List of Dog Breeds from A-Z!
We’re all familiar with our ABC’s here aren’t we. Here’s our doggo dictionary of pups a-z and a little snapshot of what’s to love about each specific breed and some fun facts.
What is a Dog Breed?
The definition of a dog breed, is a particular type of dog that was intentionally bred to perform a specific task. Dogs are the most variable mammal, with over 360 globally recognized breeds. Dogs were the first species to be domesticated, originally descending from wolves.
Australian, Dog Breeds
Here in Australia, we have some beautiful native breeds, such as the Australian Kelpie, Australian Cattle dog, and Koolies. These dogs were all bred as herding dogs to assist our farmers, and bred to endure the harsh Australian climate. These dogs are well loved all over Australia making wonderful family pets, also being amazing breeds to train.
List of Dog Breeds from A-Z!
Akita
The beautiful Akita is a Japanese breed, of quite a large size. They live for 10 - 15 years, weigh 30 - 40 kg and are about 60 - 70 cm tall. They can be great household pets but require a lot of exercise to keep them happy and healthy! Akita’s are known for their loyalty, courage and independence, originally bred to hunt bears and boars. They’re reserved with strangers but will be affectionate and protective with you and your family.
Border Collie
A well known breed, these intelligent puppers were bred in England for herding sheep, all over the world farmers still use them as herding dogs! They live for about 12-15 years, weigh 15 - 20 kg, and are about 45 - 55 cm tall. These dogs need a lot of physical exercise but they can make for amazing family pets if you’re happy to be kept on your toes!
Chihuahua
Did you know the Chihuahua was bred in Mexico and is one of the oldest breeds in the world, thought to be over 3,000 years old? We all know they are quite small, less than a standard ruler at only 15 - 22 cm, 1 - 3 kg, and they live for 10 - 18 years. Although they may be lacking in size they’re certainly not lacking in personality! These pups are known for their feisty attitude and love for attention.
Dalmatian
These gorgeous spotty dogs originate from Croatia, they used to help assist firefighters, by clearing the path of other dogs who would bite the horses legs as the carriage road past. They make wonderful family pets with their high energy, and loyalty, but they also need a lot of exercise and attention! Their life expectancy is 13-16 years, and they’re about 22 - 25kg.
Eurasier
Don’t be startled by their wolf-like appearance! These dogs are an amazing versatile companion, they’re playful and known for their learning abilities and their willingness to please their owners. They need mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. Activities such as fetch, puzzle games and even training, are extremely beneficial for these dogs. They’re average life span is about 12 - 14 years, and they weigh about 20 - 30 kg.
Fox Terrier
The Fox Terrier was originally bred in England in the 18th Century, to help with the fox population by chasing them out of their hiding places - hence the name! These dogs are amazingly intelligent and amazing to train, they make amazing show ring dogs, with their courage and confident personality, while also being affectionate and loyal, making a very strong bond with you. They live for around 10-15 years, and weigh around 8 kg.
German Shepherd
What a prized and beloved breed this one is! German Shepherds are known and loved for their unwavering loyalty, desire to work, but also their affectionate nature and incredible energy. These amazing dogs are often used in law enforcement, search and rescue, and even as therapy and service dogs. Another amazing fact about these beauties, they can reach an amazing speed of up to 48 km per hour, so don’t expect to out-run them any time soon! If happy and healthy they can live for up to about 14 years, they’re certainly a bigger breed with the males weighing up to 44 kg, and can grow up to 66 cm!
Husky
A truly beautiful and striking breed, the Siberian Husky’s are absolutely beautiful with their thick coats in a multitude of colours and striking blue or multi-coloured eyes simply add to their remarkable beauty, it’s easy to see why people are drawn to them. Husky’s are pack dogs, making them very social dogs, who adore being around people with their friendly and outgoing personalities, although they do have a mischievous streak, so watch out! We all know how big these pups can get, up to 27 kg and 60 cm tall!
Irish Wolfhound
These Giants were bred in Ireland, originally used in wars, to drag men off horses, and for hunting large animals such as deer, bears and wolves. They’re generally considered the tallest dog breed, even though many out-weigh them, at a shocking 80 - 90 cm! As for what makes them a great family dog, they’re gentle, loyal, and easy to train, however they will need a lot of space.
Jackshund
A mixed breed of the Jack-Russell-Terrier and a dachshund. The mix of both make a very fun, playful and affectionate doggie with lots of energy! They’re a small to medium dog, weighing 6 - 12 kg, and are 20 - 58 cm tall. These dogs are both energetic and lovely, so get ready for lots of exercise but also lots of cuddles.
Kai Ken
One of only 6 native Japanese breeds, originally bred near Mount Fuji, getting its name from the Kai province where it was discovered. They’re amazing dogs for training, they’re incredibly intelligent and they learn very quickly. When it comes to family, they’re protective, loyal, but they can be reserved and alert to start. As for an idea of their size, they can be up to 90 cm and 20 kg.
Labrador
We’re all familiar with the beautiful, friendly Labrador’s, but did you know that they were first bred in Canada to help fishermen haul their nets and ropes in while fishing? They’re still an amazing asset in the modern day world, not just making beautiful pets, but helping in disability support, military assistance and even border patrol. While being intelligent and amazing to train, they’re also friendly, sweet natured and social, making amazing pets for first time dog-owners.
Mastiff
Fun Fact; the heaviest ever recorded dog was a Mastiff! In 1987, he weighed 156 kg and was 2.5m from head to tail. These dogs are known for their impressive size! Regardless of their intimidating size, these are gentle giants, they’re often known to be gentle, loving and affectionate. They’re an ancient breed, coming from all over the world, including Egypt, Asia and Europe.
Norwegian Buhund
Originating from Norway, and bred by the Vikings! Their name comes from the Norwegian word “bu,” meaning farm, and “hund,” meaning dog, and still to this day, in Norway, they’re used as general farm dogs. These dogs are known to be incredibly social, people loving, and they make for amazing family pets! They enjoy spending lots of time with their family, and as long as they can in your company they’ll be happy.
Old English Sheepdog
What an unmistakable shaggy coat! Bred to help farmers drive cows and sheep to markets, the Old English Sheepdog today enjoys the comforts of home life while still having incredible obedience, agility while being easy going and intelligent. They are large dogs, generally around 55 cm tall and weigh around 30 - 35 kg.
Papillon
The name ‘Papillon’ comes from the French word for butterfly, named after their feathered ears, resembling butterfly wings. They originate from France, bred to be companion dogs, they’re often seen in paintings from the 16th Century. Despite their small size, they have a lot of energy, and require 30-60 minutes of exercise per day.
Queensland Heeler
Ok, we had to improv a bit on this one! The Australian Cattle Dog (occasionally known as the Queensland Heeler ;) ) is a beautiful Australian bred herding dog. They were bred during the 19th Century to help farmers expand the cattle ranches. They were bred with dogs from England and the Dingo, to create a dog who could handle the Australian climate. The mix created the distinctive blue and red coat of the Australian Cattle Dog we know today.
Rottweiler
This beautiful sturdy breed originated from the town Rottweil in Germany, however their history dates even further back, in the Roman Empire, used as guard dogs and for herding. Although they’ve unfortunately gained a bad reputation, when properly trained and socialised from a young age, they’re very gentle and affectionate. While they can be shy and reserved with strangers, they are incredibly loyal and protective of their family.
Stafford Bull Terrier
Often called Staffy’s for short, they’re affectionate and playful dogs, they’re good with children and a wonderful companion. They were bred in the 19th century in England to be small, fast, fighting dogs. These days they’re no longer used for fighting and they’re incredibly friendly, loyal and protective of their families.
Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback had been existing naturally until about 350 years ago, then they were domesticated in Thailand to be guard dogs, and to hunt. They’re a headstrong and loyal breed that keep their owners on their toes! They’re 50 - 60 cm tall, 15 - 35 kg, and can live from 10 - 13 years. They’re still primarily owned in Thailand, but are gradually getting more popular around the world.
Utonagan
The Utonagan might give you a shock at a first glance with their wolf-like appearance, but that is the very reason they were bred! They were specifically bred to look like a wolf without any of the characteristic dangers, the Utonagan was sold as a wolf hybrid. These dogs aren’t aggressive but they can be strong-willed and stubborn, so training them can be difficult, but once trained, they make gentle, loving and loyal pets.
Vizsla
The Vizsla is a Hungarian breed of dog that has a rich history of being hunting companions. They can often be referred to as ‘velcro dogs,’ they’re very affectionate, loyal and very attached to their human families, they thrive on this friendship with their families, and are eager to please, which makes them wonderful family dogs. They’re also incredibly fast, they can reach up to 60 km per hour! Their incredible speed and concentration makes them great dogs to tag along for hunting, search and rescue, and they excel in dog sports as well.
Whippet
A cousin to the greyhounds, the Whippet can often get confused with the Italian Greyhound, however they’re small dogs, and the Whippet is classified as a medium dog. They look quite similar, but Whippets are a bit bigger at about 45 - 55 cm tall. Good news for your neighbours, they’re a very quiet dog and don’t tend to bark a lot! They do however need a lot of exercise and they love to chase anything, so exercise for these pups is essential!
Xiasi
With less than 300 of these remaining, they’re certainly a rare breed, you’ll be lucky to ever encounter one, they were believed to bring prosperity and blessings to their community. They’re an exquisite white breed, bred by the Miao people, living in the Guizhou mountains. They were prized for their hunting and guarding skills, and the people adored them. They’re beautiful, loyal, affectionate and protective dogs.
Yakutian Laika
A close relative to the Siberian Husky, these puppers were bred in the cold of the Yakutia region in Russia as sled dogs and a loving part of a human family. These beautiful teddy-bear-like dogs are affectionate and develop close bonds with children they grow up with, making wonderful family dogs, thriving on human connection.
Zuchon
The Zuchon is a small designer crossbreed, made from the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise. They’re generally extroverted, lively, playful and affectionate dogs that make great dogs for first time pet owners! They grow from 25 - 30cm, weigh 2 - 7 kg and they’ll live between 15 and 18 years.
There’s our A-Z list of puppers! We hope you learnt something new or something interested you about these breeds.
Here at Paws for Change did you know you can Virtually Adopt a pup! If you’re wanting to make a change for just $1 a day, then we’d absolutely love it if you could adopt one of our beautiful pups for just $35 a month!
We’ve got a beautiful range of breeds, and although $1 a day may not seem like a lot it definitely makes a massive difference to the dogs in care. ❤
Adopt here: https://www.pawsforchange.org.au/virtual-adoptions