Read time: 9 mins
04 Oct 2023
When it comes to man's best friend, there's a wide variety of dog breeds to choose from. From the playful and energetic to the calm and loyal, dogs come in all shapes and sizes. In this comprehensive list, we'll explore dog breeds from A to Z, with five breeds for each letter of the alphabet.
For an even more in-depth list, see The Kennel Club’s Breeds A-Z list.
The Akita Inu is a powerful and dignified breed known for its loyalty and strong protective instincts.
These intelligent and energetic dogs are known for their herding abilities and striking blue eyes.
American Bulldogs are muscular and tenacious, making them great working dogs and loyal companions.
With a love for the great outdoors, Alaskan Malamutes are known for their strength and endurance.
These elegant dogs are famous for their long, silky coats and graceful appearance.
Beagles are friendly and curious dogs with a keen sense of smell, often used as sniffer dogs.
Boxers are playful and affectionate, known for their boundless energy and strong loyalty to their families.
Bulldogs are characterised by their distinctive wrinkled face and calm disposition, making them great companions.
Basenjis are known as the "barkless" dogs due to their silence, but the exception of unique yodel-like vocalisations.
These small, fluffy dogs are full of charm and make excellent family pets.
Chihuahuas are tiny but fearless dogs with big personalities and a strong bond with their owners.
Cocker Spaniels are known for their beautiful, long ears and friendly demeanour.
Collies are highly intelligent and known for their herding abilities, as famously portrayed in the movie "Lassie."
Corgis are beloved for their short legs and cheerful disposition.
These affectionate dogs are known for their silky ears and gentle nature.
Dalmatians are famous for their distinctive black spots and lively personality.
Dobermans are known for their sleek appearance and unwavering loyalty.
Dachshunds, or "wiener dogs," are characterised by their long bodies and playful nature.
These massive dogs are known for their wrinkled faces and gentle temperament.
Dandies are small, unique-looking terriers with a charming personality.
English Bulldogs are known for their loose, wrinkled skin and affectionate nature.
These enthusiastic dogs are excellent hunting companions and family pets.
Eurasiers are a rare breed known for their fluffy coats and balanced personalities.
This Swiss breed is sturdy and strong, often used for herding and as a watchdog.
Norwegian Elkhounds are known for their endurance and bravery when hunting large game.
French Bulldogs are known for their bat-like ears and charming personalities, making them popular city pets.
Fox Terriers are energetic and intelligent dogs, often used in fox hunting in the past.
These joyful retrievers are known for their long, glossy coats and friendly demeanour.
Finnish Spitz dogs are known for their fox-like appearance and distinctive vocalisations.
Also known as the Brazilian Mastiff, this breed is known for its loyalty and protective instincts.
German Shepherds are highly intelligent and versatile dogs, excelling in roles from police work to family protection.
Golden Retrievers are friendly and gentle dogs, loved for their beautiful golden coats.
Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds, known for their gentle giants and friendly nature.
Greyhounds are elegant and incredibly fast dogs, often used in racing.
These athletic dogs are excellent hunting companions and family pets.
Havanese are small and affectionate dogs known for their silky coats and cheerful personalities.
Vizslas are versatile hunting dogs with a striking golden-rust coat.
Siberian Huskies are known for their striking blue eyes and endurance, originally bred as sled dogs.
Harriers are medium-sized hounds, often used for hare hunting.
Hovawarts are loyal and protective dogs with a long history as guardians.
Irish Setters are known for their beautiful red coats and lively personalities.
These miniature greyhounds are known for their grace and affection.
Ibizan Hounds are elegant and agile dogs, often used in hunting.
Irish Wolfhounds are one of the tallest dog breeds, known for their gentle and friendly nature.
Irish Terriers are spirited and brave dogs with distinctive red coats.
Jack Russells are small and energetic dogs with a strong prey drive.
Japanese Chins are known for their elegant appearance and charming personalities.
Jindos are loyal and intelligent dogs, originally from Korea.
These fluffy white dogs are known for their playful and friendly nature.
Jagdterriers are compact and versatile hunting dogs.
Keeshonds are known for their distinctive "spectacles" (facial markings) and friendly, alert nature.
Kuvasz dogs are large and protective, originally bred to guard livestock.
Kerry Blue Terriers are known for their unique blue coats and spirited personalities.
Komondors are famous for their corded, mop-like coats and strong guarding instincts.
Kangals are powerful and loyal dogs, often used as livestock guardians.
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide, known for their friendly and outgoing nature.
Leonbergers are gentle giants, beloved for their calm and friendly disposition.
Lhasa Apsos are small dogs with a regal appearance, originally bred as watchdogs in Tibetan monasteries.
Lakeland Terriers are lively and fearless dogs known for their long, wiry coats.
Lowchens are affectionate and playful dogs, often called "Little Lions" due to their distinctive grooming style.
Maltese dogs are small and elegant, known for their long, silky white coats.
Miniature Schnauzers are known for their distinctive beards and spirited personalities.
Mastiffs are massive dogs with gentle hearts, often referred to as "gentle giants."
Miniature Pinschers are small but confident dogs, known for their fearless nature.
Manchester Terriers are sleek and alert dogs, often used as excellent rat hunters.
Newfoundlands are giant, gentle dogs known for their strength and water rescue abilities.
Norwich Terriers are small, spirited dogs with prick ears and a playful nature.
Neapolitan Mastiffs are known for their massive wrinkles and protective instincts.
Norwegian Lundehunds are agile and unique dogs, known for their extra toes.
Tollers are energetic and intelligent dogs, originally bred for retrieving waterfowl.
Old English Sheepdogs are known for their shaggy coats and friendly demeanour.
Otterhounds are large and friendly dogs, originally bred for otter hunting.
Oriental Shorthairs are sleek and elegant cats, known for their striking appearances.
Ori Peis are a mix of Pug and Shar-Pei, known for their wrinkled skin and friendly personalities.
Also known as the Tatra Shepherd Dog, this breed is used for herding in the Tatra Mountains.
Poodles are highly intelligent and come in standard, miniature, and toy sizes, known for their hypoallergenic coats.
Pugs are small, wrinkled dogs with charming personalities and expressive faces.
Pomeranians are fluffy and lively dogs, known for their vibrant personalities.
Pekingese dogs are small and dignified, originally bred as companions for Chinese emperors.
Papillons are known for their butterfly-like ears and friendly, alert nature.
Really digging deep with this one, but we may have found the ultimate floofsters.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known for the distinctive ridge of hair along their backs and their loyalty.
Rottweilers are powerful and loyal dogs, known for their protective instincts and affectionate nature.
Shih Tzus are small and friendly dogs with long, flowing coats.
Saint Bernards are massive and gentle dogs, known for their rescue work in the Swiss Alps and their loving nature.
Shar Peis are characterised by their wrinkled skin and distinctive "hippopotamus" face, making them unique and endearing.
Salukis are elegant and swift hounds, known for their graceful appearance and hunting prowess.
Samoyeds are fluffy and friendly dogs, known for their "smile" and strong sense of loyalty.
Tibetan Mastiffs are large and protective dogs, originally bred to guard livestock in the Himalayas.
We’re officially stumped with this one…
Hungarian Vizslas are known for their friendly and affectionate nature, making them great companions.
Weimaraners are sleek and athletic dogs, known for their distinctive grey coats and boundless energy.
Welsh Terriers are spirited and intelligent dogs, recognized for their wiry coats and friendly disposition.
Commonly known as Westies, these small terriers are known for their white coats and lively personalities.
Whippets are graceful and agile dogs, often referred to as "miniature greyhounds" due to their similar appearance.
We may have slightly cheated on this one by going oldschool with the ancient name… we challenge you to think of another, it’s im-pawsible.
Yorkshire Terriers, often referred to as Yorkies, are small and elegant dogs known for their silky, fine-textured coats and confident personalities.
Zuchons are a cross between Shih Tzus and Bichon Frises, known for their adorable appearance and friendly personalities.
This comprehensive list highlights the incredible diversity of dog breeds, each with its own unique characteristics and qualities. Whether you prefer a playful Poodle or a loyal Labrador Retriever, there's a dog breed out there that's perfect for you and your lifestyle. Dogs truly are a remarkable and beloved part of our lives.
