Wait, did you say a mop? Yep, just like the one you might use to clean your floors, some dogs look exactly like mops! This unique appearance comes from their distinctive, corded coats. Some dogs are born with this mop-like fur, while others are groomed to achieve the look.
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These cords form naturally for some breeds, where the undercoat and topcoat twist together into curly, rope-like strands. Others might develop felt-like textures from their curly hair, turning into what can only be described as delightful doggy dreadlocks.
But remember, these mop-lookalike dogs often require a lot of grooming. Managing their long, tangle-prone hair can be a bit of a challenge, involving regular brushing to keep it clean and free from mats.
If you adore the mop-dog style but aren’t up for the grooming commitment, you might want to consider an easier-to-maintain breed. Neglecting their coat can lead to uncomfortable tangles and even infections. Interested in learning more about these quirky and adorable breeds?
Dogs That Look Like Mops
Here are 7 of our favorite mop-like dog breeds. We’ll provide a brief overview of each dog breed and offer some grooming tips to consider.
1. Bergamasco sheepdog
Personality | Independent, sociable, intelligent |
Energy Level | Calm |
Shedding | No Shedding |
Barking Level | Only To Alert |
Height | 23.5 inches (male), 22 inches (female) |
Weight | 70-84 pounds (male), 57-71 pounds (female) |
Life Expectancy | 13-15 years |
The Bergamasco is a medium-sized sheepdog known for its unique, long, and textured coat that feels a bit greasy and forms flat mats instead of curls. The Bergamasco has a unique coat made up of three different types of hair.
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First, there’s the oily undercoat, which is short, dense, and fine, providing waterproof protection for the dog. Next is the “goat hair,” which is straight, long, and has a rough texture. Lastly, there’s the woolly outer coat that adds an extra layer of warmth. Originating from the cold, predator-filled Italian Alps, this coat helps keep them warm and safe.
This smart dog is friendly with nearly everyone, including kids and cats, making it a great companion. While they are natural guard dogs and herders, early socialization and consistent training are important if they’re to be family pets. Bergamascos like to think of themselves as your equals rather than just a pet, so they are not recommended for first-time pet owners!
They don’t require a lot of exercise but do enjoy being active with their owners. According to the American Kennel Club, grooming a Bergamasco is quite easy. Their coat doesn’t shed, rarely needs brushing, and only needs a bath a few times a year. Remember, never shave their coat, as it helps regulate their body temperature.
2. Komondor
Personality | Dignified, loyal, brave |
Energy Level | Regular Exercise |
Shedding | No Shedding |
Barking Level | Occasional |
Height | 27.5 minimum inches (male), 25.5 minimum inches (female) |
Weight | 100 pounds or more (male), 80 pounds or more (female) |
Life Expectancy | 10-12 years |
The Komondor is a large, white ancient breed from Hungary, famous for looking like a mop due to its long, corded coat. These cords are not just for show; they protect the dog from bad weather and predators and even help them blend in with sheep to surprise any lurking threats.
Komondors are naturally alert and quick to spot dangers, making them excellent watchdogs. They might be a bit shy around strangers but are very loyal and loving to their families. Smart yet sometimes stubborn, they need patient and consistent training.
WebMD notes that while Komondors love their families, they may not always play well with kids and other dogs. They’re athletic and need a lot of exercise, so regular walks and a safe space to roam are important.
Grooming a Komondor’s coat takes quite a bit of effort. Their cords need to be separated as they grow to prevent matting. Since Komondor’s cords can trap dirt and odors, regular baths with dog shampoo are essential to keep your Komondor clean and smelling fresh.
3. Puli
Personality | Loyal, smart, home-loving |
Energy Level | Regular Exercise |
Shedding | No Shedding |
Barking Level | Occasional |
Height | 17 inches (male), 16 inches (female) |
Weight | 25-35 pounds |
Life Expectancy | 10-15 years |
Also known as the “mop dog” or “Hungarian dog,” the Puli is a medium-sized breed with a distinctive corded coat. When this dog lies down, it could easily be mistaken for a large, twisted-thread mop. The Puli’s coat consists of long, twisted strands of fur that nearly touch the ground, covering its eyes and nose. As the Hungarian Puli grows taller, its fur strands grow longer, and interestingly, shedding stops once the dog reaches full growth.
The Puli is a hardworking herding dog and a lively family companion that appears much larger due to its voluminous coat. They are energetic and need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy.
This self-confident and intelligent breed loves being the center of attention at home. They are affectionate and full of energy, making them excellent jogging partners. However, their high energy levels might be a bit much for first-time pet owners.
Grooming the Puli requires special attention, especially as puppies, when their cords need to be carefully separated to prevent matting. Once the cords are long enough to touch the ground, they should be trimmed to keep the Puli from tripping over its own hair. The breed’s coat is quite allergy-friendly, but it does require consistent maintenance to keep it in good shape.
4. Berger Picard
Personality | Good-natured, loyal, observant |
Energy Level | Needs Lots of Activity |
Shedding | Moderate |
Barking Level | Can be Noisy |
Height | 23.5-25.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female) |
Weight | 50-70 pounds |
Life Expectancy | 12-13 years |
The Berger Picard, also known as the Picardy Shepherd, is one of the oldest French sheepdog breeds. You can spot this breed by its distinct shaggy and wiry coat, which includes a soft, dense undercoat for insulation and a waterproof topcoat.
Originating from the Picardy region in northern France, this breed has been herding livestock like sheep and cattle for centuries. Berger Picards are not only hardworking but also affectionate and loyal family members. They might be a bit reserved around strangers but are very protective and loving towards their families. Their herding background makes them vigilant watchdogs, but to ensure they are well-adjusted pets, early socialization and consistent training are crucial.
Orvis points out that Berger Picards are intelligent and generally responsive to training, although they can be a bit stubborn. They can also be quite vocal, which might be a concern in neighborhoods with close neighbors. As active dogs bred for physically demanding work, they require daily exercise to stay healthy and prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior.
Their wiry double coat needs regular grooming to prevent matting and keep it healthy. It’s a good idea to brush their coat weekly and bathe them as needed, with occasional visits to a professional groomer.
5. Havanese
Personality | Intelligent, outgoing, funny |
Energy Level | Regular Exercise |
Shedding | Low |
Barking Level | Moderate |
Height | 8.5-11.5 inches |
Weight | 7-13 pounds |
Life Expectancy | 14-16 years |
The Havanese, a charming member of the Toy breed group, features silky hair, bright, smiling eyes, and an outgoing personality. Their long, flowing hair is not just beautiful but irresistible to touch, making grooming sessions something to look forward to.
These intelligent and adaptable dogs love meeting new people and making friends wherever they go. The Havanese is lively, affectionate, and far from delicate despite its small size. They can hold their own during playful antics and love being at the heart of family activities, making them excellent family pets. Whether living in a large mansion or a cozy one-bedroom apartment, their main desire is to be by your side.
According to the PDSA, the Havanese needs about 30 minutes of exercise each day and is easy to train. They love to play and cuddle and are quite persuasive when it comes to getting treats from their owners—just watch their diet to avoid weight issues.
Their long, soft coat, known for its silky texture, requires daily grooming to prevent knots and tangles. The high ponytail isn’t just fashionable; it helps keep their glorious locks out of their eyes. For easier maintenance, you can opt to keep their fur clipped short and schedule regular haircuts to prevent matting.
6. Spanish water dog
Personality | Playful but also work-oriented, very active and upbeat |
Energy Level | Energetic |
Shedding | No Shedding |
Barking Level | Occasional |
Height | 17.5-19.75 inches (male), 15.75-18 inches (female) |
Weight | 40-49 pounds (male), 31-40 pounds (female) |
Life Expectancy | 12-14 years |
The Spanish Water Dog is an athletic, medium-sized breed with a rich history as a versatile working dog, excelling in hunting, herding, and aiding in fishing. Its water-repellent coat is perfect for various weather conditions and water-related activities, especially swimming.
This breed has an upbeat, playful, and affectionate temperament, making it a great companion for families. While they aren’t known to bark excessively, Spanish Water Dogs may vocalize to alert or express excitement, and they may dig if they become bored.
With a moderate energy level, Spanish Water Dogs enjoy regular exercise but are also content to relax indoors. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them relatively easy to train. As working dogs, they thrive on tasks that engage their minds and keep them active.
Due to their curly coats, Spanish water dogs require meticulous grooming. The SWDCA recommends clipping their coat evenly at least once a year, although some owners may clip it up to three times a year. Unlike other breeds, Spanish Water Dogs should never be brushed or combed. If mats do form, it’s best to gently separate them with your fingers. When clipped short, the care of a Spanish Water Dog becomes more manageable, but you can also allow the hair to grow longer to form cords if preferred.
7. Poodle
Personality | Active, proud, very smart |
Energy Level | Energetic; Poodles are enthusiastic walkers, runners, and swimmers. |
Shedding | Moderate |
Barking Level | Occasional |
Height | 10 inches & under (toy), 10-15 inches (miniature), over 15 inches (standard) |
Weight | 4-6 pounds (toy), 10-15 pounds (miniature), 60-70 pounds (male standard), 40-50 pounds (female standard) |
Life Expectancy | 10-18 years |
Poodles are known for their intelligence, elegance, and hypoallergenic coats, making them highly popular across the globe. Originally bred as water retrievers in Germany, their unique coat clipping was designed to enhance their efficiency in water. The Poodle’s coat, which features a woolly undercoat and a dense, wiry topcoat, can form ropelike cords when allowed to grow long, known as a corded Poodle.
Poodles come in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy, each initially developed for hunting. Despite their German origins, the Poodle is celebrated as the national dog of France and is admired for its sophisticated appearance and sharp intelligence.
PetMD says that Standard Poodles are excellent family pets, known for their friendly temperament and sociable nature. While all Poodles are active and require plenty of play and exercise, the smaller sizes can adapt to smaller spaces, such as apartments, provided they get daily walks. Miniature Poodles do well with a small yard, whereas Standard Poodles benefit from a larger, fenced space. Mental stimulation is as crucial as physical exercise for Poodles, so including games and activities in their routine is essential.
Poodles are highly trainable and respond best to positive reinforcement. Socialization from a young age is important for all sizes of Poodles to ensure well-rounded behavior.
Grooming a Poodle’s coat is demanding; it sheds minimally but can easily mat. Daily brushing to the skin is necessary to prevent mats from forming a shell over the dog’s body. Regular professional clipping every four to six weeks is recommended to maintain their coat, with show dogs requiring even more frequent and intensive care. Corded coats, in particular, demand considerable effort to maintain.
Conclusion
Dogs that resemble mops, such as the Komondor, are not only fascinating to look at but also carry a rich heritage as ancient breeds. The Komondor’s distinctive white cords, which can often be mistaken for human hair, are particularly iconic. These long, flowing white cords not only serve a practical purpose by protecting the dog from harsh weather and predators but also contribute to the breed’s unique, mop-like appearance.
Initially developed in the British Isles, these breeds, with their elaborate puppy coats, require dedicated grooming to maintain their health and functionality. While the white coat of the Komondor is stunning, it symbolizes a deep history of utility and companionship.
Overall, while these mop-like dogs are a delight to behold, their maintenance and rich history demand respect and dedication from their human companions.