with heavy bones of the joints, need a soft bed and a special diet. All this is worth considering before the animal appears in the house.
Among the advantages of keeping a big fluffy dog are:
- getting wool for making yarn, many manage to build on this business;
- the opportunity to receive daily admiring glances of others;
- almost always - good contact with the pet;
- good protective and guard properties, the possibility of captive content;
- safety during a walk - even the inveterate bully will not want to mess with the giant.
There are disadvantages. These usually include significant costs for maintenance and food. Increase the time spent on caring for an animal, its walking. In addition, not all visitors will want to contact a new family member. It may be difficult to visit a plumber or other representative of utilities, mail delivery. Yes, and guests with such a guard, rather, will offer to meet on neutral territory.
Popular breeds
All names of black dogs with long hair, white, red and with a more complex color of animals difficult to mention. But it is possible to make the top of popular breeds that have a rather lush fur coat and large size.
Most shaggy
The most hairy dog can be found among the herding breeds. Here you can highlight Hungarian Sheepdog - with “curls” twisting into cords and domestic South Russian shepherd. Has a similar appearance and bobtail - Old English Sheepdogs look impressive, and their lush hairstyle managed to become the hallmark of the breed.
The blackest
Among the big fluffy dogs, the title of the blackest can easily get two breeds at once. One of them - black terrier, has a very complex nature and needs strict education.It belongs to the category of guard, most often grown and maintained in service nurseries.
The complete opposite of black terriers is newfoundland or diver. Coal-black dogs with fluffy hair grow to 74 cm, have a calm character, a balanced psyche, easily get along with people and swim well. The animal is suitable for use as a companion.
Longest haired
If the longest-haired large dog is chosen, this title will easily get Afghan hound. This breed with a long coat has a gorgeous, graceful physique. For many years she was an integral companion of the person on the hunt.
The length of the wool of modern Afghans with proper care can reach half a meter or more, it literally flows when the animal moves.
Largest
Tibetan mastiff - A name well known outside of Asia. This breed is one of the largest in the world, the height at withers reaches 77 cm, dogs are not afraid of snow and cold, they tolerate street content well. Dogs are strongly attached to the owner, but with difficulty endure the society of children. They have a well-developed protective guard instinct. Abundant coat requires careful maintenance.
Most red
The title of the most red of the big and fluffy dogs certainly deserves Golden retriever. This breed is distinguished by thick wavy hair, with a dense undercoat that does not let the water through. Dogs swim beautifully, have a friendly, cheerful character. Ideal companions - they are suitable for families with children, people with disabilities.
High intelligence and docile character make golden retrievers a good choice for home keeping.
Argue for the title of the most red dog with fluffy wool among large breeds is ready and collie. Scottish Sheepdogs may have another shade of wool - black with tan, chestnut, marble. High demands on animal care remain unchanged.
In terms of intelligence and human interaction, collie are not inferior to a retriever.
Most serious
There will definitely be two leaders here. Big fluffy dogs - Alabai and Caucasian Shepherd - they are distinguished by their independence of character, shed quite abundantly, they are suitable for carrying protective, guard duty. They are suitable only for experienced dog breeders, need a firm hand, an iron discipline. It is worth preparing for the fact that combing animals will have at least 2 times a week.
The most good-natured
When it comes to choosing fluffy giants, it’s impossible to forget about St. Bernards - dogs with innate nobility, love for people. Their lush coat is designed for long movement through the snow-covered Alps. In the city, non-show dogs are often clipped shortly for the summer, to avoid overheating.
Good character and love for children make St. Bernards good family pets.
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 that can be well trained. Lovers of sports and physical activity among the furry giants, too, there are companions. The classification itself in this case will look as follows.
Guards and guard animals
There are not many such dogs among owners of lush wool. it Caucasian and South Russian Shepherd Dogs, Black Terrier, Tibetan Mastiff.
For dogs of this type is characterized by distrust of strangers, they often choose one owner and only listen to him.
The hierarchy of communication resembles the one that is built up in a wolf pack - you need to constantly prove to the animal that it is not in the leading positions.
Family Breeds
They have a light character, they are easily attached to a person, they never cause harm to children. Among the top breeds in this category can be identified Newfoundlands and St. Bernards, Golden Retrievers, Leonbergers. By their nature, they are often sanguine or phlegmatic, have a balanced psyche, are non-aggressive, but are able to protect a person and a house if necessary.
Active companions
With such a dog will have to prepare for long walks - they require a collie, Afghan hound, bobtail, samoyed. The nature of companions varies from choleric to sanguine; they are calm and cheerful, but they can pretty much tire the host with a thirst for intercourse or loud barking.
Independent shepherds
Komondory, South Russian, Old English Sheepdogs, bullets and other typical shepherd dogs and outwardly resemble the long-stubble inhabitants of the sheepfold. In addition to good masking, they have a fairly independent character. And although many of these dogs are kept at home without much difficulty, they feel best of all during free herding.
How to choose?
If you plan to pick up a breed of dogs from the very beginning, combining large sizes and fluffy coat, you should pay attention to what kind of conditions are waiting for the pet.
If you plan to keep the dog on the street, in an open-air cage or a separate house, you should choose the breed with a thick undercoat, not freezing outside, even with a significant decrease in temperature.
Suitable for such conditions Caucasian, Central Asian Shepherd Dogs.
Not all long-haired dogs tolerate cold well.
Afghan hounds, bobtails, 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 keeping.
When choosing a breed, it is very important to pay attention to the characteristics of housing.
Large and giant dogs are recommended to keep in country houses, spacious city apartments. Owners of abundant wool cover leave it everywhere and grow quite quickly. A touching two-month puppy will quickly become 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.
Well, if such a pet will use their instincts as intended. Otherwise, the dogs will feed and bring up the family of their owner. Of great importance here is also the correct approach to training. Raise a pet darling and pet of a large animal just will not work.
Basic content rules
Any long-haired breed of dog needs to create the right conditions of detention. Among the mandatory requirements for large furry animals are the following.
- Regular brushing wool. Cutting dogs in most cases is not necessary. But you will have to comb out regularly living in the house - after each walk, outdoors - during the period of abundant molt. If the dog does not participate in exhibitions, let the arbitrary grooming of wool at the request of the owner. With show bobtails or Afghan hounds, you have to spend much more time on care.
- Health monitoring. Fluffy healthy people are characterized by the development of joint inflammation, osteochondrosis, and infectious diseases of the ears. Convective eyes and other inflammatory processes may develop in dogs with bulging eyes. Animals with abundant 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, quite high-calorie, but not fat. In order for the heat exchange not to be disturbed, animals must have free access to clean and fresh water.The optimal solution for nutrition - ready-made feed.
Fluffy good-natured giants are one of the most enjoyable representatives of the canine world. Whatever breed is chosen, with the right upbringing, you can get a faithful friend for many years.
In the next video you can watch the big fluffy lifeguard.