18 Dog Breeds with Flat Faces (with Pictures)

Are you a sucker for a smushy-faced dog? This post is for you! Check out 18 endearing dog breeds with flat faces below;

Small Dog Breeds with Flat Faces

1. Pug

Small Dog Breeds with Flat Faces - Pug

Photo by Kandykandoo via Pixabay

Charming, loving, and mischievous, the Pug is one of the world’s oldest dog breeds and can be traced back as far as 2,000 years!

2. French Bulldog

Small Dog Breeds with Flat Faces - French Bulldog

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One of the world’s most popular small dog breeds, the French Bulldog is a friendly, playful, and adaptable breed that simply loves being the center of attention.

3. Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffon dog - Photo by Laures via Canva

Photo by ©Laures via Canva.com

According to the AKC, the Brussels Griffon is a super-intelligent and sensitive breed that originated from breeding an Affenpinscher with a Belgian street dog.

4. Pekingese

Pekingese dog - Photo by SVPhilon via Canva

Photo by ©SVPhilon via Canva.com

Originally from China, the Pekingese is a compact, toy companion dog of regal bearing. 

5. Japanese Chin

Japanese Chin dog - Photo by asiafoto via Canva

Photo by ©asiafoto via Canva.com

Known as the Japanese Spaniel until 1977, the AKC describes the Japanese Chin as a charming, loving, and noble breed.

6. Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier - Photo by Robitaille via Canva

Photo by ©Robitaille via Canva.com

As the name suggests, the Boston Terrier is a native American breed and is the result of a cross between an English Bulldog and a White English Terrier.

7. English Toy Spaniel

English Toy SPaniel - Photo by JZHunt via Canva

Photo by ©JZHunt via Canva.com

Although the English Toy Spaniel looks very similar to that of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (they are related), the English Toy Spaniel is a slightly smaller breed, with more of a domed head and flatter face.

8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Photo by Banepx via Canva

Photo by ©Banepx via Canva.com

Described by the AKC as gentle, affectionate, and graceful, Cavaliers get along nicely with children and other dogs and do well with active owners and homebodies alike.

9. Tibetan Spaniel

Tibetan Spaniel - Photo by Bigandt_Photography via Canva

Photo by ©Bigandt_Photography via Canva.com

Another ancient Asian toy breed, the Tibetan Spaniel is known for its flat, silky coat and lion-like mane. According to the AKC, ancestors of the Tibetan Spaniel lived in monasteries with Buddhist monks and were called “little lions”.

10. Affenpinscher

Affenpinscher - Photo by f8grapher via Canva

Photo by ©f8grapher via Canva.com

German for “monkey dog” or “ape terrier”, the Affenpinscher was originally bred to exterminate rats and other pests from German stables.

11. Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso - Photo by Fran Montes via Getty Images/Canva

Photo by ©Fran Montes via Canva.com

Originally shown in the Terrier Group, Lhasa Apsos are now members of the Non-Sporting dog group. According to the AKC, Lhasa Apsos are a smart, confident, and funny breed famous for their floor-length, flat-hanging coats.

12. Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu dog - Photo by Kurt Pas via Canva

Photo by ©Kurt Pas via Canva.com

According to the AKC, the Shih Tzu was developed centuries ago from Tibetan breeding stock and is most likely the product of a cross between the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese.

Medium Dog Breeds with Flat Faces

13. Bulldog

Medium Dog Breeds with Flat Faces - Bulldog

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Known for their smushy faces and low, stocky bodies, the Bulldog is a friendly, courageous, and calm breed that can weigh up to 50 lbs.

14. Chow Chow

Medium Dog Breeds with Flat Faces - Chow Chow

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The AKC describes the Chow Chow as an all-purpose dog breed of ancient Chinese origin with a distinctive lion-like mane, snobbish expression, and stiff-legged gait.

Big Dog Breeds with Flat Faces

15. Boxer

Big Dog Breeds with Flat Faces - Boxer

Photo by ©Kurt Pas via Canva.com

One of America’s most popular dog breeds, the Boxer is a loyal, affectionate, and intelligent breed with an excellent work ethic.

16. Dogue de Bordeaux

Big Dog Breeds with Flat Faces - Dogue de Bordeaux

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Also known as the French Mastiff, the Dogue de Bordeaux is an affectionate, loyal and courageous breed with an average life expectancy of 5-8 years. 

17. Bullmastiff

Bullmastiff dog - Photo by Manivela Suelta via Canva

Photo by ©Manivela Suelta via Canva.com

The AKC describes the Bullmastiff breed as being “fearless at work” and “docile at home”. This breed was originally developed to guard against poachers who threatened gameland in England.

18. Cane Corso

Cane Corso dog - Photo by Kurt Pas via Canva

Photo by ©Kurt Pas via Canva.com

According to the AKC, Cane Corsos are intelligent, loyal, and eager to please. Originally from Italy, the breed’s name roughly translates from Latin as ‘bodyguard dog’ – it’s easy to see why!

Flat-Faced Breed Health Risks

Whilst their smushy faces may seem cute, sadly, many flat-faced dog breeds also suffer from a raft of health conditions as a result of their condensed facial features (some breeds more than others).

For more information regarding the potential health risks associated with flat-faced dog breed ownership, be sure to check out the following educational articles from Dogtime and the RSPCA;

The Problem With Breeding Brachycephalic (Short-Faced) DogsDogtime

What do I need to know about Brachycephalic dogs?RSPCA

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18 Dog Breeds with Flat Faces (with Pictures) - Includes popular breeds like the Pug, French Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog and more! #brachycephalic #flatfacedog