Domestic Dog Breeds
Newfoundland Dog
The Newfoundland is a large working breed used for pulling fishing nets and heavy equipment which originated in Newfoundland. Its ancestors, big black bear-like dogs introduced by the Vikings, also produced the St. John's Dog. The size of the breed was...
Shikoku
The Shikoku is a Japanese breed of dog native to Shikoku Island. It is a spitz type breed which is recognized by kennel clubs in Japan and Canada. It was also recognized as a living "natural monument" of Japan in 1937. The breed was bred for hunting bo...
Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu originated in China and is reported to be the oldest and smallest of the Tibetan holy dogs. The breed has several nicknames: Tibetan Temple Dog, Chrysanthemum Dog (due to its face looking like the flower), and the Tibetan Lion Dog. The ...
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is the smallest of the six originally Japanese dog breeds. The breed was originally bred for hunting in mountainous terrain. It is one of the oldest dog breeds, originally bred to hunt and flush rabbits, mice, and other small game. The br...
Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland Sheepdog, also called the Sheltie, hails from the Shetland Islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland. The breed is a descendant of the Collie, and its ancestors may have included the Greenland Yakki dog, King Charles Spaniel, Pomera...
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is a sighthound "“ a dog that hunts by sight, as opposed to a scenthound). It is one of the most ancient dog breeds, dating back thousands of years. It is a tall dog, standing 24 to 29 inches and weighing 45 to 60 pounds. It is disti...
Shar Pei
The Shar-Pei is a breed of dog from China which is distinguished by its deeply wrinkled face and blue-black tongue. The breed was originally bred in China's southern provinces in order to herd cattle, guard homes, and hunt wild pigs and other such game...
Serbian Tricolor Hound
The Serbian Tricolor Hound is a rare breed from Serbia used to hunt small animals such as fox and hare, as well as large animals like deer and wild boar. It appears similar to the Serbian Mountain Hound but it is distinguished by its coat. The bree...
Serbian Hound
The Serbian Hound, which was also once known as the Balkan Hound, is a breed of Serbian pack hunting dog. It is said to have descended from Phoenician dogs. The breed stands 17 to 21 inches tall and weighs around 44 pounds. The coat of the breed is...
Seppala Siberian Sleddog
The Seppala Siberian Sleddog is a rare working breed bred from Siberian breeds imported into Alaska. The breed was made famous for their domination of the All-Alaska Sweepstakes distance race from 1914 to 1917. The breed's popularity lost steam in the ...
Sealyham Terrier
The Sealyham Terrier is a Welsh terrier created by crossing the Basset Hound, Bull Terrier, Fox Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. It was developed in Sealyham, Harverfordwest, Wales by Captain John Edwards to quarry ...
Scottish Terrier
The Scottish Terrier, often called the Scottie, is one of five types of terrier that originated in Scotland. It is thought to be one of the oldest of the Highland terriers, although its origin is undocumented. The breed may have originated as early as ...
Swiss Hound
The Swiss Hound is scent hound used for hunting hare in Switzerland. It was popular in Italy during the 15th century and in France during the 18th. The lines of the breed may have been mixed with French scenthounds. There are four varieties of Swiss Ho...
Schipperke
The Schipperke is a Belgian breed which originated during the 16th century and officially became a breed during the 1800s. The origins of the breed are often debated; the dog is either a member of the terrier, spitz, or miniature sheepdog family. The b...
Å arplaninac
The Å arplaninac, formerly known as Illyrian Shepherd, is a herding and guarding breed from the Å ar Mountains. It was used as a military dog under Marshal Josip Broz Tito. The breed is currently becoming more popular throughout North America due t...
Sapsali
The Sapsali is a Korean breed of dog which was traditionally thought to chase away spirits and ghosts. Its name, translated, means just that. The work of the breed is said to be spiritual rather than physical. The breed is medium sized and resembles v...
Samoyed
The Samoyed is a breed of dog which was originally bred to pull the sleds of nomadic reindeer herders from Siberia. The breed was developed not only to pull sleds, but also to assist in herding and keep its owners warm at night, acting as their blanket...
Saluki
The Saluki may be the oldest breed of dog; its history can be traced nearly 7000 years, and it is definitely one of the earliest breeds to diverge from wolves. Historically the breed's purpose was coursing and hunting in packs, sometimes in tandem with...
Saarloos Wolfhound
The Saarloos Wolfhound is a cross between a Eurasian Wolf and a German Shepherd which originated in 1921. The breed was created by Leendert Saarloos in an attempt to improve the German Shepherd's immunity to distemper. The breed is a wolf-like dog ...
Russian Spaniel
The Russian Spaniel was bred according to Russian hunting requirements following World War II. The breed is a cross of various European spaniel breeds. The breed is similar to a Cocker Spaniel, but taller with a longer body.
Rough Collie
The Rough Collie is a herding breed which originated in Scotland and Wales. The breed was bred to be nimble enough to herd sheep and goats in the highlands, and capable of covering up to 100 miles in one day. The original Collie was interbred with Engl...
Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is an ancient working breed. Its ancestry reaches back to the Roman Empire, when working dogs traveled with the army to assist with herding the cattle. These breeds, whose descendants became today's Rottweilers, included Roman War Dogs, ...
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a South African hound also known as the Van Rooyen's Lion Dog, the African Lion Hound, or the African Lion Dog. The breed has been known to hunt anything from upland birds to larger, more dangerous game such as boar, deer, st...
Redbone Coonhound
The Redbone Coonhound is an American hunting breed developed in the 1800s from Foxhounds and Bloodhounds. It was bred to hunt raccoon, but is also used for hunting bear, bobcat, and cougar. They are highly agile and have an acute sense of smell allowin...
Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is an American vermin-killing breed which served its purpose as a general farm dog. The breed was common throughout America during the 1920s and 1930s; it is somewhat rare today as chemical pesticides and commercial farming have forced ...
Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz
The Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz, or the Aldalusian Wine Cellars' Ratting Dog is a Spanish Terrier which hunts rats in wine cellars. Its ancestors may have included the Fox Terrier and other small breeds. It was most likely bread during the 19th century ...
Rampur Greyhound
The Rampur Greyhound is a sighthound native to the Rampur region of Northern India. It was used by the Maharajas for jackal control, as well as for hunting lions, tigers, leopards, panthers, and wild boar. Combining blood lines from the Tazi "“ an Af...
Rajapalayam
The Rajapalayam is a sighthound from India which was used as a companion breed for the aristocracy in Southern India as well as for hunting wild boar and guarding. The name of the breed comes from the town in which it is probably the most popular. The ...
Portuguese Mastiff
The Portuguese Mastiff, also known as the Rafeiro do Alentejo is a herding breed. It may be one of the oldest breeds of dog, and it is closely related to the Anatolian Shepherd Dog. For centuries, the breed has been used specifically to move sheep duri...
Argentinean Mastiff
The Argentinean Mastiff, otherwise known as the Dogo Argentino, is a big game hunter developed in Argentina. The breed was created to hunt large animals such as cougars and wild boar which can weigh up to 600 pounds. The base of the breed is the Cordob...
Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenean Shepherd originated in the Pyrenees Mountains in the south of France during medieval times. It was bred for the purpose of herding livestock, and generally worked in conjunction with the Great Pyrenees. The breed is the smallest of the Fre...
Pumi
The Pumi is a Hungarian terrier-type breed which originated as a general farm dog, primarily used for herding during the 17th and 18th centuries. The breed is a mix between Puli-type dogs and herding terriers which was known only in Hungary until the 1...
Puli
The Puli is a Hungarian sheep dog which may have originated around 2000 years ago in Central Asia. It was brought by the Magyars to Hungary during the Middle Ages, and used by shepherds of the Hungarian plains for herding. The Puli is a medium-size...
Pug
The Pug is a toy breed which was bred during the 15th century BC as lap dogs for Chinese Rulers during the Shang dynasty. The popularity of the breed later spread to Tibet, then Japan and Europe. The Pug was eventually dubbed the official dog of the Ho...
Prague Ratter
The Prague Ratter, or the Prazsky Krysarik is a small breed of dog which originated in the Czech and Slovak Republics as both a rat catcher and a palace pet. The breed is rarely seen outside its country of origin, and it is extremely rare, due to the M...
Portuguese Water Dog
The Portuguese Water Dog, also called Cão d'Ãgua or the Portuguese Fishing Dog originated as a fishing breed. The breed may trace as far back as 700 B.C. to central Asia, but the breed was predominantly bred and used in Portugal. The Portuguese W...
Portuguese Podengo
The Portuguese Podengo is a Portuguese multi-sensory hunting breed. The hound hunts with sight, scent, and hearing, generally in a pack, independent of its human companion. There are three sizes of Portuguese Podengo: Pequeno, Medio, and Grande, and ea...
Portuguese Sheepdog
The Portuguese Sheepdog, also known as the Cão da Serra de Aires or the Aires Mountain Dog, is a sheepdog from the Aires Mountains, north of the Tagus River. The breed stands 16 to 22 inches tall and generally weighs 26 to 40 pounds. Photo C...
Portuguese Pointer
The Portuguese Pointer is a gun dog developed to point specifically in grey partridge hunting. The breed stands 20 to 22 inches high and generally weighs 35-59 pounds. It has well-balanced proportions and a remarkably square build. Its coat is coar...
Porcelaine
The Porcelaine is a scent hound which originated in France and may be one of France's oldest dogs of this type. It is also natively called the Chien de Franche-Comté, named after a French region bordering Switzerland. It is considered to be derived...
Poodle
The Poodle is a breed of dog whose origins are unknown. It is often considered a French breed due to the role of the French in the development of the modern breed. It is one of the oldest breeds of dog which has been popular throughout Europe for centu...
Pont-Audemer Spaniel
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel is a gun dog which originated in France during the 19th century. Its ancestors may include the Barbet, the Poodle, and the Picardy Spaniel, along with several other old Spaniel breeds. The breed is rare; it has never been incre...
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a spitz-type breed which originated from the sled dogs of Greenland and Lapland. Its ancestors were brought into Pomerania, a region of Europe bordered by the Baltic Sea, the Rügen Island, and the Vistula River. English breeders re...
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog, or the Polski Owczarek Nizinny, is a herding breed which originated in Poland during the 13th century. The breed most likely descended from the Puli breed and the Bearded Collie as well as several Scottish dogs. The breed a...
Polish Hound
The Polish Hound is a hunting breed which originated in Poland. The breed was highly esteemed by Polish nobility. It hunts primarily by scent. Jozef Pawuslewicz is credited with the development and the registration of the breed. The breed is large, ...
Pointer
The Pointer, also called the English Pointer, is a gun dog breed which originated in England in the 16th or 17th century. Its ancestors include the Greyhound, Foxhound, Bloodhound, and the Bull Terrier; each of these breeds contributed to its personali...
Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan Hound, also known as the Podenco Ibicenco or Ca Eivissenc, is a hunting breed which originated in Muslim Spain. It was originally used for hunting rabbits and other small game. It was once believed to be an ancient breed, but a DNA analysis ...
Plott Hound
The Plott Hound is a large breed originally bred in the North Carolina mountains for boar hunting. Its ancestors were brought from Germany to the U.S., and the breed was named after the brothers that brought them. The breed originated around 1750, and ...
Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound is a breed from Malta which is used for hunting. It is the national dog of Malta, where they call it the Kelb tal-Fenek, or rabbit hound. For years, the breed was considered one of the oldest dog breeds due to its resemblance of dogs ...
Phalène
The Phalène is the drop-eared version of a toy breed known as the Papillon. It is the earliest form of the breed, and was a breed used primarily as a companion dog to royalty and the upper class. The breed is generally the same as the Papillon, w...
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen was originally bred for small game hunting in brushy areas in the La Vendee district of France. It is one of three Griffon Vendéen breeds. The breed is 12.5 to 15.5 inches tall and weighs between 25 and 40 poun...
Peruvian Hairless Dog
The Peruvian Hairless Dog is an ancient Peruvian breed which was and is often kept as a pet in the region. It is one of a few breeds of hairless dog that exist, and it is very similar to the Xoloitzcuintli in particular. They lived in the coastal areas...
Perro de Presa Canario
The Perro de Presa Canario originated in the Canary Islands as a cattle drover, guard dog, bull-fighting breed, and general multi-purpose farm dog. The name translates to Canarian Dog of Prey. The Perro de Presa Canario was first established in the1700...
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi originated in Wales as a herding breed. The breed might have descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs which came to Wales with the Vikings, or it might have been a cross between the Cardigan Welsh Corgi and a spitz-type dog. The Co...
Pekingese
The Pekingese is an ancient Chinese breed which was a favorite pet of the Chinese Imperial court. The breed is incredibly similar to the Japanese Chin, and they most likely have the same ancestry. For centuries, the breed could only be owned by royalty...
Patterdale Terrier
The Patterdale Terrier is an English breed developed to guard flocks. It is a type of fell terrier which was first popularized in the mid 20th century. The breed was used as predator control in the hills of north England where sheep farming dominates. ...
Parson Russell Terrier
The Parson Russell Terrier is a breed which descended from fox-working terriers used for hunting. It was recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 1990. It has a larger chest and longer head than the Jack Russell Terrier, its close relative. They are rarely ...
Papillon
The Papillon is a small dog bred as a companion and watch dog. It is one of the oldest toy breeds, traced back to Italy circa 1542. The breed can be seen in paintings over the centuries, especially in those of royal and merchant class families. The ...
Polish Tatra Sheepdog
The Polish Tatra Sheepdog is a dog breed from Poland used by shepherds to guard and herd sheep. The breed more than likely originated during the 14th century. It is similar in appearance to the Pyrenean Mountain Dog and the Hungarian Kuvasz, and it was...
Otterhound
The Otterhound is British breed originally bred for hunting. It is in the same bloodlines as the Bloodhound and the Airedale Terrier. The breed has almost always been rare, even during the early 20th century when hunting was popular. The use of the bre...
Olde English Bulldogge
The Olde English Bulldogge is a recreation of the Old English Bulldog, an extinct bull-baiting breed which existed in England during the 19th century. After the Cruelty to Animals Act was passed in Parliament in 1835, blood sport was outlawed, and the ...
Old English Terrier
The Old English Terrier, or the black terrier was developed as a working and sporting breed in England. It was established during the 17th and 18th centuries. The breed can have one of two types of coat: smooth or rough. The breed was developed based o...
Old English Bulldog
The Old English Bulldog is an extinct breed which was derived from ancient war breeds such as the Mastiff and the Alaunt. The breed was eventually crossed with the Greyhound to increase the speed and reduce the weight of specimens at that time. The bre...
Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a livestock herding breed which originated in the southern part of England during the 19th century. The breed's ancestors may include the Scottish Bearded Collie and the Russian Owtchar. The breed was likely used as a "drove...
Old Danish Pointer
The Old Danish Pointer, also known as the Bakhound, is a hunting breed from Denmark. The breed's origin can be traced to the year 1710. The breed was created when a man named Morten Bak crossed gypsy dogs with local farm dogs. Some of the dogs crossed ...
Norwich Terrier
The Norwich Terrier is a breed of dog which was first bred in the United Kingdom during the 1800s for hunting vermin. The breed, a descendant of the Irish Terrier, is a hardy dog useful for chasing fox, ridding farms of rodents, and as a family compani...
Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever was developed in Nova Scotia during the 20th century to toll waterfowl. The breed's tolling methods of hunting are unique: it splashes in the water which lures curious waterfowl toward the dog. The hunter calls th...
Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small breed which was originally bred in Norway for hunting Puffins along the coast. The breed's extra toes plus their flexibility allowed them to hunt the birds even in inaccessible nesting locations in caves and on cliffs...
Norwegian Elkhound
The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient breed which has been used as a large game hunter, a guardian, a herder, and a defender. The breed is a Spitz type breed which excels at its duties under even the worst climate conditions. Its name, translated means ...
Norwegian Buhund
The Norwegian Buhund is a spitz type breed originally bred by Vikings to herd sheep and cattle as well as protect farms. The breed is closely related to the Jämthund as well as the Icelandic Sheepdog. The Norwegian Buhund stands 17 to 18 inches t...
Northern Inuit Dog
The Northern Inuit Dog is a large English dog bred to resemble a wolf. The breed was created by breeding the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and the German Shepherd with several rescued mongrels whose origin was unknown. The Northern Inuit dog has th...
Nordic Spitz
The Nordic Spitz is a type of dog bred originally for work on farms and hunting. It originated in the 1600s in Sweden and was an excellent hunting companion. In the 1940s, the breed neared extinction, but was saved by a breeding program begun by Nordic...
Norfolk Terrier
The Norfolk Terrier is the smallest of the working Terriers, bred originally to rid barns of vermin. It was developed in the 1880s in England by British sportsmen by crossing Cairn Terriers, Irish Terriers, and small red terriers used by Gypsy ratters ...
Neapolitan Mastiff
The Neapolitan Mastiff is an ancient breed of dog used to guard families and property. The breed's ancestry has been traced to around 168 BC. It is a Molosser type breed which was once used to fight bulls, boar, and lions in ancient Roman arenas such a...
Mudhol Hound
The Mudhol Hound, also called the Caravan Hound, the Pashmi, or the Karwani, is an Indian sight hound and a common companion to Indian villagers. It is also used in the Deccan Plateau as a hunting and guarding breed. It is a relatively rare breed and i...
Mudi
The Mudi is a Hungarian herding breed of dog. It is a versatile dog which can not only herd well, but it can also guard flocks, exterminate rodents, and hunt. The breed stands 15 to 19 inches high and weighs 18 to 29 pounds. It has a medium length c...
Mioritic
The Mioritic is a large sheep dog from the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. It was bred to guard herds in the mountains and is exceptionally bold. The breed weighs 110 to 132 pounds and stands 25 to 30 inches tall. It is a massive breed, and its thi...
Miniature Schnauzer
The Miniature Schnauzer is a small breed developed in Germany as a farm dog which guarded the herds and family, and a vermin hunter. The breed began with the crossing of the Standard Schnauzer with the Affenpinscher, Miniature Pinscher and Poodle in or...
Miniature Fox Terrier
The Miniature Fox Terrier is a lightweight Australian breed developed for hunting rats, rabbits, and other vermin. The breed was most likely a cross between smaller Fox Terriers and Manchester Terriers. This cross was later mixed with other toy breeds ...
Miniature Bull Terrier
The Miniature Bull Terrier is a miniaturized version of the Standard Bull Terrier which was officially recognized in 1991. It was bred using selective breeding, and was at one point becoming so small and frail that the weight limit had to be replaced w...
Mexican Hairless Dog
The Mexican Hairless Dog is an ancient, hairless breed of dog, also known as the Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo for short. It may have originated over 3,500 years ago in Pre-Hispanic Mexico, when the Aztecs ruled the land. The breed was sacred to the Aztecs b...
McNab Shepherd
The McNab Shepherd, also called the McNab Sheepdog or McNab Herding Dog is a herding breed which originated from a Scotch Collie or a Fox Collie. It is recognized today as a working stock dog; it herds cattle, horses, sheep, and llamas. It is named for...
English Mastiff
The English Mastiff, often known as the Mastiff, is a large Molosser type breed which was once used in blood-sports. It descended from the ancient Molosser and Alaunt and is generally accepted as the oldest British breed. It was probably brought to Bri...
Maremma Sheepdog
The Maremma Sheepdog is an Italian livestock guardian breed. In Italy, the breed is known as Cane Da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, derived from the area in which it originated. The breed is thought to be an ancient one, and it continues to be used for i...
Manchester Terrier
The Manchester Terrier is a Terrier breed which originated in England as early as the 16th century. It is considered the oldest of all known terrier breeds. The breed originated as a rat killer when a Whippet was crossed with a cross-bred Terrier to pr...
Maltese
The Maltese is an ancient breed of toy dog associated with the island of Malta. The origin of the breed can be traced back thousands of years. The breed is believed to have descended from a Spitz type breed which belonged to Swiss Lake dwellers, but it...
Hungarian Greyhound
The Magyar Agár, also known as the Hungarian Greyhound is a hunting breed which originated in Transylvania and Hungary. The breed is a sight hound used for coursing. It is an ancient, elegant breed. The Magyar Agár resembles the Greyhound in i...
Löwchen
The Löwchen is a very rare breed, also called the Little Lion Dog. Little is known about the history of the breed. It can be seen in paintings as far back as the 1500s. The modern Löwchen was bred by enthusiasts in Belgium, France and Germany in ...
Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a hunting breed from Tibet originally bred to guard monasteries. The breed often barked a warning to its master until the master came to check on the intruder. The breed generally stands 10 to 11 inches tall and weighs 12 to 14 pou...
Leonberger
The Leonberger is a large German guard dog breed. It was originally bred from the Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and the Newfoundland. Its purpose was to pull loads as well as protect livestock and herds. Like many other German breeds, the Leonbe...
Large Münsterländer
The Large Münsterländer is a German gun dog breed which was first recognized in the early 1800s. Prior to that, the breed was recognized as only a German Longhaired Pointer color variant. The breed was first introduced in the United States in 196...
Lancashire Heeler
The Lancashire Heeler is a small herding breed. The breed is generally accepted to be a cross between a Welsh Corgi and a Black and Tan Terrier. The breed is listed as vulnerable by the UK Kennel Club. The original purpose of the breed was to herd live...
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a gun dog which specializes in retrieving. It is considered the most popular breed in the world according to its registered ownership. The breed originated in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It was developed using the St. J...
Lakeland Terrier
The Lakeland Terrier was originally bred in England's Lake District for the purpose of hunting vermin. The breed descended from the Fell Terrier, Old English Black and Tan Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, and Border Terrier. It was ...
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a gun dog from Italy traditionally used as a water retriever. The breed originated in the lowlands of the Romagna sub-region of Italy and has a natural instinct for working and hunting. The Lagotto generally stands 16 to 19 ...
Kuvasz
The Kuvasz is an ancient livestock guardian dog from Hungary. The Kuvasz was originally a nomadic breed which moved with the Magyar tribes around 2000 BC. Fossil remains have been discovered of a Kuvasz-type dog from the 9th century; if these remains a...
Kunming Dog
The Kunming Dog is a wolf-dog hybrid which was bred in the 1950s as a military dog in Kunming, Yunnan. The breed was developed from a pool of wolfdogs, civil dogs and shepherd dogs. The bred was officially recognized in China in 1988 and is now widely ...
Kromfohrländer
The Kromfohrländer is a German companion breed which originated in Germany in the 1940s. The breed originated when two mutts were mated, or possibly a Fox Terrier and a Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen. The breed was first recognized in 1955. The Kro...
Cretan Hound
The Cretan Hound is a Grecian hunting breed; it is considered to be one of Europe's oldest hunting dogs. It is an excellent hare hunter and coursing and tracking dog in general, due to its agility, speed, and scenting ability. The breed also makes an e...
Jindo
The Jindo, or more specifically the Korean Jindo, is a hunting breed which originated in Korea and is relatively unknown elsewhere. There is no written record of the origin of the breed, but the breed is important enough in its supposed native country ...
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound is a sight hound and one of the tallest breeds of dog. The breed was bred around 1st century BC, as a war dog by the ancient Celts. The Irish used them continually as a guard dog. The breed was also once used for coursing, but it ma...
English Shepherd
The English Shepherd is a working breed. It was developed as a farm dog used for a variety of services such as herding, hunting, removing rodents, as well as a watch dog and a companion. It is often used to herd livestock; however, unlike other breeds,...
Kooiker Hound
The Kooiker Hound or Kooikerhondje is a Dutch spaniel-type breed originally used for duck hunting and tolling. The breed peaked in popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries, but is quickly gaining popularity in the U.S. and Canada. The breed was used d...
Komondor
The Komondor is a Hungarian livestock guardian breed, most likely brought to Hungary by Turkish-speaking Nomads during the 12th and 13th centuries. The breed is built for guarding livestock; it is strong and well armored, and its coat allows it to blen...
Kishu
The Kishu is a Japanese hunting breed which has been developed over thousands of years. The breed appears similar to the Akita and Shiba Inu; however the Kishu was bred prior to either. The breed was bred by the Japanese to hunt boar and deer, and thei...
Kintamani
The Kintamani is an Indonesian breed native to Bali. The breed most likely evolved from Balinese feral dogs and other Asian breeds. It is possible that the breed began around 600 years ago with a Chow Chow, but this is yet to be proven. The Kintaman...
King Charles Spaniel
The King Charles Spaniel, also called the English Toy Spaniel is a small companion breed. It is sometimes confused with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; the King Charles Spaniel is a separate, more pug-like breed. The breed originated in Great Britai...
Kerry Blue Terrier
The Kerry Blue Terrier or the Irish Blue Terrier is a working breed from Ireland. The breed was primarily developed for catching vermin, but eventually was used for herding cattle and sheep as well as for a guard dog. The breed is also often used for d...
Keeshond
The Keeshond, originally called the Wolfsspitz, is a medium-sized breed from Germany. It is closely related to the German spitzes. The breed was named after Cornelis (Kees) de Gyselaer, the leader of the Dutch rebellion against the House of Orange duri...
Karelian Bear Dog
The Karelian Bear Dog is a hunting breed from Finland. The breed is commonly used for hunting large animals such as moose and elk and is capable of hunting bear and boar as well, thus its name. The breed has never been interbred with other breeds in it...
Kangal Dog
The Kangal Dog is a mastiff type sheep dog which originated in Turkey. It is a large breed, not used to herd, but instead used as a guardian for livestock. The ancestors of the breed likely migrated from central Asia to Turkey with the Oghuz Turks who ...
Kai Ken
The Kai Ken, also known as the Tora Dog, is a Spitz type breed from Japan, where it is considered to be the purest, most ancient breed. The breed was developed as a hunting dog in the Kai district. Even in Japan, the breed is rare; its rank however is ...
Japanese Spitz
The Japanese Spitz is an entirely white breed of dog that is thought to have been bred from the White German Spitz, Siberian Samoyed, Russian Spitz, and American Eskimo Dog during the 19th century in Japan. The breed became popular in Japan, Europe, an...
Japanese Chin
The Japanese Chin is a small spaniel and the breed of Japanese royalty. They originated in the Sichuan Province of China. The breed was made famous in England and America during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Japanese Chin weighs 4 to 15 pounds an...
Jagdterrier
The Jagdterrier or the German Hunt Terrier is a working breed used in both above and underground hunting. The breed originated in Germany and was used primarily for hunting badgers, fox, raccoons, wild boar and rabbits. Lutz Heck, a German, and curator...
Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell Terrier is a working breed with origins in fox hunting. It was bred in the late 1700s specifically to chase, but not kill, fox. Its small size is important to its purpose. The Jack Russell Terrier generally weighs 14 pounds and has ...
Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is a small sight hound, which originated more than 4,000 years ago in Greece and Turkey. Due to its popularity in Renaissance Italy, the breed was named after the country. The breed is mainly a companion breed but has also been us...
Istarski OÅ¡trodlaki GoniÄ
The Istarski OÅ¡trodlaki GoniÄ is a scent hound used primarily for that purpose. It was developed in Croatia during the 1800s for hunting rabbit and fox, and is still used today to hunt those animals as well as hare and wild boar. The Istarski OÅ...
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is one of the largest, oldest, and rarest spaniels which was developed in Ireland in the 1830s. It is a working, retrieving breed which specializes in swimming. Although the current breed stock is Irish, its ancestry and origina...
Irish Terrier
The Irish Terrier was bred originally to be a guard dog and hunter. It is one of many terrier breeds, and it is believed to have descended from black and tan terrier-types of the British Isles. The breed is an excellent vermin killer; it was brought to...
Irish Setter
The Irish Setter is a hunting breed used predominantly for pointing upland game birds. The breed is also capable of being used for other types of hunting, such as hunting in the wetlands. It was The Irish Setter was brought to the United States in the ...
Irish Red and White Setter
The Irish Red and White Setter is a medium sized gundog. It is similar to the Irish Setter, however it is more often a working breed. At one time, all Irish Setters were red and white, but for years following, only red dogs were bred. During the 20th ...
Icelandic Sheepdog
The Icelandic Sheepdog is a Spitz type dog which originated in Iceland. It is a large breed which resembles dogs found in Denmark and Sweden in 8000 B.C. The breed was nearly destroyed during the 19th century due to canine distemper and plague, which l...
Huntaway
The Huntaway is a herding breed which was developed in New Zealand during the 1900s. It is a large breed typically used to move sheep away from a shepherd with its loud, deep, noisy bark. The breed typically stands 20 to 24 inches high and weighs 55...
Hungarian Vizsla
The Hungarian Vizsla is a hunting breed which originated in Hungary. The breed's ancestors can be traced back to 9th century Hungary; they were a toy breed used by tribesmen to hunt rats. The breed has neared extinction several times in its history, fi...
Hovawart
The Hovawart is a German guard dog which originated in the Black Forest region during medieval times. One of the first documentations of a Hovawart involved the dog saving the the son of a Lord from a besieged castle. The breed has long been held in th...
Hortaya Borzaya
The Hortaya Borzaya is a short haired sight hound which originated in the former USSR. It is a large Asian hound which was developed over several centuries. The first breed standard was set in place in 1951 by the USSR, but its development can not be a...
Dutch Shepherd Dog
The Dutch Shepherd Dog, also known as the Hollandse Herder, is a versatile working breed of Dutch origin. The breed was created due to a demand for a "jack-of-all-trades" with few demands which could work with shepherds and farmers. The breed is often ...
Havanese
The Havanese is a Bichon type dog developed in Cuba from an older breed, the Bichon Tenerife, which was introduced by Spanish sailors. It was briefly used as a circus dog, trick dog, and court companion in Europe during the 19th century. It is a very n...
Hanover Hound
The Hanover Hound is a breed which originated during the medieval time period. It is a descendant of bloodhounds from that time period, and is currently used as a hunting and tracking dog. The breed is very rare. The Hanover Hound stands 18 to 22 in...
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a coursing and racing breed which may have originated in Egypt over 6,000 years ago. The breed's aerodynamic build and long legs make it the fastest dog on record. It can reach speeds of 45 miles per hour in only 3 strides. The breed ...
Greenland Dog
The Greenland Dog is a powerful husky-type dog bred for sledding and hunting. It is speculated that this breed directly descended from dogs which Inuit settlers brought to Greenland. It originated in the Arctic coastal regions and is one of the oldest ...
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is a herding breed from Switzerland. The breed excels not only at herding, but pulling weight and hiking as well. Some members of the breed are still used by farmers for pulling carts. The breed almost faced extinction i...
Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is a large guard dog, used for protecting livestock. The breed is related to several other white European sheepdogs and has been used for thousands of years by the Basque people. The breed once served as the official dog of the royal...
Great Dane
The Great Dane is one of the two tallest breeds of dog, alongside the Irish Wolfhound. Different sources report different countries of origin for the breed; some refer to Germany while others claim Denmark is its home. The breed is incredibly large ...
Great Gascony Blue
The Great Gascony Blue is a rare French scent hound, developed on the southwestern coast in the Gascony province. The Great Gascony Blue generally weighs 70 to 77 pounds and stands around 27.5 inches tall on average. It has low-set ears and long, na...
Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen is a French hunting dog used for hunting rabbit, hare, boar and deer, as well as for companionship. The breed generally stands 15 to 17 inches tall. Its coat can be one of several different colors: black with white, ...
Gordon Setter
The Gordon Setter originated in the UK and was bred primarily to hunt game birds. It was developed from the old Land Spaniel, yet it may have been crossed with Hounds or Pointers. In the 1800s, it was believed that the breed was originally produced by ...
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a hunting breed developed in Scotland during the 1800s. The breed was created due to a need for a specialist retriever following improvements to guns which left birds being downed at distances too far for most dogs to track. It ...
Glen of Imaal Terrier
The Glen of Imaal Terrier was developed in Ireland as a hunting breed. It is a dog in the terrier group which excels in fox hunting and badger baiting. The breed stands about 14 inches tall on average and weighs approximately 35 pounds. Its coat is ...
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is the third most popular breed in the United States, originally bred for herding sheep. Besides its original purpose, the breed can be found doing police work, search and rescue, therapy work, guarding, being guide dogs, as well as...
German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a hunting breed developed in 19th century Germany. It is a descendant of the Spanish Pointer which was brought in the 1600s to Germany. The breed may be a combination of many others including the Schweisshund, Foxhoun...
German Coolie
The German Coolie is a herding breed. There is no existing evidence of its origin, but it is most likely a derivative of early herding breeds from the UK. The breed is incredibly intelligent and displays endurance, as well as the ability to receive and...
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a breed that began when some English bulldog fanciers wanted a similar breed which was not developed for dog fighting. This bulldog was small and became more popular as artisans escaping England's Industrial Revolution moved to Fr...
French Spaniel
The French Spaniel is both a pointing and retrieving hunting breed. It was originally used in 14th century France for falconry and net hunting. During the 19th century, the breed had a close call with extinction; however a French priest reestablished t...
French Brittany
The French Brittany is a bird hunting dog, and the smallest of the pointing breeds. It originated in France and is one of the oldest longhaired pointing dogs. The breed is small for its type "“ not likely to weigh over 30 pounds. The French Britta...
Flat-Coated Retriever
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a British gundog. It was bred to retrieve both in the water and on land, flushing game and marking birds. The breed originated in the 19th century and may have come from stock of the St. John's Water Dog, which may be an an...
Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz is a hunting dog which originated in Finland. It is often referred to as a "bark pointer" as it barks to indicate located game. It is typically used for hunting small animals such as squirrels, but can also be used to hunt larger anim...
Finnish Lapphund
The Finnish Lapphund is a medium-sized Spitz type dog originally bred to herd reindeer. It is one of the most popular dogs in its country of origin, Finland, and has become a well-liked companion dog. The breed originally herded for the Sami, a group o...
Field Spaniel
The Field Spaniel is a medium-sized gun dog and the first spaniel developed for confirmation showing specifically. Breeders wanted to create a solid black spaniel, instead of one with a base color and white markings. The Field Spaniel was created by br...
English White Terrier
The English White Terrier is an extinct show ring breed. It was bred to be a pricked-ear version of the white fox-working terriers from the 18th century U.K. With show dogs becoming more popular, there was a race to improve upon various breeds, renamin...
Eurohound
The Eurohound originated in Scandinavia for the purpose of sled dog racing. The breed is a cross between a Pointer and an Alaskan Husky. Due to the fact that the breed comes from two unrelated yet tightly bred gene pools, it is often considered a hybri...
Eurasier
The Eurasier, also called the Eurasian is a spitz type companion breed which originated in Germany in 1960. The breed is a combination of the Wolfspitz, the Chow Chow, and the Samoyed. It was first officially recognized in 1973. The breed is medium-...
Estrela Mountain Dog
The Estrela Mountain Dog was bred to guard herds in the mountain range. It is one of the oldest breeds in Portugal. The breed was developed throughout hundreds of years; dogs with particular characteristics were bred to create a pure breed which has th...
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog was originally bred in Sweden to drive and guard cattle. It is also known as the Entlebucher Sennenhund, Entelbuch Mountain Dog, and the Entlebucher Cattle Dog. It is the smallest of the Swiss mountain and cattle breeds and...
English Toy Terrier
The English Toy Terrier is a toy terrier often confused with the Toy Manchester Terrier. The two are very similar, but are in reality separate breeds. The two breeds have similar breed standards; however, the English Toy Terrier is a lighter dog tha...
English Springer Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is a hunting dog used for flushing and retrieving game. It was first recognized as separate from other Spaniels in the 1800s. Prior to the use of guns for hunting game, the English Springer Spaniel would "spring" a game bir...
English Setter
The English Setter is a hunting breed, originally bred nearly 400 years ago to point upland game birds. Its endurance and athleticism make it proficient for hunting. The English Setter is a cross between the Springer Spaniel, Water Spaniel and Spanish...
English Foxhound
The English Foxhound is a hunting breed, bred to hunt by scent, originally in packs. It is the original of the two Foxhound breeds. It was created in the 1500s after the deer supply in England was depleted, so they turned to hunting fox. The Foxhound i...
English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is a hunting dog, used to drive game toward the guns. This breed has been around for over 500 years. During the mid 1800s, several types of dogs were classified as Cockers; however the breeds were reclassified later in the la...
Elo
The Elo is a German breed, first bred in 1987. The breed is a combination of nine different breeds and 16 specific dogs. The Elo is predominantly Eurasier. It is also 23% Old English Sheepdog and 10% Chow Chow. The other 6 breeds used remain in smaller...
Dutch Partridge Dog
The Dutch Partridge Dog, also known as the Drentsche Patrijshond, is an extremely rare breed used to hunt fowl. The breed resembles both the spaniel and setter families. The breed originated in the 16th century in the Netherlands and at one time was us...
Dunker
The Dunker, also known as the Norwegian Hound is a scent hound, bred to hunt hares. It is named after its creator, Wilhelm Dunker, who crossed a Russian Harlequin Hound with Norwegian scent hounds to achieve the breed. The breed has a muscular body ...
Drever
The Drever, also known as the Swedish Dachsbracke, is a scent hound, bred to hunt hares, roe deer, and fox. It may be a combination of the Westphalian Dachsbracke and a beagle. The first Drever was registered in Sweden in 1913. The body of the Drev...
Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a strong breed, originally bred for pit fighting, which now exists as a family pet and guard dog. The breed has been used for pulling farts, guarding flocks, and protecting castles. The Dogue de Bordeaux was developed before or...
Doberman Pinscher
The Doberman Pinscher is a medium to large sized breed known for its abilities as a guard dog, watch dog, or police dog. Its loyalty, intelligence, and the challenge it presents to those that provoke it make it exceptional for tasks such as these. It w...
Cuban Mastiff
The Cuban Mastiff, otherwise known as the Dogo Cubano or Cuban Dogge is an extinct molosser type dog, originally bred in Cuba. The Cuban Mastiff was often used for dog fighting. The Cuban Mastiff has a mostly white coat and is very large. It can wei...
Dingo
The Dingo or Warrigal is a wild dog most-likely descended from the Southern-East Asian Wolf, yet typically referred to as an Australian dog. The Dingo is still found throughout Southeast Asia as well as Australia, and was named in the language of the f...
Dalmatian
The Dalmatian is a coach dog which is easily recognized for its unique spotted coat. This ancient breed has been used as a guard dog, bird dog, trail hound, retriever, and most importantly a coach or carriage dog. The Dalmatian was once used to run in ...
German Spaniel
The German Spaniel, also called the Deutscher Wachtelhund or the German Quail Dog is a medium-sized German gundog. The breed is used to track and retrieve upland game and blood trail large game; it also loves to work in the water. The German Spaniel...
Scottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound is a large sight hound developed to hunt red deer by deer stalking and coursing in the highland moor. The breed is closely related to the Irish Wolfhound. The appearance of the Scottish Deerhound is similar to that of the Grey...
Danish Broholmer
The Danish Broholmer, native to Denmark, is a molosser type breed of dog. It is a guard dog breed named after a game-keeper who lived in the 1700s, Sehested of Broholm. The breed almost became extinct following World War II, but a group of Danish enthu...
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small terrier developed near the border of Scotland and England to hunt otters and badgers. It was first bred in the 17th century and is named after a farmer in a novel by Sir Walter Scott. The breed's colors, mustard an...
Dachshund
The Dachshund is a German hound with a very long body and short little legs. The standard size was bred to scent, chase, and flush burrowing animals, while the miniature was bred for hunting rabbits. The breed is often called a wiener dog, hot dog, or ...
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog originated as an experiment in 1955 in the former Czech Republic. The breed was created by breeding a German Shepherd with a Carpathian Wolf, in attempts to create a "wolfdog" which blended the qualities of a dog and a wolf....
Curly Coated Retriever
The Curly Coated Retriever is a breed of dog developed in England to hunt waterfowl. It is easily distinguished from other Retrievers by its height and its curly coat. The Curly Coated Retriever is slightly longer than it is tall, yet still appears ...
Croatian Sheepdog
The Croatian Sheepdog is a very old bred of dog native to Croatia. The Croats brought the ancestors of the breed to Croatia from their original native land. The first written record of the breed was written around the year 1374. The breed instinctively...
Coton de Tuléar
The Coton de Tuléar is a small companion breed and the official dog of Madagascar. It is believed that the Coton was brought to the port of Tuléar by Spanish and Portuguese sailors in the 16th century. The breed was frequently used as a companion...
Cordoba Fighting Dog
The Cordoba Fighting Dog originated in Argentina and was a cross between a Mastiff, Bull Terrier, and Old English Bulldog. It is now extinct, but it was used in the creation of the Dogo Argentino, so its ancestry lives on. Many of the dogs in the br...
Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel is a British breed used for hunting and tracking. It was most likely developed by crossing older breeds of hunting spaniels with Basset Hounds or St. Hubert's hounds. There are recorded records of the breed from the mid 1800s in Que...
Cirneco dell'Etna
The Cirneco dell'Etna is a Sicilian sight hound, traditionally used for hunting rabbits. As far as Mediterranean sight hounds go, this breed is the smallest. However, what it lacks in size it makes up for with speed over rough terrain and endurance. It...
Bukovina Sheepdog
The Bukovina Sheepdog is a rustic sheepdog which originated in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania. Romanian Shepherds used the breed to guard and protect their herds. There are three types of Bukovina Sheepdog: the Mioritic, Carpatin, and Ciobănesc...
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow, which originated in China, is one of the oldest recognizable breeds of dog. Legend has it that the breed was used as a model for the traditional stone dogs, the Foo dogs, which stand in front of Buddhist palaces and temples. In China, it...
Chinook
The Chinook is a large, rare sled dog developed in the 1900s in New England. Today the breed is most commonly a family pet, but also serves as a search and rescue breed, and for dog-packing, skijoring and in dog agility competitions The breed weighs...
Chinese Crested Dog
The Chinese Crested Dog is an unusual looking toy breed of dog. A Chinese Crested dog was dubbed the "World's Ugliest Dog". It is speculated that the breed was originally used as a rat-catcher on ships and farmland. There are two types of Chinese Cres...
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua was discovered in Mexico in 1850 and is the smallest breed of dog in existence. The modern-day Chihuahua might have been a cross between the Chinese hairless and the Aztec Techichi dog. The breed was first registered in 1905. Chihuahua...
Chilean Fox Terrier
The Chilean Fox Terrier also called the Chilean Rat Terrier or Ratonero is a mix between the 19th century Fox Terrier and Native American dogs. It is the original breed from Chile which originated in the late 1800s and was standardized over 100 years l...
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a breed that originated with two Newfoundlands rescued from a ship in Maryland in the 1800s. The Newfoundlands were bred with various dogs to create the breed. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an extremely resilient hunti...
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the largest of the toy dog breeds. The breed has roots in the Restoration period; however the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was first bred in the 20th century. The predecessor of the Cavalier King Charles ...
Central Asian Shepherd
The Central Asian Shepherd was developed naturally in a large territory which spans from the Ural Mountains, to the Caspian Sea, to modern Turkey, to northwest China. The breed has been in existence for around 4,000 years, and is closely related to the...
Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier, also called the Bohemian Terrier is a small dog which originated in Czechoslovakia. It is a relatively new breed, first recognized by the FCI in 1963 and the UKC in 1993. The breed's original purpose was to hunt vermin, such as foxes...
Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard is one of North America's oldest breeds, named after Catahoula Parish in Louisiana. It might have descended from Mastiffs and Greyhounds brought to Louisiana in the 16th century by Hernando de Soto. These dogs were crossed with se...
Cesky Fousek
The Cesky Fousek is a Czech gun dog. It is a versatile breed that is thought to be ancient; however standards for the breed weren't developed until the 1900s. In the 1920s the breed nearly became extinct, but breeding with German Wirehaired Pointers sa...
Caucasian Shepherd
The Caucasian Shepherd is a popular Molosser-type breed for shepherds who need strong protection for their property and flocks. The breed should be healthy, muscular, strong and mild-mannered. There are two types of Caucasian Shepherd: Mountain and ...
Catalan Sheepdog
The Catalan Sheepdog is a European breed which makes an excellent sheepdog. It is very intelligent and often guards sheep with no help or instruction from its owner. It can also be a wonderful companion. The Catalan Sheepdog stands 17 to 19 inches t...
Carolina Dog
The Carolina Dog is a wild swamp dog discovered in the late 1970s. The breed was discovered by a Senior Research Ecologist at the University of Georgia, Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin Junior. When he was working at the Savannah River site, he came across a stray ...
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
The Cardigan Welsh Corgi is one of two types of Corgi; this particular breed originated in Cardiganshire, Wales, thus its name. The phrase "cor gi" is sometimes translated as "dwarf dog" in Welsh. It was originally bred as a farm guardian, and was then...
Azores Cattle Dog
The Azores Cattle Dog, also known as the Cão Fila de São Miguel or São Miguel Cattle Dog originated on the largest island in the Azores, São Miguel. It was recognized in 1995. The breed is medium-sized and muscular, with a strong jaw. I...
Portuguese Cattle Dog
The Portuguese Cattle Dog, also known as the Cão de Castro Laboreiro is a Molosser type dog which originated in the northern part of Portugal, in a village called Castro Laboreiro. It is a favorite police dog for Portuguese authorities. The breed is...
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is a lean, molosser type dog. It is an Italian breed used predominantly as a guard dog. It is not as bulky as other Mastiffs and is much more athletic looking. The Cane Corso stands 23 to 27 inches high and weighs 88 to 110 pounds. Th...
Canadian Eskimo Dog
The Canadian Eskimo Dog, also called the Canadian Inuit Dog is a large Arctic dog. It is often considered to be North America's oldest and rarest purebred indigenous domestic dog. The breed was once used as a method of transportation in Canada. The ...
Canaan Dog
The Canaan Dog is Israel's national breed, which has existed in the Middle East for thousands of years. It has the appearance of a wild dog combined with a medium collie-type breed, and belongs to the Spitz family. The Canaan Dog has ears which stan...
Cairn Terrier
The Cairn Terrier originated in Scotland. It is one of the oldest terriers as well as one of the oldest working breeds in Scotland; it was bred to hunt burrowing prey. The average Cairn Terrier stands between 9 and 13 inches tall and should weigh 13...
Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff, a cross between the Old English Bulldog and the English Mastiff is a powerful breed. It was originally bred in the 1800s to tackle poachers, and its size is a reflection of that. The Bullmastiff is generally 24 to 27 inches tall and...
Bulldog
The Bulldog, also called the British or English Bulldog is a stocky, medium-sized breed that originated in England. The term "bulldog" was first used in the late 1500s. The Bulldog was bred in England over a period of time; it is a cross between a pug ...
Bull Terrier
The Bull Terrier, also called the English Bull Terrier, is a thick-set breed in the terrier family. Its most recognizable feature is its "˜egg shaped' head, flat on the top, with a Roman muzzle. The Bull Terrier has close-set, triangle-shaped eyes,...
Broholmer
The Broholmer, from Denmark, is a large molosser type of dog. It typically weighs 110 to 132 pounds and its coat can either be black or fawn with a black mask. The Broholmer is a guardian breed named after a game-keeper who lived in the 1700s, Seheste...
Brittany
The Brittany is a gun dog bred in France primarily bred for hunting birds. The breed is often recognized as a spaniel; however its working characteristics show similarities to a setter or a pointer. The Brittany has very long legs and a solid, athle...
Briard
The Briard is a large French dog, bred expressly to guard and herd sheep. The Briard also shows talent in search and rescue, police work, military work, and as a messenger, companion and watch dog. The breed is very independent and often left on its ow...
Brazilian Terrier
The Brazilian Terrier is a hundred-year-old breed which combines the Fox Terrier with other small breeds, and it is one of the only two dog breeds developed in Brazil. The Brazilian Terrier is a pack hunter with stronger than average instincts. The ...
Brazilian Mastiff
The Brazilian Mastiff is a large working dog of the Molosser group, developed in Brazil. It was most likely developed from the Mastiff, the Bulldog and the Bloodhound. They originated on plantations and cattle farms and are excellent tracking dogs once...
Braque du Bourbonnais
The Braque du Bourbonnais is a French gun dog with a ticked liver or fawn coat and a short tail. It thrived during the Renaissance and after WWI. A breed club was established in 1925 but that did not keep the dog from practically becoming extinct for a...
Bracco Italiano
The Bracco Italiano is a gun dog developed in Italy which is fairly common in Europe, but rare elsewhere. The breed is most likely a cross between a coursing hound called the Segugio Italiano and the Asiatic Mastiff. There are two variations of the Bra...
Boxer
The Boxer is a stocky, medium-sized German breed. It is the seventh most popular breed of dog in the United States based on 2006 AKC statistics. The Boxer is part of the Molosser group and was bred from the Bulldog and the extinct Bullenbeisser. The...
Boykin Spaniel
The Boykin Spaniel is slightly larger than the English Cocker Spaniel, and a member of the same family. It stands from 14 to 17 inches tall and weighs 25 to 35 pounds. It is a retrieving breed, and the state dog of South Carolina. The coat of the Bo...
Boston Terrier
The Boston Terrier is a compact breed, and the first non-sporting dog bred in America. It is a compact breed with a square face and a short, wrinkle-free muzzle. It is a well proportioned breed weighing 10 to 25 pounds and standing 15 to 17 inches tall...
Borzoi
The Borzoi, also called the Russian Wolfhound, is a Russian breed of sight hound. It is a large variety, similar in shape to the Greyhound. It is bred to pursue game and can cover large distances quite quickly. The Borzoi is a tall streamlined dog, wei...
Border Terrier
The Border Terrier is a small, narrow-bodied dog belonging to the terrier group. The breed was originally bred to hunt fox and other vermin. The Border Terrier takes its name from the area near the Scottish-English border, where the breed originated. ...
Border Collie
The Border Collie is a herding breed that descended from breeds near the border of England and Scotland. It is commonly considered the most intelligent breed of dog. It has always been a herding breed and has more recently become popular as a pet and ...
Bolognese
The Bolognese is a companion dog and a descendent of the Bichon group. The Bolognese stands from 9 to 12 inches tall and generally weighs 8 to 11 pounds. It is a small, white dog with a curly, wooly coat. It has large, dark eyes and an extremely compac...
Boerboel
The Boerboel is a very large South African working breed. It was originally bred to be a farmer's dog and to defend the homestead. It is a heavy mastiff breed that is obedient, intelligent and dominant. It is thought that the breed was derived from int...
Blue Picardy Spaniel
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a French sporting dog, first recorded in the 1870s, bred from the English Setter and the Picardy Spaniel. It stands 22 to 24 inches high and generally weighs around 45 pounds. The Picardy looks like a setter with its long le...
Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is a French breed bred for tracking human beings. It is a scent hound, known for its ability to follow a scent over long distances, even if it is days old. It is frequently used to trace missing persons or prison escapees. The Bloodho...
Black Russian Terrier
The Black Russian Terrier is both a working and a guard dog breed. It is an athletic dog, often used on police forces; it was developed in the former USSR as a military dog. The coat of the Black Russian Terrier should appear rustic, and be both ha...
Blackmouth Cur
The Blackmouth Cur is a hunting dog that originated in the southern United States. It is used as a herding dog as well as for hunting. The breed is strong, and has incredible jumping and climbing ability, excellent for treeing prey. The Blackmouth C...
Black and Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a scent hound primarily used for tracking raccoon. It is one of six recognized varieties of Coonhound. It is a somewhat rare breed that is not only great at tracking but also hunting various animals as well as agility. ...
Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon, named for the city in Belgium from which it originated, is a toy breed which is broken down into three sub-categories. The term Brussels Griffon can refer to three different breeds, the Griffon Bruxellois, the Griffon Belge, and t...
Bichon Frisé
The Bichon Frisé is a small, white, lapdog; it is a very popular and intelligent pet. The Bichon Frisé descended from the Poodle, Water Spaniel, and a small white dog which existed in the Mediterranean as far back as 600 B.C. At one point in the ...
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large Swedish farm dog. It is a hard-working breed, recognized primarily by its coloration. It has a black body, neck, legs, head and ears; its cheeks and stockings are rust or tan and the toes, muzzle, chest, and between ...
Berger Picard
The Berger Picard, also called the Picardy Shepherd, is a rare French herding breed. Today, the breed consists of only about 4000 dogs; the breed nearly became extinct after both World War I and World War II. The breed's mutt-like appearance has kept i...
Bergamasco
The Bergamasco is a herding breed which originated in the Italian Alps. It is a solid, medium-sized dog with a rustic appearance. The feature that sets the Bergamasco apart is its unusual coat. The coat is felted and characterized by three types of ...
Belgian Shepherd (Tervuren)
The Belgian Shepherd (Tervuren) is a variety of Belgian Shepherd recognized by its thick mahogany coat with a black overlay. It is a medium sized breed, generally standing between 24 and 26 inches high and weighing 65 pounds. The Tervuren has a double ...
Belgian Shepherd (Malinois)
The Belgian Shepherd (Malinois) is a variety of the Belgian Shepherd distinguished by its short brownish-yellow coat and black ears, muzzle and cheeks. The breed can vary greatly, due to its origin as a working dog. Appearance is not particularly impor...
Belgian Shepherd (Laekenois)
The Belgian Shepherd (Laekenois) is a variety of the Belgian Shepherd recognized by its wooly brown and white coat. The Laekenois, like other varieties of Belgian Shepherd is square-proportioned and medium-sized with large, pointy, triangular ears. Thi...
Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael)
The Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael) is the most popular of the four varieties of Belgian Shepherd. It is a medium-sized dog recognized by its black coat and square proportions. It stands 22 to 26 inches high and weighs between 44 and 66 pounds. Its b...
Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is a sheep-like dog well suited for agility. It is a terrier breed named after a mining town in Northeast England. Its fur has a wooly texture and usually a pale blue, sandy or liver color; it has been described as looking like a...
Beauceron
The Beauceron is a French herding dog, also known as the French Shorthaired Shepherd. It originated in the plains region near the Seine River. Its regional name can be somewhat misleading, as it was found throughout northern France rather than just in ...
Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie originated in Scotland and is a herding breed. Legend has it that a Scottish shepherd was impressed with the Polish Lowland Sheepdog that he'd seen that he decided to breed them with some local Scottish dogs to produce the Bearded Co...
Beagle
The Beagle is a medium sized scent hound developed for tracking rabbits and other game. It has a keen sense of smell which makes it a popular hunting breed. The Beagle resembles the Foxhound and has existed in type for over 2,000 years. The modern form...
Bavarian Mountain Hound
The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a German scent hound, used since the middle ages to track wounded game. It is a breed for foresters and game wardens, not for the casual hunter or city dweller. It needs space, exercise, and a job. It has a broad skull...
Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a scent hound; its sense of tracking second only to that of the Bloodhound. Basset is derived from the French word "bas" plus a suffix, translating literally to "rather low". This is no exaggeration as the Basset Hound is only aroun...
Basset Fauve de Bretagne
The Basset Fauve de Bretagne is a short-legged scent hound. It stands barely over a foot high and is the shortest backed of all the basset breeds. It has short, fine, dark hair on its ears and coarse, dense, lighter hair on its coat. The ears just reac...
Basque Shepherd Dog
The Basque Shepherd Dog is traditionally used by the shepherds of Basque County to take care of their cattle. It is a well proportioned breed with a strong, rectangular body. It is well covered with a coat of copper or gold hair which is shorter on the...
Basenji
The Basenji is a hunting dog that originated in central Africa. It is considered a hound, more specifically in the sight hound family. Due to its unusually shaped larynx the Basenji does not bark as a normal dog would, it produces an unusual yodel-like...
Barbet
The Barbet is a medium-sized French gun dog. It is thought to be the source of the various water dog breeds, such as the Portuguese Water Dog, American Water Spaniel, and the Poodle. The Barbet weighs between 37 and 61 pounds and stands 20 to 25 in...
Bandog
The Bandog (also called Bandogge) originated around 1300 in England and was a guard dog. It was a mastiff-type dog bred to be chained during the day and released at night to ward off intruders. In those times the Bandog was strictly a working dog w...
Austrian Black and Tan Hound
The Austrian Black and Tan Hound is thought to be the descendent of the original Celtic Hound. It was used for tracking wounded game in high altitudes. It is black with small fawn colored markings, notably two above the eyes. The coat of the Austrian B...
Austrian Pinscher
The Austrian Pinscher is a rodent-catching, livestock-guarding, pinscher-type dog "“ directly related to the German Pinscher. The breed does not generally get along with other dogs and can have a tendency to bite. It is a medium sized breed with a...
Australian Terrier
The Australian Terrier is a small dog standing around 10 inches high and weighing 15 pounds. It is a low set and long dog; it is longer than it is tall. Its head is long with pricked triangular ears, it has small, dark oval eyes and a strong muzzle. Th...
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a herding dog, similar to the Australian Cattle Dog. The most obvious difference between the two breeds is that the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog has a naturally bobbed tail. It also has longer legs and ther...
Australian Silky Terrier
The Australian Silky Terrier is usually classified in the toy group or the terrier group. It is a small dog, about 10 inches high and weighing about 10 pounds. It has a silky coat that is generally kept about 5 inches long. The Silky Terrier is bel...
Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is a working breed that was developed in the United States, not Australia as its name implies. It has excessive energy and drive and needs a job to do. The Aussie stands between 18 and 23 inches tall and weighs between 35 an...
Australian Kelpie
The Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized herding dog, used primarily for sheep and poultry. The ancestors of the Kelpie were Collies, and some believe they have Dingo blood. The breed comes in two varieties, the Show Kelpie and the Working Kelpie. The b...
Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog also goes by the names Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler and Red Heeler. It is a high-energy medium-sized dog bred to herd cattle. The origins of the breed are unknown, although they probably began with a cattle dog, bread wi...
Australian Bulldog
The Australian Bulldog is a developing dog breed from Australia; development began in the 1990s in an attempt to create a dog that looked like a bulldog but lacked its health problems. There are two separate parent breed clubs for the Australian Bull...
Artois Hound
The Artois Hound is a scent hound and a descendant of the Bloodhound. It is a hunting breed which was a French favorite in the 17th century. During the 19th century it was crossbred so much with other hunting breeds that much of the original bloodline ...
Appenzeller Sennenhund
The Appenzeller Sennenhund is a breed from Switzerland bred for the purpose of guarding flocks and being a general farm dog. It is a medium-sized breed that is friendly and excels in obedience competitions. Because the Appenzeller Sennenhund is a h...
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie
The Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie is a medium-sized large game hunter. It can come in tan, black, and white, or two of the three colors. It is around 19 to 22 inches tall and has a smooth short coat. It is a solid dog with good stamina, and it...
Anatolian Shepherd
The Anatolian Shepherd is a breed of dog from Turkey bred to guard flocks of sheep from predators. As a breed it is independent and forceful, which make it a challenge to own as a pet. The Anatolian Shepherd must be well socialized if it is to be a co...
Alpine Dachsbracke
The Alpine Dachsbracke, native to Austria, is a small scent hound bred to track wounded deer, boar, hare and fox. The ancestry of the Alpine Dachsbracke can be tracked to the mid 19th century and includes the Austrian black and tan hound and the standa...
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a northern breed frequently mistaken for a Siberian Husky. The breed descended from dogs in the Mahlemut tribe of northwestern Alaska; these dogs worked, hunted and lived alongside their owners. It was often used for freighting ...
Alaskan Husky
The Alaskan Husky is a category of dog, but it falls short of being a breed. It is defined by purpose and lacks registration and restrictions to ancestry. The Alaskan Husky is one of the fastest sled dogs, sometimes running over 19 miles per hour. They...
Alaskan Klee Kai
The Alaskan Klee Kai is a small dog in the spitz family. It was originally developed to create a smaller version of the Alaskan Husky (although it more closely resembles a Siberian Husky). The Breed was developed in Alaska in the 1970s when an Alaskan ...
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is a rare breed developed in Georgia. Some say that the Alapaha is identical to the American Bulldog, and there are only two registries for the breed. Regardless of its questionable origin, the Alapaha Blue Blood Bull...
American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is a gundog that originated around the mid 1800s most likely in Wisconsin. The American Water Spaniel stands around 15 to 18 inches high and weighs 25 to 45 pounds. The breed's coat is dense, curly, and resists weather well. ...
American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is very closely related to the American Pit Bull Terrier and is one of the breeds frequently referred to as a Pit Bull. The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium sized dog that typically stands 16 to 19 inches ta...
American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pit Bull Terrier is one of several breeds loosely classified as Pit Bulls. The APBT is a terrier bred for their loyalty, athleticism and agility. The American Pit Bull Terrier is the midsized breed of the three that are generally called Pi...
American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is a scent hound related to the English Foxhound. They are fairly large dogs, weighing anywhere from 40 to 75 pounds, and ranging from 21-28 inches tall. The body of the Foxhound is narrow, and it has very long, straight legs. The...
American Eskimo
The American Eskimo dog originated in Germany is a great companion and watchdog. Despite its appearance it did not descend from the Husky, but is a member of the Spitz family. The American Eskimo dog has a white or biscuit cream straight double coa...
American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel originated in the UK and was established as a separate breed from the English Cocker Spaniel in the 1900s. It is a sporting breed used to scare animals out into the open for their masters to shoot. The Cocker weighs between ...
American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is a working dog breed developed for protecting property and catching livestock. There are two types of American Bulldog, the Classic (Johnson, Bully) or Standard (Scott, Performance) type. The Standard Bulldog is often mistaken fo...
Alano Español
The Alano Español (also known as the Spanish Bulldog or the Spanish Alano) is a large dog, 23 to 25 inches tall and weighing 70 to 90 pounds. The Alano Español has an athletic appearance and a well proportioned, strong body structure. The rib cag...
Akita Inu
The Akita Inu or Akita Ken is a large breed of dog standing 26 to 28 inches at the shoulders and weighing 75 to 120 pounds. The breed originated in Japan and is accepted there in only five colors: fawn, sesame, brindle, red and pure white. Each of thes...
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier originated in Yorkshire, England, and is the largest of the terrier breeds. The Airedale can weigh between 50 to 100 pounds. It is sometimes called the "King of Terriers" because of its size or the Waterside Terrier because it was ...