A Dog Expert Should Be Able to Identify Most of These Dog Breeds. Can You?

Daniel Yetman

Image: Purple Collar Pet Photography / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small and thin while others are a little husky. If you have a canine companion to go home to, they can help you pug-et about your day no matter how bad it was. If you're an urbanite living in a downtown apartment, you might do best with something small, like a Chihuahua or dachshund. However, if you're all about living an outdoor lifestyle, you may want a buddy you can take with you on hikes, like a golden retriever or a border collie.

Thousands of years of selective breeding have given us the wide range of dogs you see today. Historically, dogs were often bred to work for their human owners. Over the years, they've helped farmers work the field, they've protected people from intruders, and they've made wonderful companions.

What's your favorite type of dog? Are you a poodle person, a Maltese kind of man, or a whippet type of woman? No matter what you like, we think you should be able to name all 40 of these breeds before settling on a favorite. Are you ready to put your dog knowledge to the test and see if you're as much of an expert as you think you are? Then let's get started!

Don't leave this dog alone for long unless you want your neighbors to complain. Can you tell us the name of this common breed that loves to bark?

Cocker spaniels are notoriously loud when they bark. They also require quite a bit of grooming to make sure their voluptuous coat stays healthy. Unless you're willing to commit to daily brushing, you should probably go with a lower maintenance breed.

What's the name of this droopy-faced cutie?

The Basset hound is easy to spot because of its short legs, long body and droopy face. It has a lot of loose skin around its mouth so a Basset hound often drools excessively, but it's also known as one of the more laid-back breeds.

There are few breeds of dog in the world that can match the loyalty of this dog. What do you call this Asian breed?

It's thought that Jindos are the result of cross-breeding with dogs from Mongolia. They've been in Korea for at least the past 1,500 years. This breed is used in a variety of jobs, including aiding in search and rescue missions.

The next time you're going fox hunting, don't forget this little buddy. Any idea about this one's name?

This breed of dog originated in England and was first bred by a hunting enthusiast with the same name. They became popular hunting dogs throughout the 1800s and are known for their high energy and independent nature. They can be quite a handful!

Do you care to guess which dog used to travel with Vikings? Its extremely fluffy coat should be a giveaway.

It's thought that the Vikings kept this breed of dog around to protect their flocks of sheep from predators, including birds of prey. This breed still has a known fascination with birds, which might be vestigial from its origins.

Here's a small dog that loves to dance Salsa. Which of these breeds originates from the Caribbean?

When Spain conquered Cuba in the 1400s, they brought dogs with them dogs that were from the Bichon Frises family. After years of isolation and interbreeding in Cuba, the dogs formed the breed known as the Havanese.

This dog originates from a tiny island country in Europe known for its tourism industry. What's the name of this tiny breed?

It's thought that this small dog originates from the small island country of Malta in the Mediterranean. They've been around since at least the times of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt.

Don't get one of these unless you're ready to smother it with attention! Any idea what to call this hound?

The beagle is in the hound group of dogs. Like other hounds, they're stubborn and difficult to train. They were originally bred to track scents, so many people will use them to track small animals while hunting.

This dog originates from an ancient dog breed known as Molossus that's over 7,000 years old. Can you tell us the name of this massive dog?

Mastiffs grow up to 220lbs, making them one of the largest breeds. They are thought to descend from the molosser thousands of years ago somewhere around Northern India.

If this dog could talk, he would talk in a thick eastern Canadian accent. What's the name of this breed?

The Newfoundland dog comes from the Canadian province of Newfoundland. These dogs were originally used to pull nets for fisherman. They have webbed feet, which makes them excellent swimmers.

Here's a dog that would love to come with you the next time you go to the park so he can chase animals in the pond. Any idea what this breed is called?

Nova Scotia tolling retrievers were initially bred by hunters in eastern Canada to retrieve ducks. They grow up to weigh as much as 50 pounds and are 3 feet tall at the shoulder. They have similar personalities and looks as Golden retrievers.

This breed is often so shaggy that you can't even see its eyes. What's the name of this creature that's part dog and part mop?

The Old English sheepdog grows to be up to 22 inches tall from the shoulder and can weigh up to 100 pounds. They were originally bred to herd sheep and cattle for farmers in England.

Be careful! It may look like a pile of lint, but don't accidentally try to sweep it. Do you know the name of this bundle of fur?

The Pekingese comes from China and are named after the city of Peking (Beijing). Legend has it that the first Pekingese came from a lion that the Buddha allowed to shrink after the lion fell in love with a marmoset monkey.

You've probably ridden on a bus with the same name as the fastest dog breed. What name does this racing dog go by?

People originally bred greyhounds to chase foxes and rabbits, but now they're known for their speed and racing ability. Their hollowed out body allows them to reach top speeds of 45 mph.

You might recognize this gentle giant from the Scooby-Doo cartoons. What's the name of this dog breed?

At first glance, you might mistake the Great Dane as a small horse. Despite growing to be up to 200 pounds, they're known to be friendly and affectionate. They often go by the nickname 'Apollo of Dogs.

You can go for a swim with this beloved dog that loves water. Do you know the name of this classic dog breed?

Golden retrievers originate from Scotland and are known as a calm breed that's easy to please. As long as you give your Golden retriever plenty of attention and exercise, it should be happy.

What's the name of this large dog that can grow up to 100 pounds and was originally bred as a working dog?

The giant schnauzer originates from Germany, where it was used to herd cattle and act as a guard dog. Throughout the 1800s, they were used by police in Berlin, working many of the same jobs that German shepherds do in North America.

It's not a Doberman, and it's not a Rottweiler. What name does this pointy-eared breed go by?

The German pinscher was first bred to catch rats but also makes a good working dog. They're notoriously intelligent and make great companions if you're looking for a medium-sized dog.

Here's one of the most common breeds that you often see as guide dogs or police dogs. What name does it go by?

The German shepherd is often used as an assistance dog for people who are blind. They're also commonly used in search and rescue missions, drug busts and as police dogs. And, of course, sometimes they're just household pals.

Many of these dogs are born via artificial insemination. What's the name of this show dog?

The French bulldog is a smaller version of its bulldog cousin. They're relatively rare, so if you fancy adopting one, you may have to wait a while. They're generally friendly dogs that require very little grooming. Male French bulldogs have small hips and are unable to reproduce naturally.

Here's a 'good boy' for anybody who loves a well-behaved dog that loves to exercise. Which of these breeds was bred to hunt?

The English foxhound was originally bred in England to hunt foxes. They're generally very well behaved around other dogs and make good family dogs as long as you have time to give them regular exercise.

You probably recognize this dog — or 101 of them — from a particular Disney movie. What breed is it?

Undoubtedly, you know the Dalmatian as the star of Disney's 1996 movie, "101 Dalmatians." They're an affectionate breed that does well around children, but these dogs need plenty of exercise to keep them healthy.

If you live in a hot climate, this probably isn't the dog breed for you. Do you know what it's called?

Boxers don't handle hot weather well, so if you have one, make sure you keep it cool. Males can grow to be up to 80 pounds and live 10 to 12 years. They were originally bred as guard dogs, so they still have strong instincts to protect their owners.

There are few dogs that are as loveable as this classic. Which of these dogs was bred to herd sheep?

Border collies were originally bred to corral sheep in the hills of Scotland and England. Nowadays, they're usually just a household companion, but you may notice that they still have a strong herding instinct.

It may be small, but it's incredibly active. What's this bundle of energy called?

Believe it or not, the Pomeranian descends from large sled dogs, even though it's one of the smallest modern dog breeds. They love to bark, but because of their small size, they're unlikely to intimidate anybody.

It's hard not to fall in love with this small dog that has a short nose and slobbery mouth. What do you call this cutie?

Pugs are undeniably one of the cutest dog breeds, but unfortunately, they often develop breathing problems because of their short nasal passages. They make great lap dogs and have extremely friendly personalities.

You may be thinking it looks like a poodle, but guess again. Do you know what to call this dog that loves water?

Portuguese water dogs, with some help from their webbed feet, were used to retrieve lost fishing gear for fishermen in Portugal. They are hypoallergenic, which means they don't shed much, and are now a relatively popular breed. Even former U.S. President Barack Obama has one of these cute dogs named Bo.

This dog is a mix between two common breeds and has only been around since the 1980s. Do you know what it's called?

The puggle is a cross between the pug and beagle. They're usually fairly laid back and make good family dogs. However, they also love barking and can be difficult to train compared to other breeds.

What's the name of this breed that has a history of serving in the military?

Rottweilers were bred to help drive cows toward marketplaces. They're known to be territorial and protective of their families, so if you're looking for a dog to guard your property, they make a good choice.

You may recognize this dog from the Beethoven movie franchise. Do you know what to call this big teddy bear?

Even though the Saint Bernard is one of the biggest dogs out there, it's a big softy. They're one of the best dogs to own if you have small kids. They're not going to bite, but they might slobber all over you.

This breed has a long history of being loved by royalty. Can you name this small dog with a surprisingly loud bark?

You might expect the Scottish terrier to be yappy based on its small size. However, looks can be deceiving. It has a bark that rivals dogs well over twice its size, which makes it a surprisingly good watchdog.

Do you know what to call this fluffy breed that looks like Lassie with an extra winter coat?

Can you guess how the Shetland sheepdog gets its name? They were originally bred by farmers in the Shetland Islands where they would keep birds and sheep out of the vegetable gardens.

Love them or hate them, this small breed has gained popularity around the world. What's the name of this cute lap dog?

Can you guess what the name Shih Tzu translates to? It means 'little lion,' but this dog has more of a yap than a roar. If you're looking for a cozy dog that can keep your lap warm, look no further.

You'll see a few of these the next time you're dog sledding in northern Canada. What do you think is the name of this classic dog breed?

Do you like keeping the heat in your apartment fairly low? That's not going to bother this hardy breed that comes from Siberia. You may recognize this wolf-like dog as the type used to pull sleds in dog races.

If you're looking for a small dog with a big brain, this may be the one for you. Can you name this tiny dog?

This small and playful dog was originally bred to live in Tibetan monasteries. If you're looking for a watchdog, they may make a good choice. What they lack in size, they make up for with their bark!

Despite its big size, this dog is incredibly gentle. Any idea what breed this is?

If you want a dog that requires very little grooming, this might be a breed you'd enjoy owning. They also get along well with kids, so if you can put up with their love of barking at the mailman, they make great family dogs.

This dog doesn't grow to be even a foot long. Even though it's small, there's plenty to love about it. What's it called?

It's hard not to fall in love with this small dog. They rarely grow to be more than 22 pounds or exceed a height of 11 inches. They're extremely energetic, so if you want to own one, you'll need the energy to match.

Does this cute doggo look familiar?

The Welsh terrier requires regular exercise, so keep that in mind if you're thinking about getting one. If you want a dog that doesn't shed much, makes a good watchdog and is relatively amicable, this might be the dog for you.

It's not a greyhound, but it's still known for its speed. Do you know the name of this skinny dog?

The whippet has a similar build as the greyhound and is built for speed. Adults stand up to 22 inches tall and can weigh an average of between 29 and 35 pounds. If you decide to get a whippet, make sure it gets plenty of exercise!

This dog has to endure the nickname wiener or sausage dog. Which of these tiny dogs was bred to hunt badgers?

It has been said that dachshunds are half a dog high and a dog and a half long. They were initially bred to chase after badgers, which is why they have such an unusual shape. Despite their small stature, doxies have the tenacity of even the biggest dogs in this quiz.

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