All Dog Breeds that Start with ‘A’

Afador.

Are you stuck between a rock and a hard place, scouring through the list of all dog breeds to decide whether to get a Labrador Retriever or an Afghan Hound? Well, why not get the Afador that blends all the best features of both?

It’s a hybrid dog of medium size with the body of a Retriever and the head of the Afghan hound. Moreover, the Afador has a medium, fine, and straight coat, which means less hassle for you in the maintenance department.

Sure, you might not join the Kennel Club of pure breeds with this one, but like all dog breeds, you’ll definitely enjoy its loyalty as well as sporting.

Affenpinscher.

Most dogs are considered man’s best friend. However, unlike all dog breeds, the Affenpinscher is more common with women as a companion dog. It’s medium-sized with a very dense coat of short but straight fur that makes it resemble a monkey.

Initially, the original Affenpinscher was much bigger than the breeds we have today. Moreover, unlike most common dog breeds, this one was used in hunting small rodents within the household.

If you’re looking to get one, be very careful with as it doesn’t like being chased around with children. It’s more suited to an apartment type of lifestyle.

Afghan Hound.

As the name suggests, this canine originated from the Middle East and is perhaps one of the oldest of all dog breeds.

With its lush, thick, shiny coat, a narrow face sitting upon its fluid body, and its ears tucked beneath its silky fur, the Afghan Hound is famous for making bold statements. If you like to take your dog out for walks, then this is the dog for you.

It’s very playful, does well with children, and adapts to any climatic condition, hot or cold. However, you’ll need to clean up after the Afghan Hound when it sheds off its fur. This shouldn’t be a problem, though, if you have one of those robot cleaning vacuums.

Airedale Terrier.

The Airedale Terrier is an English bred dog and the largest of its Terrier kind. All dog breeds have a distinct feature, and the Airdale Terrier comes bursting with loads of energy. It’s the type of dog that seeks out attention and plays well with others.

However, if you have a flower garden, take great care with this one. The Airedale mostly picks up on stuff and buries them. So, if you do find some of your socks missing, you’ll know who’s to blame.

Other than that, you won’t go through a lot of trouble maintaining this one as it doesn’t shed much. However, you’ll still need to groom and brush wiry dense fur at least once a week.

Akita Inu.

Are you looking for a dog that’s as fierce a tiger but as cute as buttons? Then the Akita Inu is the perfect companion for you. Bred initially as a bear hunting dog, this ferocious furry little friend doesn’t back down from a fight as all dog breeds should.

Moreover, the Akita doesn’t do well with strangers; but that’s a good thing if you’re looking for a guard dog whose loyalty lies only with you.

However, it can get a little weary having to clean up after the dog’s shedding, which is funny since it has a medium but dense coat with a straight texture. Also, watch out for its drools.

Alaskan Klee Kai.

The resemblance between an Alaskan Klee Kai and a Husky is uncanny. The only difference between the two is that the Klee Kai is much smaller in size and more temperamental.

Moreover, if you’re looking for a sled dog, then the Klee Kai isn’t for you. Like most dog breeds, it is more suitable for indoors and seeks constant attention. When it’s unhappy, you will have to put up with its continuous whines like all dog breeds, barking.

It also sheds its coat about twice a year. Other than that, the Klee Kai is easy to train and maintain. They aren’t as common as you’d expect, so if you want to stand out in your dog club, then the Klee Kai is a great choice.

Alaskan Malamute.

The Alaskan Malamute is your go-to dog if you live in cold parts of the world that have constant snow. Its furry two-layer coat ensures it withstands the cold and doesn’t bruise easily when you use him/her as your sled dog.

You shouldn’t feel too bad for him for having to pull your weight over the snow as it’s the sturdy body that can handle just that. Like all dog breeds who have an average lifespan of about a decade, the Alaskan Malamute can live up to 12 years. It looks like a wolf but with a soft personality.

However, it quickly gets bored and requires constant attention. If you’re not looking to come home to a mess after work, then do not leave it locked inside.

American Bulldog.

The American bulldog is the most kid-loving and family-friendly dog you can get. Like all dog breeds that start with a, it is a highly intelligent canine that’s easy to train and sensitive enough to sense a mood shift within the house.

On the plus side, you never have to worry about maintaining and cleaning up after it except for its drool. They are the definition of man’s best friends and often cuddle up with their human owners but shy away to strangers.

Its cousin, the English Bulldog, is much smaller and more suited to indoor living, whereas the American Bulldog does well in farms and outdoor lifestyles. They come in two types; the Johnson (the Bully/Classic) and the Scott (Standard/Performance) type.

American English Coonhound.

The American English Coonhound was bred for its speed, agility, and hunting skills. Its ancestor was the Virginia Coonhound, but the early breeders noticed it couldn’t track its prey when they climbed up trees.

As a result, they bred it with the Bloodhound that’s got the best nose for tracking; hence, the American English Coonhound was born. You’ll need to take it on plenty of walks and running around the park to exercise it.

Moreover, it can get deafening, especially indoors. However, you’ll never have to worry about its maintenance.

American Eskimo.

Are you looking for a family dog that’s just as intelligent as it is easy to train? The American Eskimo or Eskie is a wise choice.

Its bright white coat should be reason enough to tell you that this is a canine meant to serve as a companion indoors. It has black points on its face, dark eyes, and triangular-shaped ears that point up, making it an excellent guard dog.

For its size, the Eskie comes in toy, miniature, and standard, which blend in to earn it the title of ‘the dog beautiful.

American Foxhound.

The American Foxhound is known for its impressive fleet ability and speed. It has a deep chest to harbor higher lung necessary for running. The American Foxhound was majorly used for hunting in packs. It’s very quiet indoors, but don’t let that fool you. Once it’s out in the open, it will run off and play.

Unlike its cousin, the English Foxhound, the American Foxhound is much smaller but very agile. Care and maintenance of both dog breeds are relatively straightforward.

All you need is to brush their coats and wash them once in a while. Once it’s done, their undying loyalty and devotion are yours for the taking.

American Leopard Hound.

The American Leopard Hound may look intimidating with its dark spots but is just as lovable as all dog breeds that start with a. Unless, of course, when he’s hunting. The Leopard Hound makes an excellent guard dog to ward off any potential intruders.

It’s also great with kids, easy to train, and recommended for newbies who want to adopt a dog. The best part is that you won’t need to groom him frequently as it has medium to short coat length.

In other words, minimal shedding. Healthwise, let’s just say you won’t make as frequent visits to your veterinarian as with other breeds.

The American Pit Bull Terrier.

All dog breeds have their own set of unique features. The American Pit Bull Terrier was bred for its agility and quick thinking.

Farmers back in the 1700s crossbred a Bulldog with a Terrier to help bait bulls into an enclosure. As a result, the canines turned out to obedient and very strong on their social skills. Despite their best features, the American Kennel Club doesn’t list the American Pit Bull Terrier as a pure breed.

On the other hand, the United Kennel Club in England does. Ironic, isn’t it, considering the dog’s name. Nevertheless, be sure to check it for skin-related infections as its coat is rather sparse. Otherwise, it’s maintenance is a breeze.

American Pugabull.

What do you get when you cross-breed an American Bulldog and the Chinese Pug? An American Pugabull. While the Puga mostly received the royal treatment from royal houses, the American Bulldog was best suited to farm work.

The Pugabull got the best of both worlds and is just as fierce to strangers. However, like all dog breeds, it exhibits loyalty and playfulness, especially with children. Another great feature about the American Pugabull is its low needs for maintenance.

The canine, like its ancestors, comes with a short coat, thereby shed averagely. Moreover, it is a very rare hybrid dog, so you might want to keep it close to you most of the time.

American Staffordshire Terrier.

Unlike their English cousins, the American Staffordshire Terrier breeds are more massive, taller, and more dominant dogs.

They were generally used for baiting bulls and also served as entertainment in dogfighting pits. These days, some countries even use them as police dogs. As a result, owning the American Staffordshire Terrier is illegal in most states.

They mostly tend to drag their owners based off on the sheer amount of strength they possess. However, with proper training, it’s super friendly and never lacks intensity. Moreover, it’s relatively easy to maintain and doesn’t drool much.

American Water Spaniel.

The American Water Spaniel is more suited for hunting. If you’re planning on going hunting anytime soon, this breed won’t let you down. It will most likely flush out birds and retrieve fallen game from marshy grounds.

The breed is famous for its webbed feet, which makes it an excellent swimmer. Moreover, it also has a double water-resistant coat and likes jumping in and out of fishing canoes. Don’t worry about it rocking the boat, though, as it weighs 25-45 pounds.

Anatolian Shepherd.

The Anatolian Shepherd is mainly used as a herding and guard dog. Therefore, its place is outside, where it flourishes in the cold.

Moreover, it sheds its coat heavily throughout the year, and that’s not good for the carpet. You might want to build it a dog house, though.

Caution to unskilled dog owners; this breed has a tendency of stubbornness and dominance. Moreover, its average weight of 80 pounds will make it rather challenging to control on a leash.

Appenzeller Sennenhund.

Originally from the Appenzell region in Switzerland, the Appenzeller Sennenhund was used as a farm dog. Weighing about 50 pounds, and standing at about 20 inches at the shoulder, the breed is surprisingly muscular for its size.

As a result, it could act as an excellent guard dog and pull on small carts as well. The current breed still showcases the same energy levels and weighs about 48 to 55 pounds. They are extremely friendly and needs lots of exercises, or else they can be very destructive around the house

Aussie-Corgi or Auggie.

This hybrid is the combination of an Australian Shepherd and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Like its ancestors, the breed has high energy levels, and a tendency to bark when confined to apartment living.

As such, it’s more suited to outdoors, and like it’s ancestors, it has a natural instinct for herding. Overall, the Auggie is easy to train, intelligent, and warms up to family and kids. It weighs about 20-30 pounds with an average height of up to 13 inches, making it a medium-sized dog.

Aussiedoodle.

Like the Auggie, an Aussiedoodle is also a hybrid made from combining an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. If you’re looking to impress your friends when they come over, then this is the dog to get.

Training an Aussiedoodle doesn’t take up much time as the canine is highly intelligent. It also inherited the soft coat from the poodle and slenderness of the Shepherd.

Generally, the dog can weigh up to 70 pounds and stand anywhere from 14 to 23 inches tall. If you get the breed with a curly coat, keep your brush ready at all times.

Aussi Pom.

Here comes another mixed breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Pomeranian called the Aussi Pom.

You won’t join any pure breed dog club with this one, but it will give you comfort as a companion dog. The canine is highly intelligent and has a soft, full, and straight coat.

It also weighs about 10 to 30 pounds and stands at a maximum height of 17 inches. Lastly, the best part about the Aussi Pom is its long lifespan of up to 12-15 years.

Australian Cattle Dog.

The Australian Cattle Dog is very distinct with its white-tan looking coat. It was bred for herding purposes and, more specifically, for driving large herds of cattle.

Though its relatively small, its sturdy body enables it to engage larger animals and work in expansive ranches fearlessly. Generally, they weigh from 30 to 50 pounds and stand at about 1 foot tall.

The dog is considered a ‘wash and wear’ breed, meaning very little grooming is necessary. However, be sure to engage him regularly to channel his energy into some productive work.

Australian Kelpie.

The Australian Kelpie is a medium-sized dog with a height of 15-20 inches that likes to work. If you live in an apartment, then this isn’t the dog for you. Even in the suburbs, the Australian Kelpie can prove a menace when it is bored.

The safest bet is to enclose it inside your backyard because it has a tendency to bark, bite, and nip on children and small animals. The dog was initially bred to help out in herding in large farms. As a result, it still carries the same energy to this day.

The only plus side is that it’s easy to train and remains loyal to its master forever. Be wary of its shedding in the Spring season.

Australian Shepherd.

This beautiful pup is known for its long, dense double layer coat that can withstand the cold. Fun fact: the Australian Shepherd isn’t precisely from Australia but from the United States.

It originated in the 1840s during the Gold Rush when settlers from Australia made their way to the US. Initially, the dog was bred for herding purposes and mostly handled sheep.

Its current breed weighs about 50 pounds and stands at about 20 inches tall. Lastly, it still retains its energy and high affinity for running around an open space. Its best features make it an excellent choice for crossbreeding.

Australian Terrier.

The Australian Terrier may be small with short feet and a long torso, but this breed has a ‘big dog’ personality. It’s one of the most miniature working Terriers and the first native breed to be registered in Australia.

Generally, you can distinguish it by its pricked ears, docked tail, short muzzle, and a double coat with a ruff near its chest. Initially, they were used for hunting small rodents but currently make the best home pets. An Australian Terrier weighs about 14-16 pounds and stands at 10 inches tall.

Azawakh.

Also known as the Tuareg Sloughi, the Azawakh originates from regions in West Africa. The breed made use of its slender body for power and speed.

As a result, it was mostly used as a guard dog as well as hunting large game such as antelope and deer. However, it also flourishes indoors and adapts to apartment living despite its size. An Azawakh can register up to 2 feet tall and weigh up to 55 pounds.

Moreover, the dog doesn’t fair well in cold environments but flourishes in warm places. It doesn’t shed much either and requires very little maintenance.