The Afghan hound’s long, silky, flowing coat is one of the breed’s hallmark characteristics. The thick coat protects the dogs from the cold climate in Afghanistan's eastern mountains. This ancient breed—thousands of years old—is among the oldest of all dog breeds.
The bearded collie features not just a profuse beard, but also a long shaggy coat. The bearded collie originated hundreds of years ago in Scotland, where it was valued as a sheepherder and cattle drover. Bearded collies are bouncy, athletic, and full of energy.
The Bolognese’s crowning glory is a long, fluffy white coat that envelops its body like a soft cloud. Named for its birthplace of Bologna, Italy, it was a favorite of the ruling royals for many centuries. This Italian dog breed has long been prized as a calm, sweet-tempered lapdog and faithful companion.
With its long, flowing coat and strong, muscular body, the wise and spirited Briard is simply magnificent to behold. Hailing from the Brie region of France (also the birthplace of the cheese), the versatile Briard was a sheepherder and a flock guardian.
Known as the royal dog of Madagascar thanks to nobility’s affection for the breed, the charming and friendly coton de Tulear (pronounced KO-tone Dih TOO-lay-ARE) is covered in a long, profuse, supple, dense coat with a white, cotton-like texture.
The only dog breed native to Cuba and named for the island nation’s capital city of Havana, the Havanese is covered in a luxurious, long, silky coat. The Havanese is highly social, friendly, and intelligent, making the breed a popular family pet.
The Lhasa apso is an ancient breed that comes from the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet. The little dogs acted as interior watchdogs in palaces and Buddhist monasteries, sounding the alarm if they heard people approaching.
The Pekingese is the ultimate lapdog. The Peke was treasured for centuries by Chinese royalty who loved to hold the small dogs and stroke their luxurious fur. Legend has it that the punishment for stealing one of the little dogs was torture or even death.
The charming little shih tzu (pronounced “sheed-zoo”) means "lion" in Chinese and was popular with royalty for hundreds of years. With its pushed-in face and flowing long coat, the breed resembles a little lion.
Known as the “holy dog of Tibet,” the Tibetan terrier is a misnomer and not a terrier. Westerners mistakenly used the term when the dogs were introduced to the rest of the world.