Dogs with fluffy tails are popular and often attract a lot of attention because of their adorable appearance. You’ll find that many dog breeds with fluffy tails come from the same family. For example, dogs belonging to the Spitz family are known for having very bushy tails. However, there are many other dogs with different origins that have equally luxurious tails. Our list includes a diverse variety of dogs so that you can get a good idea of the different kinds of dogs that have fluffy tails.
How Are Dog Breeds Classified?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) classifies dogs into seven distinct groups:
Classifications for these groups are based on shared features and the original purpose and function of the breeds. The AKC currently officially registers 200 dog breeds.1 Some purebred dog breeds may not be officially recognized and are included in the Miscellaneous Group. These breeds can be further developed to receive official recognition eventually.
The 20 Dog Breeds With Fluffy Tails
1. Akita
| Origin: | Japan |
| Lifespan: | 10–14 years |
| Height: | 24–28 inches |
| Weight: | 70–130 pounds |
Akitas are known for their dignified manner and strong loyalty to their families. They were originally bred to be guard dogs and were also considered to be symbols of good health, long life, and happiness.
Akitas have a wide range of coat colors and combinations of colors and markings. They have a dense double coat that requires weekly brushing and seasonal blowouts. Keeping up with their grooming needs will ensure that their tails remain soft and fluffy.
2. Alaskan Malamute
| Origin: | Alaska |
| Lifespan: | 10–14 years |
| Height: | 23–25 inches |
| Weight: | 75–85 pounds |
Alaskan Malamutes are often mistaken for Siberian Huskies, but they’re two distinct dog breeds. One of the fastest ways to tell both dog breeds apart is that Alaskan Malamutes have curled tails, while Siberian Huskies have straight tails.
Alaskan Malamutes are strong working dogs that enjoy having a job to do. They require a lot of exercise and make great running companions. They’re also very affectionate and develop strong bonds with their families.
3. American Eskimo Dog
| Origin: | Germany |
| Lifespan: | 13–15 years |
| Height: | 9–19 inches |
| Weight: | 6–35 pounds |
Despite the name, the American Eskimo Dog originated in Germany as a descendant of the German Spitz. The American Eskimo Dog has a stunning, bright white coat and an equally bright personality. This breed is known for its intelligence, alertness, and cleverness. American Eskimo Dogs are often easy to train and are one of the more kid-friendly dogs in the Spitz family due to their smaller size and good-natured playfulness.
American Eskimo Dogs are often depicted as dogs with pure white coats. However, purebred American Eskimo Dogs can also have a biscuit cream coat color. They come in three size categories: toy, miniature, and standard.
4. Bichon Frise
| Origin: | Canary Islands |
| Lifespan: | 14–15 years |
| Height: | 9–12 inches |
| Weight: | 12–18 pounds |
Bichon Frises are known for their all-around fluffiness. They’re irresistibly cuddly, and they love receiving attention. Bichon Frises have playful and social temperaments, and their easygoing personality makes them good pets for families with young children.
Bichon Frises are a low-shedding breed, so they’re a popular choice for people with dog allergies. Their coats do require a lot of maintenance and need to be brushed at least every other day to prevent mats and tangles.
5. Chow Chow
| Origin: | China |
| Lifespan: | 8–12 years |
| Height: | 17–20 inches |
| Weight: | 45–75 pounds |
Chow Chows are strong dogs. They were originally bred as working dogs that were capable of guarding, hauling, and hunting. They’re most known for their lion-like mane and dignified appearance.
Chow Chows develop strong bonds with their families and tend to be more aloof toward strangers. They’re also quite clean and are known to housebreak easily. Chow Chows can either have a rough coat or a smooth coat. There aren’t any significant differences between the two varieties other than the coat texture.
6. Eurasier
| Origin: | Germany |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Height: | 19–24 inches |
| Weight: | 40–70 pounds |
Eurasiers are medium-sized dogs with curly, fluffy tails. They can have black, fawn, red, sable, or wolf gray coats, and some can have additional black markings. Eurasiers are known for their calm personalities, and they’re very family-oriented dogs. They prefer spending their time with their families and can act aloof toward strangers and new people.
Eurasiers require weekly brushing because burs and other debris are prone to getting caught in their coat. Brushing usually becomes more frequent during their shedding season.
7. Finnish Lapphund
| Origin: | Lapland |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Height: | 16–21 inches |
| Weight: | 33–53 pounds |
Finnish Lapphunds were bred to herd reindeer. These hardy dogs have thick coats and fluffy tails that helped keep them warm as they worked in the Arctic Circle. They’re extremely athletic and agile and were able to run through the snow as they herded livestock.
Finnish Lapphunds are affectionate and social. Unlike many other Spitz breeds, Finnish Lapphunds aren’t aloof or shy around new acquaintances. They’re quite friendly and enjoy being around people.
8. Keeshond
| Origin: | Holland |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Height: | 17–18 inches |
| Weight: | 35–45 pounds |
Keeshonds are Dutch natives that were bred to guard goods on Dutch vessels. They’re medium-sized dogs and are most known for the “spectacles” on their faces. Keeshonds have distinct markings that trace their eyes, which makes it look like they’re wearing glasses.
Keeshonds have bright and friendly personalities. They’re lively and athletic and enjoy accompanying their families on outings and meeting new people.
9. Newfoundland Dog
| Origin: | Canada |
| Lifespan: | 9–10 years |
| Height: | 26–28 inches |
| Weight: | 100–150 pounds |
Newfoundland Dogs are powerful dogs with a high amount of stamina. They belong in the working group and are popular candidates for search and rescue work. Along with their large size, Newfoundland Dogs are known for their sweet and gentle personalities. They’re referred to as gentle giants and dog nannies for children.
Newfoundland Dogs are intelligent and eager to please, so they’re relatively easy to train. However, caring for them comes with unique challenges due to their large size. So, they’re often recommended for more experienced dog owners.
10. Norwegian Elkhound
| Origin: | Norway |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Height: | 19–21 inches |
| Weight: | 48–55 pounds |
Norwegian Elkhounds have a long history of living alongside humans. They were extremely versatile and could be used as herders, hunters, guard dogs, and Viking shipmates.
Despite having strong protective instincts, Norwegian Elkhounds are quite friendly. They can act reserved but tend to warm up pretty quickly to new people. These dogs have a lot of energy and are very intelligent, so they often do well in dog sporting events, like agility courses and herding trials.
11. Old English Sheepdog
| Origin: | England |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Height: | 20–24 inches |
| Weight: | 60–90 pounds |
The Old English Sheepdog is a shaggy dog with a charming appearance. These dogs are smart and gentle, and they have an easygoing temperament. Despite looking bulky, Old English Sheepdogs are quite agile and nimble.
Old English Sheepdogs have fluffy tails that were historically docked for hygienic and aesthetic purposes. Some also have genes that make them tail-less. So, some Old English Sheepdog puppies are naturally born without tails.
12. Pekingese
| Origin: | China |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Height: | 6–9 inches |
| Weight: | 11–14 pounds |
Pekingeses are stocky toy dogs that are extremely devoted to their families. Even though they’re small, they can be very alert and become excellent watchdogs.
Pekingeses have poofy tails, and their coats can grow out to a long length. They’re seasonal shedders and require thorough brushing every week to prevent mats and tangles from forming throughout their coats. You can choose to give a Pekingese a shorter haircut to make grooming more manageable.
13. Pomeranian
| Origin: | Germany and Poland |
| Lifespan: | 12–16 years |
| Height: | 6–7 inches |
| Weight: | 3–7 pounds |
The Pomeranian is the smallest breed in the Spitz family, but they have big personalities. These dogs are ideal companion dogs because of their compact size and adventurous spirit. Pomeranians aren’t known to be shy. They’re actually quite bold and fearless and may even prefer accompanying their favorite people wherever they go.
Pomeranians have fluffy coats and tails, and it takes a good amount of time to maintain their luxurious coats. They require brushing at least once a week, but many resort to daily brushing to prevent tangling.
14. Poodle
| Origin: | Germany |
| Lifespan: | 10–18 years |
| Height: | 10–15 inches |
| Weight: | 5–70 pounds |
Poodles come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. All sizes make wonderful companion dogs, and they’re often popular breeds for first-time dog owners. Poodles are extremely intelligent and respond well to praise. So, they’re relatively easy to train, and they have a lot of affection to give.
Poodles were originally bred to hunt and retrieve, so they have a surprising amount of energy and stamina. Despite their elegant appearance, they’re quite agile and athletic and often enjoy participating in dog sports like dock diving.
15. Samoyed
| Origin: | Siberia |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Height: | 19–24 inches |
| Weight: | 35–65 pounds |
Samoyeds have a graceful appearance but a playful and often goofy personality. These dogs are very friendly and social and love being around both humans and other dogs. They’re in the working group and were originally bred to be sled dogs. Samoyeds look like they’re smiling, but they were intentionally bred to have curled lips to prevent icicles from forming on their faces.
Samoyeds have fluffy tails and thick coats that require regular brushing. They’re moderate shedders and shed heavily once or twice a year during their shedding seasons.
16. Shetland Sheepdog
| Origin: | United Kingdom |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Height: | 13–16 inches |
| Weight: | 15–25 pounds |
Shetland Sheepdogs are quick-witted, agile herders with thick coats that protect them against harsh weather. Shetland Sheepdogs look like miniature versions of Collies, but they’re two separate breeds.
Shetland Sheepdogs are balls of energy and require a lot of exercise. They’re intelligent and quick learners, and many enjoy participating in dog agility events.
17. Shiba Inu
| Origin: | Japan |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Height: | 13–17 inches |
| Weight: | 17–23 pounds |
The Shiba Inu is an ancient Japanese dog breed that was bred for hunting. Their population almost became extinct during the World War II era, but they survived to become the most popular dog breed in Japan today.
Shiba Inus are alert and attentive. They can have a stubborn streak and be challenging to train, but they’re also very loyal to their families. Shiba Inus are very playful and have a lot of energy. So, it’s important for them to get plenty of daily exercise.
18. Shih Tzu
| Origin: | China |
| Lifespan: | 10–18 years |
| Height: | 9–11 inches |
| Weight: | 9–16 pounds |
Shih Tzus are sweet companion dogs that are very affectionate and outgoing. They’re great family pets and love to play and be lap dogs. They’re also fairly adaptable and can live happily in both urban and rural areas.
Shih Tzus are low-shedding and can have very fluffy tails. However, they require a lot of brushing because their thin hair is prone to tangling.
19. Siberian Husky
| Origin: | Siberia |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Height: | 20–34 inches |
| Weight: | 35–60 pounds |
Siberian Huskies are a high-energy, spirited dog breed that was originally bred to pull sleds. They’re best suited for people with active lifestyles, as it can feel like they have an endless supply of energy.
Siberian Huskies are also very friendly and playful. Though they have a loud bark and howl, they don’t tend to be reliable watch dogs because they can be welcoming of strangers.
20. Tibetan Mastiff
| Origin: | Tibet |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Height: | 24–26 inches |
| Weight: | 70–150 pounds |
The Tibetan Mastiff is a fluffy giant dog breed. While they have an intimidating size and appearance, they’re relatively calm and collected, and they can be very sweet with their families. As they were originally bred as watchdogs, they do tend to become protective of their families and are much more reserved with strangers.
Tibetan Mastiffs are highly intelligent, but they can be challenging to train because they tend to be independent and have a mind of their own. It’s important for them to establish trust with their handlers and they are much more responsive once a handler has earned their respect.
Conclusion
As you can see, dogs with fluffy tails come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. There are many other dog breeds with fluffy tails that we haven’t mentioned, and every dog breed has a different personality and an interesting history. So, it’s safe to say that each one is worth getting to know. As you become more familiar with them, you’ll find that there’s so much more to appreciate about them than just their adorably fluffy tails.
Featured Image Credit: PisutKP, Shutterstock
