Top 15 Dogs With Irresistibly Big Eyes (With Pictures!)

Have you ever gotten lost in a pair of puppy eyes? How about your senior pup asking for just one more treat? Without a doubt, our canine companions have figured out exactly how to melt our hearts with just a simple look. 

From brown to blue to golden hazel, dogs have used their eyes to enchant us for centuries. While all dog eyes are enough to make even the strictest person give in, there are a few breeds that have exceptionally large eyes. 

Fun fact, dogs can actually see more than just black and white colors! While they won’t see a full rainbow of colors like most humans, they’re able to pick up on blues and yellows, and shades in between those. 

Let’s take a look at the top 15 dogs with big eyes and see if you can resist their large, soulful eyes! 

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Top 15 Dog Breeds With Big Eyes

1. Boston Terrier 

Height	16-17 inches
Weight	20-25 pounds
Lifespan	10-14 years
Temperament	Friendly, playful

Sometimes confused with the Pug, the Boston Terrier is an easily recognizable breed with their “bat ears” and large, bulbous eyes. Their eyes will beg you to play with them as they love to play fetch. Try to tell them no when they tilt their heads and stare into your soul with their large eyes! Much like the Pug, they can easily injure their eyes, so daily checks are important for their eye health. 

One of the few “all-American” breeds, the Boston was developed in Boston, MA in the 1800s. Their “bug eye” appearance can be off putting, but we think it only adds to their charm. Known to be little gentlemen, these guys are affectionate and make great house pets. 

Fun fact, a Boston Terrier named Bruschi currently holds the world record for having the largest eyes of any dog!

2. Basset Hound

Height	13-14 inches
Weight	40-80 pounds
Lifespan	8-12 years
Temperament	Friendly, easy-going, calm

We dare anyone to look a Basset Hound in the face and tell them no! It’s simply not possible with their droopy eyes that make them appear sad. The Basset Hound breed has a long face with large, deep set eyes, and floppy ears. Those eyes will beg for one more treat and make you feel guilty for not sharing! 

Originally bred as a scent hound in 1800s England, the Basset Hound has grown in popularity as a companion dog. They’re friendly and love to be with their humans as much as possible. They’re also known to pout to get that extra piece of food, so prepare! 

3. Pug 

Height	11-12 inches
Weight	14-18 pounds
Lifespan	12-15 years
Temperament	Serious, calm, affectionate

Often referred to as “bug-eyed”, Pugs stand out with their large, protruding eyes. Their eyes can be a bit alarming to those who are not familiar with the breed but simply are large orbs set in a small head. The Pug’s eyes are prone to trauma because of their slight protrusion from the head and should be checked daily for injury. 

Hailing from China, this breed has been a royal family favorite, having saved the King of Holland from invaders in the 1500s. This is an affectionate breed who will happily claim your lap as theirs. They’ve also been popularized in movies, including the 90’s hit, Men in Black. 

4. Shih Tzu

Height	10 inches
Weight	9-16 pounds
Lifespan	11-14 years
Temperament	Happy, friendly, sweet

It’s odd to imagine the Shih Tzu as having large eyes when you can barely see under their bangs! But add a cute bow or ponytail, and you’ll see that this affectionate breed has quite large eyes. As the life of the party, the Shih Tzu’s eyes are often bright and full of expression. 

Another royal favorite, the Shih Tzu hails from Tibet and were given as gifts to the Chinese aristocrats. Their name means “lion dog” but more often than not, a Shih Tzu will welcome strangers into your home because of their friendly natures. 

5. Old English Sheepdog 

Height	21-22 inches
Weight	60-90 pounds
Lifespan	10-12 years
Temperament	Independent, mischievous, loyal

A breed made famous by media, such as 101 Dalmations and Denis the Menace, the Old English Sheepdog has large eyes often filled with humor. Beneath their curtain of hair, their eyes are watchful and always alert for threats to their flocks. When not on guard duty, these guys enjoy shenanigans and causing mischief! 

Bred for sheep and livestock herding in England, this breed has a special gait that allows them to cover long distances. Be careful though, this breed can be dog-aggressive if not socialized properly and will need a job to keep them busy. 

6. Chihuahua

Height	7-9 inches
Weight	2-6 pounds
Lifespan	14-18 years
Temperament	Loyal, active, temperamental

The Chihuahua has earned an interesting reputation for being either aggressive or loyal, often with a mix of both. Considered the smallest dog in the world, they have quite large eyes that often bulge from their heads. Their eyes are full of expression and can look at their humans with a ton of love. 

It is an ongoing debate as to the origin of the Chihuahua, with them either originating in Mexico or from Spanish dog breeds. This breed needs to be treated with respect (all pets do!) and have been known to try and dominate the household. A lot of personality is packed into these small bodies! 

7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Height	12-13 inches
Weight	10-18 pounds
Lifespan	9-14 years
Temperament	Affectionate, playful, devoted

Truly a breed that will melt your heart with their eyes, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most affectionate canine companions. With soulful, long gazes that look at you with utter adoration, this breed will easily win their way into your home. 

Bred originally in Northern Europe to keep their owner’s laps warm in castles, they soon became a favorite of King Charles during the Tudor period. They have an open invitation to any public place, per King Charles’s decree, which is still recognized today! 

8. Japanese Chin

Height	9-10 inches
Weight	4-12 pounds
Lifespan	12-14 years
Temperament	Affectionate, intelligent, loyal

Perhaps the smaller cousin of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Japanese Chin are known for their affectionate and silly natures. They have slightly turned out eye sockets, resulting in a unique look that can’t be resisted! While comfortable in your lap, they’ll look up at you with adoration and love. 

Founded in China, they quickly grew popular in Japan. They were introduced to England in the 1850s and slowly moved westward from there. This breed is truly a companion breed and will survey their kingdom from your lap. 

9. Great Dane 

Height	30-32 inches
Weight	100-120 pounds
Lifespan	6-8 years
Temperament	Gentle, silly, affectionate

One of the largest dog breeds on the planet, the Great Dane of course has large eyes! Everything about this breed is large, including their ability to guilt-trip you into another treat. Their eyes can either be sad to guilt you or full of wisdom to inspire you, but either way, they’re very expressive with their eyes. 

While known as gentle giants, this German breed makes an excellent guard dog. Originally bred to hunt wild boar and protect homes, the Great Dane has become a popular pet choice. Be warned though, they often think of themselves as lap dogs, despite their size! 

10. Scottish Deerhound

Height	28-32 inches
Weight	75-110 pounds
Lifespan	8-11 years
Temperament	Calm, friendly, loyal

Another large breed, the Scottish Deerhound is often confused with its cousin, the Irish Wolfhound. They differ in physical appearance but both have fluffy eyebrows that lend them a regal look. Scottish Deerhounds have large brown eyes that can either be laughing at you or adoring you. 

Bred for their ability to chase and bring down stags in the Scottish Highlands, the breed was highly prized among the highland nobility. When faced with extinction, dog breed connoisseurs have brought back the noble breed, although they are still quite a rare breed to see.

11. Dachshund

Height	8 to 9 inches
Weight	16 to 32 pounds
Lifespan	12 to 16 years
Temperament	Clever, stubborn, devoted, independent

The Dachshund is a very intelligent, yet stubborn breed. This breed, also known as the sausage dog due to its long body, was originally bred to hunt badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. Nowadays, they’re mostly used as companions.

They’re incredibly adorable dogs with their big eyes and floppy ears, which has made them one of the most popular dog breeds in the world.

12. Beagle

Height	13 to 16 inches
Weight	20 to 24 pounds
Lifespan	12 to 15 years
Temperament	Determined, intelligent, gentle, excitable

The Beagle is an incredibly popular breed, not in the least due to popular media. Some of the most famous dogs in pop culture were beagles, such as Snoopy.

The Beagle looks very similar to the foxhound but is much smaller in size. Due to their small size, they’re very suitable for apartment living.

These dogs have beautiful large eyes that can come in brown or hazel colors. They also have long, houndy ears that give them an irresistible look. If you’re looking for a dog with big eyes and ears, the Beagle is right up your alley!

13. French Bulldog

Height	12 inches
Weight	16 to 28 pounds
Lifespan	10 to 14 years
Temperament	Bright, affectionate, alert, lively, sociable

The French Bulldog is a breed that’s been gaining popularity among dog lovers rapidly. This is most likely in no small part because of their adorable looks, which they largely have their huge eyes to thank for.

The French Bulldog resembles a regular bulldog, but is much smaller and has large, bat ears. They’re true companion animals that love nothing more than spending as much time with their owner as possible.

14. Corgi

Height	10 to 12 inches
Weight	27 to 30 pounds
Lifespan	10 to 14 years
Temperament	Bright, affectionate, alert, lively, sociable

The Corgi’s large expressive eyes on its small body are but one of the reasons why this breed is so incredibly beloved by the people who are lucky enough to have one. Bred to herd livestock, they’re incredibly intelligent, playful, energetic, independent, and tenacious.

They’re also incredibly loving and typically want to spend a lot of time playing and interacting with their family. If you want a big dog in a small package, the corgi is the breed for you.

15. Jack Russell Terrier

Height	12 to 15 inches
Weight	13 to 18 pounds
Lifespan	13 to 16 years
Temperament	Energetic, stubborn, intelligent, vocal

The Jack Russell Terrier is an adorable small breed that’s a great addition to any family. They’re not only incredibly cute with their beautiful eyes, but they’re also energetic and incredibly spirited.

These small dogs truly are a handful, because they’re quite stubborn. Nevertheless, they’re worth the effort because they’ll reward you with their love, devotion, and loyalty.

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Final Thoughts: Which Dog with Big Eyes is right for you?

Who can possibly resist the big eyes of a puppy staring at you, begging to take them home? What happens when those puppy eyes don’t go away and instead grow with your new companion? Well, you’ve got a lifelong companion who will use those soulful eyes to convince you to give them treats and let them on the bed! 

Some dog breeds with larger eyes, such as the Pug or Japanese Chin, will require extra attention to their eyes. Because they protrude from their heads, they can easily be damaged. Many dogs are also prone to clogged tear ducts and some breeds may require surgery for genetic eye issues. Researching your chosen breed can help you understand their health conditions and if special attention is needed for their eye health. Luckily, they make dog goggles, which only adds to their cuteness factor! 

While we strongly believe all dogs have soulful, heart-melting eyes, it’s undeniable that some breeds have larger eyes. If you’re prepared for the guilt trips, the looks of adoration, and the mischievous twinkle, then a large eye dog breed will be perfect for you!