23 Most Adorable Dog Breeds That You've Definitely Never Heard Of

Finnish Spitz

Avg Life Expectancy: 13 yrs
Popularity in US: #168
Origin: Finland

The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized, purebred dog that is known for being intelligent, loyal, multi-talented, and playful. Besides looking like a tiny adorable fox, the Finnish Spitz has a number of other great qualities.

They make wonderful watchdogs, are moderately easy to train, and are good with kids.

Otterhound

Avg Life Expectancy: 12 yrs
Popularity in US: #173
Origin: United Kingdom

The Otterhound is a medium-sized purebred dog that is known for being super friendly, affectionate, alert, and independent. Although these pooches are known to shed a bit, they are very easy to train, and make for great watchdogs.

Otterhounds are known for being great with kids, and also friendly to other pets and strangers. Most importantly, they have the sweetest faces and have big floppy, furry ears!

Norwegian Lundehund

Avg Life Expectancy: 14 yrs
Popularity in US: #178
Origin: Norway

The Norwegian Lundehund is a small, purebred dog originating from Norway. The Norwegian Lundehund is known for being super alert, protective, energetic, and loyal.

Most of these pups have either black, grey, red, white, or yellow fur. Their life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years, and they are comparable to the very popular Shiba Inu breed in size and appearance.

Finnish Lapphund

Avg Life Expectancy: 15 yrs
Popularity in US: #167
Origin: Finland

The Finnish Lapphund is a medium purebred dog known for its affectionate, courageous, gentle, and cheerful demeanor. These dogs are usually black, black and tan, brown, gray, red, or white in color.

Not only are these dogs totally adorable, they are also very easy to train, great with kids, and known for being friendly, loving, loyal, quiet, and sweet. Need we say more?

Norwegian Buhund

Avg Life Expectancy: 15 yrs
Popularity in US: #166
Origin: Norway

At this point it seems like all the cutest dogs are from Scandinavia! The Norwegian Buhund is a medium purebred known for being energetic, alert, cheerful, and courageous.

These pups are super low maintenance, very active, and good with kids. They also apparently make the cutest puppies of all time.

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Avg Life Expectancy: 14 yrs
Popularity in US: #178
Origin: Norway

The Dandie Dinmont is a medium purebred with a hilarious name. Their fur is typically grey, silver, white, or yellow.

They are loving, loyal, independent doggies, who shed minimally and are great with kids!

The Glen of Imaal Terrier

Avg Life Expectancy: 12 yrs
Popularity in US: #156
Origin: Ireland

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a medium purebred pup known for being gentle, courageous, and loyal. These terriers are typically black or brown, and are moderately easy to train and low maintenance.

Most importantly, they make for super cute puppies, and look like tiny, adorable bearded men in their adult life.

Swedish Valhund

Avg Life Expectancy: 13 yrs
Popularity in US: #152
Origin: Sweden

These short-legged pups are originally from Sweden, and are known for being alert, energetic, friendly, and intelligent. They are easy to train, shed minimally, and make for great watchdogs.

If you’re not yet convinced, those giant ears and puppy eyes will seal the deal!

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Avg Life Expectancy: 13 yrs
Popularity in US: #152
Origin: Switzerland

This adorable large purebred pup comes from Switzerland, and is known for being cheerful, intelligent, protection, friendly, and loyal. Although these doggies can be a bit tough to train, they are very low maintenance and great with kids.

If nothing else, how can you resist that picture?

Icelandic Sheepdog

Avg Life Expectancy: 14 yrs
Popularity in US: #140
Origin: Iceland

Another win for Scandinavian dog breeds! This fluffy little guy is a medium purebred from Iceland, known for being affectionate, courageous, energetic, and playful. Most Icelandic Sheepdogs are either black, black & white, brown & white, gray, chocolate, or white.

These dogs are super active and moderately easy to train. With all that fur, we imagine they make excellent cuddle buddies as well!

Australian Terrier

Avg Life Expectancy: 13 yrs
Popularity in US: #133
Origin: Australia

Prepare for your heart to melt! Australian terriers are small purebred dogs known for their courageous, friendly, loyal, and social demeanor.

These dogs are well-suited for apartment living and don’t need a yard to be happy. They also shed minimally and are great with kids.

Tibetan Mastiff

Avg Life Expectancy: 12 yrs
Popularity in US: #129
Origin: Central Asia

The Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient dog breed originating from Central Asia. “Mastiff” roughly translates to “nomad dog,” and this pup was commonly a member of nomadic tribes, who used the breed to help guard herds of livestock.

If you’re planning on moving to the mountains anytime soon, this dog may be for you: the breed is accustomed to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Their giant fluffy faces will win your heart!

Norfolk Terrier

Avg Life Expectancy: 14 yrs
Popularity in US: #125
Origin: Europe and England

This adorable terrier is a small purebred known for being alert, friendly, and independent. These doggies are usually either black, tan, or red.

They are a little tough to train, but are highly adaptable to apartment-living and don’t need a yard.

Tibetan Spaniel

Avg Life Expectancy: 14 yrs
Popularity in US: #116
Origin: China

This spaniel is a small purebred known for being cheerful, independent, and quiet. They are only slightly active dogs, so if you’re not a super active person, this might be the right dog for you.

They are easy to train, shed minimally, and have cute little upturned noses that you’ll love.

American Eskimo Dog

Avg Life Expectancy: 13 yrs
Popularity in US: #114
Origin: United States & Germany

The American Eskimo Dog is a purebred medium dog known for its energetic, intelligent, protective, and friendly demeanor. All of these pups are either cream-colored or white.

This breed essentially looks like the dog-version of a white polar bear, and with all that fluff comes a bit of shedding. However, they make great watchdogs and are really good with kids.

Leonberger

multi-2 Avg Life Expectancy: 9 yrs
Popularity in US: #101
Origin: Germany

These dogs are giant purebreds known for being super cheerful, intelligent, and social. They are gentle giants, and are typically black & tan, brown, red, or yellow in color.

Although they shed quite a bit, they are easy to train and are great with kids!

Gordon Setter

Avg Life Expectancy: 11 yrs
Popularity in US: #97
Origin: United Kingdom

The Gordon setter is a large purebred dog known for being alert, loyal, and protective. They have beautiful shiny coats they are typically black, tan, and red.

They make unbelievably adorable puppies and are wonderful watchdogs as adults. They are also moderately easy to train, and good with kids.

Nova Scotia Duck Trolling Retriever

Avg Life Expectancy: 12 yrs
Popularity in US: #96
Origin: Canada

These gorgeous red retrievers are medium in size, and known for being affectionate, alert, energetic, and playful.

They are very low maintenance dogs, and although they don’t make great watchdogs (they might lick the burglar!) they are great with kids.

Norwich Terrier

Avg Life Expectancy: 14 yrs
Popularity in US: #94
Origin: United Kingdom

This purebred terrier is small in size and known for being affectionate, intelligent, and social. They are typically black, tan, or red in color, and shed their fur minimally.

They are highly adaptable dogs, making them excellent apartment companions, and pretty easy to train, too.

Keeshond

Avg Life Expectancy: 13 yrs
Popularity in US: #85
Origin: Germany and the Netherlands

The Keeshond is a medium-sized purebred dog known for being affectionate, playful, and alert. They are typically black, grey, silver, or white.

You will see very quick results when you train them, and they love to play with kids.

Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Avg Life Expectancy: 11 yrs
Popularity in US: #76
Origin: United Kingdom

The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is a medium purebred and relative of the more popular Pembroke Welsh Corgi (which has orange and white fur). The Cardigan breed is best known for being affectionate, intelligent, loving, and loyal.

These pups tend to be a mix of different colors— from black, to tan, gray, and red. They are very easy to train, low maintenance, and have adorably short legs.

Chow Chow

Avg Life Expectancy: 10 yrs
Popularity in US: #68
Origin: China

The Chow Chow just might be the chubbiest, fluffiest little pup on the market. These dogs are large purebreds that are known for being a little detached, intelligent, loyal, and quiet.

They aren’t the best with kids, but they are great watchdogs and only slightly active. So if you’re an indoors person who wants a fluffy, fun companion, this dog might be the one for you.