Dogs are awesome! They are loyal, smart, and super cute. They may not be everyone’s pet of choice, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a dog out there for everyone. If you’re looking to welcome one of these adorable animals into your family, you should check out this list of all the dog breeds that start with the letter A.
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is a hound that originated in Afghanistan. It was originally used as a hunting dog, but has since been bred to be more of an elegant show dog. Afghans are well known for their long, silky coats and their distinctive almond shaped eyes. Afghans are generally very friendly dogs, and they love being around people – they’re usually known as the clowns of the dog world.
Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is a hardy dog, known for its intelligence, trainability, and courage. This breed is capable of herding cattle, sheep and even pigs. The Australian Cattle Dog is a fast learner and loves to work; it needs lots of exercise or else it will become destructive. It has a short coat that only needs occasional brushing, but this breed sheds quite a bit. With its friendly personality and devotion to family members, the Australian Cattle Dog makes an excellent pet for active people who live in rural areas.
Australian Shepherd
While there are many different dog breeds in the world, some of them don’t start with the letter A. One of these breeds is the Australian Shepherd. These dogs were originally developed by ranchers in Australia, who needed a herding dog that would work under all conditions and climates. They were bred from stock including Border Collies and Old English Sheepdogs to produce a herding dog that could withstand Australia’s harsh climate. The breed became known for its intelligence, agility, and endurance. It was only recognized by AKC in 1988, but has grown steadily in popularity since then.
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is a dog breed that originated in northern England and developed as a farm dog. The breed is known for its intelligence, strength, and bravery. It also has a willingness to please its owner and socialize well with other dogs. The coat of this breed can be rough or smooth, depending on the type of coat it inherits from its parents. Those that have a rough coat are often called roughs.
The name Airedale comes from northern England, where people would crossbreed their terriers to create bigger dogs that were better able to hunt otters. The size, weight, and appearance of the breed all vary based on what sort of terrier breeds are crossed into it.
Akita Inu
The Akita Inu is a large and powerful dog breed from Japan. It has a double coat and can come in any color or pattern. The Akita is an intelligent, courageous, and alert dog breed that needs lots of daily exercise. This breed should not be aggressive towards humans, but some Akita’s may have aggression issues towards other dogs.
The Akita Inu is an ancient Japanese breed that was originally bred to hunt big game such as wild boar and bear. Today, they are used for guarding properties. They are one of the most loyal dog breeds in existence, them perfect for people who want a companion but also need protection from thieves or intruders.
Alaskan Malamute
The Alaskan Malamute is a large, strong dog that originated from Siberia. They are primarily used as working dogs, pulling sleds and hauling heavy loads. Their coat sheds heavily in the summer months, and they have a high prey drive, making them unsuitable for households with smaller pets.
American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized, solidly-built dog. It is square in proportion and has a broad head. The breed has a short, smooth coat that can be red, white or blue. The American Staffordshire Terrier is an intelligent, confident and courageous dog that is protective of its family and property.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
The Anatolian Shepherd is a large breed of dog that originated in Turkey. They are often used for herding livestock, protecting livestock and guarding livestock. This breed is very loyal, intelligent, and brave. The Anatolian Shepherd typically weighs between 130-180 pounds and stands 25-30 inches tall at the shoulders.
Appenzeller Sennenhunde
The Appenzeller Sennenhunde was originally bred in Switzerland to herd cattle and protect farm animals from wolves. They have a long history of being used for these purposes and are very good at it. The Appenzeller Sennenhunde is also called the Swiss Cattle Dog. This breed is extremely intelligent, but can be a bit stubborn at times, which can cause training to take more time than some other breeds.
Australian Silky Terrier
The Australian Silky Terrier is a relatively new breed that was developed in Australia in the mid-1970s. Some sources say it was bred from an Italian Greyhound and a Schnauzer, but this has not been proven. The Australian Silky Terrier’s most distinctive feature is its long, silky coat of fur that grows to about five inches in length and lays close to their body. Their ears are usually docked at birth to prevent damage later in life, and they are born with a short tail.
The Australian Silky Terrier weighs on average 12 pounds when fully grown, making it a good choice for those who want a smaller dog as well as apartment living.
Conclusion
There are a lot of dog breeds that start with the letter A, so this is just an introductory list to get you started. If you want to find out more about a specific breed, or if you’re looking for a particular type of dog, I recommend browsing Petfinder’s list of adoptable dogs. You’ll be able to browse by breed and location and even filter by age, size, and gender. Good luck!