Different Kinds of Dog Hair

Long Coat

• Dogs with long coats can be divided into three major categories: long parted coats, small dogs with long coats, and large dogs with long coats. Regardless of where a dog falls into these categories, long-coated dogs often shed a significant amount of hair during warmer months. Furthermore, long-coated dogs can develop mats when dirty. Some well-known long-coated dog breeds include Irish setters and Shih Tzus.

Medium Coat

• Dogs with medium coats have hair that is longer than one inch in length. However, the hair on most medium-coat dogs usually appears fairly short. This type of dog hair is not as prone to developing mats. Some well-known dog breeds that have medium-length hair include border collies, German shepherds and golden retrievers.

Smooth Coat

• Smooth coats typically appear shiny, and of course, smooth. Smooth hair sometimes looks like skin rather than fur. Dogs with smooth coats do not require a lot of grooming because they remain relatively clean. Well-known dogs that have smooth coats include pugs, Great Danes, boxers and beagles.

Wire Coat

• Wire coats feel wiry or rough, compared with coats that feel soft. Dogs with wire hair do not shed, so many allergy sufferers opt to own dogs with wire coats. Grooming a dog with wiry hair can be very time-consuming, as it is recommended that you plug out dull hairs by hand. Some well-known breeds with wiry hair include Irish terriers and otterhounds.

Wavy Coat

• Dogs with wavy coats have curly hair. This type of hair, because it is so curly, can often become tangled and knotted. Although dogs with wavy hair appear to have a lot of hair, this isn't always the case. Many dogs with wavy coats have hair less than an inch long. Some well-known breeds that have wavy coats include the poodle and the bichon frise.