Top 10 Ugly Dogs

Welcome to the top 10 ugly dogs.

It is undeniable that all dogs are beautiful creatures and deserve to be adored and taken care of. Being a dog lover, you might think there’s no such term as an ‘ugly’ dog.

Although, after reading this list of the top 10 ugly dogs, you might change your mind. 

There are some dogs that might make you second-guess your loving sentiments. It definitely doesn’t mean that they should not be loved or taken care of. In fact they might be even more loveable due to their unfavorable appearance, and they have a special place in many people’s hearts. 

It is well-known that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, they might not look beautiful or appealing to you but may be someone else’s beloved animals. 

Such ugly dog breeds are rarer than the beauties we usually see and adore. We are here to answer your queries if you’re curious about the top 10 ugly dogs and why they appear unattractive. 

So, let’s uncover the top 10 ugly dogs!

Why Are Some Dogs Ugly?

Dogs are a fascinating species on Earth. Their unique style of love, devotion, and behavior that helps them survive and to be loved in this evolving world, are all very exciting to study. 

However, some breeds qualify in this list of the top 10 ugly dogs because they may be hairless, squashed in the face, have barrel bodies or be pop-eyed. Some might even possess all of the above!

You might disagree with any breed listed here because, as we mentioned earlier, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. It’s all about perspective!

So, buckle up and keep reading to know why some of the devoted, loyal, and obedient canines in our list of 10 of the ugliest breeds of dogs may be considered unattractive.

A List Of Top 10 Ugly Dogs On Earth

Ugliness in larger dogs is usually an indicator of the dog’s strength and its danger. But a dog’s appearance has never hindered them from being loyal, loving, adored, obedient, and playful. Here are our picks for the ten most unattractive dog breeds.

#1 The Chinese Crested

In this list of the top ten ugly dogs, the first prize goes to the Chinese crested, as they are famous for their ugliness. They have snagged the title many times over in the last 30 years.

They have pointy teeth and are generally prone to missing teeth at a very tender age. Sometimes, the teeth overcrowd or may arc and grow towards the mouth, giving them a creepy smile. 

Chinese Crested species come in two varieties:

• Utterly devoid of hair (the hairless)
• Minimal hair (the powderpuff) 

The hairless crested pups have varying amounts of fur, depending on how intensely the gene presents itself, with generally have fur around all four paws, the back of the tail, and the crest on the skull. 

They have one layer of hair which grows on their head and extremities rather than their body, which gives them a naked look that many individuals may find odd and ugly. However, the powderpuff crested variant features a double coat of long fine hair that is very smooth and silky to the touch. 

Despite the above-mentioned ugly features, the Chinese crested dog is an affectionate and playful companion. They are a lively and alert dog breed standing between 11 and 13 inches in height and weighing about 7-12 pounds (4-5 kg). 

Moreover, they have a lifespan of 13 to 18 years. The most common health problems they face are eye issues such as lens luxation, glaucoma, and PRA. 

Furthermore, being lap dogs requiring less exercise than many breeds, their size is perfectly manageable when kept as pets, making them excellent companions.

They are friendly, social dogs and love to spend time with their owners, but it would be hard for many individuals to find these odd-looking dogs adorable.

Therefore, despite being labeled as the ugliest dog, the Chinese Crested deserves to be loved and cared for due to its adorable nature. 

#2 Chihuahua

The chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dog. They are defined by their apple head or apple dome skull, with erect ears, which many individuals find unattractive. Moreover, they have huge round bug eyes, which make them look creepy to many people. 

They typically weigh between 2 and 6 pounds and can be around 6 to 9 inches tall. Most people dislike short-heightened dogs because they require a lot of grooming. 

Moreover, they can’t take baths as often as larger dogs due to their size. They’ll probably need to be brushed a couple of times each week and bathed every few months. Therefore, people avoid chihuahuas as they are unappealing and require a lot of care.

In fact, a 17-year-old chihuahua with legs curled like a frog was named the world’s ugliest dog in the 2016 world’s ugliest dog contest. Another 17-year-old chihuahua mix from Arizona, named Mr. Happy face, has been appointed the world’s ugliest dog in 2022.

Besides, chihuahuas vary in appearance, as they have two main types of coats:

• Smooth Coat: These variants are shiny and fit close to the body, with thick and longer hair at the neck. 
• Long Coat: These variants have softer fur that is flat and slightly curly, with a fringe of hair at the ears and a plumed tail. 

Long-haired chihuahuas also have a rough patch on the neck and longer hair on their feet and legs referred to as “pants.” These are what people find unappealing. 

These dogs are not ideal for families with super young kids, as they consider them creepy and may scare off their toddlers. 

#3 Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher breed is of German origin and dates back to the seventeenth century. It is a terrier-like breed of dog.

To your surprise, affenpinscher is also known as a ‘monkey terrier’ since, in German, the phrase ‘affe’ means monkey. Therefore, people who dislike monkeys find affenpinscher unattractive and unappealing. 

Moreover, affenpinschers are a very tiny type of dog. It generally stands about 9 to 12 inches tall at the withers (23 – 30 cm). They weigh approximately 7 to 13 pounds (3-6 kg).  

If you’re wondering what makes these dogs ugly, we have the answer: their face. The little face of affenpinschers is very similar to that of a little simian, which is a breed of monkey. 

The hair of these tiny dogs also plays a significant role in making them ugly. They have a harsh and rough coat of fur all over their bodies. A shorter coat covers their hind quarters and back, while it is shaggier on their head and shoulders. 

They have popped eyes and blunt muzzles, which along with their disarrayed fur, make them look quite displeasing. 

Affenpinschers need a lot of care due to their harsh and messy fur. These tiny dogs need to be protected from heat and combed regularly to make their fur a little less harsh.

#4 American Pitbull

American Pitbulls are medium-sized short-haired dogs of solid build whose average height is around 18 – 21 inches (45 – 53 cm) and weigh about 35 – 60 lbs (16 – 27 kg). These dogs have huge, ugly heads and gigantic jaws with a bite strength of 235 pounds per square inch.

They have short fur coats and muscular structures. Their eyes are round shaped, their ears small, and they have long pointy teeth that give off a terrifying appearance.

These dogs can weigh as heavy as 85 pounds when full-grown and are a compact, robust package of pure muscle. They can be difficult to keep under control once they are fully matured.

Pitbulls have a bad reputation and are named “vicious, unpredictable, and violent.” Not training your pitbull can result in risking injury to yourself or other persons interacting with your pet.

After all, a pitbull allowed to run wild without rules can become a stubborn bully that uses his bulk to push his way around. Typically, they are aggressive, have a powerful physique, and must be treated carefully. 

In a survey regarding Pitbulls, the following conclusions were drawn: 

• 68% of the responses related to unpredictability, violence, and danger. 
• 57% of the responses were related to the physical appearance as scary or intimidating. 
• 55% of the responses were related to being status symbols for gangs and other violent individuals. 
• 46% of the responses were related to being victims of abuse and animal cruelty. 

#5 The Puli

The Puli is a small, medium-sized family companion breed of dog that originated in Hungary and mainly guarded herds of livestock.

These tiny breeds are known for their long corded coats. Their coat resembles dreadlocks, which some people are not huge fans of. They are energetic and lively, but their fur coating is more like a mop. 

However, their coats can vary greatly depending on the individual. Some might have thinner and flat cords, while others may have thicker or round ones, depending on their texture. Most are black in color, or varying shades of black at least.

Besides, pulis are small and stand about 16.5 inches to 17 inches at the withers. However, due to their mop-like fur, they appear much larger. They weigh around 23-25 pounds.

Like the Affenpinscher, they also require a lot of love and care. This is why people refrain from taming these dogs, as they find them ugly and too difficult to handle due to their fur. 

#6 Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog)

The xoloitzcuintli dog breed is also called the Mexican Hairless or just Xolo. They are among the several species of hairless dogs and are considered one of the ugliest on Earth. 

This species comes in standard, intermediate and miniature sizes. Their weights range from 10 – 55 pounds (roughly around 5 – 23 kg), and their height ranges between 9 to 26 inches (approximately 23 – 67 cm).

The xoloitzcuintli canines are similar in appearance to the Pharaoh Hound. They have sleek bodies full of wrinkles, making them uglier than many other dogs. Moreover, they have long necks, large bat-like ears, and almond-shaped eyes. 

Additionally, this breed only has a small amount of hair on their heads. Imagine a sleek hairless canine that has hair only on its head. Sounds disturbing, right? 

As a result of their dark textured coat and sleek hairless physique, with only hair on their heads, a lot of people find them extremely unappealing.

#7 Borzoi

Borzoi, also called the Russian Hunting Sighthound, is a Russian hunting dog with an oblong face and long legs. 

Borzois came forth in Russia during the 1600s and were preferred by the Russian aristocracy for hundreds of years. They’re the result of cross-breeding between the Arabian Greyhound and thick-coated Russian breeds.

These dogs have very long faces. Many compare them to horses as their snouts are so long and thin, which is why many find them unattractive.

It’s needless to say that Borzois are quite bizarre-looking canines. They have a narrow body, deep chest, and tucked abdomen, all adding to their repulsive image. 

Covering their lean bodies is a coat of fine and shaggy hair. No matter how hard you try, their fur almost always looks disheveled and messy. Another downside is that their coat requires a lot of maintenance and daily grooming. 

Moreover, borzois measure 28 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh around 75 – 105 pounds. Therefore, some of the cons associated with owning a borzoi include the dog’s large size.

Borzoi dogs need a lot of space, which can be a disadvantage since not everyone has enough space to keep them.

#8 Neapolitan Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiff is an Italian-originated breed of dog. They are large and powerful critters, able to guard you and your family because no one would dare harm you in the presence of such a beastly dog. 

The Neapolitan Mastiff dogs weigh approximately 110 – 150 pounds (around 50 – 70 kg). Their height at the withers is about 60 – 75 cm (approximately 24 – 30 inches). In case you didn’t notice, this means that the body length of this creature is 15 percent greater than its height. 

In 2017, a Neapolitan Mastiff named Martha beat all dogs at the World’s Ugliest Dog contest in California. The primary reason for receiving this title was its large head with multiple folds.

Besides, Neapolitan Mastiff dogs have loose skin with many folds and dewlaps, coupled with permanently wrinkled heads and front feet. Their head structure and body shape give them a scary and fierce look, nothing short of ugly.

The Neapolitan Mastiffs are protective dogs and a family companion canine. However, these ugly dogs shred and drool tremendously and need to be protected from heat due to their excessive and sensitive skin. 

If you want to learn more facts about a Neapolitan Mastiff, click here.

#9 Pug

Pugs are small dogs that are instantly identifiable. They are known for having squished and wrinkly heads.

They weigh about 14 – 18 pounds and are very short in height, growing no taller than 10 – 13 inches. Their short heights make them seem ugly and unappealing. Despite their unfavorable physique, their lifespan is around 13 to 15 years.

The bodies of pugs are pretty small, but their heads, equipped with huge scary popped eyes, are quite large. These, paired with their short, fat necks, are what deter people the most. 

In fact, pugs appear ugly due to being bred and deformed by human design, harboring a condition called brachycephaly. This means they have a tiny head, short muzzle, and a distinct skull shape. 

However, brachycephaly facial structures in pugs take all of their naturally lengthened breathing passages, among other soft tissue, and squash them into their skull’s deformed and shortened shape.

Pugs are so ugly yet somehow so cute and adorable to their owners, maybe because of their fine, glossy coats that come in a variety of colors. Moreover, they are very social and gentle dogs that make a perfect companion. 

#10 Whippets

This breed has a tiny little head with a pointed snout which gives them a hideous look. Often, the head is disproportionately tiny compared to the rest of the body, giving them a signature profile. 

Whippets are medium-sized with a height of around 18 – 20 inches and long skinny legs that give them an unappealing look. They weigh approximately 20 – 42 pounds only.

Therefore, the body of the whippets is tiny and lanky. They have large ears that are rose-shaped with a fold in them, even when alert. Coupled with their huge and dark eyes, it gives them an edgy look. 

Some people find them calm as they do not bark much and are better companions than sentry dogs. 

Whippets can be trained for agility competitions because their lean bodies help them run extremely fast. They have muscular legs that help them sprint at record speeds. 

However, the rest of their body doesn’t have a ton of bulk. Thus, they have a bony look that many find highly unattractive. Their lean and fragile nature doesn’t make them the best for cuddling either. 

The Final Word on Top 10 Ugly Dogs

KEY POINTS

The Chinese crested dogs have one layer of hair which grows on their head and extremities rather than their body, which gives them a naked look that many people may find odd and ugly.

A 17-year-old chihuahua mix from Arizona, named Mr. Happy face, has been appointed the world’s ugliest dog in 2022.

American Pitbulls have a short coat muscular structure with round shaped eyes, their ears are small, and they have long pointy teeth that give off a terrifying appearance.

Borzoi dogs have very long faces. Many compare them to horses because their snouts are so long and thin, which makes their appearance unappealing to most people.

The dogs mentioned in this article are famous for their ugliness and are not the most beautiful breeds to look at. Still, they deserve a great deal of love and affection. Despite being ugly, these dogs are loving, caring, and protective – everything you need in a fury best friend!

Therefore, we must not let their unconventional looks be a turnoff and shower as much love on them as we would on any other beautiful breeds prevalent worldwide. 

Thank for reading this article about the top 10 ugly dogs! Maybe all this dog-talj has inspired you to become a pet-parent? Head over to read about The Best Dog Breeds For Beginners to find out which type of dog would suit you best!