28 Dog Breeds That Start With A: Pictures, Facts & History

With hundreds of dog breeds out there, picking a breed that starts with a certain letter is one easy way to narrow down your options. And what better way to view your options than to start with the letter A? With that in mind, we’ve highlighted 28 different dog breeds that start with the letter A and even came up with a brief description for each one so you can be better informed about each one’s temperament and whether they’ll be a good fit for your home.

Dog Breeds That Start With A

The 28 Dog Breeds That Start With A

1. Affenpinscher

With a hypoallergenic coat and a pointy tail, the Affenpinscher is a commonly sought-after dog breed. They need a little extra socialization with smaller children and dogs, and with a bit of a stubborn streak, they’re not always the easiest to train.

---

2. Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is the only dog on our list with its origins in the Middle East, but today, you can find them all over the world. They’re among the most stubborn dogs in the world, though, and they don’t always get along the best with kids and other dogs, so we highly recommend plenty of pet ownership experience before getting one.

---

3. Aidi

The Aidi doesn’t come with American Kennel Club (AKC) recognition, but that doesn’t make them any less of a lovable breed. They’re herding dogs by nature, and they’re among the most beautiful dogs on the planet—if you ask us!

---

4. Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is one of the more “hypoallergenic” pups out there (there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog). However, some of them weigh up to 70 pounds, so keep that in mind! They need a little extra attention and can be a bit stubborn, so unless you have plenty of experience with dogs, they might not be the best choice for you.

---

5. Akbash

The Akbash is another pup without AKC recognition, but they do have recognition from the United Kennel Club (UKC). They’re guard dogs by nature, and they’re extremely loving animals that want as much of your attention as they can get.

---

6. Akita

The Akita is an extremely beautiful dog breed, but they’re one of the worst dogs to get if you have other pets at home. While some Akitas can get along with other dogs, by and large, they’re a bit more challenging to keep alongside other furry family members, which can create some big issues.

---

7. Alabai

The Alabai is also known as the Central Asian Shepherd Dog, but with many people calling them the Alabai they still make the cut for this list. They’re independent pups, but they’re also not the most stubborn, giving you a dog that is trainable but doesn’t need your attention all the time.

---

8. Alaskan Husky

An Alaskan Husky is a working sled dog, and while they don’t have formal AKC recognition, that doesn’t make them any less of a great dog if you need a pup to pull a sled in the snow! Or, better yet, just need an energetic dog to tag along on all your physically demanding adventures.

---

9. Alaskan Klee Kai

If you want a miniature Husky, the answer is an Alaskan Klee Kai. They look just like an Alaskan Malamute, but sometimes they only weigh about 16 pounds! But don’t let their small size fool you, as they can be stubborn, but they do love having other dogs to hang out with.

---

10. Alaskan Malamute

If you want a larger dog with a beautiful coat, the Alaskan Malamute is a wise choice. They’re incredibly loyal and loving pups, but ensure you spend plenty of time socializing them if you want to keep them around other dogs and kids. And be prepared for lots of shedding!

---

11. Alpine Dachsbracke

If you want a hunting dog, the Alpine Dachsbracke is an excellent choice. You can train them to perform all sorts of hunting commands, but keep in mind that the Alpine Dachsbracke does not have formal recognition from the AKC.

---

12. American Alsatian

The American Alsatian is a newer dog breed, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting. They weigh close to 100 pounds, and breeders wanted this pup to look just like the now-extinct dire wolf—they weren’t too far off.

---

13. American Bulldog

If you want a low-energy pet that doesn’t need non-stop attention, the American Bulldog is a great choice. They’re also not the most vocal pups out there, but they might need a little extra socialization with other dogs and smaller kids.

---

14. American Bully

The American Bully is another dog breed that doesn’t enjoy AKC recognition, but the UKC recognizes them. They’re athletic by nature, and they require a little extra socialization with other humans and pets. Regardless, these are loving breeds that many people are happy to welcome into their homes.

---

15. American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel has a beautiful long coat, making them one of the most recognizable dog breeds on the planet. They’re also outstanding family dogs and love living with other pups, so they’re really an ideal choice for just about everyone.

---

16. American Coonhound

The American Coonhound, also known as the American English Coonhound, is a dog that loves living with other dogs, but they do require a little more socialization with smaller children. They don’t shed a ton, but they’re still not hypoallergenic.

---

17. American Eskimo Hound

While the American Eskimo Hound has “American” in the name, they actually have German origins. They’re a member of the spitz family, which are known for being intelligent, loyal, and affectionate.

---

18. American Foxhound

An American Foxhound is a slightly larger breed that gets along well with kids and other dogs. Just know that they are a more vocal breed, so if you live in close quarters with other people, it could be a problem.

---

19. American Hairless Terrier

While there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog, the American Hairless Terrier might be as close as they get. They come with various skin coats, but for some people, the whole hairless thing can be hard to get used to, as they often require more in-depth grooming routines.

---

20. American Leopard Hound

Perhaps the most interesting part about the American Leopard Hound is that no one really knows where they come from. But no matter what their origins are, today they’re ideal family dogs that are extremely protective of children.

---

21. American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier, often lumped into the Pitbull category, has several slight distinctions depending on whether you get one with AKC or UKC registration. Either way, they’re highly loving and gentle pups, despite their misunderstood reputation of being aggressive fighting dogs.

---

22. American Water Spaniel

While the fluffy coat of the American Water Spaniel might make you think they’re hypoallergenic, these pups most certainly are not. They have beautiful, long, curly coats, and they’re among the most loyal and intelligent dogs out there.

---

23. Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is another beautiful large dog that can weigh up to 150 pounds. They come from the ancient land Anatolia, which is now in modern-day Turkey. Traditionally, they guarded livestock, and today, they want to love their owners and protect their families. But they can still be put to work if needed!

---

24. Appenzeller Dog

The Appenzeller is also known as the Appenzeller Sennenhund, and while they don’t always do the best with kids, they love being a part of the pack. They’re also very loving and have endless energy, so ensure they have plenty of space to run around before you bring one home.

---

25. Australian Cattle Dog

Some people call the Australian Cattle Dog the Blue or Red Heeler, but by far the most common name is the Australian Cattle Dog, more than earning them a spot on our list. They’re related to a wild dog called the dingo, but the Australian Cattle Dog is well-domesticated and loving.

---

26. Australian Kelpie Dog

The Australian Kelpie Dog isn’t as well-known as the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Shepherd, but if you’re lucky enough to get one, they won’t disappoint. They’re extremely high-energy dogs. Also, ensure you give them plenty of time to socialize with smaller kids and other pups from a young age.

---

27. Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd might just be the most beautiful dog breed on our list, and while “Australian” is in the name, they actually come from Spain. Spaniards brought them to Australia, and eventually, Australians brought them to the United States, and Americans just never bothered to learn the history when naming them!

---

28. Azawakh

Rounding out our list is the Azawakh, which comes from West Africa, and they’re among the most stubborn dogs out there. They also need a little more socialization than some other breeds, so ensure you have plenty of experience with dogs and training them before you commit to one.

---

Featured Image Credit: VKarlov, Shutterstock