When it comes to the color silver in dog coats, there are a few different breeds that commonly exhibit this striking hue. Silver coats can range from a light platinum or gray to a darker charcoal, but they all share a diluted black pigment that creates a unique shimmering effect. Some dogs are born with naturally silver coats while in other breeds, like poodles and schnauzers, the silver coloring is achieved through hand-stripping or clipping the coat. So what dog breeds typically have that eye-catching silver sheen?
Poodles
Poodles are well known for their hypoallergenic, non-shedding coats that come in a variety of colors including silver. Silver poodles have a gorgeous grayish-blue or blue-black coat color. Their coat starts out dark gray or black at birth and gradually lightens to silvery-gray as they mature.
To maintain the beautiful silver coloring, most poodle owners have their dogs’ coats clipped or corded regularly. Without regular grooming, the soft curly coat of a poodle will revert back to its natural black shade. There are three sizes of poodle – toy, miniature, and standard. A silver toy poodle generally weighs between 4-6 pounds while a standard silver poodle is typically 45-70 pounds. Miniature poodles fall somewhere in between at 10-15 pounds. Regardless of their size, silver poodles need daily brushing and professional grooming every 4-6 weeks to keep their coats looking their best.
Weimaraners
The sleek, silver-gray coat of the Weimaraner is one of its most defining features. As puppies, Weimaraners have darker gray fur with hints of brown. By the time they reach adulthood around 1-2 years old, they develop their signature pale gray color, sometimes described as “ghost gray” or silver. Their short, smooth coat requires minimal grooming to stay looking neat and trim.
Weimaraners were originally bred as hunting dogs so they are athletic, powerful dogs measuring up to 27 inches tall and weighing up to 85 pounds. Their active nature means they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Without enough activity, these intelligent dogs can get bored and destructive. Their trainability and affectionate nature make them wonderful pets for active households. Regular brushing with a stiff bristle brush and the occasional bath keeps their silver coat looking spectacular.
Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier hails from Ireland, where they were bred to hunt small game and vermin. True to their name, Kerry blues have a soft, silvery-gray coat that is curly or wavy. Puppies are born black, then the coat transitions to silver-gray in a process called “clearing” by the time the dog reaches 2 years old.
To achieve the proper wooly texture and silver color, a Kerry blue terrier’s coat needs regular clipping and trimming. Without grooming, the coat can become faded and matted. Kerry blues have an average height of 18-22 inches and weight of 33-40 pounds. They are active, highly intelligent dogs that excel at obedience training and dog sports like agility. Their strong hunting instincts make them excellent watchdogs that are protective of their family.
Afghan Hound
Recognizable by their thick, silky coat and fashion model looks, Afghan hounds come in a range of colors including silver. Their shimmery silver-blue coats pair beautifully with their black masks and ears. These glamorous dogs were originally bred in Afghanistan to hunt hare, gazelle and other swift prey across rugged mountainous terrain. Consequently, Afghan hounds have lean, athletic builds and need plenty of brisk daily exercise.
Afghan hounds grow quite long coats designed to protect them from harsh mountain conditions. Their silky hair is prone to tangles and mats if not brushed regularly. Owners must be prepared to commit to daily grooming routines to keep their silver coats looking polished. With their regal posture and flowing locks, it’s no wonder Afghan hounds are favorites among dog show handlers and owners who want a dog that attracts attention.
Italian Greyhound
The fine, short coat of the Italian greyhound comes in colors including shimmering silver and slate blue. Their short fur sheds minimally and lacks the typical “doggy” odor. Italian greyhounds have slim, gazelle-like builds standing 13-15 inches tall and weighing just 7-14 pounds. Like their larger greyhound cousins, they are built for speed and love nothing more than sprinting around in a safely enclosed area.
Outside of their bursts of energy, these petite dogs enjoy lounging on soft blankets and cushions. Their coat needs only occasional brushing to remove loose hair. These mild-mannered companion dogs thrive when they can follow their owner from room to room inside the home. Their small size makes them a good fit even for urban apartments. With proper training and socialization, Italian greyhounds can adapt well to living with other pets and children.
Standard Schnauzer
The Standard Schnauzer is a German breed recognized by their harsh, wiry coat that comes in black, salt and pepper, and pure white or silver. Show schnauzers are usually hand-stripped to maintain the proper coat texture but pet schnauzers are often clipped for easier maintenance. Without stripping or clipping, the coat can become quite shaggy and lose its crisp silver-gray color.
Schnauzers have square, sturdy bodies and energetic personalities. They typically grow to be 17-19 inches tall and 30-50 pounds as adults. Regular exercise and training are musts for this bright working breed. In the show ring, silvery schnauzers are faulted if they have flecks of darker color mixed in their coat. Pet owners simply looking for an affectionate, athletic companion will love a schnauzer in any color.
Giant Schnauzer
Like their Standard Schnauzer cousins, Giant Schnauzers also come in a distinguished salt-and-pepper coat color. However, as their name suggests, Giant Schnauzers are significantly larger reaching 23-27 inches tall and weighing 55-80 pounds. Giants have rugged bodies, dense coats, and bold personalities to match their size.
Their coat requires similar grooming to the Standard Schnauzer to maintain its color and texture. Clipping or stripping every 6-8 weeks will prevent matting and will help the coat lay flat against the body. Without proper grooming, giant schnauzers lose their crisp silver and black color pattern as the coat grows out. Consistent training is a must for Giant Schnauzers to channel their strength and energy into being stellar companions.
Bouvier Des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres originated as an all-purpose farm dog in Belgium where their duties included cattle droving, sheep herding, and guarding. They have thick, dense coats uniquely suited to protecting them from inclement weather while working outdoors. Bouvier coats come in a range of colors like fawn, black, salt and pepper, and grey.
Some Bouviers present with distinctly silver-gray fur. Their shaggy coats require regular brushing and grooming to prevent matting and maintain texture. Without brushing, their coat can become coarse and lose its silver sheen. Bouviers usually grow to 23-27 inches tall and weigh 70-110 pounds. They are powerfully built dogs bred to work hard. Bouviers thrive when given jobs to do and plenty of daily exercise.
Komondor
The Komondor has a truly remarkable coat that forms cords that resemble dreadlocks. Their coat starts out fluffy and soft as a puppy then begins to cord naturally around nine months old. Komondor puppies are typically white but Komondor’s coats can turn silver or gray as they age.
To maintain their coat, Komondor’s cords need to be separated regularly to prevent them from fusing together into large mats. Good airflow between the cords is crucial to the health of the coat and skin. These Hungarian herding dogs have calm, steady personalities despite their imposing size at over 27 inches tall and 100+ pounds. Their long corded coat was designed to disguise them among flocks of sheep and protect them from predators.
Bedlington Terrier
Hailing from England’s mining country, the Bedlington Terrier was bred to hunt vermin. Bedlingtons have a distinct wooly and slightly curled lamb-like coat. Their fur is a blue-gray or silver-blue color with darker blue shading on the legs and head. Puppies are born dark blue or brown then lighten as they mature.
The Bedlington coat requires regular grooming to keep its textured appearance. Clipping and trimming every 6-8 weeks prevents the coat from becoming lanky, overgrown, or discolored. These energetic, athletic dogs thrive when they can participate in sports like agility and flyball. Weighing just 17-23 pounds, the Bedlington Terrier combines speed, endurance, and versatility in a small package.
Saluki
The Saluki is one of the oldest domesticated dog breeds dating back to ancient Egypt. They were prized by Egyptian royals and nobles for their skill in hunting gazelles, foxes, and hares. Salukis have a slim, graceful build with a long, silky coat. Common coat colors include golden, cream, black & tan, and silver.
The silver coat stands out for its beautiful pale gray color and blue hues. Their feathered fur requires brushing two to three times per week to prevent tangles and mats. Salukis are quiet, gentle dogs that are lower energy indoors but able to sprint at high speeds when chasing prey. Weighing just 35-70 pounds, Salukis thrive in homes with access to a safely fenced area to run freely.
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier holds claim to being the “King of Terriers” as the largest terrier breed. Airedales have neat, dense coats that require stripping about twice a year to maintain the proper coat texture and color. If hand-stripped, Airedales have black and tan coats with crisp tan markings on the legs, head, and chest.
When kept as pets, many Airedales are instead clipped for easier maintenance. Clipping results in a softer, fuller coat. The coat may lighten from black to gray or silver as the dog ages. Their weatherproof coat means Airedales love being outdoors and require plenty of exercise. These playful, energetic terriers thrive when they have a job to do like athletics, hunting, or dog sports.
Silken Windhound
The Silken Windhound is a relatively new dog breed developed in the United States by crossing long-haired Whippets and Borzoi. The goal was to create a small, long-haired sighthound. The result was a miniature, refined dog with a wispy, silky coat. Silken Windhounds come in a range of colors including silver, blue, red, and brindle.
The silvery gray and blue coats shimmer beautifully in the light. Their soft, silky coats require brushing two to three times per week to remove loose fur and prevent tangles. These mild-mannered dogs have graceful movements and love to run. Their petite size at 17-19 inches tall and 20-40 pounds makes them ideal for apartment living.
Norwegian Lundehund
This unique Norwegian breed has some amazing features including 6 toes on each foot, flexible joints, and ears that tip forward or close flat to the head. They were originally bred as puffin hunters able to scale steep cliffs and crevices to catch these birds. Norwegian Lundehunds have thick, protective coats that come in shades of fawn or gray.
The coat can range from silver gray to reddish gray. Daily brushing is recommended to control shedding and prevent mats. Thanks to their incredible flexibility, Lundies are able to twist their bodies into unimaginable positions to gain access to hard-to-reach spaces. These active, athletic dogs excel at agility competitions.
Shikoku
The Shikoku is a Japanese dog breed known for their loyalty, courage, and determination. They were traditionally used as hunting dogs to control wild boar and deer in the mountainous Kochi region. Shikoku have double coats well-suited to providing insulation and water resistance. They have a dense, soft undercoat covered by straight, coarse outer guard hairs.
Common coat colors include sesame, black sesame, and red sesame. Aging Shikoku may develop more silver or whitening in their coats. Their weatherproof coat requires only occasional brushing and bathing as needed. Shikoku have tireless endurance and make wonderfully devoted companions when provided proper socialization and training.
Pointer
Pointers are gun dogs bred to freeze and point at gamebirds during hunts. They have short, smooth coats in colors like liver, black, lemon, orange, and silver. The silver Pointer’s coat is pale gray ticked with fine dark hairs. Their short coats have a visible sheen but require minimal grooming to stay looking neat.
An average Pointer stands 22-28 inches at the shoulder and weighs 45-75 pounds. Their lean build gives them the stamina and speed needed to charge through brush and fields when hunting. At home, they are even-tempered, loyal family dogs that thrive when exercised daily. Pointers excel at many dog sports from tracking to agility thanks to their natural athleticism.
Miniature Pinscher
Originally bred to hunt vermin in stables, the Miniature Pinscher has an sleek, elegant appearance. Also known as the “Min Pin,” this toy breed weighs just 8-10 pounds and stands 10-12 inches tall. They have smooth, shiny coats that come in rich colors like black, chocolate, red, and silver. The silver Min Pin has a gorgeous steel gray coat accented by tan markings.
Their short coats require weekly brushing to remove loose hair. Min Pins are energetic, curious small dogs that adore being with their families. Despite their tiny size, Min Pins are fearless watchdogs that will loudly alert their owners to any suspicious activity.
conclusion
From noble hunting dogs like Salukis and Afghan Hounds to compact companions like Miniature Pinschers and Italian Greyhounds, silver coats can be found across many different dog breeds. While some dogs like Weimaraners and Kerry Blue Terriers develop their silvery hue over time, other breeds from Poodles to Schnauzers require regular clipping or stripping to maintain their unique shimmering coats.
No matter if they are short or long, curly or corded, a silver dog coat never fails to dazzle. With their eye-catching good looks and delightful personalities, it’s no wonder so many dog lovers are drawn to canine companions with that special silver sparkle.
| Breed | Adult Size | Coat Length | Grooming Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle | Toy: 4-6 lbs Mini: 10-15 lbs Standard: 45-70 lbs |
Long, curly | Clipped every 4-6 weeks |
| Weimaraner | 55-85 lbs | Short | Weekly brushing |
| Kerry Blue Terrier | 33-40 lbs | Curly/wavy | Clipped every 4-6 weeks |
| Afghan Hound | 50-60 lbs | Long, silky | Daily brushing |
| Italian Greyhound | 7-14 lbs | Short | Weekly brushing |
| Standard Schnauzer | 30-50 lbs | Wiry | Hand-stripped or clipped every 6-8 weeks |
| Giant Schnauzer | 55-80 lbs | Wiry | Hand-stripped or clipped every 6-8 weeks |
| Bouvier Des Flandres | 70-110 lbs | Thick, dense | Weekly brushing |
| Komondor | 100+ lbs | Corded | Cords separated regularly |
| Bedlington Terrier | 17-23 lbs | Wooly, curled | Clipped every 6-8 weeks |