9 Dog Breeds With Beards — and the Grooming That Comes With Them
A beard can make a dog look wise, scruffy or permanently surprised. In many breeds, those facial furnishings are part of a harsh or wiry coat developed for outdoor work—not just decoration.
Nine distinctive bearded breeds include:
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Standard Schnauzer
- Giant Schnauzer
- Airedale Terrier
- Scottish Terrier
- German Wirehaired Pointer
- Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
- Bearded Collie
- Brussels Griffon
1–3. The Schnauzers
Miniature, Standard and Giant Schnauzers all share the famous beard and eyebrows. They differ dramatically in size and original job.
- Miniature Schnauzer: compact terrier-type companion/ratter.
- Standard Schnauzer: versatile medium farm/working dog.
- Giant Schnauzer: large, powerful working guardian.
All need coat maintenance, and food/water can collect in the beard. Regular cleaning prevents odor and matting.
4. Airedale Terrier
The largest terrier has a harsh coat with obvious facial furnishings. Airedales are athletic, clever dogs rather than decorative beard models.
5. Scottish Terrier
The Scottie's silhouette is defined by beard, eyebrows and body furnishings. The coat needs clipping or hand-stripping depending on the owner's goals.
6. German Wirehaired Pointer
The GWP's beard and eyebrows are part of a weather-resistant working coat. This is a serious sporting dog with high activity needs.
7. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Another rugged sporting dog with a characteristic beard, the Griffon was developed for field work. Coat texture and maintenance differ from soft-coated companion breeds.
8. Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie takes the concept further with a profuse shaggy coat. Under the hair is an energetic herding dog that needs both grooming and exercise.
9. Brussels Griffon
Rough-coated Brussels Griffons have a distinct beard and almost human-looking expression. They provide the bearded look in a toy-sized companion.
Beard-care basics
- Comb through facial hair regularly.
- Rinse or wipe after messy meals.
- Dry damp beards rather than leaving them constantly wet.
- Check for skin irritation, trapped debris and mats.
- Use a professional groomer if the coat requires stripping or specialized trimming.
Bottom line
Choose the Schnauzer size that matches your lifestyle, not just your preferred beard. For active sporting homes, the German Wirehaired Pointer or Wirehaired Pointing Griffon makes more sense. For toy-dog size, the Brussels Griffon provides the same facial character in a tiny package.
Sources & further reading
- AKC — Schnauzer
- AKC — Airedale
- AKC — Scottish Terrier
- AKC — German Wirehaired Pointer
- American Kennel Club