Are you searching for a dog that looks like a mop? Or maybe you are crazy about super shaggy dogs? Whatever your reason for being here, we’ve found plenty of pups that resemble a mop. Some are large and naturally corded, some are medium size and super-duper hairy, and others are small with long silky locks that trail along the ground. Thankfully, with the proper care, none of these pups have to smell like a mop.
Dogs with long hair are usually high maintenance when it comes to their grooming. Whether brushing their long hair keeping it dirt and tangle-free, or deep cleaning their doggy dreadlocks, they can be hard work. If you like the look of a mop-dog but haven’t got the time or patience to take care of its coat, you should consider an easier-to-groom breed altogether. Neglected coats quickly become painful mats and cords that become tangled and dirty, sometimes leading to infection. Some of these breeds are easier to care for than others.
All of these dog breeds are extremely cute in their own way. But some of them aren’t suited to the average family household. Some require firm but fair owners with experience training protective and stubborn mutts. And some of the breeds are incredibly easy-going and could slot themselves into most families or homes. Let’s take a closer look at our favorite bunch of hairy mop-dogs.
18 Dogs That Look Like A Mop
Here are our favorite dog breeds that all look like a mop. We’ve listed them in their mop-like appearance, starting with the strikingly similar Komondor down to the tiny and less mop-like Yorkshire Terrier. Let’s take a closer look.
Komondor
Here we have the ultimate dreadlock dog, and the Komondor is also one of the largest canines on this list. They are covered from head to paw in white cords, giving them a unique and instantly recognizable coat. You don’t brush their cords. Instead, they need bathing with dilute shampoo and thorough rinsing and squeeze-drying with towels. Their coat also clumps at the base, known as “plating up.” The plates must be split to the size of a quarter so they can grow out into the cords.
Komondors are brave and powerful flock guardians from Hungary, and they are rare in America. Females weigh 80 pounds or more, and males weigh 100 pounds or more. They are independent and highly protective, so they need a firm and experienced owner to get the best out of them. Despite their large size, they are agile and light-footed, so they need an equally nimble owner to play and exercise with.
Puli
The Puli is another distinctive doggo that looks much like a mop but is much smaller than the Komondor. This breed typically weighs between 25 and 35 pounds. Just like the Komondor, their fur begins to mat at nine months, when you can separate the mats into cords. They have a similar grooming regime, but it takes a third of the time because they are a third of the size. Some owners choose to keep their coats short and brushed.
Pulik come from Hungary and traditionally herd large flocks of sheep on the vast Hungarian plains. The corded coat protects them from the harsh winters. Pulik are better suited for more families than Komondors simply because of their more manageable size. But their herding instinct is still strong, and they herd whatever they can, whether other dogs, birds, or toddlers. Most are also very affectionate with their family.
Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco Sheepdog is in the middle of the Puli and the Komondor in size. They weigh between 57 and 84 pounds. Bergamaschi hail from the Alpine town of Bergamo, near Milan. They guard and move flocks of sheep around the rocky slopes of the Italian Alps. Despite being intelligently independent and sometimes stubborn, most are very friendly with their family. This breed is one of the rarest mop dogs in America.
Flocks are dense mats of felted hair that form flat in shape but can open in a fanwise manner at the ends. They have three types of hair in their coat, making them unique. The first layer is a dense, oily undercoat that keeps them warm and dry in harsh conditions. Their outer coat consists of an irregular combination of roughly-textured “goat hair” and woolly hair, which form the flocks. Their coat needs bathing several times a year but doesn’t need brushing.
Spanish Water Dog
Spanish Water Dogs are in the herding dog group, but they are also waterfowl retrievers in their homeland. They make a brilliant family companion for most active families who can give them at least one hour daily. This needs to be intensive exercise, not just a stroll, as they are inexhaustible. Once you have satisfied their exercise needs, they are happy to chill at home and give the best cuddles.
Their curly, woolly coat should never be brushed. How short you let their coat grow is up to you, although many owners choose to let their hair grow long, eventually forming cords. The Spanish Water Dog’s cords are different from other breeds on this list, and if you want your pup’s hair to cord, you should find a groomer with experience in their coat. Their coats are usually a mixture of beige or white and brown or black, although some have a full brown or black coat.
Havanese
Not many people know you can cord the Havanese coat, similar to a Puli coat. However, if you prefer the long silky mop-like jacket, you can stick with that, or others clip it short to minimize grooming time. If your pooch has a long coat, they need brushing several times a week to keep them tangle-free. Because they are so small, weighing 7 to 13 pounds, this can be done while sitting on your lap. Havenese sport a wide variety of colors.
The Havanese are the only dog breed native to Cuba, and they were once called the Spanish Silk Poodle. They are friendly, comical and make wonderful pets for most families. Their easy-going and biddable nature makes them a top choice for first-time owners. They are becoming very popular with city dwellers. Just keep their barking in check because they are also keen watchdogs.
Barbet
The Barbet is a medium-sized dog that weighs between 35 and 65 pounds. They are a rustic French breed that date back to the 16th century and are traditionally used to locate, flush, and retrieve birds. This could be your pick if you’re after a mop dog that loves to swim. They are eager to please and intelligent, making them an all-around great mop dog to train.
The Barbet is covered from head to paw in a dense, curly coat which can be brown, fawn, gray, or black. Barbets are often compared to a Muppet, crazily shaggy in appearance but friendly in nature. Grooming a Barbet can be intense if you want to groom them according to their traditional appearance. It can take several hours, including a full brush out, a thorough wash in the bath, blow drying, trimming the hair, wetting them down, and then letting them air dry to regain their natural curls.
Briard
These French pups are brilliant herding dogs, and just two Briards can handle 700 sheep. They are also fantastic guard dogs, so they are a top choice if you’re after a watchful mop to keep an eye on things. Briards are incredibly hardworking, and first-time owners might find their zest for activity too overwhelming. But if you have the energy for them, most make lovely family pets and are often described as a “heart wrapped in fur.”
Briards are large-sized dogs that weigh between 55 and 100 pounds. Their coat is long and wavy, with a peek-a-boo hairdo that parts naturally to show their eyes. They need a thorough brush several times a week to prevent their long coat from matting getting right down to their skin. You need a good quality, soft-ended pin brush to protect their skin from scratches. Depending on their lifestyle and how dirty they get, they might need weekly, monthly, or less bathing.
Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog, also known as the Bobtail, is the epitome of shaggy dogs. They are from the British Isles and traditionally drive sheep and cattle to markets. Nowadays, most make brilliant family companions and are often affectionate, gentle with children, intelligent, reliable, and watchful. They have a fun-loving and adaptable nature, with a unique bear-like shuffle and a loud bark.
Bobtails are late dogs that usually weigh between 60 and 100 pounds. They have a thick, wavy double coat that needs grooming several times weekly. Given all their hair, giving them the thorough brush they need can take a long time. Bathtime and drying can be laborious and tricky, which is why many Bobtial owners send them to a professional groomer regularly.
Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie is similar to the Old English Sheepdog but much smaller and, therefore, less hairy. Their grooming regime is similar, although it takes less time, thanks to their more petite frame. They have a long, double coat that needs brushing several times a week to prevent tangling and remove dirt and debris that this mop dog picks up on their travels. How often you bathe them depends on how muddy and dirty they get.
The Bearded Collie is also known as the Highland Collie or, more affectionately, the Beardie. Canine historians believe they are closely related to our top mop dog, the Komondor. They are prized by Scottish farmers who require a hardworking herder and drover on the harsh and hilly terrain. They are boisterous and charismatic, making brilliant family pets for most active families and often gentle playmates for most children.
Tibetan Terrier
The Tibetan Terrier is also called “The Holy Dog of Tibet,” so read on if you need a blessed mop. Their coat is thick and long, although some owners keep them in a puppy cut as it is easier to groom and more convenient for everyday life. If you like the manicured and flowing mop-like coat, brush it several times a week to keep it in good and clean shape. They weigh 30 pounds or less.
Over the centuries, their feet have developed into large, flat, and found ones, producing a snowshoe effect. This gives them traction in the snow, making them a fantastic choice for active families living in cold and snowy areas. Tibetan Terriers are sweet and gentle with their family, although reserved and suspicious of outsiders, making them excellent watchdogs.
Afghan Hound
If you are looking for a graceful mop, the Afghan Hound could be your best option, as canines don’t come any more elegant than this pup. Their silky, flowing coat is thick and protects from the harsh climate in the mountainous regions of Afghanistan. It needs brushing several times a week, if not daily, to keep their long locks looking fabulous and clean. They are medium-sized pups weighing between 50 and 60 pounds.
They are eye-catchingly regal, so they have always been a favorite Fido for royalty and aristocrats worldwide. Despite their graceful appearance, they are powerful and nimble-footed sighthounds and have explosive power when pursuing their prey. They are sweet pups but can be independent and stubborn. First-time owners might find their independent nature, exercise, and grooming needs too intense. But for the right family, they make special pets.
Pekingese
The Pekingese is a unique-looking dog, mainly because of how short and wide they are and their envelope-shaped head. Brush them several times a week to remove loose hair and dirt. The coat is thicker around their neck, giving them their distinctive lion’s mane. They don’t require many baths because these pups are true lapdogs, rarely getting muddy.
Pekingese are regal and charming, affectionate with their close family, and form a close bond with their primary caregiver. They don’t have much time for outsiders, and they don’t appreciate rumbunctious kids. Don’t let their small size fool you. They are opinionated and very independent thinkers, and because of this, they can be tricky for first-time parents. These charming pups weigh up to 14 pounds.
Bolognese
Bolognese weigh between 6 and 10 pounds, making them one of our list’s most miniature mop-like dogs. Bolognese are charming companions, intelligent, sometimes stubborn, and comical. They are usually low-energy dogs with calm personalities, ideal for many busy families with young kids. They are rare in America and still in the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service.
The Bolognese has a pure-white coat, which is long and fluffy with a cotton texture. Unlike many other breeds on this list, they are ‘non-shedding,’ making them an excellent choice for low allergy sufferers. If you keep their coat in full, it requires grooming several times a week to prevent matting. Some owners cut it short for ease but usually keep their distinctive and explosive mop head hair.
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is commonly called the “bearded lion dog.” They are an ancient breed from Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan mountains. Lhasas served as indoor guard dogs, while larger Mastiff dogs stood guard outside. So, this could be an excellent choice if you’re after a little guard mop that only weighs between 12 and 18 pounds. They are sweet with most children, love their family, and are very comical. Although they are aloof with strangers, don’t expect them to be sociable outside their family unit.
Their facial hair also parts in the middle of their head, only just revealing their sweet eyes. Whether you choose a long or puppy haircut, they both require maintenance. Lhasas with lavishly long hair needs a bath at least every two weeks. Be sure to rinse and dry them thoroughly because they have sensitive skin.
Maltese
The Maltese are tiny dogs that weigh under seven pounds, making this dinky doggo one of the smallest on our list. Their pure white show-stopping coat falls to the floor, straight and silky in texture. They are low-shedding but require daily brushing to keep them clean and tangle-free. They need regular bathing, and like many small dogs with white coats, tear-staining is common.
Maltese hail from the small island of Malta, which sits in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. This pooch is an ancient breed with an exotic history. But one thing hasn’t changed: they are proper companion dogs who expect a life of luxury. Greeks erected tombs for their Maltese, and Egyptians worshiped them. So, if you’re looking for a tiny posh mop, this pup is a top choice.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is one of the most popular dogs on our list, commonly found in family homes nationwide. They are playful, affectionate, and outgoing, making them great companions for most kids and adults alike. Shih Tzus only weigh between 9 and 16 pounds, but they are playful and sturdy dogs that give as good as they get in play. There is never a dull day with a Shih Tzu around. Their life expectancy is 10 to 18 years, so they are long-living mop dogs too.
But their traditional coats sweep the floor and require daily brushing. Long coats need bathing every four weeks to keep them looking and feeling healthy. You might need to tie their long facial hair into a topknot so they can see their cute button eyes. Their coat comes in a wide range of doggy colors and markings and is silky in texture.
Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier is a medium-sized dog weighing 45 pounds and under. They are from the Scottish Isle of Skye and were bred to be fox and badger exterminators. Skye Terriers are extremely hardy breeds with a high prey drive. They are also super affectionate with their family but suspicious of strangers.
Skye Terriers have a long, double coat that looks more difficult to groom than it is. They are rugged dogs, and their coat should be left natural. They only need brushing twice a week to stay healthy and prevent matting, and they only need bathing every month or two. You shouldn’t scrub their hard coat with shampoo when bathing them because this can cause it to mat. Their large, pricked, feathered ears are the star of the show here.
Yorkshire Terrier
Last but certainly not least is the Yorkie. This is the most popular dog on our mop list and is consistently in America’s top 15 most popular dog breeds. Many owners give their Yorkies a puppy coat to reduce grooming time. However, a traditional Yorkie or Yorkie in the showing must have a long coat that sweeps the floor. Their coat is similar to human hair and needs daily brushing and weekly washing.
Don’t let their dainty size of 7 pounds fool you. They are feisty, courageous, and tomboyish. A true terrier! They are full of comical canine character, packed into a tiny body. They are long-lived and provide some of the best canine companionship you could ask for. This mop-like dog does not like to be left alone for too long.
Final Thoughts
Now you know all about the dogs that look like mops. From large canines to teeny-tiny ones, some with cords, others with human-like silky hair, there is a different mop lookalike for every dog lover. And remember, just because they look like a mop doesn’t mean they should smell like one. Take good care of their coat to ensure a happy hound and an aroma-free home.
