20 Ugly Dog Breeds That Will Steal Your Heart Anyway

You’ve heard the phrase, “Play the hand you’ve been dealt!” Well, for some “ugly” dog breeds, the odds were stacked against them from the beginning, through no fault of their own, of course.

So, if you’re a dog with a big head, a crooked nose, or just an overall not-so-appealing type of look, what do you do? Well, you rock it and work with what you’ve got! 

In no particular order, (because who wants to be #1 on an ‘ugly dog’ list) here are 20 ugly dog breeds that prove “beauty is in the eye of the beholder!”

If this breed looks familiar, it’s because it’s considered somewhat of a celebrity – the Bull Terrier is the mascot dog for Target stores! Pretty cool, right? So, you might be thinking, “Hey, this guy isn’t too bad; why is he on the ‘ugly list?” Well, he’s not – if you’re into that egg-shaped head, squinty, beady eyes type of look.

Bull Terriers are deep-chested with strong shoulders, and as far as personality goes, they are said to be gentle, affectionate, and playful! Aww! They’re also loyal pets that will guard the family. Looks-wise, some say the breed is so ugly, it’s adorable! I say it’s a mix of both! Hey, if our friends at Target think he’s cute enough to be a star, we do, too! 

I call this a “bless your heart,” kind of moment; every time I see this breed, I don’t know whether to laugh, cry, or feel so sorry for it. There’s a reason that time and again, the Chinese Crested is chosen as the winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest. It’s not hard to see why. They’re hairless – that’s enough to make anyone squirm!

Not to mention, they’re prone to buggy eyes and missing teeth at a young age, hence why their tongues hang out. Eek! On a positive note, they’re known to be high-spirited, animated, and agile, loving the attention from their families and happy to play when you’re up for it!

Funny enough, I never considered the Chihuahua an “ugly” dog, but many dog owners will tell you otherwise. Some say the breed looks like an overgrown rat. Ouch! Yes, they may have oversized ears and a teeny frame, but to some, that equals cuteness. To others, not so much! Its temperament? Lively, alert, quick, and feisty.

Many say they make good pets for first-time pet owners. They are fiercely loyal to the people they love, and make great companions dogs, especially for people who are home regularly. Yes, they’ll happily go anywhere with you, so grab your oversized dog purse and head out on the town! They’ll be happy to tag along!

To me, this is the definition of unique! I find Pugs so stinkin’ cute! Others think they’re hideous. Yes, they have protruding eyes and pronounced wrinkles, but I think that’s part of their charm. Their appearance is endearing, as they have happy, expressive faces.

Pugs have a loving, outgoing disposition and love to please, so they are generally easy to train. With their flat faces, however, they can be prone to health problems and don’t like being alone. Even so, there are plenty of Pug lovers out there who accept them for every fault!

Goodness, this breed certainly has an interesting look. Is it a dog or a lamb? Its fluffy coat makes it hard to tell the difference! Bedlington Terriers can certainly rock a wild hairdo – and one upside? They don’t shed! “Ugly” or not, that’s a big plus on my list!

Friendly to strangers and children, too, this breed is energetic but not rambunctious. If you’re ready to play fetch, a Bedlington will be up for the fun; or even a long walk or run! So, what if someone mistakes this breed for a sheep? Hey, at least it’ll make for a good conversation piece! 

My goodness, this breed looks so sad! And old! And droopy! Neapolitan Mastiffs have big heads and lots of sagging skin, making them look tired and lazy. Did you know? According to the United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club, (USNMC), these droopy, wrinkly dogs were bred to be “ugly” on purpose to deter any unwanted intruders.

What an interesting fact! With their large, powerful appearance, they’d certainly do just that. A protector dog at its finest and one that could be a lovely addition to any family!

With droopy faces, huge floppy ears, and wrinkles on top of wrinkles, the Bloodhound is quite similar to the Neapolitan Mastiff. So, it’s no surprise this breed is on the “ugly” dog list as well. Another contributing factor? Their long jowls make them big droolers, and they’re an energetic breed that needs a lot of exercise, especially as puppies.

On the upside? The breed is gentle, patient, and mild-mannered, making them good around children and other animals. Hey, you can’t have the bad without the good, right?!

Whippet! That’s just a fun word to say! Whippets are known to be fast, but some say the breed is on the “ugly” list because of its slim, sleek style, which can make them look underfed; even sickly. But did you know they are actually one of the healthiest dog breeds? They’re also affectionate, lively, friendly, gentle, intelligent and quiet.

A friend of mine had a Whippet and called him the best dog she ever had! So, even though they may not win a beauty contest anytime soon, they’re gentle souls who may be wonderful companions and the perfect breed for you!

“Ugly” or “unique?” You decide! The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, is an ancient breed with a distinctive appearance. It has almond-shaped eyes, large bat-like ears, a long neck, a sleek body, and a thick, drooping tail and often wins “ugly dog show categories;” but really, it’s all personal opinion.

They’re said to be alert watchdogs but also sensitive and prone to anxiety. Hey, some adults are the same way too, though, right? If you have a similar personality, maybe this breed is the dog for you!

Large and lanky are two words that describe this breed. Ugly to some, it can be quite a catch to others. It is one of the tallest dogs with a commanding presence and a rough coat. Irish Wolfhounds have large ears, and oval, wide-set eyes. Their coat comes in many colors, including white, gray brindle, red, black, and fawn.

They are known to be patient and kind-hearted, making them a beloved companion for many dog owners. Some owners even say they are as gentle as they come. You gotta love that!

Add another hairless breed to the list! (they can be coated though, too!) Some say these dogs look like aliens, with sleek bodies and large ears; in other words, a scary-looking breed. The most common type has little to no hair, minus a few short hairs on the head, lower tail, and feet.

While these guys will likely never be called “canine cuties,” they have other qualities that could make you swoon. They are gentle, loyal, and affectionate with their families. Talk about endearing!

Goodness, gracious! This breed is what you might call “a hot mess” with a peculiar face. Its fur is all over the place, and it has what some refer to as a mustache. If you want a dog that is well-kept and looks neatly groomed, the Affenpinscher may not be it.

They’ve been called “monkey dogs,” with some Star Wars fans arguing they look like Wookies or Ewoks. Say what?! This breed could be the “top dog” of ugly dogs if it weren’t for the Chinese Cresteds. However, Affenpinschers are described as loyal, affectionate, and entertaining, so there’s that!

Why is it that to me, this breed looks like a hippopotamus? Gah, that face! Shar-Peis are certainly in the running for the title of the world’s wrinkliest dog! The neck, the jowl, the folds of loose skin, the sunken eyes, the blue-black tongue, scowling expression, and tiny ears – these features all add up to what might be considered an “ugly” dog.

The breed resembles many dogs from the mastiff family and is easy to spot in a crowd, that’s for sure. Personality-wise though, this breed is extremely loyal and reserved, so don’t count these guys out quite yet. They could make for the most lovable pet!

Don’t mistake this breed for a rug or a mop! The Komondor is a livestock guard dog with an unusual, distinctive coat, looking more like a collection of dreadlocks than a coat. This gives the Komondor a messy appearance, which aesthetic-type dog owners may consider not very “pretty.”

The American Kennel Club, however, says Komondors are a beautiful, unique dog breed. They are described as independent thinkers and fiercely protective, being extremely loyal to their human families. So, there you go!

Wait, another mop dog? Well, sort of! You might mistake this breed for the Komondor because they both have corded coats, but this breed is much smaller, more active, and easier to train. The Puli breed’s coat is quite dense though – hence the reason it’s often on the “ugly” list. Like the Komondor, they have “dreadlocks for days.”

Because of this, their coats are considered high maintenance and require daily grooming. However, the Puli temperament is loyal, faithful, obedient, and alert. Incredibly intelligent, they can learn quickly and strive to please their owners. You gotta love that!

Also on our list? The Scottish Deerhound. This breed has an outward appearance similar to the Greyhound but is larger and more heavily boned. Skinny and gangly are just two words to describe this breed, some saying it’s the “ugliest dog they’ve ever seen.” Yikes! Is their look really that bad? Some say it is!

The good news? Scottish Deerhounds are known to be friendly, gentle giants, so you may not care about the awkwardness of this breed’s look. Sometimes, love and companionship are all you need!

Whether this breed should even make the “ugly” list is debatable. Some think its hair, though, looks like there’s a toupee on its head. Okay, you can’t unsee that once someone mentions it, but I don’t think these guys are that bad, even though they do tend to have a certain masculinity about them.

Aside from this, French Spaniels are known to be good with kids and other dogs and are also intelligent, affectionate, and highly trainable. So you may be charmed, after all, into accepting this breed into your family; toupee head and all!

Ah, the French Bulldog! These guys have such a sweet spot in my heart! With jiggly jaws, pushed-in eyes, and a squishy, flat face, some might say this breed is a bit, yes, “ugly.” The wrinkly, loose folds on its skin can appear messy and weird to some, not to mention the loads of drool!

However, some French bulldog owners find these characteristics sweet, as they do have a gentle disposition. They’re known to be good with kids and understanding of humans, in general. Beauty is certainly subjective!

Remember the “grumpy cat?” Well, call this breed the “grumpy dog.” Don’t they look like they’re in a bad mood? This is a tiny, yet mighty breed, making the ‘ugly’ list due to its distinct round face, domed forehead, and distinct beard. These pups have an undershot jaw, which gives them an unhappy appearance.

Maybe you are the one to turn that frown upside down though; some owners say they are the most loyal and affectionate dogs they’ve ever had! Suddenly, this breed doesn’t seem so “ugly” after all!

Just call this breed another “mop dog!” Its matted appearance is normal, helping regulate temperature and protecting it from cold and wet temperatures. Wow, though, it is matted! At around a year old, its coat is “ripped” into mats (flocks) which can take a few hours and is a one-time process.

A Bergamasco only needs to be bathed one to three times a year. While grooming might be tricky for some, these sheepdogs are said to be intelligent, patient, and determined. I showed my 6-year-old son a picture of one and he said, “Aww, I still like her. I love dogs, no matter what.” 

Make us part of your pack when you search.

Add Caninely as a preferred source on Google and we'll be right there next time you go searching. Five seconds, and you get straight dog talk instead of the usual fluff.