Ugly Dogs That Make Great Pets For Families [COMPLETE LIST]

In reality, beauty is relative to each person, so what is beautiful to one person might not be to another. It is the same with dogs; some dogs have an appealing appearance, and others do not; however, it depends on what is defined to be appealing. However, regardless of how unaesthetically pleasing a dog might be, some dog breeds still make a great family dog.

Some ugly dogs that make great family pets are The Chinese Crested, Xoloitzcuintli, Scottish Deerhound, Bedlington Terrier, Griffon Nivernais, Affenpinscher, Neapolitan Mastiff, Chihuahua, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Bull Terrier, Pug, Mexican Hairless, Bulldog, Puli, and Bloodhound.

Suppose a person’s definition of aesthetically pleasing is the facial features and body shape. In that case, some dogs meet these, and if it has to do with strength, qualities, and intelligence, there are also dogs in this category.

Ugly Dogs Breeds

Just as there are many cute dogs, equally many dogs fall in the category of “ugly dogs.” There is a World Ugliest Dog Contest, usually held in June, in California annually. At the end of the contest, the owner of the ugliest dog goes home with prizes.

The importance of this contest is to celebrate some of the imperfections in these dog breeds that make them look unique. Over time, the awareness and love of this contest have also made some of these dogs popular. We will look at some ugliest dog breeds in the world.

The Chinese Crested

A Chinese Crested dog has won the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest a couple of times. This dog comes in two varieties –hairless and powderpuff. The hairless is the most common and has hairs only on its face, ears, legs, and tail. On the other hand, the powderpuff has a full coat. They are friendly and good companion dogs.

A fully grown Chinese Crested dog could have a height of about 11 to 13 inches with a weight of about 5 to 12 pounds. In addition, they are not hypoallergenic; however, they shed at a very low rate. A Chinese Crested dog has a maximum life expectancy of about 10 to 13 years when properly cared for.

Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli, also known as the Mexican hairless dog, is a bald and ugly breed with little hair on the head. The Mexican hairless dog is a very good companion and a family dog. They are good at providing comfort for people who have arthritis or other illnesses. Xoloitzcuintli comes in three different sizes – toy, miniature, and standard.

Toy Xoloitzcuintli weigh about 10 to 15 pounds and are about 10 to 14 inches in height. Miniature Xoloitzcuintlis are about 14 to 18 inches tall and weigh 15 to 30 pounds. Standard Xoloitzcuintli have a height of about 18 to 23 inches and a weight of about 30 to 55 pounds when fully grown. The life span is an average of about 12 to 15 years.

Scottish Deerhound

The Scottish Deerhound was originally bred to hunt down deer, just as the name sounds. Seeing this dog, you would also agree it appears to be an ugly dog. It has a small pointy head with a medium-length scruffy coat type. Its coat could either be gray or gray brindle colored. This dog is very affectionate, friendly, and a great family dog.

The Scottish Deerhound has a life expectancy period of about 8 to 11 years when properly cared for. A fully grown male Scottish Deerhound could reach an average height of about 3o to 32 inches with a weight of about 85 to 110 pounds. The females could grow to a height of about 28 to 30 inches, with a weight of about 75 to 95 pounds.

Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier could easily be mistaken for a lamb due to its appearance. This dog has a narrow and pear-shaped head, round jaw, and slander muzzle and comes with a curly coat.

In addition, they are known to be playful, loyal, energetic, and great family dogs. A fully grown Bedlington Terrier can reach an average height of about 15 to 18 inches with a weight of about 17 to 23 pounds. Bedlington Terriers have a total life expectancy of about 11 to 16 years.

Griffon Nivernais

This is a medium-sized dog originally from France. The French dog has a long head and dropped ears with a grizzly and shaggy coat. This dog has a medium shedding rate; its coats should be brushed weekly to avoid getting tangled. When fully grown, a Griffon Nivernais could reach a height of 18 to 24 inches, with a weight of 50 to 55 pounds.

This dog is a great family dog; however, it tends to be more reserved when strangers are around. This dog breed is athletic, so it needs to exercise for about two hours daily to remain physically fit. A Griffon Nivernais dog breed could live for about 10 to 14 years when properly cared for.

Small Ugly Dogs

Regardless of how unaestestically pleasing a dog might appear, it still needs love. While some dog breeds are naturally ugly, others result from genetic mutation caused by crossbreeding. We will look at some small ugly dogs.

Pugs

Pugs have a squashed face and short nose, making them appear ugly. They were initially bred in China and were later taken to England. Pugs are squarely built, muscular, have drooping ears, and big heads. They are a great companion, affectionate, happy, and obedient dogs. A fully grown pug has an average height of about 10 to 11 inches, with a weight of about 14 to 18 pounds.

They have a very short coat and are known to shed a lot. Generally, pugs are usually healthy dogs. However, they are prone to health conditions like corneal ulcers, epilepsy, allergies, infections, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and walking dandruff. Pugs have a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years.

Affenpinscher

This dog originated from Germany and was initially bred for hunting rodents. Based on the German translation of this dog’s name, one could easily agree it is an ugly dog, as Affenpinscher means “monkey terrier” in German. This small-sized dog has an average height of about 9 to 12 inches and a weight of about 7 to 13 pounds.

It often comes in a black short-medium length coat. This dog has a great personality and could make a great family dog. The harsh, rough coat of the Affenpinscher gives it a monkey-like expression when it is not clipped. The coat appears to be shaggier around the head and shoulders of the dog, forming a mane.

Large Ugly Dogs

There are many ugly dogs worldwide; they are in different sizes; small, medium, and large. It is normal to assume that large dogs will be uglier than small ones. This might be true; however, there are still some that you will love.

Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan Mastiff dog breed is top of the list for large ugly dogs. In 2017, Martha, a Neapolitan Mastiff breed, won the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest award. These dogs have sad-looking faces, with large heads and floppy jowls. These dogs often drool a lot. Generally, they are affectionate, loyal, and great family dogs.

When fully grown, this dog could reach an average height of about 26 to 30 inches tall with a weight of about 110 to 150 pounds. Martha weighed about 125 pounds when she won the award in 2017.

Final Thoughts

When you think of it, ugly dogs are not horrifying to behold; what makes them ugly are their bodily and facial features. A little change can do a lot; some dogs are ugly because they lack hair; if they had hair, they would be pretty. Nevertheless, a dog’s looks do not stop it from being loved.

Also read: How To Tire Out My Dog