6 Dogs That Look Like Mops

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Why are there dogs that look like a mop?

Have you ever seen a particularly shaggy dog at the park, perhaps a dog that looks like a mop, and wondered what breed of dog it could be? Then read on, because we’ve identified the dog breeds with the most moppish coats. If you think mop dogs are cute, wait until you see these puppies that look like teddy bears.

The mop effect occurs naturally in some dogs and can be developed in others. For natural mop dogs, the undercoat and topcoat combine as they grow to form round, rope-like “cords.” Other mop dogs have curly hair, not fur, which will naturally “mat”, or combine to form felt-like textures. When separated from the skin, the mats can grow out into that delightful mop-like appearance. Mop dogs don’t usually need baths more than 2-3 times a year, and they don’t shed or require brushing, but separating the cords regularly is essential to make sure your pooch’s mop isn’t getting knotted. If you’re prone to spills, be sure to keep one of these dogs that look like mops nearby and if you just want a little facial hair, check out these adorable dogs with beards.

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Komondor

When you think of dogs that look like a mop, this shaggy beauty is probably the first image in your head. The Komondor is an ancient Hungarian breed, bred to guard sheep against wolves and poachers. Their adorable mop-like cords protect them from both the harsh Hungarian winter and the sharp teeth of predators. It has the bonus of making them blend in with the flock, meaning any marauding wolf will get a big surprise when that juicy sheep turns out to be an 80-100 pound, very unimpressed mop dog! Speaking of, here are 15 dogs that look like wolves. As guard dogs, Koms are very independent and protective of their families, but their guarding instincts mean they tend to be suspicious of strangers. Koms are a good choice for experienced dog-owning families with older children, as they need plenty of exercise. And those beautiful corded coats? They’re naturally occurring! The coat begins to clump at about 9 or 10 months. Splitting the clumps makes them grow out into the sweet moppish cords that make this dog so adorable.

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Puli

The Puli is a breed closely related to the Komondor, which is clear from its appearance—it makes sense that dogs that look like a mop would be siblings! Unlike their larger, heavier relatives, however, Pulik (the plural form of Puli—the “k” is silent) were bred to be herding dogs. They’re known as the acrobats of the dog world, sometimes jumping up on the backs of the slower sheep in the flock! These moppish beauties’ coats range in color from black to silver to white, but they can be distinguished from their big brothers by the difference in size: Pulik are much smaller than Koms, weighing only 25-35 pounds. They are also incredibly intelligent and in need of lots of physical and mental stimulation. These easy dog tricks would be no problem for the clever Puli to master. Pulik aren’t just adorable mop dogs, they’re also very loyal. With their strong herding instinct, they’ll try to herd anything: falling leaves, birds, even your toddler might get a gentle diaper tug if they start to stray.

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Bergamasco Sheepdog

Hailing from the Italian Alps, these shaggy sweeties were bred in the proud tradition of dogs that look like a mop: to guard and herd sheep. At 55-70 pounds, Bergs do resemble their larger Hungarian mop-like cousins, but unlike the round, rope-like cords of Koms, their flocks are flat. Bergamasco coats are made up of three types of hair: dog, goat, and wool, which mat together. Because their coat is designed to regulate their temperature, they should never be shaved. Not all dogs can handle the heat, however: here are the warning signs your dog is suffering from heat stroke. Their shaggy coats also fall over their eyes, which is both adorable and protective, shielding the pup’s eyes from snowblindness. Don’t worry though—their extra-long eyelashes help keep their bangs out of their eyes! The Bergamasco is an extremely sociable dog, forming individual relationships with each member of the family. Fun fact: it’s also one of the rarest dog breeds!

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Spanish Water Dog

Although related to Portuguese Water Dogs like the famous former First Dogs, Sunny and Bo (friends of the Obamas), Spanish Water Dogs (SWD) are a different pooch entirely. SWDs were bred as herding dogs, but more importantly, they are another adorable dog that looks like a mop! Their coats are curly and woolly and can be grown out into tight, mop-like cords. Unlike other corded breeds, the SWD has a single coat, meaning it has fewer undercoat hairs. As their name implies, these gorgeous mops love the water, and playing fetch in the creek is their idea of heaven. Just be careful to completely dry those cords! Like other herding dogs, SWDs are very intelligent and active; at 30-50 pounds, they’re great hiking or snowshoeing companions. Here’s how much exercise your dog really needs.

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Havanese

These sturdy little bundles of fun are native to Cuba. Their long, silky coats mat easily, which means that with a bit of persuasion, they can join the adorable ranks of dogs that look like a mop. With their cute button eyes and round noses, Havanese are utterly charming and charismatic. Havanese are small (7-13 pounds), adaptable, smart, and social, making them a great city dog. They enjoy performing tricks and like to get their exercise through playing with their person, or a brisk daily walk. Havanese need to be routinely groomed, including cleaning their ears. Maintaining a corded, mop-like coat on a Havanese takes work: you’ll need to separate the mats regularly, and it takes longer to bathe and dry a corded coat. But the results are so delightful that we think it’s worth the effort!

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Poodle

Available in three sizes (Toy, Miniature, and Standard), the Poodle is one of the most instantly recognizable dogs. Often groomed into woolly, curly puffballs (called pompons), these black, white, or apricot aristocrats are well-known for being low-allergen and elegant. But did you know that they can also become one of the dogs that look like a mop?! That’s right: Like the Havanese, the Poodle’s curly coat mats easily and can be corded into a charming mop. Poodles are super intelligent and easily trained, and the Standard size can keep up with any activity alongside their pet parent. They’re not just smart and athletic, however; they’re also a championship breed. A Standard Poodle named Siba was recently crowned Best in Show at the famed Westminster Dog Show.

Sources:

• Petguide.com: “Doggy Dreadlocks—All About Corded Coats in Dogs”
• AKC: “Komondor”
• AKC: “Puli”
• Bergamascos USA: “Puli-Bergamasco-Komondor Comparison”
• AKC: “Bergamasco Sheepdog”
• AKC: “Spanish Water Dog”
• Obama.org: “Bo & Sunny”
• AKC: “Havanese”
• AKC: “ Poodle”