I cannot help but feel sorry for Stantler, looking at it's point of view. I agree with everyone that Sawsbuck is much more attractive. It's a bit chunky and the most chunky place on its body is its face. =/ What was the designer thinking?
Anywho, as for power and cuteness, they don't have anything to do with each other in my honest opinion. Even in those video games, where the cute little girl can smash everything to pieces better than any male lead protaganist that uses a sword (almost every game! ...that's a rant for an entirely different place), her cuteness is in her looks and personality and most likely her voice. As for pokemon it's basically the same thing to me. Strength is looked upon in awe, cuteness brings adoration, I believe.