If someone were to ask you what makes a dog cute, there are a variety of things that you might mention that go into a dog’s cuteness. Some people adore dogs that are bred to be incredibly tiny, despite the health risks that this can pose to the dog itself. Other people enjoy having an animal akin to a cloud to be able to pet when it comes to how fluffy the fur is.

There are plenty of people out there who believe that a dog’s cuteness is solely in its appearance and will go after designer breeds, given the opportunity. However, when all is said and done, what makes a dog cute in the eyes of one person might be completely different in the eyes of another. What makes a dog cute is entirely subjective. With that being said, there are a few different categories that people look at when they are searching for a dog breed that they can call the cutest.

Some of the most popular areas for these searches include the size of the dog, just how much fur the dog has, the dog’s overall appearance, and the dog’s temperament. Dogs that are tiny can fit into your lap and potentially even just a container on your desk, making them miniature versions of their original breeds. Other people appreciate being able to pet a dog’s long fur and feel how soft and airy it is, even though this might accumulate in hours of vacuuming and grooming dogs.

Some people do not mind what happens to a dog’s genetics as long as it becomes a designer breed that suits their tastes. In the end, some people consider the cutest aspect of dogs to be how they interact with their owners. These are all factors to look for when searching for cute dogs.

Considering the Size of the Dog

There are many, many people out there who believe that the smaller variants of already established breeds carry a more adorable and approachable appearance than their typically sized counterparts. With some breeds, this reduction in size can even serve to lengthen the lifespan of the dog, allowing it to live a long and healthy life with you. In fact, there are many people who feel the same way about dog sizing affecting the cuteness of the dog. Because of this, there are now certain size categories that are in place to help breeders and adopters alike find the dogs that are just the right size to be the cutest dog around.

The smallest dogs out there are known as teacup dogs. This name comes from the notion that these dogs can fit into teacups, even as full-grown dogs. Generally, these dogs only weigh between two and five pounds and are never more than a foot tall in height. One of the most popular examples of the teacup breed is the Pomeranian dog These dogs are never taller than seven inches and never more than seven pounds. These lap dogs have grown smaller as they have been bred for their appearance, but many people appreciate this. Yorkshire terriers are another example of teacup dogs. Unfortunately, teacup dogs tend to have a history of skeletal, muscular, and immune problems due to the rigorous breeding.

The next group are toy dogs. This is a group that is actually registered as a breeding group in the AKC, or the American Kennel Club. These dogs do have a fair bit of overlap between teacup dogs, although these dogs tend to be a bit healthier than their teacup counterparts. The toy dog group tends to range between five and fifteen pounds in weight, although the height is allowed to vary a bit more here. Some examples of the toy dog group include chihuahuas, Havanese, and Maltese dogs.

Lastly, there are miniature dog breeds. Miniature dog breeds are dogs that are specifically bred to be smaller variants of their ancestor breed. Unlike toy and teacup dogs, where there are dogs that are only found in that group and there are no other dogs resembling them, miniature dogs will always resemble the breed they are based upon. For example, if you wanted a bull terrier, but you wanted it to be smaller, you would search for a miniature bull terrier. These dogs mimic almost the exact same appearance, minus the shortened stature, as the breed they are based upon.

Considering the Appearance of the Dog

One type of dog that a lot of people gloss over is the mixed breed dog. These differ from mutt dogs that are naturally from many different bloodlines. A mixed breed, in this situation, is a dog that has been bred specifically for the appearance that its two parent dogs would have combined. An example of this is how many mixed breeds are bred with poodles to get that characteristic curly fur.

These dogs are commonly known as designer dogs, as they are bred for no other purpose than their appearance most of the time. Designer dogs are a relatively recent addition to the endless list of breeds to choose from, so it might be harder to find a good history on them. However, if you are looking for a dog that combines the best appearance qualities of two breeds, designer dogs are the way to go. Some of the most popular designer dogs include the cockapoo (cocker spaniel and poodle), labradoodle (Labrador retriever and poodle), and the maltipoo (Maltese and poodle).

Considering the Fur of the Dog

Some people truly want to embrace the idea that their dogs are their companions in the family. This means that some people enjoy being able to run their hands through their dog’s soft, fluffy fur. Typically, dogs like this are bred to have long, flowing, and soft furry coats. While these dogs are often a massive undertaking when it comes to grooming and cleaning, for people who find the cuteness of a dog to be in how fluffy it is, it can be well worth it in the end. There are a number of dogs out there that have been specially bred to be super fluffy. These dog breeds include the bichon frise, the chow chow, and the collie.

Considering the Temperament of the Dog

Finally, at the end of the day, some people find that the cutest aspect in any dog is how it interacts with family and other animals. Sometimes the cutest thing to watch is simply how much affection your dog has for you when you come home from a long day at work. Thankfully, there are plenty of dogs out there that have been bred to be some of the most loyal, outgoing dogs that you will ever meet. Some dogs are better with younger children, while other dogs might be better at interacting with other pets in a household. Some dogs will simply accept any affectionate attention where they can get it.

Some of the most popular breeds are dogs that are well-known to be super family-friendly dogs. For example, one of the most loved dogs, the Labrador retriever is a dog that is good with children, often good in multi-pet households, and is incredibly affectionate toward its family. In fact, these are a very common breed of dog to have as a therapy dog because of how affectionate and sensitive they can be to their human companions. Other dogs that are affectionate and outgoing include the golden retriever, beagle, and the German shepherd dog.