French bulldog dog puppy on blue background.

What America's most popular dog breeds look like as puppies

Written by:
August 26, 2020
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What America's most popular dog breeds look like as puppies

Cats versus dogs. It's an age-old argument that has broken relationships, turned roommates against each other, and even spurred an . But even the most hardened cat enthusiasts can't deny there is one trump card in this classic debate: puppies. Competing head-to-head with babies for the top spot on the list of "cute things everyone loves," puppies bring an earnest playfulness to any room, as well as the capacity to transform a mediocre moment into something to smile about.

Interestingly, the extent to which we find dogs, and puppies, cute . Characteristics like large heads on small torsos, big round eyes, soft body parts, and propensity to stumble are universally cute; that's to say, the same harmless, childlike "cuteness factors" as the human babies we intrinsically care for. Another common perspective hold that dogs appear cute as an evolutionary response, so the more domesticated they became over time, the more they needed human care, and thus needed to trigger our cuteness receptors that make us nurture.

We can agree on, and perhaps fall victim to, the undeniable fact that black lab puppies (as pictured), French bulldogs and golden retrievers are extremely cute. But at least we can assure ourselves there is some science to it. Researchers at Duke University have taken that science a step further to research , enrolling 101 Labrador Retrievers in a Puppy Kindergarten in 2024 to study the unique behaviors of man's best friend.

To honor these sultans of sweetness, 麻豆原创 compiled photos of the American Kennel Club's 50 most popular dog breeds when they were just pups, using the released onApril 9, 2024. For good measure, we've also included details about what exactly these furbabies are like, from temperament and energy level to obedience.

But let's be honest, you didn't come here for our explanation. You came here for the puppies. So without further ado...

#50. Samoyed

These sled dogs are known for their , a feature they developed that keeps them from drooling and therefore having a face full of icicles, according to the AKC. But don't let that grin fool you鈥攁 Sammy puppy can get into mischief if left to its own devices without structure, love, and attention. 

#49. Portuguese聽water聽dog

Portuguese water dogs, bred as aids to fishermen in ice-cold water (rugged non-shedding, waterproof coat) are tireless activity fiends; from the time they are puppies they need ample exercise and stimulation鈥攂e it walking, running or, of course, swimming.  to expose your puppy to a range of sights, sounds, smells, people, and experiences. But don't worry, they can adjust to apartment life and grow up alongside your children. Just make sure there's a pool or lake nearby.

#48. Weimaraner

These pale-coated beauties are incredibly active puppies to bring into a home. They need exercise, and lots of it, to get out the high level of energy they carry. But they're also very loyal and will always want to be by their owner's side鈥攚hich can also mean separation anxiety that almost always translates into chewing for .

#47. Dalmatian

The Dalmatian was originally bred as a guard dog, built to stand watch for horses and coaches, so this breed has natural protective instincts, which can make them suspicious of strangers. That's why it's important to as possible, according to the AKC. "If he understands that new places and people are nothing to be afraid of, it will not only make his life happier but will make life with him much easier for you," the organization says.

Dalmatians are also quite sensitive so reward-based training (as opposed to punishment-based) is key for getting the best results out of your pup.

#46. Shiba聽Inu

Keep your on a leash as often as possible until it's trained鈥攖hese guys love to chase after what they think is prey and are very fast runners. The puppies also need a bit more socialization than other dogs, so consider getting one if your kids aren't too young.

#45. Papillon

This toy breed may be one of the tiniest ones out there, but its massive ears help the Papillon (French for butterfly) stand out. These dogs may look dainty, but they're also very athletic and can dominate on agility courses. Papillons are  and socialization is key for them, both with their humans and other dogs. 

#44. Bichon聽Frise

 is a breed best for families with active kids or people who have a lot of time to spend with a puppy. These dogs require a lot of playtime. The puppies are high-energy and always looking for a fun time. They're also easy to train, so playtime could be used to teach them new tricks.

#43. West聽Highland聽white聽Terrier

Westies , as they're bred to alert owners to something suspicious鈥攅ven if that something is as small as a bug. But because they're easy to train (ideally with the clicker method), that can be eliminated quickly. Housetraining is almost never an issue, either.

#42. Newfoundland

From the time they're born, are loving, attached, family dogs. They want to be a constant companion. Pups can develop severe separation anxiety, so be sure to spend time with them at home or out exploring.

#41. Rhodesian聽ridgeback

It can be pretty difficult to train . They're bred as hunting dogs and will set their sights on something and go after it without notice of what's around them鈥攍ike cars, people, or yards. But if you make them feel like a part of the family pack when they're young, they'll grow up to be loyal and loving family dogs.

#40. Collie

The television show "Lassie," starring a full-coated rough collie, made this breed a star. Still used on farms for their admirable herding skills, the breed has also found its way into the living rooms and hearts across the country. Standard collie puppies are easy to train, get along with other animals and people alike, and are eager to please. Just tamp down on their penchant for barking early on.

#39. English聽cocker spaniel

The happy, affectionate, long-eared English cocker spaniels are excellent companion dogs. They need plenty of exercise as puppies, since they are extremely energetic as they mature. Though they can be difficult to train, the key is providing enough playtime and walks鈥攆rom as young as nine weeks old until one year, at which point they can join you on jogs.

#38. Mastiff

As adults, are enormous, sometimes hitting 200 pounds. That massive weight means they need to be friendly, and so the puppies need to be socialized to both new people and new places regularly. Otherwise, the guard dog roots come out鈥攅ven though the puppies will rarely bark.

#37. Maltese

are some of the easiest to train, but can easily charm owners into allowing undesirable behavior. They're very loyal and love to be around their people. But clumsy puppies need to be watched, as Malteses, in particular, are prone to head and neck injuries.

#36. Pug

Aside from having completely adorable smashed faces, are also gentle, friendly, and eager to please. They make excellent playmates for young children. That said, the puppies are opinionated and can be difficult to train.

#35. Vizsla

Get ready to have a constant companion with a . The dogs were bred to work together with their humans, so they become attached very fast. They need a lot of exercise and will want to do it with their person every time.

#34. Basset聽Hound

Basset hounds , but have a few problem traits that need to be overcome with careful training early on. This dog breed loves to bark and loves to dig. Basset puppies react best to positive reinforcement during training.

#33. Belgian聽Malinois

Police forces love dogs because of their desire to work and ability to be trained, both qualities that emerge when the dogs are puppies. They also have a lot of stamina and a strong chase drive, that sometimes can never be trained away.

#32. Chihuahua

Thanks to a small size, trainability, and a big personality, are great for apartment dwellers and first-time dog owners. Because the puppies are so small, though, homes with very young children might end up with an injured dog.

#31. Border聽collie

Often said to be some of the smartest dogs around, border collies  from birth. Even puppies will try to corral family members and other pets鈥攕omething that can become out of control if it's not properly controlled with training and exercise. They're also particularly sensitive to noise, so puppies might need extra attention during storms or fireworks shows.

#30. Cocker spaniel

Ever the curious dog, are always on the hunt to experience new things. Put them on a leash and walk them a couple of times a day鈥攖hey're a sporting breed and need the exercise, plus it'll satiate their curiosity. The puppies are affable, great with kids, and easy to train.

#29. Miniature聽American聽shepherd

Start training the in traditional dog sports at a young age, and the pup's intelligence will likely turn him or her into an award-winner. The puppies are eager to learn, intelligent, hard workers, and incredibly loyal.

#28. Brittany

Active families are the best choice for . They're incredibly easy to train, but do need a lot of time outdoors because they love participating in group activities that stimulate them physically and mentally.

#27. English聽springer spaniel

are gorgeous, but require a lot of work to train. If they aren't constantly stimulated, they resort to tearing apart the house or chasing other critters as they're able. They are also independent and can get into a lot of trouble outside, so keep an eye on that puppy as often as possible.

#26. Shetland聽Sheepdog

may need a bit more socialization than other dog breeds to get them used to unknown people and places, and unexpected noises and movements. They can be a bit high-strung or anxious, especially when left alone for long periods of time without physical or mental stimulation.

#25. Havanese

dogs are bred to be companions, and nothing else鈥攁nd the puppies are sweet enough to show that trait off. They are cheerful, silly, and absolutely love to snuggle. But that means they can have ample separation anxiety issues as well.

#24. Siberian聽husky

The energy level and excitement of last all the way from puppyhood to adulthood. Because of that, huskie pups aren't always the best for first-time owners; they need a lot of attention, exercise, and patient training.

#23. Boston聽Terrier

have delightful silly personalities that come out almost immediately after they're born. The puppies are watchful over people they love and eager to please. They're also incredibly intelligent and easy to train to do all sorts of fun tricks.

#22. Pomeranian

Crate training is the best option for , who are notoriously difficult to housetrain. They also bark a lot but are incredibly loving with an independent streak.

#21. Bernese聽mountain聽dog

As good-natured, quirky dogs, have a great temperament for families with kids. The puppies are patient, but also need a job to do鈥攚hether that's hiking with their owners outdoors or carrying toys around with the children鈥攊n order to feel fulfilled.

#20. Shih聽Tzu

were bred to be the dogs of royalty in Chin, and specifically meant to be lapdogs (even "shih tzu" means "lion.") The puppies now love basically everyone they encounter. They're particularly easy to train, as well.

#19. Great聽Dane

Great Danes 鈥攍arge enough to be the world's tallest dogs. Dane puppies need a moderate amount of exercise but with a lot of space to handle their clumsy loping. From puppyhood, they're gentle lapdogs and will always be a loving presence in the home.

#18. Boxer

Another breed with a somewhat smashed face,  a lot of snoring, snorting, and drooling. The dogs grow to be quite large and need plenty of daily exercise while young to reel in their high energy levels. This breed loves to be around people, so boxer puppies will do well in a home with lots of family members.

#17. Miniature聽schnauzer

Like most terriers, have big personalities and active minds. Puppies need to be trained with lots of positive reinforcement鈥攑unishment can depress them. Use a lot of treats and vary your puppy's activities, since these little ones have pretty short attention spans and always want to do something different.

#16. Cane聽corso

Born and bred as a guard dog, the will likely never welcome other people into your home, even as a puppy. They need to be trained, trained, and trained some more to understand what is and isn't a threat. The puppies need lots of love so they know who the family members are, and they need extra-strong toys to help with a major personality trait: chewing.

#15. Doberman聽pinscher

These dogs are very easy to train, making them well suited to police and guard dog work. But also love their families and are extremely affectionate. As puppies, dobies are very active and need a lot of exercise.

#14. Cavalier聽King聽Charles聽spaniel

More than many other dog breeds, need human attention. Puppies especially will get massive separation anxiety and bark because of it. They also distract easily, which may make it a bit harder to train them.

#13. Yorkshire聽Terrier

These tiny terriers love to run and chase after things, so keep your on a leash at all times until properly trained. Otherwise, the puppies don't need a lot of exercise thanks to their small size. They can be quite difficult to housetrain, though.

#12. Australian聽Shepherd

are born as herders and will grow old as herders. From puppyhood, they want to make sure everything is in a nice organized spot, and can even be trained to herd young family members. They're incredibly focused on their tasks; and while puppies are known to be flighty, Aussies stick to the work they're doing.

#11. Pembroke聽Welsh聽corgi

The small but sturdy corgi , very smart, and fiercely loyal. Early training will help with socialization: Corgi puppies bark more than other dogs and can show aggression to unknown animals and people. 

#10. German聽shorthaired pointer

bond firmly with and stick to members of the family. They also immeasurable amounts of energy and need to get lots of exercise鈥攕o get them outside into nature for physical activities that can help tire them out.

#9. Rottweiler

Many people are afraid of thanks to a bad (and incorrect) reputation, so be sure to to avoid aggression and possessiveness. They're highly active animals, and as puppies they will expect you to endlessly play fetch and wrestle.

#8. Beagle

Notorious for being stubborn, single-minded, and noisy, beagles are nevertheless . Puppies need to be kept on a leash; they'll chase anything with a unique smell. You'll need to do some fairly intense training, too鈥攖he mischievous pups love to make trouble in the home.

#7. Bulldog

Sweet,  from birth. The puppies love to snuggle, especially with kids鈥攁nd they are known for snoring and snorting while their owners are trying to sleep through the night.

#6. Dachshund

Dachsund puppies, often called , are clever and motivated by food鈥攕o much so that the breed is prone to obesity. They're known for a trademark silly smile and accept everyone, and everything, in the home as a part of their pack.

#5. Poodle

Poodle puppies . A lot. They spent most of the day snoozing (don't worry, they grow out of it), and then have a ton of energy when they're awake鈥攕o expect to spend ample waking moments playing together.

#4. German聽shepherd

German shepherd puppies  in a family very quickly, and make that person their person. When not around that person, they can be shy or anxious. And be careful with small children鈥攁lthough they're great family dogs, German shepherd puppies playfully bite鈥攁nd frequently.

#3. Golden retriever

This is one of the most common breeds of family dogs, known for being great with children and loyal companions who care carefully for their humans. Golden retriever puppies  but need a lot of exercise every day and should always be kept on a leash.

#2. Labrador retriever

Labrador retrievers traditionally , and the dogs today still love to have a job. With a new puppy, give it something to do鈥攅ither through exercise or training鈥攁nd will be a happy lab. They are loyal, sweet, easy to train, and excellent family dogs.

#1. French聽bulldog

Often confused for Boston terriers, French bulldogs  to train but probably an equal amount of silly. The puppies love to play, though they prefer to laze on the couch. They're also stubborn and won't give up until they get their way (or that piece of toast they're coveting).

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