The cutest dog breeds with photos and names: top 20 dogs

Bernese Mountain Dog

Calico cats and dogs are often considered lucky, and the Bernese is proof of this. Previously, this breed was used as a livestock guard on Swiss farms. Today it is an ideal pet for families with children.

The Bernese mountain range is characterized by good nature, calmness and confidence, as well as beauty. Everyone will definitely like this gentle giant who seems to be smiling. Despite their impressive size, Bernese dogs get along well with children and forgive them any mischief.

Please note that your pet will need care. Long beautiful hair, of course, attracts attention, but it causes a lot of trouble. However, the animal is easy to train.

Minuses

Despite all the positive emotions, there are moments that are difficult to cope with:

the dog can become overly selfish, so rewards must be deserved;
not all cute puppies grow into stately, beautiful and obedient dogs;
Any breed is distinguished by its temperament, habits, and behavioral characteristics, which require knowledge and canine skills.

Among the breeds, there are those that cannot stand being around other pets and show jealousy. Children should not cuddle a cute puppy or play with him a lot. This leads to stress, nervousness, and loud barking for no reason. Explain that everything should be in moderation: love, care, entertainment.

Bichon Frize

A small dog will be a great friend. Most often, the Bichon Frize has perfectly white curls, but the colors can be any shade: from beige to bright red without inclusions. The cutest tiny creatures with button eyes are popular both in Russia and many European countries.

This breed has a mischievous and friendly character, sociable even with strangers. They grow up to 30 cm and weigh a maximum of 3 kg, which allows you to take your pet with you on a visit or vacation.

Maltese (Maltese)

Another incredibly cute breed - the dog resembles a plush toy. Maltese dogs have a gorgeous snow-white or milky hairstyle, but their long coat requires special care. The kindest creature's eyes resemble black beads; thanks to their beauty, lapdogs often become heroes of films and magazines.

They are classified as emotional decorative dogs, because they are constantly in a state of euphoria. Psychotherapists often advise getting a Maltese to cope with depression and despondency.

The Maltese dog cannot stand being alone. It should not be given to people who work a lot or are away from home for a long time. In such cases, the pet will start to play dirty tricks or even get sick.

Collie

Collie is the embodiment of canine beauty and elegance. Scottish Sheepdogs have long been excellent shepherds and guards. These dogs are incredibly attached to their owners and will protect them in case of danger.

The main pride of the Scottish Shepherd is its silky long hair. Owners value these pets for their insightful intelligence, care and ability to adapt to the pace of human life.

Akita Inu

In Japan, this breed is considered a national treasure and even has the title of a natural monument. The Akita Inu is a companion and service dog, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the cutest creatures on earth! After the film “Hachiko”, released 10 years ago, the popularity of the breed increased several times. In appearance, the Akita Inu resembles a Spitz, only very large.

Dogs are very obedient, reserved and patient, which is why they are used as guards. They require constant training, which is why it is not advisable for inexperienced dog breeders to own an Akita.

Read Short-legged dogs - top 20 breeds

Shar Pei

Few people don’t start smiling when they see this miracle! Unique folds, a muzzle resembling a hippopotamus, and massive paws make the relatively large dog incredibly cute. By the way, the folds of Shar-Peis smooth out over time. Few people know that this breed has one more difference from hundreds of others - it is a blue-black tongue (this can only be seen in the Chow Chow).

Breeders say that Shar-Peis are only cute at first sight. Their character is not nearly as soft as the folds of their skin. Pets need training and a strong owner who will become an authority for the dog. They are reluctant to make contact with children, but they love to play with teenagers.

Papillon

Funny, disproportionate ears and joyful eyes allow the Papillon to take pride of place in the top 10 cutest breeds. It is the ears that resemble the wings of a butterfly that give the animal the name of its breed, because “papillon” is translated from French as “butterfly”. In their behavior, they resemble active kittens who love to play and run around the house. They are distinguished by a cheerful temperament, curiosity, and devotion to their owner. The Papillon is also prone to learning quickly and is also one of the smartest dogs.

Poodle

Not just beautiful and “toy” dogs, but real hunters and bloodhounds. Smart, active, hardworking and elegant pets will make friends with absolutely everyone. The springy coat requires constant combing and trimming, but poodles can have beautiful hairstyles.

The main character traits are high intelligence, kindness, and loyalty. Poodles try to pay attention to all family members, not just the owner. They love to fool around (especially play in the water), spend time with small children, and are completely non-aggressive.

Yorkshire Terrier

It seems that everyone knows these terribly adorable tiny dogs. Yorkies are small and playful, but at the same time they have instability and restlessness. They do not like strangers - they can be aggressive towards them. Flaws of character can easily be forgiven for their beauty. Long fur, fashionable haircuts, a button nose and big black eyes make the dog a real star.

World celebrities love to have Yorkshire terriers, and they also go out with them, as if with an expensive toy.

Chow chow (or sunshiquan)

The name of the breed is translated from Chinese as “shaggy lion”, which corresponds to the species. Chow Chows are cute animals with thick, fluffy fur, a frowning face, and a dark purple tongue. Thanks to its short massive legs, mane and curved tail, it is considered the most recognizable dog in the world.

Behind such an unusually beautiful appearance hides an independent, stubborn and proud dog. He gives his love only to his owner, while he is jealous of other animals. Chow Chows can show aggression, but only if there is a real threat.

Petit Brabançon (small)

One of the smallest dogs, growing to only 25-28 cm at the withers. As a rule, the expression on the Petit Brabançon's face is always sad. Large eyes, a flattened nose and drooping ears make the pet even more defenseless. The tiny creature sometimes reveals a wild beast hiding inside, which is especially touching. The fur of four-legged animals is very short and shiny; the color can be black, reddish with splashes of different colors.

Petit Brabançons never lose their puppyish playfulness, sociability and friendliness. The intelligence level corresponds to a three-year-old child, but training is required to maintain all skills. Parting with the owner hurts their psyche, so it is not recommended to leave your pet alone for a long time.

Spitz colors

To seriously engage in dog breeding, you need to carefully study the pedigree of your ancestors, taking into account all the shades that are found in the genetic branch.

Features of the main Spitz colors:

A white puppy is allowed for exhibitions if there are no other shades. Specks with a yellow tone on the ears or cream spots are unacceptable.
The sable shade can be with gray, red and cream undercoat. With each month the dog grows older, the color changes. At exhibitions, orange color with uniform saturation is especially preferred.
Red dogs without extraneous inclusions of dark color are welcome at exhibitions. This color is characterized by light shades at the end of the tail, muzzle, ears and legs.
The dog's cream color can be rich or cool almost white. These representatives of the breed have light colored noses and eyes. These Spitz dogs are often purchased as apartment pets.
The zone-gray or wolf color of the Spitz is quite unusual. The silver-gray fur is similar to that of a wolf. Black color can be seen at the tips of the guard hairs and as the undercoat.
Party color, according to the standard, assumes the dominance of a white tone with the addition of red, brown or black spots, which should be evenly distributed over the body.
Black and black and tan oranges have all dark parts without light inclusions. Red and fawn markings may be located under the eyes, on the face, chest, legs and tail.
A brown dog should be evenly colored.
The dog with a blue tint is a type of gray breed. Dogs with a bear face and this color are quite valuable.

A gray puppy with a blue tint is an expensive breed of dog.
The descriptions make it clear what a dog of this breed looks like and what features it has. Before purchasing a puppy, you should think carefully about which color you like best and for what purpose the dog is needed.

Samoyed husky

Recently, the popularity of Samoyeds has only been growing, and all thanks to their snow-white fluffy fur and unique smile. The breed has a gentle character; you don’t have to train the dog much, but mobility and constant care are still needed. The Samoyed Laika contains all the best traits: courage, high intelligence, all-encompassing love.

Read Guide dogs - breeds for blind people

Samoyeds are not chain dogs; they love and value freedom. Keeping the dog on a chain or in an enclosure will lead to mental disorders. It is for this reason that they are adopted as a four-legged friend, and not as a house guard. Of course, the fluffy doesn’t mind chasing the cat, but he will refuse to hunt.

Shih Tzu

“Little Lion” is the translation of the name of the breed, whose roots go back to the Chinese royal family. Charming dogs with a noble appearance are extremely affectionate. Don't just pay attention to the satiny coat or pretty face, because Shih Tzus are true companions. They try to constantly be close to the owner, and if necessary, they can even rush at the offender. The small size does not prevent the pet from barking loudly to scare off the enemy.

Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute has lived in North America for over 12,000 years and was historically used for sled dog work. They are also very affectionate and adorable.

Shiba Inu

The smallest dog of all Japanese breeds, but it is not recommended to keep it in an apartment. The adorable puppy is famous for his dense plush fur, ability to smile (due to the peculiarities of his mouth) and kind eyes. In addition, Shiba Inus love cleanliness, so their fur is always in perfect condition.

As for the character, this breed is not very simple. Dogs are difficult to train (they recognize humans as the leader) and do not like close physical contact. From early childhood they need to be accustomed to society so that the dog is not aggressive towards others. It is not advisable for families with children.

Spitz

There are several types of the breed, but they are all incredibly beautiful and cute. As a rule, they are small in size and weight, have an attractive muzzle and somewhat resemble a fox. Cheerful, lively and friendly. Miniature dogs always need care. Spitz dogs try to adapt to the interests of the owner: they do not make noise at night and do not wake up the owner in the morning when they want to eat. Fluffy balls (that's what Spitz look like) tend to be dominant, so a person needs to show their strength.

Maltipoo

A selective breed obtained by crossing a Maltese and a poodle. The Maltipoo acquired the best features of both dogs: good disposition, high intelligence, beautiful wavy fur. The first representatives of the breed were bred in the United States of America about 40 years ago.

Main objectives of selection:

Creating a universal pet for allergy sufferers.
Obtaining a designer breed with an unusual appearance.
Creation of a beautiful mixed breed for commercial breeding.

The Maltipoo reaches 20-30 centimeters at the withers, the average weight of the animal varies from 2.5 to 5 kilograms. Breeders also call this original breed the Maltipoodle. Despite the peculiarities of crossing, the miniature animal is capable of reproducing healthy offspring with a small number of puppies. Until now, the breed has not been recognized by cynological associations; it does not have an official breed standard.

The Maltipoo is considered an ideal pet for a small apartment. The dog is energetic, playful, and smart. In appearance, the miniature dog resembles a soft toy with plush fur. The animal remains playful until old age. Dogs of this species have three common types of hair:

Straight and soft.
Curly, with a tendency to roll into tangles;
Wavy and hard.

Such pets bark a lot and suffer greatly from loneliness. They are recommended for people who spend a lot of time at home. When left alone, maltipus quickly become depressed due to loneliness. Tiny dogs should not be owned in families with small children. A child may squeeze the animal too hard, causing injury.

Labrador Retriever

This breed does not have a fur coat, a cute flattened face or large eyes. In addition, Labradors are quite tall and heavy. However, this does not prevent them from remaining attractive dogs that are perfect for families with children. The four-legged animals seem to look into the very soul and understand everything that is said to them. Labrador retrievers are able to help people, for example, serve as guides for the visually impaired or restore the psyche after severe stress.

Pug

The second breed, distinguished by unique folds, but unlike Shar-Peis, pugs only have them on the face. They weigh approximately 6-7 kg, and their life expectancy reaches 15 years! Pugs make an ideal pet because they do not require constant exercise. Funny dogs are not aggressive; they love to communicate with both people and other pets. They often gain excess weight, so owners need to monitor their dear friend’s diet.

Japanese Chin

This small dog of Japanese origin attracts attention with its upturned nose and wide-set eyes. They are calm and unpretentious in food and care, which makes them an ideal companion for living in a city apartment. The Chin's owner always comes first, so he will never forget to stand up for him, even despite his miniature parameters (the weight of an adult animal rarely reaches even 4 kg). With its habits, the Japanese Chin resembles a cat: it loves to wash itself and also climb on cabinets and other high furniture.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The shaggy fidget comes from the United Kingdom and can live more than 10 years. Even people who are indifferent to dogs will like their flirtatious appearance. In Britain the breed is gradually falling out of popularity, but in Russia the fashion for them is only gaining momentum. Big eyes, a soulful gaze and long, smooth fur will captivate anyone. Pets are ready to drown even a stranger in their arms, not to mention their loved ones. Children love Cavalier Kings for their ability to make them laugh and have fun in any situation.

Read Top 20 best guard dogs for protecting a private home

Breeders say that the breed is trainable, quickly recognizes a person as an authority and does not cause trouble. Long hair, like that of other furry cats, requires care.

Brussels Griffon

Smart and lively little dog with big kind eyes. This is another breed that looks like a soft plush toy, capable of making a variety of cute faces. Disadvantages: stubborn character. But this breed is characterized by a love for children and a good-natured attitude towards strangers. Although if a stranger begins to show aggression, then the griffon ceases to be kind and comes to the defense of his person.

Siberian Husky

For several centuries, huskies have served humans, but only a couple of decades ago they began to be in special demand. It all comes down to their interesting appearance: circled sky-blue eyes (which can be different), distinctive wolf-like coloring, protruding ears and a smiling face. The fur of Siberian huskies does not have a specific odor and is easy to care for. The breed is highly trainable, has good health, high intelligence, and endurance.

Briefly about the main thing

Among the breeds that are recognized as attractive and beautiful, there are those that remain with the disposition and appearance of funny puppies until old age.
Everyone has their own idea of a cute dog. For some, hairless breeds become adored, while others are crazy about shepherds. Choose what you like, based on your knowledge of the breed.
The attractive exterior of most breeds is emphasized by the special arrangement of the nose, eyes, and ears. It is complemented by color and fur properties.
It is necessary to carefully study all the characteristics of the breed, evaluate your capabilities and risks. Only after this make a decision to purchase.
Ancient, indigenous breeds are less amenable to training. The owner needs to master canine skills and skills at the level of professional training.
When raising a cute dog, there is a big risk of succumbing to charm, turning him into a spoiled dog.
You should only choose a puppy from experienced breeders with a good reputation.

American Cocker Spaniel

It is worth noting that all spaniels are quite cute and funny. The American is distinguished from others by his frowning gaze and elongated muzzle. Long, sometimes curly hair, a large nose, large black eyes and drooping ears attract attention. Spaniels constantly wag their tails and are ready to have fun 24 hours a day. They are wary of strangers and animals, although they are sociable by nature.

Pekingese

Many people get Pekingese dogs after they saw them somewhere and fell in love at first sight. Indeed, it is difficult to pass by a miniature miracle with a flattened nose and very fluffy fur, reminiscent of a lion's mane. The four-legged dog will become a friend for the whole family; it does not need to be walked for a long time, but it needs to be raised.

The fact is that the Pekingese is one of the most stubborn breeds. If he doesn’t want to follow a command or go somewhere, he cannot be forced, even by luring him with a treat. Education takes a colossal amount of time and patience. Caring for a puppy also requires effort, but some crossbreeds (Pekingese and Toy Terrier) are a little easier to care for. If the fragile creature is more like a toy terrier, then you won’t have to brush it daily.

Welsh Corgi

The selection is completed by the cutest corgis, who are literally taking over the whole world! Incredibly beautiful dogs with a golden character. Big ears, a kind muzzle, short plump paws - this is how corgis win love. They are dwarf shepherd dogs and react to sounds and smells even in their sleep. In the last century they were used as service dogs, and now they are considered a royal breed and for good reason. Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain had more than 30 corgis, the first one appeared back in 1933.

There are no people who don’t like dogs - they just haven’t found the very breed that can evoke trembling feelings. There are quite a lot of cute four-legged animals: corgis, Pekingese, chow-chows, and Spitz, you can list them forever. Both small and large dogs made it into the TOP 20. They can be a guardian and a devoted friend at the same time.

pros

The cute breed always brings a smile and admiration. Walking down the street, passers-by look around and ask for the name of the breed, nickname.

A funny dog can bring joy, love, and enjoyment of moments of play, feeding, and sleep into your home. This is a range of positive emotions that truly heal any ailment or mental wounds.

I want to look after a beautiful dog, buy him accessories and treats. Despite the danger of being spoiled, cute breeds are initially gifted by nature with beauty and an easy-going character.

If you love a dog, it will definitely reciprocate and become a devoted friend and protector.