There's something irresistibly charming about a dog that looks as though it's sporting a carefully styled mustache. Whether it's a Schnauzer's distinguished whiskers, a terrier's scruffy beard, or the flowing facial hair of a Bearded Collie, these dogs have expressions that are difficult to forget.
Jump to:
- Schnauzer: The Classic Dog With a Mustache
- Airedale Terrier: A Larger Bearded Dog
- Scottish Terrier: A Small Terrier With a Beard
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: A Soft and Shaggy Mustache
- Bearded Collie: A Medium Dog With Plenty of Facial Hair
- Brussels Griffon: A Tiny Dog With a Goatee-Like Face
- Wire Fox Terrier: A Classic Terrier Dog With a Mustache
- Irish Wolfhound: A Giant, Scruffy Bearded Dog
- Why Do Some Dogs Have Mustaches and Beards?
- Grooming Dogs With Mustaches and Beards
- Choosing a Dog With a Mustache Breed
- Final Thoughts
- FAQ
- You May Also Like
If you're searching for a dog with a mustache breed, there isn't just one answer. Several dog breeds naturally grow longer hair around the muzzle, creating the appearance of a mustache, beard, or even a tiny goatee.
I've always loved how facial hair can completely transform a dog's expression. Some look like wise little professors, while others seem permanently ready for a countryside adventure. Their distinctive coats can require extra grooming, though, so it's worth getting to know the whole breed rather than choosing your new companion based on that adorable dog mustache alone.
Schnauzer: The Classic Dog With a Mustache
If you picture a dog with a mustache, there's a good chance you're imagining a Schnauzer.
The breed's characteristic facial furnishings create pronounced eyebrows and a full beard around the muzzle. Together, they give Schnauzers their unmistakably distinguished appearance.
Schnauzers also offer something unusual for people who love this look: multiple sizes. The Miniature Schnauzer is a compact companion, while the Standard Schnauzer sits comfortably in the middle. The Giant Schnauzer provides a much larger version of the familiar bearded face.
Behind those impressive whiskers is an intelligent, alert dog. Schnauzers generally benefit from consistent positive training, regular activity, and opportunities to keep their minds occupied.
Their facial hair also requires maintenance. Food and water can collect in a long beard, so keeping it clean and appropriately groomed is part of everyday Schnauzer care.
Airedale Terrier: A Larger Bearded Dog
The Airedale Terrier offers a wonderful combination of long legs, a sturdy build, and that classic terrier beard.
As one of the larger terriers, the Airedale Terrier can be a good option for someone who loves the scruffy facial hair of smaller terriers but wants a bigger dog. Its wiry coat creates a distinctive bearded dog appearance without the flowing hair seen in some other breeds.
Airedales tend to be clever and energetic. Like many terriers, they can have an independent side, so patient, rewarding training and plenty of appropriate activity can be valuable.
If you're specifically searching for a large dog with a mustache, the Airedale is certainly one to learn more about.
Scottish Terrier: A Small Terrier With a Beard
The Scottish Terrier proves you don't need a large dog to get an impressive beard.
Scotties have a wonderfully recognizable outline, with short legs, upright ears, prominent eyebrows, and longer facial hair. A black Scottish Terrier with its characteristic beard can look especially dignified despite its relatively small size.
These dogs have plenty of terrier personality packed into their compact frames. Scottish Terriers can be confident and independent, and they may appreciate owners who understand that small doesn't necessarily mean effortless.
Their coat requires regular grooming to maintain its characteristic appearance. If you're considering a small terrier with a beard and plenty of personality, the Scottie deserves a closer look.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier: A Soft and Shaggy Mustache
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier offers a different take on the mustache look.
Instead of the more sculpted facial furnishings associated with a Schnauzer, Wheatens have soft hair that creates a wonderfully shaggy face. The longer hair around the muzzle can resemble a relaxed mustache and beard.
Their coat is one of their defining features, but it also needs consistent grooming to help prevent tangles and matting. Prospective owners should be comfortable making brushing and coat maintenance a normal part of life.
Wheatens are often lively dogs that enjoy being involved with their families. Their cheerful appearance certainly matches the playful impression their shaggy faces can create.
Bearded Collie: A Medium Dog With Plenty of Facial Hair
With a name like Bearded Collie, expectations are understandably high.
Fortunately, the breed delivers.
The Bearded Collie has a long, shaggy coat that extends around the muzzle and chin, creating a substantial beard. Unlike the precisely defined whiskers of a Schnauzer, a Beardie's facial hair blends naturally into the rest of its flowing coat.
These are active herding dogs rather than decorative couch companions. Their energy, intelligence, coat maintenance, and exercise requirements should all be considered carefully.
For someone looking for a medium-sized dog with a mustache, the Bearded Collie offers plenty of personality beneath all that hair.
Brussels Griffon: A Tiny Dog With a Goatee-Like Face
Some bearded dogs look dignified. The Brussels Griffon can look remarkably human.
The rough-coated variety develops longer facial hair around the muzzle and chin, creating the appearance of a little beard or dog with a goatee. Combine that with large eyes and a wonderfully expressive face, and you get a dog that's hard to overlook.
Their small size can make Brussels Griffons appealing to people searching for a compact companion, but size should never be the only consideration when choosing a breed. Temperament, exercise, grooming, and health needs matter too.
For people who love unusual-looking little dogs, however, this expressive beard dog certainly stands out.
Wire Fox Terrier: A Classic Terrier Dog With a Mustache
The Wire Fox Terrier is another breed whose coat creates charming facial furnishings.
Longer, wiry hair around the muzzle gives these dogs the characteristic "mustache" appearance of terriers. The effect is less dramatic than a heavily groomed Schnauzer but still wonderfully distinctive.
Wire Fox Terriers are energetic dogs with a history of working as terriers. That background can come with enthusiasm, curiosity, and strong instincts.
They're a good example of why appearance tells only part of the story. That adorable little beard comes attached to an active terrier that needs suitable outlets for physical and mental energy.
Irish Wolfhound: A Giant, Scruffy Bearded Dog
If tiny bearded dogs aren't quite your style, consider the enormous Irish Wolfhound.
The breed's rough coat creates shaggy facial hair around the muzzle and chin, giving these gentle-looking giants a distinctly rustic appearance. Their beard isn't as carefully defined as a Schnauzer's. Instead, it looks naturally scruffy.
Irish Wolfhounds are among the tallest dog breeds, so bringing one home requires serious consideration of space, food, exercise, veterinary care, and the practical realities of living with a giant dog.
For anyone exploring large bearded dog breeds, though, the Irish Wolfhound is difficult to forget.
Why Do Some Dogs Have Mustaches and Beards?
A dog's mustache isn't quite the same as a human mustache. What we're usually seeing is longer coat growth around the muzzle, cheeks, and chin.
In some breeds, these longer hairs are known as facial furnishings. Genetics influence the coat characteristics that produce that recognizable bearded appearance.
Selective grooming can make the effect even more noticeable. Schnauzers are a perfect example: their characteristic grooming style emphasizes the eyebrows and beard, creating the unmistakable face most people associate with the breed.
Other dogs have softer or more naturally shaggy facial hair. That's why one dog with a beard can look like it has carefully styled whiskers while another looks like it just returned from an adventure in the woods.
Grooming Dogs With Mustaches and Beards
That adorable facial hair does require some attention.
A dog's beard sits directly underneath its mouth, so it can get wet whenever the dog drinks and may collect bits of food after meals. Longer facial hair can also become tangled or dirty.
Grooming needs vary considerably between breeds and coat types. A Schnauzer, Bearded Collie, and Irish Wolfhound don't all need exactly the same routine simply because they have beards.
Regular brushing and appropriate professional grooming may be helpful depending on the breed. It's also worth getting puppies comfortable with having their faces gently handled from an early age.
Keep an eye on the skin beneath facial hair as well. If you notice persistent redness, irritation, odor, hair loss, or other concerning changes, speak with your veterinarian.
Choosing a Dog With a Mustache Breed
It's very easy to fall in love with a photograph of a perfectly groomed mustache, but the best dog breed for you depends on much more than facial hair.
Consider adult size, temperament, exercise, grooming, training, and general health needs. Think about how much time you're comfortable spending on coat maintenance and whether the breed's energy level fits your routine.
A Miniature Schnauzer and an Irish Wolfhound can both be dogs with beards, yet the experience of sharing your home with each is dramatically different.
Spend time learning about the whole dog underneath that fabulous facial hair. The mustache should be the charming finishing touch, not the only reason you choose the breed.
Final Thoughts
There's no single dog breed with a mustache. Instead, dog lovers can choose from an entire collection of wonderfully whiskered companions.
Schnauzers offer perhaps the most iconic mustache, while the Airedale Terrier and Scottish Terrier bring classic wiry bearded dog charm. Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers and Bearded Collies provide a shaggier version, and the tiny Brussels Griffon has an expressive face that can look remarkably like a little goatee.
Even giant breeds such as the Irish Wolfhound can join the club.
Whichever style makes you smile, remember that those adorable whiskers come attached to a real dog with individual needs, quirks, and personality. Choose the companion who fits your life first.
The magnificent mustache can simply be a very cute bonus.
FAQ
Schnauzers are probably best known for their mustache-like appearance. Their longer facial furnishings create prominent eyebrows and a distinctive beard. Airedale Terriers, Scottish Terriers, Wire Fox Terriers, and several other breeds can also look mustached.
The Miniature Schnauzer is a classic small dog with a mustache. Scottish Terriers and rough-coated Brussels Griffons also have noticeable facial hair that can resemble a beard, mustache, or goatee.
Airedale Terriers, Giant Schnauzers, Bearded Collies, and Irish Wolfhounds are among the larger dogs with noticeable facial hair. Their coats and grooming requirements vary significantly.
Schnauzers naturally grow longer facial furnishings, and traditional grooming emphasizes the longer hair around their muzzle and eyebrows. This creates the characteristic Schnauzer beard and mustache.
Many do need additional attention around the face. Facial hair can collect water, food, dirt, and tangles, so it may require appropriate cleaning and brushing. Grooming requirements vary by breed and coat type, and a professional groomer can help you establish a suitable routine.
Leave a Reply