Everyone knows the tale of Beauty and the Beast, and how the story ends, but what happens
when the main characters are one and the same?
Well, take a look at our list of the ten most beautiful dog breeds and find out what happens
when beauty is the beast.
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10.
Shih Tzu
Let’s start our countdown with an adorable beast that’s named after another beast—
the Shih Tzu.
Shih Tzu means “lion dog” in Chinese and it’s easy to see why they were named after
the king of the jungle.
This toy breed has a stocky little frame, round face, big dark eyes and a thick, luxurious
double coat that looks like a mini version of a lion’s mane.
Shih Tzus come in an assortment of colors including varied shades of white, black, brown,
red, brindle, liver, gold, silver or parti—a combination of two or more colors.
Oddly, the coat color of those with black skin on their lips, nose and pads is the same
as their actual hair color, while the coat color of those with blue or liver skin is
determined by the skin pigment.
For example, a parti colored pup with a brown and gold coat and blue skin is categorized
as blue.
When it comes to grooming, a Shih Tzu’s “do” can be done any number of ways.
For owners that prefer a low maintenance style, a short, fluffy coif that can be dressed up
with a barrette or bow is a go-to choice.
Others may prefer a longer length that can be pinned up in a ponytail or topknot.
If their hair is a bit longer, your Shih Tzu furbaby can wear a different style every day
of the week featuring an assortment of accessories.
Without regular maintenance, a Shih Tzu’s lovely locks can become a matted mess.
Although they must be brushed and groomed regularly, particular attention must be paid
to their faces.
Shih Tzus are particularly susceptible to “tear stains,” bacterial growth caused
by the accumulation of tears on the fur, that results in matting or “stains.”
To keep your Shih Tzu’s facial hair healthy, it is crucial to keep your pup’s facial
hair cut short.
If he or she does get stains, you can use a hydrogen peroxide or over the counter stain
solution to remove them or add white cider vinegar to their drinking water.
This will change the pH of your dog’s tears and stop stains before they start.
9.
Siberian Husky
With a lush, double-coat, muscular frame, and piercing eyes, the Siberian Husky’s
regal, wolf-like appearance is the perfect balance of strength and beauty.
Their physical characteristics are a direct product of the area where they originated—Siberia.
Huskies have a thick, fluffy double coat consisting of a dense undercoat and a longer top coat
made up of short guard hairs that protects them against frigid, Arctic temps and releases
heat in warmer weather.
Siberian Huskies vary in colors and markings.
Common color combinations include black and white, red and white and grey and white, but
some are solid white.
While facial markings run the gamut and include spectacles, masks and other patterns.
They have an intense gaze that is further enhanced by their almond-shaped eyes.
Eye colors include brown, black, blue or particolored—which means each eye is a different color, like
those of the late, great David Bowie.
Huskies are heavy shedders, so they should be groomed at least twice a week.
During their shedding seasons (which occur in spring and fall) they should be groomed
every day.
Daily brushing and combing will prevent matting and allow the new coat to grow properly.
8.
Yorkshire Terrier
Next up on our list is the ever popular Yorkshire Terrier.
These cuties are the quintessential toy dogs.
For a breed that weighs in at no more than seven pounds, they are graced with cherubic
faces, gorgeous coats of steel blue and tan hair that are “to die for,” and more than
their fair share of attitude.
When it comes to grooming, you should pay special attention to the type of hair your
Yorkie has.
Most Yorkies have coats that are thick, silky and very much like human hair, but some have
double coats, coarse or fine hair—again very much like humans.
Be sure to choose shampoo, conditioner and styling tools suited for your best friend’s
hair type.
A Yorkie’s coat should be brushed once daily, twice if they have longer tresses.
Styling your canine’s hair will significantly up their “adorability” factor and allow
you to be creative, express their personality and set your pup apart from the rest.
Popular styles include the high ponytail, topknot, double ponytails (set above each
ear), and the close-cropped teddy bear cut.
Since bathing your furbaby too frequently could strip their coat of natural oils, you
should adhere to a strict bathing routine.
Yorkies that fluctuate between being inside and outside will likely require a weekly bath,
while those that never venture outside might only need a bath every 2 to 4 weeks.
Like Shih Tzus, Yorkies are also prone to getting tear stains, as are other toy breeds.
So refer to the tips mentioned above to prevent or remedy this condition.
7.
Alaskan Malamute
If you love a beautiful dog, have a heavy duty vacuum cleaner, and don’t mind hard
work, then the Alaskan Malamute is the dog for you.
The Malamute is a strong, sturdy, double-coated artic canine that is genetically similar to
breeds such as the Siberian Husky, Samoyed and Canadian Eskimo Dog.
Just like people, each Malamute has its own unique combination of traits.
Some are heavy framed, while others have a more delicate frame, and their odorless coats
can come in short and downy, long and woolly, or somewhere in between.
As a matter of fact, Malamute fur does not hold dirt and is so soft that you can donate
it to yarn shops and they will spin it into yarn.
Classic Mal color pairings include shades of black and white, grey and white, red and
white, sable and white, seal and white, and solid white.
Their tails are fluffy, full and curve elegantly over their backs in typical arctic breed fashion.
Bathing and grooming a Malamute takes time, patience—and a well-thought out plan.
A home bath is great if you have a washtub big enough to accommodate your 75 to 100 pound
pal.
But if you don’t, you can go to a professional groomer or a self-serve dog wash.
Since Mals have very thick coats, make sure to work the shampoo in so that it penetrates
the fur completely, then thoroughly rinse it out with warm water.
Next, shroud your buddy in towels and soak up as much moisture as possible.
Finally, grab an industrial strength dryer or blower to finish the job.
Before you start this necessary, but time-consuming task, be sure to clear your schedule…because
it’s gonna take a while.
Do you prefer to bathe your best friend, or do you take them to the groomer?
5.
Collie
Wanna know the truth about Lassie?
Well, here you go; Lassie wasn’t a lass…she was a lad.
But it was easy for movie studios to fake out the public because she, uh he, was a Collie—one
of the most beautiful dog breeds around.
There are several types of Collies including the smooth, rough, border and bearded Collies,
as well as the Welsh Sheepdog.
In this video we will be focusing on the Smooth Collie.
Collies are medium-sized, with small eyes and angular facial features, framed by a thick,
mane that looks rather angelic.
Their coats are long and swish with such body and volume, that when they move it is with
a lightness, as if they’re walking or running on air.
Coat colors come in various combinations of black, tan, white, red, sable, blue merle,
and sable merle.
Most Collies only need to be brushed once weekly, and twice a week during the shedding
season, which occurs in mid to late summer.
At the close of each day, check your Collie from head to toe and use a fine toothed comb
to remove ticks and debris.
To keep their fur silky and tangle-free, use a spray bottle to mist his or her fur with
water, then gently pick out any knots or mats.
If all else fails, use round-nosed scissors to trim the problem areas.
5.
Golden Retriever
It could be said that the Golden Retriever is the “golden child” of the canine world.
Beautiful on both the inside and outside, its sweet, gentle nature, intelligence and
easy trainability makes it one of the most sought-after service dogs around.
As their name implies, a Golden Retriever’s coat can fall anywhere on the spectrum of
shades from almost white, to dark gold.
Like most of the other breeds on our list, the Golden has a double coat that keeps it
warm in the winter, cool in the summer and repels water.
The fur of a Golden is thick, wavy, and should be brushed at least once a week to curb excessive
shedding.
Brushing will trap and remove loose hairs before they fall out and coat the entire house.
When grooming dogs with long coats, it is best to use a slicker brush.
This type of brush is covered with bare or rubber-tipped pins rather than bristles and
works great for penetrating mats.
Afterwards, use a bristle brush to smooth out their lovely locks.
4.
Samoyed (Maybe a clip of Agnes from “Despicable
Me” saying, “It’s so fluffy!!!”)
With its dense white double-layered coat, gorgeous mane, and fluffy tail, the stunningly
beautiful Samoyed could easily be mistaken for a giant powder puff.
Samoyed fur has a texture similar to angora and can be used for knitting as a wool substitute
or to make fly lures for fishing.
As with the Malamute, caring for your Samoyed’s coat will require lots of time and patience.
Brushing and bath time will depend on several factors including your dog’s environment,
activity and training, and weather conditions.
Samoyeds should be bathed at least twice yearly.
If your Samoyed hangs out in an area with no grass, then you will need to brush and
bathe him or her frequently.
One way to reduce the need for a bath is by washing their feet after outside play, and
rubbing their coat with a damp towel every day, then drying them with a Turkish towel.
When done immediately, this routine is also great for removing urine stains.
It is easier to keep a Samoyed clean in snowy weather.
Each time it snows, you can let them out for a “snow bath.”
When they roll around outside, the snow will rinse away any soil and debris that has accumulated.
A feature that is unique to Samoyeds are their “smiling” faces.
Their curved mouths give them a playful, friendly expression that is quite charming but serves
a purpose—stopping drool.
This function is very important to Sammies living in arctic climates, since any liquid—drool
included—almost instantly turns to icicles in below freezing temps.
3.
Dalmatian
Let’s face it.
Cruella DeVil may have been the most wicked Disney villain, but she had exquisite taste.
The Dalmatian is lean, poised and draped in a delightful cookies and cream coat.
Dalmatians are born with solid white coats, although spots are present on their skin.
In about three or four weeks, the first spots appear and they Like snowflakes, no two Dalmatians
are alike.
Each coat has a pattern of spots that is unique to that particular pup.
Their spots are usually black or brown, but can also come in rare colors like brindle,
blue, lemon, orange, mosaic or tricolored.
Do you think canines look better in patterns or solids?
Most Dalmatians have short coats with dense, fine hairs that are shed constantly, easily
penetrate fabric and are difficult to remove.
Those with long hair are less prone to shedding.
Markings aside, another unique Dalmatian trait is the small amount of oil in their coats,
helps them stay odor free and cleaner than most breeds.
They should be groomed on a regular basis, but are active participants in the process,
as they devote a considerable amount of time to licking and cleaning themselves.
If you have more than one Dalmatian, they will also groom each other.
2.
Afghan Hound
If you like a tall, leggy blonde, then the Afghan Hound is the dog for you.
This breed is the supermodel of the canine world.
From its slender muzzle, to long its long swan-like neck, to its fierce runway sashay,
the Afghan is always camera-ready.
Afghans have a sumptuous coat of fine, silky hair that floats about with their every move—it’s
basically the canine equivalent of a human hair flip—and although the most common coloring
is golden or blonde, they can come in white, black, red, brown, and every shade in between.
To keep your Afghan’s coat clean and healthy, a weekly bath is recommended.
It is important to make sure you shampoo, condition, and rinse the hair thoroughly.
Use your fingers or a rubber curry brush to penetrate the coat and work the shampoo in,
then rinse it out.
Apply the conditioner and rinse again, making sure all product residue is removed, then
towel dry.
Use a stand dryer to straighten the hair and achieve a smooth finish.
To avoid hair damage, an Afghan Hound should never be brushed when its coat is dry or dirty.
Honorable Mention - Poodle
Okay, we know you’re dying to know what our number one most beautiful dog breed is,
but we’re going to keep you wondering just a few seconds longer with our honorable mention,
the Poodle.
Poodles are the rock stars of our list.
I mean, come on, with those curls that can be shaped into virtually any hairdo, from
a Mohawk to a fro, we feel that it is our duty and obligation to honor this breed for
their willingness to sport these creative styles and give props to the people who groom
them.
Rock on Poodle dudes!
Irish Setter
Who says blondes have more fun?
Not us.
Our top spot belongs the Irish Setter.
Setters are smart, playful, affectionate, and undeniably stunning…everything a beautiful
dog should be.
The Irish Setter has a moderately long, double-layered coat made up of fur that is a rich, red or
chesnut color with natural feathering on the ears, chest, legs, tail and body.
They are a lean breed with a deep chest and small waist.
You should brush your Setter up to three or four times a week, following the grain of
the hair.
After brushing, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle the hair and get rid of any mats you may have
missed when brushing.
Every three months, use your finger and thumb to pluck excess hair on the head.
Use thinning scissors to thin dead hair on the body, ears, feet, hocks, and tail.
Bathe your buddy at least once or twice a month, depending on how and where they spend
their playtime and be sure to use a conditioner to replenish oils lost when shampooing.
Use a hand-held dryer to dry your dog’s coat, but be sure to keep the dryer in motion
to avoid burning the skin.
If you had to choose, which would you prefer…a smart pup or a beautiful one?
Well, I think it’s beautiful that you made it to the end screen.
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And as always catch ya next time.