Fun Facts About Long Haired Dogs
Long-haired dogs have been a favorite companion of humans for thousands of years. Their long coats have captured the hearts of royalty and sailors alike. Don’t let the idea of grooming a long haired dog scare you away from owning one of these fur-balls of joy.
Here are a few fun facts about some of our favorite long-haired dog breeds.
Maltese
The Maltese: a small but royal looking dog. You might not know it, but the Maltese is an ancient breed that has been around for thousands of years and is one of the oldest breeds of dogs. They only weigh 6-9 pounds, but pack a big personality behind their luscious long-haired coats.
- Bred as companions and comfort dogs.
This breed loves to be close to its person. Historically, Maltese were used as comfort companions for women as they rode on their carriages. In other words, the Maltese is the perfect cuddle buddy. They are playful little things that are also devoted and fun loving.
Not only are they the perfect cuddle buddies because they fit perfectly on your lap, but they are also hypoallergenic. Their long human-like hair typically doesn’t shed. It won’t stir up your allergies and push us sensitive ones into sneezing fits.
- They are fearless watch dogs.
Don’t let their small size fool you. These are some fearless puppies with a keen eye for their surroundings. Sailors used to use them to watch their food stores and protect against rats and other rodents.
- The lap dogs of choice for kings and queens.
Marie-Antoinette had one on her lap and so did Roman emperors long before her. It is said that Roman emperors bred all the color out of their coats because white was sacred to them.
The next time your Maltese jumps on your lap and demands to be pampered, you could thank their royal treatment in the past.
Quick Grooming Tips- Brush or comb through their fur at least once or twice a week.
- Trim the hair around their face.
- Prevent tear stains and keep their coats looking fresh by using a safe, tear removing anti-fungal cream like Squishface Tear Stain Paste.
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is another ancient breed that made its way around royalty. Nobles in ancient China used to use the dog as a foot warmer in bed. The Shih Tzu is thought to have been bred over 2,000 years ago in Tibet.
- They float… well, not really.
The Shih Tzu is a full-time lap dog, and part time magician. Their hair can grow long enough to reach the ground and when it does, it creates a neat looking visual effect of floating.
- Shih Tzu means “little lion.”
They might not look the part, but the Shih Tzu is more closely related to the wolf than any other breed. The name Shih Tzu means “little lion”. What a fitting name for this small dog with a big personality.
- 14 dogs saved the breed.
During the British invasion of China, the entire Shih Tzu breed almost became extinct. Only 7 males and 7 females remained. It’s strange to think about, but every surviving Shih Tzu today could be traced to these 14 dogs.
Quick Grooming Tips- Untangle hair with a brush or comb.
- Use Squishface Tear Stain Paste to prevent staining on the face.
Poodles
All modern dog breeds were bred for a purpose. The poodle, despite their image as a dog of luxury, was bred to work.
- Poodles are a hunting breed
Poodles were bred in Germany, where temperatures can reach freezing temperatures. The puffy hair style around the limbs of Poodles was meant to keep their vital areas warm.
This breed is in a class of water retrievers, making them excellent swimmers. Their “soft mouths” are gentle enough to hold an egg without breaking it.
- They are some of the most intelligent dogs.
Second only to Border Collies in intelligence, the Poodle is known to be a quick learner and able to handle complicated tasks. This makes them a competitive breed for almost any competition.
- The only breed that comes in 3 sizes.
It is pretty strange that one breed can produce 3 different sizes. They come in the Toy, the Miniature, and the Standard. All of these sizes carry the same traits, just in different packages.
Quick Grooming Tips- Their hair needs to be washed at least once every two weeks.
- A Poodle's hair never stops growing, so you will need to have it trimmed.
- Like most long-haired dogs, watch out for tear stains around the eyes.
Bichon Frise
Who can resist the Bichon Frise? These small dogs have fluffy coats that are always white. They also make great companions, making them one of the best choices for a family dog.
- They are another favorite dog breed of royalty.
Henry III loved the Bichon Frise so much he wore them around his neck in a basket. The Bichon Frise is well known for its royal treatment. It is so well known that their name led to the creation of a new French word, bichonner, or “to pamper”.
- The Bichon is one of the healthiest dogs around.
Due to breeding practices, it is not uncommon for many breeds to suffer health problems early in their life. This is not the case for the Bichon Frise. It is not uncommon for this breed to live as long as 15, or even 20 years.
- They were used as performance dogs in the 19th century.
The Bichon is another intelligent breed and combined with their cute looks, they were popular street performers in the 19th century.
Quick Grooming Tips- Don’t forget to trim the hair under their feet.
- Keep hair around the sanitary areas short.
- Trimming is needed to keep hair out of their eyes.
Conclusion
Don’t let a little extra grooming scare you away from getting a long-haired dog. You’ll learn quick tips like using Squishface Tear Stain Paste to keep their faces clean of stains, or using special trimmers to quickly and easily trim their long hair. Having a dog does take some work, but the reward makes it all worthwhile!
For more information about the benefits of using Squishface Tear Stain Paste, read our blog, “5 Benefits of Tear Stain Remover for Long Haired Dogs.”
