One hundred and two of the most famous dogs in the world are black and white but they aren’t long haired.
101 of these are Dalmatians of course and the one hundred and second black and white dog is Snoopy.
But don’t let fame distract you.
If you like black and white as a colour but you want a dog with longer hair, there are still plenty to choose from.
And in this article I will provide an overview of nine breeds- ranging in size from a Siberian Husky to a Chihuahua.
And from the dogs breeds with large patches of black and white across their body (such as the Border Collie) to the dappled black and white spots of a Dachshund.
And although black and white as a colour choice won’t result in you having to work any harder than say if you opted for a black and tan dog, the long hair might do.
As dogs with long hair tend to need more work (controlling and taming the coat) and create more mess- as the mess will need to be vacuumed.
[1] Border Collie
These medium-sized, long-haired black and white dogs have been a feature of the English countryside for generations.
The friendly herders have proven invaluable to farmers when managing livestock and have also proven themselves as loyal, affectionate, and well-behaved pets.
Male Border Collies typically grow to between 48 and 56 centimetres and weigh between 14-20 kg.
Female Border collies will grow to between 46 to 53cms and reach a weight between 12 to 19kg.
These long haired dogs are distinguishable by their distinctive black and white patterning, with black fur covering most of their backs and white and black fur on their limbs, stomachs, and faces.
They are energetic dogs that need a lot of exercise in large, outdoor spaces in order so are not suited to be kept in small flats or homes without a garden.
They are also extremely intelligent and will need lots of mental stimulation through toys, training, and games.
You will find that even though they are not in a farm setting, these determined dogs will sometimes put their herding instinct to effective use elsewhere, such as rounding up other dogs in the park and sometimes even herding humans!
[2] Old English Sheep Dog
The Old English Sheep Dog is another black and white-haired herding dog, although their fur tends to be longer, fluffier, and shaggier than the border collie.
They also tend to be larger and more muscular than their collie counterparts.
These dogs typically grow to a height of 56 to 61cm for males and 51 to 56cm for females and can weigh from 27 to 45kg.
They are identifiable by their long, shaggy, fluffy fur which will be patterned with black on the back and white fur predominantly on the face, chest, and lower paws.
The Old English Sheep Dog is a highly intelligent and capable working dog which have been used in the English Countryside since the 18th century.
These long haired dogs have also proven themselves to be affectionate companions and family dogs with their herding instincts encouraging them to be protective and caring to every member of the “pack.”
Old English Sheep Dogs also make very capable watch or guard dogs for the home.
[3] Japanese Chin
These small long-haired black and white pets hail from Asia and where they have become a very popular lapdog.
The little dogs are very playful and friendly animals making them a perfect pet for a smaller home or admirer of toy dogs.
Japanese Chins have predominantly white fur with black spots on their face, ears, and bits of their coat.
Their white fur will need to be cleaned regularly to keep its colour, luckily this breed loves being fussed over!
Their long fur doesn’t shed much, making them an attractive option for someone who wants to avoid having dog hairs on their clothes and furniture.
But they will require regular grooming as their long fur can become knotted and matted if they are not cared for correctly.
Fully grown Japanese Chins will grow to a height of 9 to 10 inches and only weigh from between four to eleven pounds, making them perfect to pick up and cuddle.
[4] Portuguese Water Dog
If you are looking for a slightly larger animal, there is the Portuguese Water Dog.
These long-haired black and white dogs can be spotted by their long, dense coats of fluffy fur.
Their black and white coat will have a predominantly black saddle with white markings on the chest and paws.
But the long haired breed of dog can also come in all black, brown, and silver-tipped colours.
These medium-sized dogs can grow from between 17 to 23 inches tall and weigh between 35 to 60 pounds.
Under their long fur, they have large muscles and dropped floppy ears.
As their name may suggest, Portuguese Water Dogs were originally bred as a working breed to help Portuguese fishermen by herding fish into nets and aiding in water rescues.
They are smart, enthusiastic, and easy to train. They also love water, so will enjoy visiting any rivers, ponds, or lakes nearby.
[5] Tibetan Terrier
These black and white shaggy terriers are easily identifiable by their thick, long fur, and long facial hair.
As well as being black and white, this breed also consists of entirely black, white, and brown dogs. They have a thick, double coat which is made up of a top layer of finer hair covering a dense, woolly fur beneath.
As you can imagine, this breed needs a lot of grooming!
The terrier is a medium-sized breed which will grow to between 31 to 46cm and weigh between 8 to 14 kg.
These are extremely friendly dogs who thrive in a family environment where there is lots of companionship and interaction.
These black and white dogs have vast amounts of energy and require regular physical exercise.
They will not thrive if left alone for a long time and need plenty of attention from their owners to remain happy.
For this reason, you should not consider getting this breed unless you have the time to devote to it.
[6] Piebald Dachshund
The Piebald Dachshund has a variety of colourings, including black and white patterns and black and white dappling. They will usually have a black coat with large white splotches. The name Piebald actually refers to the coat pattern which can also be seen on collies, terriers, and boxers. The markings are usually in a symmetrical pattern over the dog’s body from the head and down its back.
Although this breed used to be quite rare, its numbers are rising due to successful breeding in the US. Although they are still a relatively rare sight in the UK as they are not accepted under the Kennel Club’s Breed Standard. This is because the white patterning on piebald dachshunds has been linked to a recessive gene that is connected to several health problems for the dog. The larger the white patch on the animal, the more likely they are to have health problems.
Piebald Dachshunds grow between 8 and 9 inches tall and, when fully grown, will weigh between 16 to 32 pounds. Although there is a mini piebald dachshund variant that will grow to only 6 inches tall!
[7] Long-Haired Chihuahua
Black and White Long Haired Chihuahuas can be spotted by their long, fluffy fur and their size. They are in fact the smallest breed in the world weighing between 3 to 6 pounds when adults! As well as black and white, the breed can come in tan, red, brown, white, cream, and black variations.
These long haired breed of dogs are known for their affectionate and playful natures and are extremely loyal to their owners. These black and white dogs do not like being left by themselves for extended periods and can engage in destructive behaviour if left to their own devices for too long. The breed leads very long lives, with an expected lifespan of between fifteen to twenty years
They are extremely cute, attractive dogs with beautiful long coats which will require regular grooming, but can become quite neurotic and are not particularly good with children. They are also notoriously difficult to house train! So before getting one of these dogs you should be certain that you have the time to give it the attention and care it needs.
[8] Papillon
The Papillion is an elegant, small lap dog with long, fine fur that can come in black and white, brown, red and sable variations. Most of the fur on these pets will be white with black or coloured patches appearing on their bodies and ears.
These little dogs were originally bred in Belgium and France and can be identified by their distinctive high ears with long fine fur dropping down in a winglike shape. They also have beautiful long, fluffy tails which will require lots of grooming to be kept free of tangles and matting. These little animals grow to a height of around 8 to 11 inches and weigh between 7 to 9 pounds.
Although small, these beautiful dogs are very energetic and will require lots of exercise and stimulation to keep them happy, so will need plenty of walks in between lap dog sessions.
[9] Siberian Husky
Huskies are a very popular dog breed renowned for their intelligence and attractive appearance. This long-haired black and white dog originates from Russia, Asia and Eastern Europe, where its thick, fluffy fur was perfect for cold weather conditions.
The coat pattern on a black and white husky will vary, with some having a black back saddle with white stomach and chest, piebald patterning, or white with black patches on their eyes and ears. These long haired dogs also come in white, brown, and sable coloured fur.
Despite their thick fur, Siberian Huskies can also be quite comfortable in more temperate weather, contrasting with other types of Huskies which struggle in the heat. Huskies are very loyal pets although they may be jumpy and reticent around strangers. These long haired breed of dogs require a lot of exercise to expend their energy and regular grooming to keep their coat in good condition.
Photo credits
¹ Tibetan Terrier by www.localpuppybreeders.com
² Photo by Baptist Standaert on Unsplash
³ Photo by Betsy Webber on Flickr
⁵ Photo by Andrea Arden on Flickr
⁶
⁷