Top 10 Cutest Dog Breeds: Adorable Companions

Patrick MacFarland Patrick MacFarland · Updated May 22, 2025
Amidst a gentle glow of soft, unfocused white lights, a sleepy pug finds its comfort on a white surface, gazing forward in complete relaxation.

Are you thinking of getting a brand new dog? There are many, many dog breeds out in the world and each of them have different temperaments. As you do your research, you’ve narrowed the list down to cute dogs that can be amazing companions. But which dog breeds are the cutest? Let’s take a look at the top 10 cutest dog breeds. These adorable companions will give you a smile and warm your heart.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

  • Traits: Sweet, affectionate, gentle
  • Best For: Families, retired people, and those looking for a loving lap dog

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an affectionate and friendly dog. They have large, round, expressive eyes that can melt your heart. Their long, silky ears and luxurious coats give them an elegant yet adorable appearance. Cavaliers love to snuggle, making them perfect lap dogs, and their calm temperament makes them great companions for families, kids, and retirees alike.

Pomeranian

  • Traits: Fluffy, lively, and outgoing
  • Best For: City dwellers, people who love small but energetic dogs

Pomeranians are like little balls of fluff with a spicy attitude! Their small size, fluffy double coats, and alert expression make them one of the cutest breeds out there. Pomeranians are known for their animated personalities, too. They love attention and aren’t afraid to show it. Pomeranians also have expressive faces and a curious nature, which make them charming companions.

A small, fluffy shih tzu with a collar walks on a paved path outdoors, facing the camera with its tongue out. Trees and greenery are blurred in the background.

Shih Tzu

  • Traits: Loyal, friendly, and calm
  • Best For: People who love grooming their pets, allergy sufferers

Hailing from China, Shih Tzus have long, flowing coats and a regal appearance that has charmed people for centuries. They have round faces, large dark eyes, and snub noses, which make them irresistibly cute. Shih Tzus were bred to be companions to Chinese royalty, but although they look fancy and royal, they are friendly and love attention.

French Bulldog

  • Traits: Playful, affectionate, and charming
  • Best For: Apartment dwellers, people looking for a low-maintenance but affectionate companion

French Bulldogs have a unique appearance with their bat-like ears, wrinkled faces, and compact bodies. They also have expressive, wide-set eyes, which gives them a curious, mischievous look. Frenchies are known for being affectionate and loyal. Despite their small size, they have a big personality and love to play, which makes them adorable and entertaining pets.

A small bichon frise with curly white fur lies on green grass with its tongue out, wearing a blue collar and an ID tag.

Bichon Frisé

  • Traits: Cheerful, playful, and affectionate
  • Best For: Families, people with allergies, those looking for an active but small dog

The Bichon Frisé is a fluffy dog — with white, curly coat and even a happy expression. What makes them even more cute is their bright, black eyes and cute button noses. These dogs are known for their cheerful personalities. They’re playful and love to entertain their families. The best part is their coat is hypoallergenic, which makes them perfect for those that suffer from allergies.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

  • Traits: Intelligent, friendly, and active
  • Best For: Active families, people with a sense of humor, those looking for a loyal companion

Made famous by Queen Elizabeth II, Corgis are one of the cutest dog breeds out there with their short legs, long bodies, and fox-like faces. These funny proportions give them a funny waddle when they walk, which just adds to the adorableness. They also have perky ears and bright eyes, which give them a constantly alert and curious expression. Corgis are also known for their friendly, outgoing personalities.

Maltese

  • Traits: Gentle, playful, and affectionate
  • Best For: Retired people, people with allergies, those looking for a gentle companion

Hailing from Malta (and quite apropos), Maltese dogs are famous for their long, silky white coats and their elegant, refined appearance. Even though they’re small creatures, they have big personalities and love to be the center of attention. They have expressive, dark eyes and tiny noses, which gives them a puppy-like appearance even as they grow. Maltese are gentle and affectionate, but an amazing part is they have a hypoallergenic coat, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers.

Pug

  • Traits: Comical, loving, and playful
  • Best For: Families, apartment dwellers, people who want a playful but low-energy dog

Pugs are known for their round faces, wrinkled foreheads, and big, bulging eyes. Their curly tails and compact bodies add to their quirkiness, too. Pugs are playful and love to entertain, often making their owners laugh with their goofy antics. Although they have their playful side, they also love to snuggle and are known for being affectionate with their families.

A person in a brown sweater holds a small, fluffy toy poodle with a calm expression.

Toy Poodle

  • Traits: Intelligent, energetic, and friendly
  • Best For: Allergy sufferers, people looking for a small, trainable dog

Toy Poodles are known for being tiny, but also their curly coats and dignified looks. They are fun-loving and energetic dogs that enjoy playing with their owners. Funnily enough, their coats and expressive faces almost make them look like stuffed animals. Toy Poodles are quite intelligent and easy to train. Their coat is also hypoallergenic, so they’re a great choice for allergy sufferers.

Havanese

  • Traits: Affectionate, playful, and intelligent
  • Best For: Families, people who want a playful but affectionate dog, those looking for a hypoallergenic breed

The Havanese is a small, fluffy breed with a cheerful personality. They have long, silky coats and bright, expressive eyes, which gives them a teddy bear-like appearance. Havanese dogs are known for being playful. They’re also very affectionate and love to snuggle with their owners. Even though they’re small, they have a lot of energy and enjoy playing and running around.

Wrap Up

And there you have it, these are the top 10 cutest dog breeds. These adorable dogs are known for their cute faces, fluffy coats, and loving personalities. They are truly a broad range, though. From the luxurious long coats of the Maltese and Shih Tzu to the playful, wrinkly faces of the Pug and French Bulldog, each breed is extremely unique and different. Once you’ve settled on that brand new family member, you will be able to play with them and they will bring the entire family joy and fun in your lives.