10 Funniest Dog Breeds in the World
The funniest dog breeds, split into funny-looking dogs like the mop-corded Puli and egg-headed Bull Terrier and goofy personalities like the Boxer and Husky, with a photo of every breed.
A black Puli running through a sunlit meadow with its corded coat flying.
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The funniest dog breeds come in two flavors: the funniest-looking dog breeds, like the mop-corded Puli, the mostly hairless Chinese Crested and the egg-headed Bull Terrier, and the breeds with the goofiest personalities, like the Boxer, the Siberian Husky and the Pug. Here is my own completely biased ranking of both, with a photo of every dog on the list.
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Quick Answer: The Funniest Dog Breeds at a Glance
So, what is the funniest dog breed? On looks alone, my vote goes to the corded Puli, a Hungarian herder that resembles a mop that learned to run. On behavior, the clownish Boxer takes the prize, because few dogs commit to a bit the way a Boxer does, wiggling its whole back end and bouncing sideways across the yard. If you want the funniest dog in the world in one package, you are choosing between a funny face and a funny personality, and both lists below are worth a look.
Plenty of people search for the world's funniest dogs expecting one winner, but funny dog breeds really split into those two camps. My wife still argues that the Pug belongs on top of the looks list. She is wrong, but she has a point: flat-faced breeds straddle both camps.
- 1The funniest-looking dog breeds: Puli, Chinese Crested, Bergamasco, Xoloitzcuintli, Neapolitan Mastiff, Brussels Griffon, Bedlington Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Bull Terrier and Dachshund
- 2The goofiest personalities: Boxer, Siberian Husky, French Bulldog, Pug, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- 3Funny looks often come with real care needs: corded coats, hairless skin and flat faces all ask more of an owner
- 4Every breed below gets its own photo so you can judge the funny for yourself
Wondering whether your own shaggy or long-bodied mutt has one of these comedians in the family tree? A DNA kit such as the Embark Breed & Health Dog DNA Test Kit reports breed ancestry, which is a fun way to find out where the goofy genes came from.
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The Funniest-Looking Dog Breeds
Let's face it: there are some very weird-looking dogs out there. If you have ever typed "dog with weird face" into a search bar, or wondered which funny looking dogs deserve the title of stupid looking dogs (I say that with love), this is the list for you. These are my top 10 funniest dog breeds on looks, ranked from the dog that makes me laugh hardest to the one that merely makes me grin. Each one is funny for a specific reason: a coat, a face, a head shape or a body shape.
Some of these unusual dogs also turn up whenever people argue about the ugliest dog or the weirdest dog in the world. I think "ugly" misses the point: a weird face is part of the charm, and every breed here has a devoted fan club. People searching for "the most funniest dog pictures" (grammar teachers, look away) are usually hunting for exactly these cute strange looking dogs, so each breed below comes with its own photo.
1. Puli
Check out those dreadlocks! The corded Puli coat hangs in mop-like cords that swing when the dog runs, so a Puli at full speed looks like an animatronic dirty mop on a mission. It is a Hungarian herding breed, and the American Kennel Club describes it as agile, smart and devoted to its family.
- Why it's funny: A coat of dense cords that hides the eyes and hangs to the ground.
- Traits: Fast, agile, headstrong and loyal.
- Cousin alert: It resembles the much larger Komondor, another corded Hungarian guardian.
Those cords do not brush out; they are separated by hand and take a long time to dry after a bath. For the details, read the full Puli profile. The Puli easily takes the top spot. Next!
2. Chinese Crested
You have probably seen a head-turning Chinese Crested in the famous "ugly dog" contests. The hairless Chinese Crested has bare skin on the body, with silky hair on the head crest and socks and a plume on the tail, so some look like they are wearing a mohawk and others look like Robert Smith from The Cure. There is also a fully coated Powderpuff variety. Hairless and low-shedding breeds also turn up on WebVet's list of hypoallergenic dog breeds, with the caveats vets attach to the label.
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- Why it's funny: Bare skin, wild head crest and socks, and a flag of a tail.
- Traits: Affectionate, alert and happiest glued to its person.
- Pop culture: If you love the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days as much as my wife does, you'll recognize Krull the dog as a Chinese Crested.
The breed standard is far more elegant than the extreme contest dogs. Read the full Chinese Crested profile to meet the real breed.
3. Bergamasco
Coming in third is another mop dog. The Bergamasco is an Italian Alps sheepdog whose felted grey coat forms flat, matted flocks, which are wide mats of hair that layer down the body like shingles. Coat colors run from grey and merle shades to solid black.
- Why it's funny: Bergamasco matted flocks make the dog look like a walking felt rug.
- Traits: Calm, patient and watchful, a true working herder.
Read the full Bergamasco profile for how those flocks form over the first few years.
4. Xoloitzcuintli
The Xolo, Mexico's hairless breed, is not only funny looking but also one of the oldest breeds in the Americas. A hairless Xoloitzcuintli has a wrinkled brow and bat ears that make it look permanently concerned. There is also a coated variety, and the breed comes in toy, miniature and standard sizes.
- Why it's funny: Smooth bare skin, big upright ears and a thoughtful frown.
- Traits: Calm, loyal and watchful with strangers.
- Legend: The breed is tied to ancient Mexican cultures, including the Aztecs, and folklore credited it with healing warmth. Treat that as legend, not medicine.
Bare skin means sunscreen in summer and a coat in cold weather. For a standard Xolo, an insulated layer like the Frisco Insulated Dog & Cat Jacket works on chilly walks; size it by chest girth, not by breed. Read the full Xoloitzcuintli profile for more.
5. Neapolitan Mastiff
This poor pooch, with its massive Neapolitan Mastiff wrinkles and heavy drooping jowls, looks like something out of a Salvador Dali painting. That earns it a cozy spot in my top 5.
- Why it's funny: Skin that seems two sizes too big, plus serious drool.
- Traits: Devoted, watchful and surprisingly gentle at home.
- Big dog energy: It also appears on our list of the 10 biggest dog breeds in the world.
Breed lore links its ancestors to the war dogs of ancient Rome, which is a good reminder not to let the saggy face fool you. Read the full Neapolitan Mastiff profile.
6. Brussels Griffon
With its fuzzy Brussels Griffon beard and pushed-in monkey face, this toy pup could well have inspired the Grinch. Some people insist the Brussels Griffon looks like a little monkey, but I would save that comparison for the Affenpinscher, whose name literally means "monkey terrier" in German.
- Why it's funny: A bearded, almost human expression that reacts to everything.
- Traits: Bold, curious and deeply attached to one person.
Read the full Brussels Griffon profile.
7. Bedlington Terrier
Is this a dog or a lamb on a leash? The lamb-like Bedlington has a woolly coat, a pear-shaped head, an arched back and tasseled ears (when groomed that way). It is a low-shedding coat, but that fluff needs regular brushing and trims to stay lamb-shaped rather than tangled.
- Why it's funny: A terrier dressed as a sheep.
- Traits: Affectionate and mellow indoors, fast and gutsy outdoors.
- History: It was bred in Northumberland, England, to hunt vermin, which is hard to believe once you see the haircut.
For between-trim brushing, a slicker brush such as the aumuca Self Cleaning Slicker Brush helps keep a Bedlington's woolly coat from matting. Read the full Bedlington Terrier profile.
8. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
With a long low body, short little legs and the famous Dandie Dinmont topknot, a silky pouf on top of the head, these rare terriers can certainly bring chuckles.
- Why it's funny: A dachshund-length body wearing a powder-puff hat.
- Traits: Dignified, independent and affectionate.
- Name fact: The breed takes its name from a character in Sir Walter Scott's 1815 novel Guy Mannering.
Rare is the right word: the UK Kennel Club lists the Dandie Dinmont as a Vulnerable Native Breed because so few puppies are registered each year. Read the full Dandie Dinmont Terrier profile.
9. Bull Terrier
These egg heads were made famous by the Spuds MacKenzie beer commercials of the late 1980s, and decades later they are still funny. The egg-shaped Bull Terrier head is almost flat on top and slopes down to an awesome schnoz, with small triangular eyes set deep in it. It kind of reminds me of a 1963 Ford Thunderbird.
- Why it's funny: No other breed has that head, and it moves with a jaunty, clownish gait.
- Traits: Playful, mischievous and very people-focused.
Read the full Bull Terrier profile.
10. Dachshund
My list wouldn't be complete without nearly everyone's favorite, the wiener dog, punchline of too many jokes to count. The long-bodied Dachshund, with its short legs and floppy ears, has starred in countless cartoons, and a striped Dachshund named Waldi was the official mascot of the 1972 Munich Olympics, the first official Olympic mascot, according to Olympics.com.
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- Why it's funny: A hot dog body on tiny legs, with big-dog confidence.
- Traits: Playful, brave and famously stubborn.
That long back is also the breed's weak spot, so owners use ramps instead of letting them leap off furniture. Read the full Dachshund profile.
The Goofiest Dog Breeds by Personality
What breed of dog is goofy? The goofy dog breeds below earn their spot through behavior, not bone structure. These are the dogs with the funniest personalities: the ones that play bow at strangers, talk back, sploot on cold floors and turn a walk into a comedy routine. Big goofy dog breeds like the Boxer, Labrador and Golden stay puppy-silly for years, while small clowns like the Pug and French Bulldog deliver their silliness in a compact package. If you want a clown dog breed, look for high sociability and a playful streak rather than a funny face.
The silliest dogs are rarely the ones with the strangest looks. They are the quirky dogs that do ridiculous things on purpose, and every owner of a ridiculous dog has a story about the funniest dogs behaving badly: the stolen sock parade, the dramatic flop at the vet's door, the zoomies at 10 p.m.
- Pugs and French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, which means flat-faced breathing problems are common in these breeds, along with heat sensitivity. Avoid hard exercise in warm weather, watch for loud or labored breathing, and ask your veterinarian about airway checks before and after you bring one home.
Boxer: The Funniest Boxer Dog Is a Full-Time Clown
Ask any owner which dog is the funniest boxer dog ever and you will get a story about their own. Boxers are called the clowns of the dog world for good reason: the classic Boxer play bow, followed by the "kidney bean" wiggle where the dog curls its whole body into a C shape, is pure slapstick. Add an open-mouthed Boxer grin and a habit of hopping on the back legs to "box" at toys, and you have a dog that entertains the family all day.
- Why it's funny: Bouncy, wiggly and endlessly expressive.
- Traits: Playful, loyal, patient with kids and slow to grow up.
- Energy check: Boxers need real daily exercise and play, or the comedy turns into chewed furniture.
A tough rubber toy they can stuff with treats, like the KONG Classic Dog Toy, gives that clown something to do between shows. Learn more in our Boxer breed profile.
Siberian Husky: The Funniest Husky Is a Talker
The funniest husky is almost always the loudest one. Siberian Huskies are not big barkers, but they howl, yodel, "woo" and argue back, which is why husky mid-howl videos are an internet staple. Tell a husky it is bath time and you may get a full paragraph of complaints, delivered with blue eyes and raised muzzle.
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- Why it's funny: Dramatic vocal "conversations" and theatrical tantrums.
- Traits: Friendly, outgoing, independent and famous escape artists.
- Reality check: Bred to pull sleds for miles, huskies need a lot of exercise and a secure fence.
Search for something like "the funniest and cutest husky compilation of 2018" and you will find hours of huskies refusing to come inside, "talking" to their owners and throwing tantrums over bath time. Those clips are not staged much; that is simply how the breed communicates. That independence is part of the joke and part of the challenge. Read our Siberian Husky breed profile before you fall for the drama.
French Bulldog
French Bulldog bat ears and a flat-faced grin give this breed a built-in comic look, and its personality matches. Frenchies are easygoing, affectionate and happy to perform zoomies, snorts and head tilts for an audience.
- Why it's funny: Satellite-dish ears and a sideways trot.
- Traits: Adaptable, playful and a good fit for apartments.
Read our French Bulldog breed guide.
Pug
Pugs are small in size but big in personality. A wrinkled Pug face, bulging eyes and a curled Pug tail combine with a charming, attention-loving nature. They snort, snuffle and snore their way through the day, which is funny until you remember why.
- Why it's funny: A face full of wrinkles and a soundtrack of snorts.
- Traits: Affectionate, playful and a born lap dog.
Those noises are linked to the breed's shortened airway; our look at brachycephalic breathing in Pugs explains the trade-off. See our Pug breed guide too.
Labrador Retriever
Labs are one of the most popular breeds in America and one of the goofiest. A Labrador carrying a toy, any toy, to greet every visitor is standard behavior, and a wet muddy Labrador after "just one" pond visit is a rite of passage.
- Why it's funny: Clumsy enthusiasm and a mouth that must hold something.
- Traits: Friendly, outgoing and eager to please.
Read our Labrador Retriever breed profile.
Golden Retriever
Goldens are gentle, but they have a goofy side that never quite grows up. A Golden Retriever tongue out, mid-sploot on grass, is basically the breed's official portrait, and many stay playful well into their senior years.
- Why it's funny: Big, soft and constantly delighted.
- Traits: Friendly, patient and devoted to games.
Read our Golden Retriever breed guide.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The corgi sploot, back legs stretched flat behind the body, might be the funniest pose in dogdom. Add stubby legs and a fluffy rear, and even a Corgi walking away from you is entertaining. These herders are also bossy, vocal and clever.
- Why it's funny: Big-dog attitude on a loaf-shaped body.
- Traits: Smart, alert and affectionate, with a herder's urge to boss people around.
Read our Pembroke Welsh Corgi profile.
Goofy, Naughty, or Just Hard to Train?
What's the naughtiest breed of dog? There is no scientific answer, because "naughtiest" is an owner-poll label, not a behavior measure. Polls and owner surveys tend to name high-energy, clever, independent breeds, and several are in this article: the Siberian Husky, Dachshund, Bull Terrier and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Huskies escape fences, Dachshunds dig and ignore commands they know perfectly, and Bull Terriers and Corgis invent their own games when nobody gives them a job. "Naughty" in these polls means mischief, not aggression. It usually reflects a smart, active dog that is bored and under-exercised, so the fix is almost always more exercise, more mental work and consistent training, not a different breed.
- Goofy: Silly on purpose, like a Boxer's wiggle or a Corgi's sploot.
- Naughty: Bored and creative, like a husky rerouting your fence.
- Hard to train: Independent breeds bred to work on their own, which is not the same as dim.
Curious which breed has the lowest IQ, or which is the most untrainable? That debate lives in our guide to the so-called dumbest dog breeds, which explains why independent breeds score low on obedience without being dim.
Funny Dog Breed Names and How to Say Them
Some dog breeds with funny names are funnier than the dogs themselves. The funniest dog breed names tend to be long, borrowed from another language or named after a person. Here is a quick pronunciation of hard breed names from this list:
- Xoloitzcuintli: "show-low-eetz-KWEENT-lee," usually shortened to Xolo ("SHOW-low").
- Puli: "POO-lee." The plural is Pulik.
- Bergamasco: "berg-ah-MAHS-ko," named for Bergamo in northern Italy.
- Dandie Dinmont: "DAN-dee DIN-mont," after a fictional farmer, which may be the funniest origin story of all.
- Affenpinscher: "AH-fen-pin-sher," literally "monkey terrier."
If you like funny dog breed names, there are plenty more tongue-twisters out there. Our full guide to weird dog breed names and how to say them covers the rest, from Schipperke to Lagotto Romagnolo.
What Makes a Dog Breed Funny? Looks vs. Antics
What makes a dog breed funny comes down to four things: coat, face, gait and behavior. The funniest dog traits on the looks list are physical, while the funniest dog habits on the personality list are behavioral, and that difference matters when you pick one of the funniest pets to own. A funny coat means grooming time; a funny face can mean breathing or skin care; funny behavior means energy.
Here is the looks versus antics split with named breeds for each:
- Looks: Puli, Chinese Crested, Bergamasco, Xoloitzcuintli, Neapolitan Mastiff, Brussels Griffon, Bedlington Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Bull Terrier and Dachshund.
- Antics: Boxer, Siberian Husky, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
- Both: French Bulldog and Pug, whose flat faces and clownish habits land them in either camp.
The table below lists every ranked breed with the source of the humor and what it takes to live with one.
| Breed | Source of the humor | What it takes to live with one |
|---|---|---|
| Puli | Coat: corded mop | Hand-separating cords, long drying time after baths |
| Chinese Crested | Coat: mostly hairless, crest and socks | Sunscreen, skin care and a sweater in cold weather |
| Bergamasco | Coat: felted flocks | Flock separation while young, long drying time |
| Xoloitzcuintli | Coat and face: hairless, frowning brow | Sun and skin care, warmth in winter |
| Neapolitan Mastiff | Face: wrinkles and jowls | Wrinkle cleaning, drool towels, space for a giant |
| Brussels Griffon | Face: bearded, pushed-in | Beard cleaning, heat caution for a short muzzle |
| Bedlington Terrier | Coat and shape: lamb look | Regular brushing and professional trims |
| Dandie Dinmont Terrier | Shape: long body, topknot | Back care, coat trimming, finding a rare breeder |
| Bull Terrier | Face: egg-shaped head | Firm training and plenty of play |
| Dachshund | Shape: long body, short legs | Ramps and back protection, patient training |
| Boxer | Behavior: bouncy clown | Daily exercise and play, heat caution |
| Siberian Husky | Behavior: talking, escaping | Lots of running, secure fencing, heavy shedding |
| French Bulldog | Face and behavior | Breathing and heat limits, short walks |
| Pug | Face and behavior | Breathing and heat limits, weight control |
| Labrador Retriever | Behavior: toy-carrying goof | Exercise and swimming, portion control |
| Golden Retriever | Behavior: forever puppy | Exercise, brushing, lots of company |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | Shape and behavior: sploot | Herding energy, weight control for that long back |
In short, the looks breeds cost grooming and care time, and the personality breeds cost energy. Pick the kind of funny you can keep up with.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Many are, but the funny feature often carries a care need. Hairless breeds need hairless skin and sun care, including sunscreen and warmth in winter. Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs are prone to brachycephalic breathing problems, and long-backed breeds need back protection. Research breed-specific health screening, buy from a breeder who tests, and keep regular veterinary checkups.
Many do, but match the breed to your household. Look at energy level first: Boxers, Labs, Goldens and Huskies need lots of daily exercise, while Pugs and French Bulldogs are calmer. Then weigh grooming time, since corded and woolly coats take hours each month. Always supervise young children with any dog, whatever the breed.
Yes. The contest ran for decades at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California, and is now held at the Sonoma County Fair, where it marked its 50th anniversary in 2026. Chinese Crested winners and Chinese Crested mixes took many past titles; the 2026 winner was Jinny Lu, a rescued Pug. The contest promotes adoption and celebrates dogs' imperfections.
References
- American Kennel Club. "Dog Breeds." https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/
- The Kennel Club (UK). https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/
- Royal Veterinary College. "VetCompass." https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass
- Sonoma County Fair. "World's Ugliest Dog Contest." https://sonomacountyfair.com/pages/ugly-dog-contest
- Olympics.com. https://www.olympics.com/
Dave Baker is a journalist and editor who has worked at The New York Times and The Nation magazine. He was also part of the 2006 Pulitzer Prize–winning team at The Times-Picayune newspaper of New Orleans. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, he moved to Brooklyn, New York, where Petful is now based. A longtime advocate for pet food safety, Dave tracked pet food recalls for nearly 15 years.
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