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The 30 cutest dog breeds you'll want to cuddle

Our definitive ranking includes small pups, medium pooches and big ones, too!

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cutest dog breeds - Dog puppy on garden

Just like their human counterparts, every dog is perfect and adorable in its own way so, of course, the one that belongs to you and your family is undoubtedly the most irresistibly cute in your eyes. Still, we’ll take any opportunity to scroll through pictures of precious pups in a fun effort to identify the cutest dog breeds. And of course, all dogs deserve a lifetime of play, treats, love, and loyalty as essential members of the family.

The dog breeds on our list include some pure breeds, some mixed breeds and some perfectly lovable and adorable dogs hardly deserving of their less-than-flawless reputations! And don't forget the next great love of your life might be waiting for you right now at your local animal rescue...

1

Maltipoo

cutest dog breeds — maltipoo
ti-ja//Getty Images

This cross-breed pup is the result of breeding a miniature poodle with a Maltese. They’re known to be lively, energetic and just plain adorable.

2

Chow-chow

cutest dog breeds chow chow
Thais Almeida//Getty Images

Good thing chow-chows are so cute as they’re notoriously stubborn and difficult to train.

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3

Shih Tzu

cutest dog breeds shih tzu
Joel Hawkins//Getty Images

If those big, soulful eyes and floppy ears don’t do it for you, the attitude will. This breed is known for showering its humans with affection and devotion.

4

Border Collie

cutest dog breeds border collie
Purple Collar Pet Photography//Getty Images

This medium-sized herding dog isn’t just cute, but presents an air of sophistication, too.

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5

Pug

cutest dog breeds — pug
Robert Recker//Getty Images

Just try to resist that wrinkly face and smooshed-up muzzle! The curly tail seals the deal when it comes to cuteness.

6

Siberian Husky

siberian husky
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The only thing better than one adorable husky is an entire sled team of 'em. Just be prepared for their outsized energy.

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7

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

a brown and white pembroke welsh corgi sitting on the grass
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Queen Elizabeth II's love for corgis goes unmatched — she's had over 30 of them in her lifetime! A royal choice.

8

Australian Shepherd

australian shepherd
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Beauty and brains, Aussies have got it all. These intelligent pups like having a job to do, so the people-pleasers pick up new tricks right away.

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9

Staffordshire Terrier

pit bull
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Don't let stereotypes fool you. These good-natured and smart pups love being a part of the family.

10

Beagle

a brown and white beagle walking through a field
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Snoopy may be the world's most popular beagle, but the three-dimensional ones are just as charming. The lovable hounds like to follow their noses, occasionally right into trouble.

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11

Shetland Sheepdog

a brown and white shetland sheepdog sitting on the grass
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Shelties love kids and cuddles. And with that face, what more could you need?

12

Golden Retriever

golden retriever
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Goldens look photo-ready no matter what and they're one of the most popular dogs for a reason.

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13

Yorkshire Terrier

a golden brown yorkshire terrier laying down
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Yorkies started off working in Victorian factories, but their gorgeous (and hypoallergenic!) fur soon earned them a reputation in elite circles as an adorable companion.

14

French Bulldog

french bulldog
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It's no surprise city dwellers spot Frenchies on almost every block. The low-energy, big-eared pups are probably the cutest housemates you could have. Plus, they never leave dishes in the sink.

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15

Dachshund

a close up of a happy brown dachshund
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Smooth, wirehaired or longhaired, there's a type of dachshund for everybody. They even come in two different sizes: standard and miniature.

16

English Setter

english setter
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Called the "gentleman of the dog world," the English setter is known for both its style and its strength. Just don't describe their coats as spotted. The speckled pattern is known as "belton."

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17

Bernese Mountain Dog

bernese mountain dog
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Picture giant, friendly fluff-balls and you've got Bernese Mountain Dogs down to a T. Swiss farmers originally raised them as good-natured helpers, so they're super strong.

18

Dalmatian

dalmatian
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Whether they're in fire stations or Disney movies, Dalmatians' distinctive coats win hearts wherever they go. The pups only develop the spots later in life though; the litters start out completely white.

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19

Labrador Retriever

best large dog breeds
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It's clearly impossible to get tired of those cute faces, especially in a breed known for being so friendly and loyal.

20

Cairn Terrier

a closeup of a white cairn terrier
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If you've ever seen the Wizard of Oz, you'll know these little guys are the sweetest sidekicks around. An abandoned Cairn terrier named Terry went on to become one of the biggest canine movie stars in history.

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