9 Cute Puppy Dog Breeds

Cute is our opinion, and these nine puppy breeds are our picks for the cutest puppies: the Corgi, German Shepherd, Samoyed, Bernese Mountain Dog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Siberian Husky, Pug, Golden Retriever, and Labrador Retriever. Each entry gives what the American Kennel Club (AKC) says about the breed's looks, coat, exercise, and training, because a puppy's face comes with a coat to brush and a dog to look after for years. A table with the AKC's adult sizes follows the list. These nine are not the only breeds people find cute, and our cutest dog breeds include more.

1. Corgi

Our first pick is this adorable puppy, a short-legged herder. There are two corgi breeds, and the AKC says the quickest way to tell them apart is the hindquarters: "Cardigans have tails; Pembrokes do not." The AKC says the Pembroke Welsh Corgi came from Flemish weavers who were invited to southwestern Wales in 1107 and "brought all they needed to re-create their agrarian way of life in their new homeland," including "the dogs they bred to herd cattle and sheep."

The AKC describes the Pembroke as "built long and low," with short but powerful legs, muscular thighs, and a deep chest, in red, sable, fawn, or black and tan, with or without white markings. It has a thick double coat that sheds a fair amount every day and more in late spring and early summer, and the AKC suggests a daily once-over with a comb and a slicker brush. Pembrokes need moderate daily exercise. They can do well on long walks or slow jogs, but the AKC says "their short legs won't allow them to keep up with a bicycle rider."

On training, the AKC says "Pembrokes often have a mind of their own, but they are energetic, willing, and highly intelligent partners who respond well to training," and "Positive, reward-based training works best with this sensitive breed." Responsible breeders screen Pembrokes for elbow and hip dysplasia, eye disorders, cardiac issues, degenerative myelopathy, and von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder.

2. German Shepherd

German Shepherd puppies are cute for their thick fur, big ears, and wide eyes. The AKC calls the adult "a large, agile, muscular dog of noble character and high intelligence." Experts, the AKC says, name character as the breed's defining attribute: "loyalty, courage, confidence, the ability to learn commands for many tasks, and the willingness to put their life on the line in defense of loved ones." The AKC also quotes the breed standard, which describes a "certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships."

The AKC says the breed "requires lots of exercise for his physical and mental well-being" and "A dog who is not exercised enough will become frustrated and likely to develop undesirable behaviors." For a puppy, "you can start with short daily walks, as well as play sessions in a safely fenced area," and the AKC adds: "Remember to not let the dog off leash, as even the best-trained dog can become distracted and not follow every command."

The medium-length double coat is "easy to maintain, usually requiring just a quick brushing every few days or so to help remove loose hairs," according to the AKC, although German Shepherds "do shed more profusely once or twice a year." For training, the AKC says: "Consistency and positive, reward-based training will yield excellent results." Breeders screen for degenerative myelopathy and elbow and hip dysplasia, and the AKC says the breed "can experience bloat, a sudden and life-threatening swelling of the abdomen."

3. Samoyed

Samoyed puppies are our pick for the fluffiest white coat and the happiest face. A Samoyed's facial structure gives it what the AKC calls "a perpetual smile," and the AKC says the smile has a practical function: "The mouth's upturned corners keep Sammies from drooling, preventing icicles from forming on the face."

The AKC says the Samoyede people "depended on reindeer as a vital source of food, fur, and leather. At first, they used their dogs to hunt reindeer. But in time Samoyede culture shifted from hunting reindeer to herding them." The Samoyed has a profuse double coat, and the AKC says Samoyeds "shed quite a bit all the time, even more so during shedding season." Daily brushing "will help to remove dirt and loose hairs," and mats or tangles can be worked out with a slicker brush or metal comb.

A Samoyed needs some daily exercise, in a safely fenced yard or on long walks on leash. The AKC warns that the breed "has a strong urge to run away and roam, and if loose a Sammie might travel for miles, putting himself at risk." It also says "A Sammy sentenced to solitary confinement in the yard is a miserable and destructive creature," and that these are "smart, social, mischievous dogs who demand love and attention."

4. Bernese Mountain Dog

These cute darlings are our pick for the fluffiest tricolor puppies. The AKC says the Bernese Mountain Dog's "thick, silky, and moderately long coat is tricolored: jet black, clear white, and rust," and that the distinctive markings on the coat and face are breed hallmarks. It calls the breed "a large, sturdy worker who can stand over 27 inches at the shoulder," and the table below lists the AKC's adult weights.

The AKC says Bernese mountain dog puppies grow into dogs who "get along with the entire family and are particularly gentle with children." It also says Berners "earned their keep by droving cattle, guarding farmyards from predators, and serving as gentle companions when the hard work of the day was done."

Berners shed a fair amount, even more during shedding season, which the AKC says occurs twice a year, and weekly brushing, or daily brushing in shedding season, helps remove loose hair. They need "at least a half-hour of moderate exercise every day." On training, the AKC says "Berners are intelligent and eager to please, so they are usually easy to train," but "their feelings are easily hurt, and so they don't respond well to harsh corrections or training methods." The AKC adds: "All large breeds are susceptible to bloat, a sudden, life-threatening stomach condition."

5. American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Straffordshire Terrier, called the AmStaff by its fans, is, in the AKC's words, one of the "smart, confident, good-natured companions." The AKC describes a stocky, muscular bull-type terrier with a broad head, well-defined jaws, pronounced cheekbones, and "dark, round eyes" set wide apart, and says AmStaffs are lovable "personality dogs" around the house.

The AKC says several breeds in Great Britain, the American Staffordshire Terrier among them, "got their start as fighting and baiting dogs of the 18th and 19th centuries," and that such pastimes "have long since been outlawed." Taking care of the AmStaff's short, stiff coat is, in the AKC's words, "remarkably easy," and a quick weekly once-over with a soft bristle brush is usually enough.

An AmStaff "requires a lot of exercise," and the AKC says that leaving the dog out in the yard all day is not the right approach, because the AmStaff is "a people-oriented dog who thrives when he is made part of the family." The AKC also says "dog aggression can develop even in well-socialized Am Staffs; an AmStaff should never under any circumstances be left alone with other dogs." Breeders screen for canine hip dysplasia, cardiac disease, and skin and coat allergies.

6. Siberian Husky

Huskies are our pick for the most striking eyes. The AKC says the breed's almond-shaped eyes "can be either brown or blue" and sometimes one of each, and that they "convey a keen but amiable and even mischievous expression." The AKC says the breed's ancestors "were originally bred in northeastern Asia by the Chukchi people and were kept as companion dogs for their families as well as endurance sled dogs."

The AKC says Siberians are "very social, and regularly need the company of their people or other dogs; they are not suited to being left alone all day." It describes them as energetic dogs who "can't resist chasing small animals, so secure running room is a must," a trait often called prey drive. The AKC says "it is vital to keep the dog on a leash, in harness, or in a fenced yard at all times."

Huskies have a double coat, an undercoat and guard hair. The AKC calls them "remarkably self-cleaning," often needing only a few baths a year, and says weekly brushing helps keep the coat and skin in good condition. The undercoat is shed twice a year, and during that time the old coat should be raked out with a pin brush and metal comb.

7. Pug

Pug puppies are our pick for the most expressive faces. The AKC says the large round head, big sparkling eyes, and wrinkled brow "give Pugs a range of human-like expressions," in three colors: silver or apricot-fawn with a black face mask, or all black. The AKC calls the Pug "once the mischievous companion of Chinese emperors, and later the mascot of Holland's royal House of Orange."

The AKC says Pugs "are happy in the city or country, with kids or old folks, as an only pet or in a pack." Their short, smooth, glossy coat "needs minimal maintenance, but it does shed," and weekly brushing helps remove loose hair. A Pug will happily spend much of the day on the sofa, and the AKC says that, combined with the breed's fondness for eating, "makes obesity a real possibility," so it recommends daily moderate exercise such as walks or play sessions in the yard.

The AKC says: "Like all flat-faced breeds, Pugs sometimes experience breathing problems and do poorly in sunny, hot, or humid weather." It adds that eye problems including corneal ulcers and dry eye have been known to occur. On training, "Pugs live to please their people, so they are generally easy to train. Their feelings are easily hurt, and harsh training methods should never be used."

8. Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever puppies are our pick for the softest-looking coat. The AKC calls the breed "famous for the dense, lustrous coat of gold that gives the breed its name," and says the broad head, "with its friendly and intelligent eyes, short ears, and straight muzzle, is a breed hallmark."

The AKC describes Golden Retrievers this way: "Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dogs, and relatively easy to train. They take a joyous and playful approach to life and maintain this puppyish behavior into adulthood." It says Lord Tweedmouth "developed the breed in the Scottish Highlands during the reign of Victoria," and that Goldens are "serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue."

Goldens "heavily shed their thick, water-repellant double coat once or twice a year, and they also shed more moderately on a continuous basis." The AKC suggests a good brushing-out with a slicker brush once or twice a week, and daily during heavy shedding. It also says: "A Golden who doesn't get enough exercise is likely to engage in undesirable behavior." Breeders screen for elbow and hip dysplasia, certain eye conditions, and certain heart diseases.

9. Labrador Retriever

Labrador puppies are our pick for the friendliest faces. The AKC calls the breed "sweet-faced" and says "Labs are famously friendly." The dense, hard coat comes in yellow, black, and "a luscious chocolate," and the thick, tapering "otter tail" seems "to be forever signaling the breed's innate eagerness." The AKC says the Labrador is "the traditional waterdog of Newfoundland, long employed as a duck retriever and fisherman's mate."

The AKC says many Labs "work hard in important roles such as search-and-rescue, drug and bomb detection, and as service and assistance dogs," the kind of professional services a Lab is trained for. It also calls the breed "an enthusiastic athlete that requires lots of exercise, like swimming and marathon games of fetch, to keep physically and mentally fit."

The Lab has a thick, water-repellant double coat that sheds, and the AKC says to give occasional baths to keep it clean. A Lab "who doesn't get enough exercise is likely to engage in hyperactive and/or destructive behavior to release pent-up energy." Breeders screen for elbow and hip dysplasia, heart disorders, hereditary myopathy (muscle weakness), and eye conditions. The AKC adds that like other large, deep-chested dogs, Labs "can develop a life-threatening stomach condition called bloat," and that exercise induced collapse can occur in some young adult Labs.

What every puppy on this list needs

The AKC's Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Labrador Retriever pages give the same advice for a young puppy: "Gently exposing the puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months will help him develop into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult." The AKC calls early socialization and puppy training classes "vital" for the German Shepherd and the Labrador Retriever, and "a necessity" for the American Staffordshire Terrier.

The AKC's Samoyed page says regular visits to the vet for checkups and parasite control "help to ensure the dog a long, healthy life." Its Pembroke Welsh Corgi page says the teeth should be brushed regularly, and its Golden Retriever and Samoyed pages say the teeth should be brushed often.

Size and life expectancy at a glance

The table shows the AKC's listed height at the shoulder, weight, and life expectancy for each adult breed above. The Pembroke is the corgi in the table. The AKC lists the Cardigan Welsh Corgi at 10.5 to 12.5 inches, 30 to 38 pounds for males, and 25 to 34 pounds for females, with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

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FAQ

What is the cutest puppy breed?

Nothing measures it. Cute is a matter of taste, and the nine breeds above are our picks. If you are choosing between them, the grooming and exercise notes in each entry tell you more about daily life with a dog than a puppy's face does.

Which of these puppy breeds grow into the smallest and largest dogs?

By the AKC's listed weights, the Pug is the smallest at 14 to 18 pounds, followed by the Pembroke Welsh Corgi at up to 30 pounds for males and up to 28 pounds for females. The Bernese Mountain Dog is the largest at 80 to 115 pounds for males and 70 to 95 pounds for females.

Which of these puppy breeds need the least grooming?

The AKC says taking care of the American Staffordshire Terrier's short, stiff coat is "remarkably easy," that the Pug's coat "needs minimal maintenance, but it does shed," and that the German Shepherd "is easy to maintain."

Is the Shiba Inu a cute puppy breed too?

Many people think so. The Shiba Inu is a Japanese breed, and the AKC says its white markings combined with its coloring (red, red sesame, or black and tan) and its alert expression and smooth stride "makes them almost foxlike." The AKC also says "a Shiba can never, ever be considered reliable off lead unless in a confined area."

Sources

• American Kennel Club breed pages: Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, German Shepherd Dog, Samoyed, Bernese Mountain Dog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Siberian Husky, Pug, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Shiba Inu.