Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but some dog breeds are so elegant they look like they’ve been painted by one of the great masters.
Whether it’s the flowing long coat of the Irish setter, the iconic black and white markings of the Dalmatian or the perfectly neat face of the Cairn terrier, some dogs turn heads wherever they go. But beyond their elegant appearances, there are fascinating stories and origins behind some of these ancient dog breeds. Here, we look at some of the most beautiful dog breeds in the world – and what makes them so special.
Most beautiful dogs
Saluki
The Saluki is tall, elegant and sleek – a willowy supermodel of the dog world. This ancient sighthound is believed to date back at least 5,000 years, as images of slender dogs with similarly feathered ears and tails have been discovered on tomb paintings, mosaics and other archaeological finds. With its long legs and impressive endurance, the Saluki is also among the fastest dogs in the world.
Samoyed
The lush white coat (which reminds us of the beautiful Arctic fox) of the Samoyed was perfect for the harsh, cold climates of northwestern Siberia, where the Samoyed worked alongside the Samoyedic people.
But it’s also objectively just a stunning feature, paired with the perpetually contented expression the Samoyed seems to have, referred to as the “Sammy smile”. The Samoyed has ancient roots, with its ancestors originally used for herding reindeer and pulling slides over thousands of years.
Irish setter
The striking red coat of the Irish setter is long and flowing, which is set against the dog’s elegant build. With long, sinewy legs, the Irish setter moves in a graceful yet athletic way. They also have beautiful amber-coloured eyes, that give them a melancholy, expressive look.
Dalmatian
We needn’t say much here about why the Dalmatian is a beautiful dog – that iconic coat says it all. Its white coat marked with dark-coloured spots has made the breed intrinsically linked with the Disney hit film 101 Dalmatians, which put Dalmatians on the global stage. They've got loads of energy, which is why we included them on our round-up of the best dogs for active people, who enjoy lots of exercise.
Bearded collie
The shaggy coat of the bearded collie forms the signature beard on their chins, giving them a noble look. The large, expressive eyes of this herding dog peek out from behind their thick coat. The bearded collie is amng the rarest dogs in the UK.
Bernese mountain dog
The Bernese mountain dog is native to the canton of Bern in Switzerland, where it worked with the farmers as a drafting dog, its broad and muscular physique generating immense strength. This powerful body is hidden under a thick coat – and although it shares similarities with the other three varieties of Swiss mountain dog, it is the only one to have a long, silky coat.
These "gentle giants" of the dog world have fun-loving, enthusiastic personalities and are one of the best family dogs for those with children. However we also listed them among our top 10 unhealthiest dog breeds as they can be prone to health problems.
Weimaraner
This German breed has garnered the nickname “grey ghost”, due to its distinctive colouring of blue, grey or silver grey – and their stealthy approach to hunting and following a scent.
These gun dogs were developed in Germany by the Grand Duke Karl August as the perfect hunting dog.
Like other pointers, the Weimeraner is streamlined and well proportioned, with long, velvety ears. It is also among the biggest dog breeds in the world.
Akita
The largest breed in the utility group is the Akita, a muscular, beautiful, double-coated dog of ancient Japanese origins. Their dense coat comes in several colours, and they’re easily spotted thanks to their broad head and full, curled tail.
Cairn terrier
The foxy look of the Cairn terrier comes from alert ears and short, wide head. You’ll be familiar with the Cairn terrier if you’re a fan of the original 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, as a Cairn terrier named Terry played the role of Toto.
Siberian husky
The captivating ice-blue eyes of the Siberian husky will have you entranced (as will the blue eyes of the Australian shepherd, another blue-eyed beauty!).
They can sometimes have brown eyes though, and even one of each! They are an ancient breed, believed to have been working as sled dogs in the Siberian peninsula of northeast Asia over many thousands of years, in extreme climates. Their dense, majestic coats protect them against cold weather.