Surprise Winner: This Dog Breed Is Scientifically the Most Beautiful

Using the ‘golden ratio’ — a mathematical formula that determines aesthetic beauty — experts have named the most beautiful dog breed in the world. And the winner might not be who you think!

While many might expect popular breeds like the Golden Retriever or the Poodle to take the top spot, neither made it into the top ten.

Instead, the Cairn Terrier emerged victorious, scoring an impressive 88.7% on the golden ratio scale.

How the Golden Ratio Works

The golden ratio is a formula that has long been used to determine beauty, from architecture to human faces.

Celebrities like Zendaya, Bella Hadid, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have all been named among the world’s most beautiful people based on their proximity to the ideal proportions of this ratio.

The same principles were applied to measure the facial and physical proportions of popular dog breeds.

Top 10 Most Beautiful Dog Breeds According to Science

The rankings, conducted by money.co.uk, show the breeds that came closest to the golden ratio:

1. Cairn Terrier – 88.7%
2. West Highland White Terrier – 87.5%
3. Border Collie – 86.7%
4. Rhodesian Ridgeback – 86.0%
5. Welsh Terrier – 85.9%
6. Weimaraner – 85.6%
7. Tolling Retriever – 85.0%
8. Italian Greyhound – 84.9%
9. Norfolk Terrier – 84.3%
10. Pembroke Welsh Corgi – 83.9%

While the top ten might include some surprises, the study also showed which breeds didn’t fare as well, with the Shih Tzu, Bulldog, and Rottweiler ranking lower on the golden ratio scale.

Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder

Pet insurance expert Salman Haqqi from money.co.uk emphasized that while the rankings are fun, every dog is beautiful in its own way.

“Regardless of the ranking position of a dog’s breed, every dog—no matter its shape or size—should be appreciated,” he said.

Haqqi also added a practical reminder:

“One of the most important ways to care for any dog is to make sure it is fully insured so that any unforeseen expenses can be easily taken care of, allowing you and your pets to enjoy your time together without worry.”

Our team may have used AI to assist in the creation of this content, which has been reviewed by our editors.