There are differences between dogs that are pretty, dogs that are cute, and dogs that are beautiful. A pretty dog is a dog that is pleasing to look at but doesn’t fill the onlooker with awe. A person wants to play with a pretty dog.
Pomeranians are happy, devoted, and smart. Developed in Germany in the 1800s, it was always bred to be a companion. Like so many little dogs, it is an amazing watchdog but can have health concerns. Pomeranian puppies are unusually small when they’re born and yet sometimes need to be delivered by Caesarean section. The Pomeranian is an excellent apartment dog, but with such a profuse coat it needs to be protected from hot weather. Poms live about 15 years.
The English springer spaniel stands 19 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 49 and 53 pounds. It is a gentle and biddable dog that gets along well with children. As a gun dog, it has an excess of energy and needs lots of play, walks, and exercise. Despite this, and the dog’s size, it can do well in an apartment.
The silky terrier stands 9 to 10 inches and weighs between 8 and 11 pounds. It is a spirited and intelligent dog that needs lots of exercise, even if it is a good apartment dog. Owners may be surprised by how much energy the little dog has. It has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
Besides its foxy face, the dog has big round eyes, a squarish body, dainty feet, and as a spitz carries its tail curled over its back. Affectionate and playful by nature, it stands 11 inches at the shoulder and weighs about 10 pounds. The Volpino Italiano makes a good indoor dog as long as it gets its walks and exercise. It lives between 14 and 16 years.
The 20 Most Beautiful Dog Breeds
The Australian Shepherd is easily considered to be one of the most beautiful dogs due to their unique, multicolored patterns and luxurious coats. However, just because these dogs are beautiful doesn’t necessarily mean you should rush out and adopt one. They have an innate need to herd anything and everything – including children, other dogs, and cars.
This instinct makes them difficult to handle sometimes, mostly since their herding can sometimes involve nipping. They’re also very active pets and can be too much dog for the average, sedentary pet owner. They are also brilliant, which means you’ll have to keep them entertained.
Samoyeds are beautiful, but they were bred to be entirely functional. They can stand anywhere between 19 to 23 inches at the shoulder. They are powerful animals that were bred to pull sleds in some of the coldest conditions—their thick, which coat protects them against the cold.
These dogs are very social and can be mischievous when confined to an area by themselves. They are not a breed you can leave in your yard and then forget about. They aren’t incredibly easy to train.
These little furballs are commonly referred to as “cute” for a good reason. These dogs were bred for their abundant double coat, which is one of the reasons they’re so well-known. These little dogs are vigilant and make good watchdogs – sometimes a little too good, though.
They can be active, but don’t require much exercise due to their small size. Because of this, they are suitable for city life.
Poodles are the stereotypically pretty dog. Most people know them for their strange haircuts, but most owners give their Poodles a simple sports clip instead. These dogs come in three different sizes: standard, miniature, and toy.
Poodles are incredibly athletic and very smart. They are not a breed for your average dog owner but can make great companions for those with the time to dedicate to them.
Thousands of years ago, these hunting hounds were bred to hunt for kings. They’re slim and have very long legs, which makes them perfectly balanced. They are incredibly athletic and stand decently tall, with males being much taller than the females. They come in many different colors and patterns.
They are very independent and reserved with strangers, which can make them challenging for some dog owners. They love training for mental stimulation, like lure coursing and agility.
These dogs might not fit the traditional idea of “beautiful,” but they sure are mighty dogs to behold. They are mighty and compactly built, with huge wrinkles on their face and a distinctive lion’s mane.
They can have rough or smooth coats and come in quite a few colors. One unique feature these dogs have is their cleanliness. They bathe themselves like cats and have very little doggy odor.
Maltese are tiny dogs. They weigh less than seven pounds and have very long coats. Because of their long, silky coats, they are often considered to have an aristocratic bearing. However, they are adaptable and hardy pets. They do well in the country and the city.
They are fearless and many excellent watchdogs. They are little athletes who need a bit of exercise, but they are relatively small. Because of this, they don’t necessarily need super long walks.
This ancient breed has an appearance of dignity. They look very different from other canines out there, which makes them uniquely beautiful. These dogs are intelligent but also very independent. They are loyal, but not necessarily easy to train. Because of this, they aren’t necessarily the best dogs for first-time owners.
These powerful, agile dogs were bred to work, so they have quite a bit of energy. They aren’t the best for apartment living and need a bit of exercise each day.
While this is a rarer dog, they are lovely. The Pharaoh Hound is very slim and sleek, making them a unique dog. Plus, look at those ears! If anything, their giant ears make them a sight to behold.
They were breed for high-speed pursuits over rocky terrain. This history of hunting is the reason they are so sleek and slender – they are made to go fast. Because of their hunting history, these dogs need quite a bit of exercise. They are energetic and need a lot of room to run, which often involves a decently sizeable back yard.
Irish Setters have very traditional beauty. Their luxurious fur and creamy colorations make them easily stand out in the dog world. Despite their regal appearance, these dogs are made to work. They are sporting dogs with high exercise needs.
They can also make good companion dogs, as they are quite outgoing. They enjoy making friends and are good with children. They are also easy to train and well-behaved as long as their exercise needs are met.
For those who live in apartments and other small spaces, the adorable Papillon may be a reliable option. They measure only 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder, but their wing-shaped ears stand far above their heads. Most have erect ears, though there are some dogs with floppy ears.
These dogs do best in warm or cool climates but aren’t best in the cold. They do not need much space, which makes them suitable for cities. They are agile dogs who take well to training and are eager to please.
These little dogs look very unique, but many people find them very cute. They look like small, older men, though many people find this endearing. They weigh between 5 to 15 pounds and come in about four different colors. They have big black eyes which are very human-like – a trait that makes them very popular.
They are alert but sociable. They are also relatively easy to train and make suitable dogs for first time owners. However, they can be somewhat sensitive and are prone to injury due to their small size. They are not necessarily the best choice for households with small children.
The Weimaraner is a striking dog. They are known as the “silver ghost” due to their recognizable grey coat. These dogs are streamlined and graceful, which makes them very stunning.
Furthermore, they also make good family dogs. They are gentle with children and attached to their families. Grooming them does not take much, and they are extremely trainable. As long as you keep them physically and mentally engaged, they can be great dogs.
Siberian Huskies are the stereotypical beautiful dog. They often having stunning blue or brown eyes – sometimes with one of both. They tip the scale at 60 pounds at the most, which makes them smaller than the visually similar Alaskan Malamute.
These energetic dogs love to chase things, so they need to be kept on a leash at all times. They aren’t incredibly easy to train and tend to have a hard time generalizing. (That is, they have a difficult time taking the commands they know and using them in new places and situations.) However, they are friendly family dogs that can make great companions.
These dogs look similar to a Siberian Husky, but they are much bigger. They are heavy-boned and can weigh up to 85 pounds. With their dense, waterproof coat, they are very weather-proof. These dogs are a bit hard to train, similarly to the Siberian Husky.
However, they can make excellent pets. They are gentle with children while remaining playful. Alaskan Malamutes are also very friendly. They are not very good guard dogs, but they make excellent pets!
Doberman Pinschers are beautiful in a different way. These dogs were made to work. Their sleek, powerful bodies are muscular and well-built. They are well-known for their elegant qualities and athletic stride.
These dogs make excellent guard dogs and companions. They need a lot of exercise and free play daily. Obedience, tracking, and agility are all areas where these dogs thrive. They are very trainable and responsive to strangers, though not outright friendly in most cases.
With their eye-catching spots, Dalmatians are significantly distinct. They are graceful and slim dogs, standing at around 19 to 23 inches at the shoulder. Initially, these dogs were bred to guard horses and coaches. Some of these guarding instincts remain, but they are often not nearly as strong as they once were.
Still, these dogs can be aloof with strangers. They are friendly with their family, though, and very loyal.
Briards are just adorable, even if they aren’t as distinctive as other breeds. With their rugged brown fur, they have a very common sort of beauty. These dogs are quite large, standing at about 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder.
While these dogs were bred for herding, they don’t tend to try and herd everything that moves – which can be a problem in other dog breeds. They are a bit protective, especially of children, and are a bit wary of strangers.
The Standard Poodle is very good with children. Their large size prevents them from getting hurt at the mishandling of young children. However, they are very gentle and love to romp around. They make great family dogs as long as the environment is stable and relaxed. Miniature and toy varieties tend to become scared of children more easily, which can cause fear aggression.
These dogs get along with just about everyone. They can get along with smaller animals as long as they are introduced from a young age. Otherwise, they may see them as prey animals. This dog is extremely affectionate with their family and strangers alike. They are an active breed, so they require regular walks. They are trainable but can have selective hearing when they are paying attention to something else – like a wild animal or another dog.
Kristin is passionate about helping pet parents create a fulfilling life with their pets by informing them on the latest scientific research and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with four dogs, three cats, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one day!
They are an even-tempered breed that makes a good family dog. They are often considered to get along well with children and even other animals. They don’t have an incredibly high prey drive, which makes them suitable for homes with other pets, like cats. Because they are working dogs, they do need quite a bit of exercise. They do best in active families.
The German Shepherds are a breed of working dog from Germany. While this dog does look very similar to a wolf, it is actually a very modern breed of dog that only dates back to 1899. As their name suggests, they were originally used for sheep herding. However, they are currently used for a variety of jobs due to their high intelligence and trainability.