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
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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
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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
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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
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Originally from China, the Pekingese is a compact, toy companion dog of regal bearing.
5. Japanese Chin
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Known as the Japanese Spaniel until 1977, the AKC describes the Japanese Chin as a charming, loving, and noble breed.
6. Boston Terrier
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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
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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
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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
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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
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German for “monkey dog” or “ape terrier”, the Affenpinscher was originally bred to exterminate rats and other pests from German stables.
11. Lhasa Apso
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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;