The Ultimate List of Cute Dog Breeds

Australian Shepherds

Australian shepherds are stunning! Their unique appearance is the thing that makes them one of the cutest dog breeds.

They often have one or two bright blue, piercing eyes. Their fluffy coat comes in many cute colours but the most distinctive is the blue merle pattern.

They are an athletic breed. Despite their name, ‘Aussies’ were originally created in the United States where they were used on farms to herd livestock.

They are not city dwellers. Australian shepherds have a lot of energy and are suited to families with big yards who can exercise them every day.

Beagle

Beagles are a small breed. They have long, floppy ears that sit low on their head. Their short, smooth coat comes in various colours.

Beagles were originally bred in Britain as scent hounds for hunting. In modern times, beagles make a great family dog due to their friendly nature.

They still have a strong instinct to sniff things out. They will follow their nose without paying attention or realising they are wandering off. Always walk your beagle on a leash.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise are a small breed with white, curly hair. Many owners groom their fur into a teddy bear cut, making them extra fuzzy and cute.

They are quite an old breed, dating back to 14th century Europe. Their affectionate nature makes them suitable for older people or families with children.

These little bundles of fluff makes the perfect companion puppy.

Cairn Terrier

Cairn terriers are a bundle of cuteness. Their key characteristics are their short legs, scruffy fur and perky, little ears.

They are a small breed with bundles of energy. They were first bred in Scotland to assist farmers by catching mice and rats.

They love human companionship and can live indoors as long as they are walked regularly.

Do not let them near small pets such as guinea pigs as they may have natural instincts to hunt them.

Chow Chow

Chow chows are fluffy like a big teddy bear! They are a medium sized breed with a broad head and a wrinkled face. They have a very thick, double coat.

Chow chows are one of the world’s oldest dog breeds, originating in China.

They shed a lot so will need regular brushing to remove loose hair. The breed can be very independent and stubborn.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavaliers are one of the cutest dog breeds because of their cuddly appearance. They are a small breed with long, floppy ears and big doe eyes. They have silky, medium-length fur.

They originated in 17th century England. They are one of the most popular dog breeds today, especially in Australia and the United States.

Of all small dogs, they are one of the most gentle and affectionate. These pups are great with children and elderly people. They are indoor dogs and love to spend time with their loved ones.

French Bulldog

French bulldogs (aka. Frenchies) have experienced a surge of popularity in recent years. You only have to look at them to see why!

They have a short, stocky body with a flat face and bat-like ears. Due to their popularity, Frenchie puppies are very expensive compared to other breeds.

It may surprise you to know that despite their name, Frenchies originated in England in the 1800’s. They were bred as a lap dog version of the English bulldog.

They love human interaction and can therefore experience separation anxiety if left alone.

Golden Retriever

Golden retrievers are one of the most popular family dogs in Australia. They have a well proportioned body and gentle eyes. Their soft, golden fur requires daily brushing.

They are one of the smartest and most loyal dog breeds. They were originally bred in Scotland to retrieve shot game for hunters.

Golden retrievers are known for their happy personalities. They are very playful so some take longer than other breeds to outgrow their puppy years. They require plenty of exercise.

Italian Greyhound

Italian greyhounds are affectionately known as an ‘Iggy’. They are one of the cutest dog breeds due to their graceful appearance.

They have slender bodies with skinny legs and pointed faces. Their coat is short and sheds very little, making them more suitable that other dog breeds for allergy sufferers. They get cold easily so are definitely an indoor breed.

They are a small breed, much smaller than a standard greyhound. They are easily injured so are not suitable for families with young children.

Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell terriers are cute, making them a popular family pet. They have compact bodies and high-set tails. Their puppies are particularly cute and cuddly!

They are an energetic dog so need to be walked often and mentally stimulated.

Despite being small, they can jump impressively high so adequate fencing is required. Reverend John Russell first bred them in England to help hunt small game.

Labrador Retriever

Are you after a cute dog with a puppy personality? These guys are the one for you!

They are a medium sized breed with wide shoulders and a big nose. Their sleek fur comes in yellow, chocolate or black.

Labradors are always happy. They are smart and can be trained to work as therapy or guide dogs.

They are prone to weight gain so need to be fed a healthy diet and exercised every day.

Maltese

Maltese are a super cute pup! They are a toy breed so are very small with short legs. Their long, white coat is soft and cuddly. Their puppies look like little, white teddy bears.

They originated in the Mediterranean as companion dogs.

Maltese are indoor dogs and love spending time with their human family. They are hypoallergenic so are a great choice for any home with allergy sufferers.

Norfolk Terrier

A Norfolk terrier’s cutest characteristics are their little legs and folded ears. They are one of the smallest terrier dog breeds. They have a wiry coat and short tail.

They love to interact with their human family and play games. The breed is confident despite its small size.

These pups have a lot of energy. They originated in early 20th century England to help hunt rats and foxes.

Old English Sheepdog

Looking for a big, cute, fluffy pup? Search no further!

Old English Sheepdogs have a teddy bear appearance that makes them extra cute. They have a long, shaggy, grey and white coat. It doesn’t shed too much but does require regular grooming.

They get very hot under all that fur so are best suited to cooler areas. If you are keeping one in Australia, you will need to be able to keep it cool in summer.

As their name suggests, they were first bred in England to herd sheep.

Pit Bull Terrier

The American pit bull terrier is cute in a different way. Despite being big and muscular, many people can’t help but fall in love with their gentle eyes and little ears.

Most pit bulls are very affectionate and have a puppy-like demeanor.

Pit bulls have a sad history of being bred for dog fighting. When socialised early and trained consistently, they make loyal pets.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians are known for their thick, super fluffy coat. It can be left long or cut into a teddy bear cut for extra cuteness. They need regular brushing and grooming to keep their coat clean and tidy.

They also have very cute features with their fox-like face and short, little legs.

This breed is popular in Australia, especially with families and people with small backyards. This means Pomeranian puppies are in high demand and can be more expensive that other breeds.

Whilst they are classified as a toy breed today, the original Pomeranians from Germany weighed 14kg and were used to herd sheep.

Pug

There is no doubt why pugs have made it onto this list! They have short, sturdy bodies with a cute, curly tail. Their faces are flat and wrinkly with little, floppy ears.

The most common fur colours are completely black or fawn with black sections on their face and ears.

Pugs originated in China as lap dogs. Modern pugs are easy going and make great pets. They can be prone to snoring and breathing problems because of their flat noses.

Samoyed

Samoyeds are cute, white and fluffy. Their puppies look like little polar bears!

Samoyeds are a medium size breed with a square body and a fuzzy, high set tail. Their white fur is soft, straight and thick. They always look happy.

They are intelligent and require regular exercise and stimulation to avoid destructive behaviour.

Their heavy coat means they are suited to cooler climates. They were originally bred to herd reindeer in snowy Russia.

Shar Pei

The Chinese shar pei is best known for its adorable wrinkly skin. They typically have more wrinkles when they are puppies but will often smooth out once they grow older.

Shar peis are a very old breed. They originated in China in 200 BC. They were bred for both hunting and guarding. This makes them extremely loyal.

They have a dominant personality so need an owner who will take the time to train them.

Welsh Corgi

Corgis are super cute with their little legs and long body. They have short, soft fur and bat-like ears.

There are two breeds of corgis – the Pembroke and the Cardigan. The Pembroke doesn’t have a tail while the Cardigan does.

Corgis are affectionate and smart. They are prone to weight gain so need regular exercise.

They were originally bred in Wales to herd cattle. Queen Elizabeth II famously owns corgis.

Yorkshire Terrier

Yorkshire terriers are affectionately known as Yorkies. They have a straight, silky coat. Some owners let their hair grow down to the floor. However, many owners now cut their fur short as it is easier to care for and keep tidy.

They are one of the smallest toy dog breeds weighing around 3kg. They aren’t recommended for families with young children as they don’t cope with rough handling.

Yorkies are little dogs with big personalities. They originated in Yorkshire, England as rat catchers.