A dog’s nose can be pure art, and also pure magic.
Some noses are long, sleek, and sharp like a perfect little arrow. Others are short, soft, and squishy like a tiny, warm button. And here’s the best part! Every nose shape has a story behind it.
A dog’s nose is not just “cute.” It helps with breathing, cooling down, and sniffing the world like a living search engine. Dogs have scent glands, wet noses that trap smells, and a brain built to read odor trails like we read texts.
But wait, there’s more! Nose shape also connects to what a breed was made to do. Fast runners often have longer heads and longer noses. Flat-faced breeds often have shorter noses and a different airway shape.
Below are seven breeds with beautifully shaped noses, each in its own way. Long snout, short muzzle, pointy nose, or wrinkly snub nose, we’re celebrating them all.
Dog Breeds With Beautifully Shaped Dog Noses
1. Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound has a long, refined nose that gives a proud, “I woke up fabulous” look. That long face is part of the classic sighthound build. It pairs with a slim frame made for quick, smooth movement.
Their nose shape adds to that elegant “royal statue” vibe. But don’t be fooled. According to the AKC, many Afghans can be goofy in the right mood, then go right back to acting mysterious. It’s like living with a model who sometimes steals your socks.
That long muzzle also means you should think about gentle handling. Long-nosed dogs can be sensitive around the face. Keep grooming calm, use soft praise, and make face-touch a normal, happy thing early on.
Unique Features
The Afghan’s long nose looks sculpted and smooth, with a clean profile.
Long, narrow muzzle that creates a graceful side view
Built for spotting and chasing moving things by sight
Works best with calm training and a kind, patient vibe
2. Borzoi
If noses had a runway show, the Borzoi would win and not even try. This breed is famous for a very long, slim nose that makes the whole head look like a work of design. Borzois were bred as sight hunters, and that long shape is part of their fast, flowing build.
They also have that quiet, dignified energy. Like they’re judging your life choices, but politely. Sounds crazy, right? Yet they can be sweet and calm at home, and then turn into a speed machine outside. Some sources note their surprising speed, with top sprinting ability often mentioned for the breed.
The Borzoi’s nose is not just long. It’s “clean.” No heavy wrinkles, no bulky cheeks. Just a smooth line from skull to tip. It makes their face look gentle, almost dreamy.
Unique Features
The Borzoi has one of the most iconic long-nose profiles in dogs.
Very long snout that boosts that “aristocrat” look
Built for sprinting and spotting prey, not slow tracking
Calm at home, athletic when it counts
3. Pug
Okay, now we flip the script. The Pug nose is short, pushed in, and full of wrinkles around the muzzle. It’s one of the most recognizable “cute face” looks on Earth. The whole expression feels like a tiny clown who loves you.
But why bother with that? Because that short nose comes with real-life care stuff. Flat-faced, short-muzzled dogs can have narrower airways. That can mean snoring, noisy breathing, and getting tired faster, especially in the heat.
Here’s the good part: with smart habits, many Pugs do great. Keep walks cooler and shorter, use a harness instead of a collar for easier breathing, and watch weight closely. Pugs are known for loving food a little too much, so portion control matters.
Unique Features
The Pug’s nose is basically a signature stamp.
Short muzzle with a sweet, “smiley” face shape
Wrinkles and nose rolls that give big expressions
Needs heat-safe routines and calm exercise
4. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff has a short, broad muzzle that looks strong, not tiny. It’s a powerful face with a serious nose bridge and a big, solid front end. This breed came from Bulldog and Mastiff roots, and you can see that in the head shape right away.
Their nose style is “short but sturdy.” The muzzle is not long and pointy. It’s wide, with a confident, guarded look. And yet, many Bullmastiffs are gentle at home when trained with patience. Big body, soft heart, classic combo.
Because they have a shorter muzzle, it helps to be careful with overheating and heavy exercise in hot weather. They can be brave and willing, but their breathing setup may not love extreme heat or long runs. Slow and steady wins here.
Unique Features
It’s a bold, wide nose that matches the breed’s guardian look.
Short muzzle that still looks strong and balanced
Broad head and powerful jawline shape
Best with sensible exercise and cool-down breaks
5. Saluki
The Saluki nose is long, fine, and elegant. This breed has that “ancient art” look, because Saluki-like dogs show up in very old history and imagery. Their build is light, deep-chested, and made for speed.
Royal Kennel Club notes that people often connect Salukis with royalty and desert hunting traditions. They were prized as hunting partners by groups in the Middle East, and careful breeding was taken seriously. That long nose and narrow head fit the sleek, fast style of a dog meant to chase game over open land.
Their nose shape also gives them a very soft facial expression. It’s not bulky. It’s not wrinkled. It’s clean and refined. If you like the “beautiful and calm” vibe, the Saluki face is hard to beat.
Unique Features
The Saluki has a graceful, narrow nose that looks almost hand-drawn.
Long, slim muzzle with a smooth profile
Built for running fast with a light body
Often linked to royal and traditional hunting history
6. Whippet
The Whippet nose is long and tidy, but not huge. Think “small sports car,” not “giant limo.” Their face is sleek, with a gentle curve and a fine tip that looks neat from every angle, as noted by Britannica.
Whippets are famous for being athletes outside and cuddle bugs inside. It gets even worse, though, in the best way. You’ll plan a quick walk, and suddenly you’re trapped on the couch with a warm Whippet burrito. Many notes about the breed highlight that daily exercise matters, but they also love lounging.
That long nose and slim head fit their job: sprinting. Like other sight hounds, they were shaped over time for speed, quick turns, and sharp focus on moving targets.
Unique Features
The Whippet nose looks clean, sporty, and balanced.
Long muzzle with a smooth, “streamlined” feel
Built for sprinting and fast play bursts
Usually quiet at home and very affectionate
7. Pekingese
The Pekingese nose is short, flat, and framed by a strong little face. It’s the kind of muzzle that makes them look like a tiny lion with opinions. And yes, those opinions are usually, “Carry me, I’m royalty.”
This breed is known for deep loyalty and a close bond with their people, often described as affectionate with family. The short muzzle is part of that classic flat-faced group, and like other breeds with this head shape, breathing comfort can be a real topic.
So the smart move is simple: keep life cool and calm. Avoid hot midday walks, choose strolls, and keep an eye on heavy panting. Also, the face shape can mean extra care around folds and eyes. Gentle cleaning can help them stay comfy.
Unique Features
The Pekingese has a famous “flat face” look that feels bold and sweet.
Short nose that creates a dramatic, expressive face
Strong companion vibe with loyal attachment
Needs heat-aware routines and comfort-first exercise
Conclusion
Your furry friends are not just a beautiful dog to look at. They’re living stories with a long history, shaped by selective breeding, often originally bred to work, hunt, or guard. Some are popular breeds, others are rare breeds, and a few feel like truly unique dog breeds.
You might meet a Bull Terrier with big personalities, a Basset Hound with long ears and floppy ears, or Airedale Terriers with that bold spark. You may even fall for a Russian Wolfhound, sleek Italian Greyhounds, proud Pharaoh Hounds, or a snappy, smooth Fox Terrier.
And here’s the best part! You can keep them happy with smart routines that fit real life. For pet parents, it can be simple: short walks for chill days, long walks when they’re buzzing, and maybe a hiking partner if you love the outdoors.
Some were made for hunting waterfowl, some for guarding, and some for herding dog work. Start early socialization, choose gear like a comfy dog suit if the weather is rough, and after the fun, enjoy the couch afterward.
