Random thoughts on ugly (and pretty) dogs

• Dog lovers are divided on whether Pabst, the Boxer mix, is ugly or not. Ugly is obviously in the eye of the beholder.

• I’m glad the dynasty of the Chinese Crested ugly is over. While I’m sure their owners really love them, I just don’t like looking at them—the scraggly tufts of hair, bug eyes, tongue hanging out the side, teeth going in all directions, mottled skin. Part of the ugliness might be health problems. And that’s more sad than ugly.

• I’ve never been a fan of the smooshed face dog—Boxer, Bulldog, Pug, Pekes. Dogs should have noses like their wolf ancestors.

• Of course that doesn’t include the impossibly cute puppy pictures that Carol of Frogdog Blog shamelessly posts and the videos of Frenchies with that replay button I keep hitting.
• It doesn’t include the Ayatollah Mugsie with his wise pronouncements and infinite power.
• It doesn't include the charming Emily and Abigail from Uncivil.
• It doesn’t include Uga I through Uga VI, the Bulldog who is the greatest team mascot ever. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated.  
• It doesn’t include Tillman on a skateboard, Dozer on a surfboard, or any Bulldog in clothes. Anything that makes us smile is good.

I’m going to conclude with my five picks for the prettiest dog breeds in order -- (excluding my own pack, of course).                                

1. Afghan Hound - big beauty, tiny brain

2. Any Nordic Breed – Husky, Malamute, Spitz, Khyra

3. Golden Retriever – the happiest face in the history of faces

4. Irish Setter – beautiful coat and form, the IQ of a post

5. Collies that look like Lassie and not the modern show Collies

Comments

[Chris]

Hah, some dogs are just so ugly that it almost makes them cute in their own way.

[Sling]

I think the prettiest dog I ever saw was a blue merle sheltie...it really was stunning.

[Biggie-Z]

I guess we should be flattered that people used to ask if Biggie was a "really light colored golden retriever" when he was smaller... then he got BIG and people just stopped asking.

[jackie]

i still think pitty bulldoggies are the best looking dogs ever...i'll send you a picture of nate..he was so handsome..goofy..but handsome

[Dixie The Poodle]

I no wy Poodles arnt on yor list becorz its a list ov pretty dogs & Poodles arnt dogs. We ar just litool peepool trapd in fur coats

[YesBiscuit!]

ha, you could also title your "prettiest dogs" list "grooming nightmares" - but then I hate grooming.

[Khyra]

Oh Misty!

Woo are the most intelligent non-Khyra khanine out there!

We would make khwite a team!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

[Dog Beds]

I think that Irish Setters are beautiful!

[SmartDogs]

Regarding number 5: You may as well replace this with "The English Shepherd". Or an ESxCollie mix. English Shepherds are regularly bred to modern collies by farmers looking for real working dogs. The American Working Farm Collie Association keeps a registry of these (and other dogs).

[pam]

Wha -? ::rubs eyes:: Where's Pomeranian?

[Jimmy]

I'll take short hair and smooshed faces with an underbite and day!!!!

[rosemary]

Every doggie is beautiful...just like all babies. I do think Labs and the Nordic ones are wondermus....but I am a tad prejudiced.....umm Charlie and Penelope. I vote for the dog that can brush his/her own fur/hair AND wipes their paws before coming inside.

[Wendy]

I vote labs for cutest dogs-- who doesn't melt when they see that eternal puppy (maybe those that don't think 70 lbs of enthusiasm heading straight at them on full speed, but who cares about those people?)

Dixie has a point. But if poodles were dogs and not people wearing stylish and graceful coats, I'd have to vote them prettiest.

Great Danes of course taking the most noble category, with Irish Wolfhounds taking a close second.

[Saint Lover]

Jan I think you forgot to mention the Saint Bernard in the beauty category... lol

[Pai]

The Cresteds in the 'Ugliest Dog Show' are not normal for the breed. Most are deformed, mixes, or geriatric. If you look up reputable breeders of Cresties, you will see they look like this: http://tinyurl.com/rbg3jl

[Lindsay]

I love seeing a springer spaniel run an agility course. I love the long hair as they do the weave poles. Of course, if I had a springer, it would have a low maintenance short hair cut, but there's something about that long coat that is so pretty.