Dog lovers everywhere have individual reasons that they love their pup. There are many different features across dog breeds that make each a unique choice, but the most distinguishable feature is their coat.
A dog’s coat is an indication of their health. Plus, there’s nothing better than petting dogs with silky coats! In this article we will go over some of these pups.
The silkiness of a dog’s coat is for more than just human enjoyment, it can also be a fascinating way to picture their history. It’s a great tool to keep them warm through the winter, and us too.
Dogs With Silky Coats
Silky coats on dogs are a sign of good health, but they may require some upkeep to keep them flowy and shiny. Daily brushing is one of the best ways to maintain the soft coat you love so much!
1. Cocker Spaniel
Average Lifespan: 10-14 years
Average Size: 20-30 pounds
Coat: silky, long
The Cocker Spaniel is a small dog, with long feathery ears and a gentle mouth. The softness of their bite was bred into the spaniel breed because it came in handy for them, as they were originally used as bird hunting companions.
These dogs have a very long history, coming from Spain to England, and then eventually to America. It’s thought that they were even brought over on the Mayflower!
They are one of the most notorious dogs with silky coats, and they come in many different colors such as brown, black, and a combination of the two. They have a double coat, which is a soft coat present underneath a thicker, winter coat.
2. Irish Setter
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 60-70 pounds
Coat: silky, medium
Much like the Cocker Spaniel, the Irish Setter has a history of bird and game hunting. They are called setters because of the way that they set their belly on the ground to let their human know when game has been spotted.
Irish Setters are larger dogs, originally from the land of Ireland. They have long legs that have made them suitable pets for hunters for the past 200 years. The color of their coats used to be both red and white, but the Irish hunters much preferred the mahogany hue, so they bred the white fur out of them.
That’s not to say that you won’t find one with spots of white though!
3. Gordon Setter
Average Lifespan: 12-13 years
Average Size: 45-80 pounds
Coat: silky, medium
Just like the two breeds mentioned before, the Gordon Setter was also bred to be a bird hunter. However, these pups originated in Scotland and England. They are actually named after the fourth Duke of Gordon, as he had a major role in breeding them.
These dogs are a little larger than Irish Setters. They are also wonderfully energetic companions to have by your side. The coat of a Gordon Setter is a shiny black, with tan markings above their eyebrows. They have a little bit of a thicker coat, made to stand against cold weather.
4. Afghan Hound
Average Lifespan: 12-18 years
Average Size: 50-60 pounds
Coat: silky, long
One of the most notoriously glamorous dogs, the Afghan Hound comes from the Afghan mountains. A common theme for these breeds has been that they are hunters, and this hound is no different.
The Afghan Hound is not a bird hunter, like the Irish Setter or Cocker Spaniel, but rather a big game hunter. Their targets were often leopards or gazelles.
Their long, silky coat makes for a stunning look, but it’s not all about aesthetics. These coats are thick and were bred for the harsh climates of their homeland mountain terrains.
5. Cesky Terrier
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 14-24 pounds
Coat: silky, medium
The Cesky Terrier comes from the Czech Republic. They are smaller than all of the previous dogs mentioned, but they are still hunters nonetheless.
It is quite easy to train a Cesky, which is probably why they were often, and still are, used as hunting companions. However, seeing these dogs is becoming increasingly rare, with only 600 of them present in the United States.
Cesky Terriers have a shorter coat, usually colored as grey or platinum. A distinguishing feature of them is their long facial hair, a common trait among dogs with silky coats.
6. Silky Terrier
Average Lifespan: 13-15 years
Average Size: 10 pounds
Coat: silky, long
The smallest so far, Silky Terriers are playful and energetic- and a wonderful companion for kids. They are very devoted to their owners as lifelong friends. Silky Terriers were brought from Great Britain to Australia, and were used for hunting a different type of prey. Their feast of choice-snakes!
Their blue-black and tan straight coat makes it easy to spot these dogs a mile away. Unlike some of the other dogs on this list, they only have one coat.
7. Clumber Spaniel
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 55-85 pounds
Coat: silky, medium
Clumber Spaniels have a slightly more royal history, often being bird hunters alongside of kings. This is because, much like the Cesky Terrier, they take very well to training. While most of the time they are often gentle and loving, they have a knack for picking up scents, so they need to be watched over carefully when outside.
Their coat is very thick and mainly white, but hues of orange and yellow can also be noted. They have a thicker trail of fur along their chest.
8. Maltese
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: <7 pounds
Coat: silky, long
Maltese have always been glorious dogs, and it has been noted that people have been marveling in their beauty since ancient times.
They originally come from Malta, and spread to Europe through trade. Unlike the other dogs so far, the Maltese was often used as a companion for women and the royal, rather than a hunter.
The coat of a Maltese is rather long for its size, and has often been compared to a mop, and it falls past its paws onto the floor. They are all white and elegant, with a small black button nose.
9. Lhasa Apso
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 12-18 pounds
Coat: silky, long
Much like the Maltese, the Lhasa Apso has a history of being a royal companion. The breed is thought to be over a thousand years old, and was typically seen in palaces and monasteries.
They originate from the Himalayas, and are often a more quiet and reserved breed. They are fiercely loyal to those who love them. Lhasa Apso’s also have a similar coat to a Maltese; it is straight and flows to the floor. However, they have a little more variety in color, with pops of tan, yellow, and white.
10. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Average Size: 13-18 pounds
Coat: silky, medium
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a combination of the two types of dogs we’ve talked about so far: hunters and royalty. While more on the royalty side, their spaniel heritage makes them adept hunters.
Originally from Britain, the Cavalier is a small and attentive dog that draws you in with their perfectly round, big eyes.
They actually have four distinct colors of coats across the breed, each color representing an ancient noble family they were bred in. The colors are ruby, black and tan, tricolor, and white with chestnut.
11. Japanese Chin
Average Lifespan: 10-12 years
Average Size: 7-11 pounds
Coat: silky, medium
Similar to the Maltese and the Lhasa Apso, the Japanese Chin is a dog of royalty in Japan. However, the breed is seen much more cat-like than the others. While Japan cultivated the breed into what it is today, there is a lot of debate on who brought them to Japan. Many theorize China, while others credit Buddhists.
The coats of these tiny pups come in many colors, commonly black and white or black and tan. The fur on their chest puffs out a little more than the rest of their body, giving them a graced look.
12. Papillon
Average Lifespan: 14-16 years
Average Size: 5-10 pounds
Coat: silky, medium
These tiny bundles of joy were bred in Europe for noblewomen as lapdogs, but they have a strong tie to the French because of the many famous names who owned one. They were spread all over Europe and easily one of the most popular and beloved dogs of the 19th and 20th century.
Papillon is French for “butterfly,” which describes exactly how their ears appear! Their long, luscious coat extends to their ears, making them easily recognizable.
13. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: 30-40 pounds
Coat: silky, medium
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is an Irish farm dog. They did not hunt or sit on royal laps, rather they would round up sheep. These pups are very sturdy and extroverted. One of their main characteristics is the goatee that adorns their chin.
Their coat is wavy and curly, with hints of beige and gold. This coat is low shedding, but still needs to be brushed for maintenance.
14. Bearded Collie
Average Lifespan: 12-14 years
Average Size: 45-55 pounds
Coat: silky, long
The final dog on our list of dogs with silky coats is the Bearded Collie, a small, shaggy dog from Scotland. Like the Wheaten Terrier, this dog was bred as a farm dog. Bearded Collies are notorious workers, often said to be able to get two days of work done in one.
They are extremely independent and intelligent, making them great companions. The most striking feature of their coat is the long hair covering their eyes. They are often grey and white in color, but can also be black or brown.