19 Most Beautiful Dog Breeds You’ll Want to Own

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. It’s a subjective judgment, especially when it comes to things we love, like our children and pets. While no list claiming to be the definitive guide to the most beautiful dogs could ever be taken at face value, it’s good to talk about them from time to time.

It helps us in part to touch base on what many consider to be true examples of canine beauty, of which there are indeed many aspects to the most beautiful dog breeds. A dog’s build, cuteness, color, face, pedigree and various combinations of all of the above can contribute to our views on the beauty of these animals.

Some prefer big dogs, some like fluffy dogs. So at the risk of omitting any of your favorites, and apologies in advance for that, here are 27 dog breeds that are just gorgeous. Of course, you can let me know if there are any you feel should be added to this list.

1.            Akita Inu

Akitas are deceptively heavy-set and revered in their native Japan as protectors. They have large heads and come in several colors. They typically sport a curled, bushy tail, and seem to have a constantly smiling face.

They love standing to attention, reaching their full height of around 2 feet. They tip the scale at 80 lbs plus and are powerful – useful for their original purpose, which was hunting wild boar.  They are considered somewhat of a national icon in Japan.

Have You Heard the Story of Hachiko?

Japan’s most famous dog was Hachiko – an Akita Inu. Hachiko waited at a train station every day for nine years for its owner Hidesaburo Ueno to return. Sadly, Ueno had unexpectedly died at work and never returned. Hachiko died in 1935, and several statues have since been made in his honor. 

2.            Alaskan Malamute

Often mistaken for the better-known husky, the Alaskan Malamute sports a similar coat and general appearance. They are often noted for their casually independent expressions, blue eyes and fiercely independent nature. They also shed a lot, although you can use this vacuum cleaner to combat that.

Principal colors range between black and tan, but most malamutes have a white chest and facial markings. They are fantastic working dogs but have not totally adapted to urban and domestic life. They have a reputation for needing constant social companionship but don’t always get along with other animals.

3.            Australian Shepherd

The name is misleading because the Australian Shepherd is actually from the United States or Spain, depending on who you ask. Appearance-wise, it shows its broader heritage with shades of sheepdog, collie, and other such working and herding dogs.

What makes Australians particularly striking, however, are their amazing colors. They can show several colors in one coat and even show blue eyes. Legend has it that the native American people liked the dog, calling them “ghost eyes”.

When you have white, tan, black, gray and blue all in one dog, you can’t help but look twice.

4.            Beagle

Charlie Brown’s Snoopy is arguably the world’s most famous beagle, and it’s fair to say that his lovable character has informed the general perception of beagles – at least in pop culture. Another renowned cartoon beagle is Odie – Garfield’s doggo friend.

It’s quite amusing that beagles are portrayed in cartoons as either whip-smart or mindlessly goofy. Members of the breed are absolutely beautiful dogs, given their relatively small stature. They are highly attentive social animals, and they’re attractive to the eye.

Combine those big ears and deep dark eyes with the tri-color black, white, and tan, and you have an irresistible pup that just invites long walks and lots of playtimes. There’s also an often forgotten fact about their tails: They were bred with white tail tips so they could be seen when out hunting.

The first beagles were a lot smaller than their modern-day iterations. They were popular in 16th Century England, and it is believed that Queen Elizabeth I was a fan.

5.            Bernese Mountain Dog

Not all dogs can be described as cute and cuddly, but this big lug is the ultimate teddy bear, so to speak. Hailing from the Swiss Alps, the Bernese needed to be robust in order to function in those winters. Not surprisingly, they can weigh as much as 110 pounds.

They are strong, too – they used to pull carts for a living back in their farming days. Thick legs and large paws support a shaggy black and white trunk, and a head and face that could be described as a pretty St Bernard. 

Here’s a shocking fact: A Bernese Mountain Dog is powerful; it can pull a cart weighing up to 1000 pounds! That’s an incredible feat, given that it’s ten times the weight of the adorable doggo.

They certainly make up in brawn what they may lack in brain-power. Ok, that may be a little unfair, but they aren’t considered as smart as labradors, sheepdogs, or German shepherds. 

6.            Bichon Frise

In the category of toy dogs, Bichon Frise ranks among the cutest and resembles actual stuffed toys. Their button noses and eyes sit like black decorations in the fluffy white cloud that is their face. At most, they will weigh up to 11 pounds, but their cute factor packs a massive punch.

Aside from their white hair, which owners love to cut into various styles, this pretty dog breed is known for feisty personalities and playfulness. They learn tricks easily and love to be around people – even kids.

The American Kennel Club’s best guess is that the breed originates from Tenerife in the Canarias. What we do know is that they were popular with sailors and would often travel on boats. This is why there are several subtypes of Bichons, of which the Frise is considered the original.

The Spanish artist Francisco de Goya was a fan of bichon frise dogs and included them in several of his paintings including Las Jovenes o la carta which hangs in the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille in Paris.

7.            Border Collie

Border Collies are among the first breeds most people think of when the term “working dog” pops up in conversation. How do you know you’re looking at a border collie? Their distinctive black and white coloring is a dead giveaway, along with pointy ears and eyes that always seem to be asking you what needs to be done.

These dogs are extremely intelligent, and in their long history as herders, have been known to understand human instructions by whistle alone. They can even perform a series of consequential tasks by rote. Add to that an insane capacity for energy and stamina, and you’ve got one of the most beautiful dogs to behold.

A border collie named Chaser was recognized as a truly intelligent dog, breaking all previous perceptions of a canine’s capacity for comprehension. It was able to identify 1000 different objects by name. There are some humans that may not be able to do that.

8.            Labrador Retriever

Labs are among the most popular family dogs around, in part because of their mild temperament, patience, and tolerance for kids. They are also reasonably smart, and sizable enough to be mistaken for potentially sticky guard dogs.

It actually has its origins as a hunting dog and was established as a breed in Newfoundland (not Labrador). They were bred to not be skittish around gunfire and retrieve items from marshy swamps. This accounts for their love of water. They are very popular as guide dogs or seeing-eye dogs.

Typically, a lab is tan with medium to medium-short hair, all coming with a handsome face. There are some color variations, though most times labs are a single color.

9.            Dachshund

Unfairly called the wiener dog because of its oddly elongated shape, dachshunds are nonetheless cute and striking. They are essentially people dogs, never straying far from the human owner. But their small stature belies a hyper-alert personality.

They were bred as badger-hunting dogs – in fact, the translation of their name reads ”badger-dog”. They will run as hard and fast as their little legs will allow.

They are also ferocious diggers, so be ready to see dirt flying in your backyard courtesy of your own excavator

Dachshunds come in a number of different looks, from short- long- and wire hair, and many different colors. But the typical, classic look is black with little lashings of tan along the chest, cheeks, and legs.

Interestingly, two dachshunds are listed as having at one time been the world’s oldest living dog. They lived to 21 and 20 respectively, a respectable age, given the dachshund’s typical lifespan of 12-15 years.

We’re not sure whether this played a part in determining that they would be the first breed of dog to be cloned in England.

10.       Dalmatian

Everyone’s favorite firefighting dog is the Dalmatian. It certainly has a unique look, unmistakably white with black spots. It also holds the distinction of being one of the most famous breeds ever featured in a Disney film.

A Dalmatian’s lines are sleek, and their randomly dotted bodies and faces give the impression that they are playful and funny. They were bred as carriage dogs, and would actually clear paths ahead of carriages back in medieval days.

Unfortunately, Dalmations have a reputation for being complicated dogs to foster. They need constant stimulation, which is why a multi-person environment like a firehouse is ideal. When left alone, Dalmations develop hyperactivity and destructive behavioral habits.

If you’re set on getting one, getting them a plush dog toy is great in helping to curb their destructive ways. Still, it’s no substitute for an actual person’s warm company.

11.       Doberman

If there is an athletic model of the canine world, it has to be the Doberman Pinscher. It actually stands on its toes or pads and is not flat-footed like most dogs. It has long, muscular lines, and is typically thin around its stomach area.

It has a thin, long muzzle, and its typically black coloring gives it the look of a security officer. They are highly intelligent and easy to train, often as guard dogs.

Interesting trivia: They are adored by fashion photographers, and are among the most often used dogs in high-concept fashion photoshoots. And who can ever forget 80s TV detective Thomas Magnum’s epic run-ins with the estate guard dogs Zeus and Apollo?

12.       German Shepherd

One of the world’s favorite dogs, the Schäferhund (a nickname literally meaning shepherd dog) originated from Germany (surprise!). It is a medium-large breed, thought of as one of the most trustworthy canine companions for humans.

Standard shepherd coloring involves a black back and muzzle, with tan or rust chest, undersides and legs. They are popular as police dogs and regularly ranked in the top five most intelligent dog breeds.

German Shepherds have a proud legacy in being celebrity canines. Rin Tin Tin was originally a rescue animal during World War I, who was trained to act and became a major Hollywood star, acting in 27 films.

A German Shepherd, Morris, was also the world’s first seeing eye dog. And Apollo, a K9 unit, was the first dog on the scene at the 9/11 disaster. The brave doggo worked 18 hours straight, looking for survivors.  

13.       Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers are very similar to Labrador retrievers. There are only slight differences, like muzzle shape fluffy tails (Golden) vs pointy tails (labrador), and shedding capacity (Goldens are the shedding kings).

It stands to reason, though, that if one is nominated as a beautiful dog, the other will not be far behind. Goldens also tend to be slightly fluffier – that is, have slightly longer hair. They are less likely to be brown or black like some of their Labrador cousins. Other than that, they are just as beautiful, bright, and loving.

It may surprise some to know that golden retrievers weren’t always very well-liked. Hunting dogs were originally preferred in black, with other-colored dogs routinely euthanized at birth. It was only after a wealthy entrepreneur, Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, took an interest in breeding them that the golden retriever became somewhat respected.

14.       Icelandic Sheepdog

Icelandics are an offshoot of the spitz. If you’re looking for a friendly, playful, and all-around happy pup, look no further. As puppies, they are adorable balls of fluff and can be mistaken at a squint for corgi puppies.

As they grow, they somewhat resemble chubby foxes, with touches of black hair around the muzzle and chest. The pointy ears and bushy tails are also distinctive. They were in demand in England in the 17th century, as British farmers had heard about this dog’s extraordinary herding skills.

They are only small to medium-sized, though, and the white lower legs and paws add an element of mischief to their look. It’s not misplaced. As mentioned, they have a strong herding instinct and will attempt to coral anything. – sheep, children, even vehicles. They especially hate birds – it’s a past life thing.

15.       Irish Setter

This red gun dog – the Irish Setter  – has long-ish hair flowing smoothly across its body. It also has furry ears, which may look slightly odd next to its relatively sleek head and face. They are highly active for their size and may cause more than their fair share of chaos in a small home. 

Irish Setters are retriever dogs and used to work. They have an amusing reputation for being big eaters, so adjust your dog food budget accordingly, if you decide to acquire one. They are nonetheless beautiful dogs for their color and shape. 

Interesting fact: The Irish setter wasn’t initially preferred all red. Hunters preferred the dog to be two-toned (white and red) so they could be easier to spot in the woods. Modern show setters are also typically larger than their working counterparts. Even though they are the same breed, active hunting dogs are smaller and more agile. 

16.       Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso hails from Tibet, where they have been treated as special pets for almost 1300 years. As a result, they have a reputation for being lap dogs. Many owners take this to the next level, beautifying their long hair with elaborate styles.

In most cases, they are white, but variations of brown, gray, and black are common. Their hair can grow to an impressive length, sweeping the floor like a living mop. When shorn away from the face, Lhasa resembles a Yorkshire terrier, with a cute face, button eyes and nose, and rebellious expression.

17.       Papillon

Papillon means butterfly in French. It seems like this dog was so named for its ears, which stand out in the shape of butterfly wings. It’s actually a type of spaniel, though it’s fine and dainty. They are toy dogs, so they love sitting on laps and hanging around their humans.

Papillons have a predominantly white body, but their faces and ears often carry a darker or tan color. They have a long, flowing coat, and seem to enjoy showing off. Perhaps, for this reason, they were reportedly favored by King Louis XIV of France.

There is a sinister edge to Papillon’s history as a rat-hunting dog. The dog would be useful for keeping homes free of vermin but was too small to kill a rat in a straight fight. The Papillon’s strategy would therefore be to harass the rat until it became too exhausted to fight back, then finish off the hapless rodent. 

18.        Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite dog (she is said to have owned more than 30 in her lifetime) is incredibly handsome. It has large ears, a squat body, and short legs, but it seems eternally groomed and effortlessly kempt.

They are intelligent and rambunctious. Meaning, they tend to do what they like, and will only really “obey” instructions grudgingly. Coming in red, fawn, black, tan, and a few other minor colors, this double-coated shorthair canine packs a punch when it comes to pedigree and beauty.

In myth and legend, the corgi is said by the Welsh to have been used by fairies and elves as working dogs. They would pull sleighs, herd cattle, and more. Who’s to say whether or not this is true?

19.       Pharaoh Hound

One of the less common but strikingly unusual breeds on this list, the Pharaoh Hound lives up to its name. It actually resembles a depiction of a dog in an Egyptian Hieroglyph from a certain angle.  Extremely short-haired, red and fawn with pointy large ears and an athletic, lean body, it is actually from Malta, bred for hunting rabbits.

If you’ve never seen a Pharaoh hound, look at any depiction of the Egyptian god Anubis, and imagine it as a two-foot-tall light brown dog. Pharaohs are said to be excellent with children, but not with other smaller animals. They have a strong prey instinct, and will likely harass other small pets.

It is said that Pharaoh hounds blush. At least, their soft noses seem to turn slightly pink when they are excited.