Can You Name These Dog Breeds?

By: Beth Hendricks
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Name These Dog Breeds?
Image: Hillary Kladke/Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Man's best friend. It's hard for many of us to imagine life without our canine companions by our side. Historians and experts believe that the domestication of what would have then been wild wolves could have occurred as many as 40,000 years ago. Fast forward to 2019, and not only are pups and pooches domesticated and living alongside us, but by some estimates, there are as many as 350 breeds available (with new varieties popping up all the time!) to choose from.

A quick Google search tells us how important these pets are to us — there are as many as 916 million search results that pop up just when you search for what to name your new pup! And, in case you were wondering, 2018's most popular pooch names were Max for a boy and Bella for a girl.

We haven't thrown all 350 breeds at you in this quiz, but we want to test your paws-itively fur-ocious knowledge of pups both large and small. From tiny dogs with big personalities to big dogs with a job to do, see how many of these dog breeds you can identify. You might even learn some interesting furry facts along the way!


Pomeranian
Jena Ardell / Moment / Getty Images
World-renowned painter of the Sistine Chapel ceiling Michelangelo had this breed of dog by his side as he worked.
Doberman
Pomeranian
Akita
Cocker Spaniel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michelangelo's Pomeranian got a front-row seat to the painting of the Sistine Chapel, which includes the famous "Creation of Adam" depiction. According to various reports, his Pomeranian sat perched on a pillow next to him while he worked.

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Jack Russell
Shutterstock
Don't give them a gun, but this dog was bred specifically for fox hunting dating back to the 19th century.
Poodle
Greyhound
Jack Russell Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Jack Russell Terrier was bred to be a working dog and the breed is still classified that way today. Its namesake, a priest named John Russell, was also a hunter and needed a small dog that could help him trap foxes.

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Yorkshire Terrier
Yevgen Romanenko/Moment/Getty Images
Don't neglect to get this breed a haircut — its hair can grow to more than two feet long without one!
Barbet
Pointer
Yorkshire Terrier
Rat Terrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While most Yorkshire Terriers that are entered in dog shows have hair that is kept long, it requires a great deal of upkeep. Without regular grooming, a Yorkie's hair can grow to more than two feet long.

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Poodle
Rich Legg / E+ / Getty Images
Standard, miniature and toy: this dog breed is the only one that comes in three recognized size varieties.
Poodle
Pekingnese
Maltese
Boxer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Poodles come in three official size varieties, ranging from medium (standard) to small (miniature) to smallest (toy). Don't think they're too fancy, though. Poodles were originally bred to work, specifically helping to retrieve fowl from the water thanks to their superb swimming abilities.

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Golden Retriever
Tavia / Moment / Getty Images
Very presidential! This breed of dog was right at home in the White House alongside former President Gerald Ford.
Italian Greyhound
Labrador Retriever
Dalmatian
Golden Retriever
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

President Ford's pup, named Liberty, enjoyed her own degree of fame during Ford's tenure. People who sent fan mail to Liberty early on were rewarded with a photo of the dog and her signature, meaning her paw print.

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Bulldog
Shutterstock
This breed had a front-row seat to this SEC team's heartbreaking overtime loss in the 2017 CFP National Championship Game.
Chow Chow
Border Collie
Bulldog
Cairn Terrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The University of Georgia has had a live bulldog mascot to accompany its team, the Bulldogs, since the mid-1950s. Every bulldog that has served as the team's mascot since then has lived with Seiler family in Georgia.

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Beagle
Shutterstock
A perennial favorite in cartoons and comics, this pup has three distinct types of barks that serve different purposes.
Labradoodle
English Setter
Beagle
Pug
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Beagles have appeared in some pretty popular cartoons, like "The Simpsons," and comics including "The Peanuts" and "Garfield" in their day. They use three kinds of barks to communicate: a regular bark for alerting owners, a hunting howl that sounds like a yodel and a baying noise when they feel sad or hear another dog.

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The American Pit Bull Terrier
Pamela Oliveras/Moment Open/Getty Images
Accompanied by the phrase, "I'm neutral, but not afraid of any of them," this dog breed served as the U.S. military mascot during World War I.
American Pit Bull Terrier
German Shepherd
Boxer
Golden Retriever
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The American Pit Bull Terrier often gets a bad rap and their origin — being bred to fight — doesn't help with that perception ... unless you're the U.S. military, who frequently used the breed on recruiting posters and other material during World War I. For what it's worth, pit bulls are often totally loving and great with kids.

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German Shepherd
Shutterstock
Frequently used in police work, these dogs are trained to understand words like "fuss" and "seitz."
Labrador Retriever
Irish Setter
German Shepherd
Chinese Crested Dog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The German Shepherd is a highly intelligent dog, capable of learning commands quickly – including those in, well, German. They are a frequent presence on police forces for their abilities to track suspects and sniff out explosives or drugs.

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Dachshund
Fiona McAllister Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Short on legs and long on body, this breed's "wiener dog" nickname is a lot easier to pronounce than its real name.
Dachshund
Corgi
Shih Tzu
Basenji
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's probably not a coincidence that hot dogs and wiener dogs (or dachshunds, if you prefer) have a co-mingled history. Some people believe hot dogs were originally called "dachshund sausages," named for the shape of a German butcher's best friend. Somewhere along the line, one thing's for certain, wieners became known as hot dogs and dachshunds became known, popularly, as wiener dogs.

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20 Labrador Retriever GettyImages-1079603976
© by Martin Deja / Moment / Getty Images
They're #1! This breed has been America's top dog for more than two decades, according to the American Kennel Club.
German Shepherd
Labrador Retriever
Boxer
Yorkshire Terrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Labrador Retrievers have been the top choice among American dog lovers for 24 straight years, a record according to the American Kennel Club who keeps track of these sorts of things.

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French Bulldog
Purple Collar Pet Photography/Moment/Getty Images
You probably think most dog breeds can swim, but watch out for these guys — they can't!
Beagle
English Mastiff
Australian Shepherd
French Bulldog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All dogs can swim, right? Not so fast! The French Bulldog isn't a water dog, partly thanks to its physical make-up. Their short, wide skull (a condition known as brachycephaly) makes them a poor mix with pools or bodies of water.

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Boxer
@Hans Surfer/Moment/Getty Images
This breed may love to lick, and for good reason: The Guinness World Record holder for "longest tongue on a dog" was this breed.
Pomeranian
Boxer
Bull Terrier
Sheltie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A boxer named Brandy earned the world record for the longest tongue on a dog, topping out at 17 inches, roughly four times longer than the longest human tongue on record. Brandy passed away in 2002.

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Shih Tzu
elzauer / Moment / Getty Images
This breed's white marking on its forehead has its own name: Star of Buddha.
Shih Tzu
Bichon Frise
Chihuahua
Yorkshire Terrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Shih Tzu's forehead marking is believed to have originated from a kiss Buddha gave to his own pup. Buddha was traveling with his dog when criminals attempted to rob him. According to legend, the dog transformed into a lion to protect its master and Buddha, to show his gratefulness, kissed the dog on the forehead, leaving the signature mark.

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Border Collie
Cecilia Zuccherato / Moment / Getty Images
Need to round up some animals? This breed is highly skilled at the art of herding.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Basset Hound
Border Collie
Cocker Spaniel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Border Collies are particularly adept at herding other animals, such as sheep, thanks in part to their off-their-charts level of intelligence. This capability is believed to be an adaptation of an animal's instinctive predatory behavior to hunt and chase.

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Chihuahua
Tomoaki Takahashi/Moment/Getty Images
Stray packs of this breed wreaked havoc on an Arizona town in 2014, chasing children and defecating anywhere they pleased.
Rottweiler
Boxer
Labrador Retriever
Chihuahua
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Believe it or not, stray packs of 12 or more of this diminutive breed (and other breeds) nearly overran Maryvale, Arizona, a few years back. County officials attributed part of the problem to a lack of spaying and neutering, literally breeding more problems.

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Great Dane
Shutterstock
Jinkies! This breed was represented on the television series "Scooby-Doo," and for good reason.
Great Dane
Boxer
Jack Russell Terrier
German Shepherd
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though few may know it, Scooby-Doo was a Great Dane. The breed was chosen for this role because it was believed Great Danes were able to prevent ghosts and spirits from causing their owners harm.

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A pug
paul mansfield photography/Moment/Getty Images
Got more than one of this type of dog breed? You officially have a "grumble."
Maltese
Pug
Chihuahua
Pomeranian
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's true! A bunch of pugs together is called a grumble. No one seems to be sure exactly where this term originated, although the Dutch word for a pug, "mopshond," loosely translated means "to grumble" in English.

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Maltese
buchsammy / Moment / Getty Images
Looking for a hypoallergenic pup to add to your home? You might consider this cutie.
Jack Russell Terrier
Pomeranian
Maltese
Bulldog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Maltese, which actually does have origins in the island nation of Malta, is a good hypoallergenic pup option for people with allergies. It doesn't shed, but experts recommend daily brushings to keep them looking in tip-top shape.

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bull terrier
Copyright by Quicksnap Photos/Moment/Getty Images
This breed has served as a popular "spokesdog" for a popular retailer.
Bull Terrier
Alaskan Malamute
Cocker Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Target has used the Bull Terrier in its advertising, aptly named "Bullseye." Bullseye is white with Target's red circle logo painted around his eye.

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Cocker Spaniel
D Trocio Photography/Moment/Getty Images
A popular boat shoe's design can be attributed to the pattern on the underside of this dog breed's paw.
Airedale Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Cocker Spaniel
Sheltie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paul Sperry, the founder of the Sperry shoe company and its popular Top-Sider boat shoes, drew inspiration from his shoe design for boaters (who need sure-footed traction) from the grooves he noticed on his cocker spaniel's paw.

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Shetland Sheepdog
Pixabay / Jaclou-DL
This dog breed loves to bark so much, you might have to consider moving to the 'burbs.
Chinese Shar-Pei
Shetland Sheepdog
Greyhound
Basenji
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Shetland Sheepdog is a barker. In fact, they love barking to the point it borders on excessive by most accounts. This is a pooch that might be better suited for suburban or country living.

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Basset Hound
Shutterstock
This breed's signature floppy ears aren't just a fashion statement, they actually serve a purpose.
Basset Hound
Cocker Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel
Pointer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Basset Hound sits low to the ground anyway, which makes their floppy ears of particular use. Known to have a strong sense of smell, their ears help bring scents up to their nose.

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greyhound
Paulo Hoeper/Moment/Getty Images
Blink and you might miss this breed running by; they have been clocked going 45 miles per hour.
Border Collie
French Bulldog
Greyhound
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's a reason the travel company named itself after this super-quick breed. Greyhounds have been known to reach speeds upward of 45 miles per hour, getting there in as few as four or five strides.

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Bichon Frise
Pekic / E+ / Getty Images
Many dogs come in a variety of colors, but this breed's fur is always white.
Chihuahua
Chow Chow
Poodle
Bichon Frise
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Bichon Frise (pronounced bee-shon free-zay) will always remind you of a white powder puff, although they are sometimes complemented in color around the ears such as cream or buff.

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Rottweiler
Shutterstock
This dog breed takes its job as a protector seriously. They are extremely loyal and protective of their owners.
English Mastiff
Rottweiler
Akita
Poodle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rottweilers were bred to be protectors and work diligently. They enjoy being around their owners at all times, forming strong bonds that serve them well in their "guard dog" role.

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Alaskan Malamute
Pixaby / ertuzio
This dog breed has earned the title of state dog for the "Last Frontier."
Alaskan Malamute
Siberian Husky
Australian Shepherd
Great Dane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Alaskan Malamute is essentially a sled dog, so it's probably not best to keep them penned up in a house all day. This pup was named Alaska's state dog in 2010, thanks to the effort of a group of schoolchildren.

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Chow Chow
Image by cuppyuppycake/Moment/Gettty Images
Sigmund Freud had one of this breed of dog and used it in his therapy sessions to help relax and assess patients.
Pug
Chow Chow
Rottweiler
Beagle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not only was Freud's Chow Chow, Jofi, able to discern when a patient's appointment was complete, the famous psychoanalyst used Jofi to help calm patients and to do more thorough assessments of their conditions.

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Akita
WikiCommons
Brr! These dogs, with their double coats, are well-built for cold and snowy conditions.
Labrador Retriever
Greyhound
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Akita
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Akita, named for the Akita area of Japan, is well-built for cold, snowy conditions. The town's location ensures challenging winter conditions, but the Akita is right at home in the climate.

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Siberian Husky
Carmen Martínez Torrón/Moment/Getty Images
Humans may tire after running long distances, but these pups can keep going like the Energizer bunny.
Sheltie
Siberian Husky
Jack Russell Terrier
Australian Cattle Dog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Siberian Husky is made to run ... and run ... and run. Researchers aren't sure why, but this breed of dog is able to run far distances without getting tired or winded. Too bad the same can't be said of us!

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Doberman
Holly Hildreth/Moment/Getty Images
You definitely wouldn't want this pup to do your taxes, but that's where they got their start.
Doberman
Rottweiler
Boston Terrier
Afghan Hound
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Doberman's history begins in the tax world, having been bred initially by a tax collector who toted large amounts of cash and was seeking protection. The dog is named for that man — Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann.

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Corgi
Pixabay
If elves and fairies could name a favorite dog breed, this one, according to legend, would take the cake.
Bloodhound
Corgi
Saint Bernard
Bichon Frise
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Corgis come in two varieties, Cardigan Welsh and Pembroke Welsh. Welsh legend asserts that these dogs were used by fairies and elves to transport them from place to place. Some believe you can see the tiny markings of a miniature saddle in the print on the dogs' back.

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Mark Liddell/Moment/Getty Images
This pooch got its name from a royal figure who was a big fan of the breed.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Yorkshire Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Surprise! King Charles II loved this dog breed so much that he named it after himself. The "Cavalier" part of the dog's name also comes from the royal figure, who was known as the "Cavalier King."

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Havanese
@Hans Surfer/Moment/Getty Images
The only breed of dog native to the island nation of Cuba, this pup made its way to the U.S. in the late 1950s.
Pekingese
Boston Terrier
Pointer
Havanese
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hailing originally from Havana, the Havanese dog breed nearly went extinct until some Cubans who left during the country's 1959 Cuban revolution smuggled their dogs out with them.

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Neapolitan Mastiff
Purple Collar Pet Photography/Moment/Getty Images
Ahoy! This dog breed was one of the few that made it aboard the Mayflower and traveled to the New World.
Shih Tzu
Mastiff
Basset Hound
Chow Chow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mastiff didn't get left behind when pilgrim John Goodman set sail for the New World. Despite the fact these dogs can amass nearly 200 pounds, the master would not leave his best friend behind.

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Weimaraner
dohlongma - HL Mak/Moment/Getty Images
These dogs have color-changing eyes that start off as light blue when they're puppies and shift to gray-blue or amber as they age.
Finnish Spitz
Affenpinscher
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Weimaraner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Weimaraners are renowned for their gray coats and uniquely-colored eyes, typically gray or blue, which shift colors as they get older. This breed can have either short or long coats.

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west highland terrier
Salima Senyavskaya / E+ / Getty Images
Short on patience? This testy, independent creature might not be your ideal "best friend."
Papillon
West Highland White Terrier
Norwich Terrier
Toy Poodle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

With it taking six months or more to train these fiercely independent and willful little creatures, you best have a lot of time on your hands ... and a lot of patience to go with it!

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Saint Bernard
Purple Collar Pet Photography / Moment / Getty Images
You may have seen this dog breed wearing a barrel around its neck, but, as it turns out, that's mostly a myth.
Saint Bernard
Rat Terrier
Old English Sheepdog
Samoyed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Saint Bernard has been depicted in art over the years wearing a barrel around its neck. Used as a rescue dog, Saint Bernards have been known to carry necessities like food and water.

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Dalmatian
Alphotographic / E+ / Getty Images
Despite being known for their spot-filled coats, these pups are actually born completely spot-free.
Whippet
Dalmatian
Saluki
Scottish Terrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dalmatians are renowned for their spotty coats, a fact well played out in Disney's "101 Dalmatians." Cruella De Vil's quest for a black-and-white spotted coat meant she would stop at nothing!

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airedale terrier
GK Hart/Vikki Hart / Stockbyte / Getty Images
This breed is the largest known "terrier" among all dogs, earning it the "King of Terriers" moniker.
Cairn Terrier
Wheaten Terrier
Scottish Terrier
Airedale Terrier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Airedale Terrier differs from the remainder of the terrier population, which are typically small, in that it can grow to be up to two feet tall and weigh in at nearly 60 pounds. Their size has earned them their kingly designation.

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