29 Dog Breeds That Start With A: The Complete List
By Brooke Bundy
Updated on
When looking for a new best buddy, combing through an alphabetical list of dog breeds can give you an idea of what you want. There are so many diverse breeds out there that it might take some time to find your perfect match. Keep in mind that some of the breeds on our list aren’t registered with major kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club, which can make finding one from a reputable breeder a little harder than more popular purebreds. Even so, you might find an exotic dog to be more intriguing and exciting than the breeds you’re more familiar with. At the very least, it doesn’t hurt to look. As they say, the beginning is the very best place to start, so here’s a list of 29 dog breeds that start with the letter A.
The 29 Dog Breeds That Start With A
- Affenhuahua (Affenpinscher x Chihuahua)
- Affenpinscher
- Afghan Hound
- Airedale Terrier
- Akbash
- Akita Inu
- Akita Shepherd (Akita Inu x German Shepherd)
- Alaskan Husky
- Alaskan Klee Kai
- Alaskan Malamute
- American Bulldog
- American English Coonhound
- American Eskimo Dog
- American Dingo (Carolina Dog)
- American Foxhound
- American Hairless Terrier
- American Leopard Hound
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- American Water Spaniel
- Anatolian Shepherd Dog
- Appenzeller Sennenhund
- Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd x Poodle)
- Australian Cattle Dog
- Australian Kelpie
- Australian Shepherd
- Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
- Australian Terrier
- Azawakh
1. Affenhuahua (Affenpinscher x Chihuahua)
Yes, their name does sound like someone inhaled a mouthful of dust. But this toy sized mixed breed is pretty darn cool. The Affenhuahua is a mix between the Chihuahua and the Affenpinscher. While their individual characteristics are a bit of a mystery that depend on the parent’s genetics, you can expect these puppies to keep both of their parent breed’s wiry coats and high energy.
2. Affenpinscher
Bold and feisty, the Affenpinscher packs a lot of spunk into their small bodies. Their German name translates into “monkey dog” in English, which describes their funny personalities and round faces. Their French nickname “Diablotin Moustachu” is especially humorous. It means “mustached little devil.”
3. Afghan Hound
Rumor has it that the Afghan Hound may be one of the oldest known dog breeds in the world. This graceful dog has a sleek, long coat with a narrow muzzle. Elegant and incredibly fast, the Afghan Hound was originally bred to be a sighthound.
4. Airedale Terrier
As the largest breed in the Terrier Group, the Airedale Terrier towers above most of the breeds in their class. They stand approximately 23 inches tall and usually weigh between 50 to 70 pounds. Their wiry tan and black coat distinguishes them, and their mustached face looks similar to a Schnauzer’s.
5. Akbash
This giant breed isn’t registered with the AKC and remains rare in the United States. However, the Akbash has existed in Turkey for thousands of years where they gently guard livestock. Their name translates to “white head” which describes their beautiful creamy coat. Imagine a giant, gentle Golden Retriever, and you have the Akbash. These are typically working dogs, however, that need a job to do rather than lounge on the sofa as a pet.
6. Akita Inu
Traditionally revered in Japan, many pet parents around the world now enjoy this breed’s strong and loyal personality. The Akita commonly has a fox-like coat pattern but can be many different colors.
7. Akita Shepherd (Akita Inu x German Shepherd)
Mixing the Akita Inu with the German Shepherd gives you a double-coated dog with an abundance of strength. These dogs may be trained as service or working dogs. If kept as pets, be sure to give them plenty of exercise, or they may become destructive.
8. Alaskan Husky
Not to be confused with the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Husky isn’t a registered breed but is rather a type of sled dog that’s been traditionally bred in Alaska. Their appearance varies because they’re bred from a mix of several breeds. The dogs are selected for breeding based on their performance traits rather than aesthetics, which is why they don’t have a uniform breed standard.
9. Alaskan Klee Kai
This small Spitz-type dog looks like it is ready to gleefully fly across a snowy tundra with its fluffy double coat and highly energetic spirit. The Alaskan Klee Kai resembles the Siberian Husky with their striking white markings against a black, gray, or red coat. They are currently enrolled in the Foundation Breeding Stock program with the AKC, which means they are in the process of becoming a registered breed.
10. Alaskan Malamute
A traditional sled dog and a modern recruit in police and military units, the Alaskan Malamute was bred to work. However, their pack-first personality enables them to live as a loyal pet in an active household. Their thick, weather-proof, double coat matches their powerful bones and muscles and can-do spirit. The Alaskan Malamute is not for the faint of heart (or faint of will) but will reward you with all of their love and confidence if they decide you’re their pack leader.
11. American Bulldog
These large dogs are confident workers that immigrated to the United States with some of the first settlers. During the early pioneer days, they helped their owners guard the farm. Their ancestors were the English Bulldogs, but the American Bulldog has a sleeker appearance than their bulky cousin that lives across the pond.
12. American English Coonhound
Tall and deep-chested with a coat in an autumn-color palette, the American English Coonhound lends its majestic appearance to the thrill of the chase. This athletic dog really needs an outdoor outlet, or they can become destructive. Their ringing bark suits them better for country living than urban dwellings in which they might become a nuisance to the neighbors.
13. American Eskimo Dog
A fluffy white or butter-colored coat covers the American Eskimo Dog. Their brilliantly plumed tail graces their good looks and gently flows behind them as they run. The AKC recognizes this non-sporting breed in three sizes, but all of them are under 35 pounds.
14. American Dingo (Carolina Dog)
The Carolina Dog is the only wild dog native to the United States. Their sleek tan coat and striking blue eyes fill the beholder with awe. However, their sweet, playful personalities ease any fears that you may have when encountering a “wild” animal. They can be very independent and have a stubborn habit of running away, so be sure to thoroughly secure your yard before bringing one home.
15. American Foxhound
Similar to a Beagle, the American Foxhound usually has a white coat with a black and tan pattern. This large breed is a pack animal at heart, and generally thrives with other dogs, children, and even cats. Since they were originally bred in Virginia to hunt, these dogs need a lot of outdoor exercise to expend their energy.
16. American Hairless Terrier
If sweeping up mounds of dog hair doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend your Saturday, you might want to consider the American Hairless Terrier. These bald dogs are similarly sized to a Chihuahua and have charming personalities.
17. American Leopard Hound
Despite their membership in the Foundation Stock Service, the American Leopard Hound is one of the oldest types of dogs in the United States. Like the Catahoula Leopard Dog, they often have blue eyes and can have a wide array of coat patterns. Ironically, though, an estimated 60% of these dogs have a solid-colored coat.
18. American Pit Bull Terrier
Excluded from the American Kennel Club and generally misunderstood by the public at large, the American Pit Bull Terrier has a solid reputation of using their strong muscles for good. They are fiercely loyal to their owners and have been known as “nanny dogs” because of their sweet temperaments towards children in their household.
19. American Staffordshire Terrier
Often confused with the large American Pit Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized breed with a broader head. Unfortunately, many rental properties prohibit the ownership of Staffordshire Terriers because of their close association with pit bulls. The good news is that if you’re interested in adopting one, there’s probably one waiting for you right now in your local shelter.
20. American Water Spaniel
This beautiful breed was developed near the cold waters of the Great Lakes. Their dense, curly waterproof coat protects them from extreme temperatures. Their coat color is always brown. If they see water, they’ll usually beg you to let them take a swim.
21. Anatolian Shepherd Dog
The Anatolian Shepherd has been guarding flocks for thousands of years and is likely one of the oldest breeds in the world. Ironically, they only recently joined the AKC as a member of the Working Group in 1996. These giant dogs look similar to the Belgian Mastiff and can weigh up to 150 pounds.
22. Appenzeller Sennenhund
This tri-colored dog is accustomed to galloping across Swiss hills. Their athletic versatility opened up a wide range of job opportunities for them. They’ve worked as guardians, herders, and search and rescue service dogs. They can adapt to life as a pet as long as you have a large yard and plenty of time to play with them.
23. Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd x Poodle)
An enormously popular mixed breed, the Aussiedoodle combines the Poodle’s hypoallergenic curly coat with the Australian Shepherd’s charm. Both parent breeds have a lot of energy and rank as some of the most intelligent dog breeds. Early training is a must to keep this cute siren from outsmarting you later on.
24. Australian Cattle Dog
The early breeding stock for this herding dog came from multicultural and diverse sources, from Dingoes to Dalmatians. This mixing resulted in a multicolored athlete well suited to keep sheep. Perhaps due in part to their wide gene pool, they generally enjoy a long life expectancy of 12–16 years. Australian Cattle Dogs are also called Blue Heelers.
25. Australian Kelpie
Although this herding dog experienced its modern origin story in Victoria, Australia, its ancestors came from Scotland and likely descended from Collies. The word Kelpie pays homage to their European roots, translating to “water sprite” from the original Gaelic. The Australian Kelpie always has upright ears and usually has a solid-colored dark coat but may have tan markings. They are medium-sized dogs that need a lot of exercise and tend to be fairly independent.
26. Australian Shepherd
The popular Australian Shepherd excels at agility competitions and thrives on an athletic lifestyle. They are incredibly friendly and intelligent. Merle Aussies have a multi-colored coat with random blotches and are associated with having beautiful blue eyes, although they don’t always.
27. Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
These cool cattle dogs are usually born with naturally bobbed tails. The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a medium-sized herding breed that values its independence. They like to be the only dog in the house and may act a little aloof toward strangers if they don’t have socialization training.
28. Australian Terrier
Similar to the Yorkshire Terrier, or Yorkie, the Australian Terrier is a small dog with a wavy coat. Their ratting history follows them to the present day, and they won’t pass up an opportunity to chase a squirrel or dig in the yard. They enjoy having you all to themselves, and relish being the only dog in the house.
29. Azawakh
This sighthound once chased gazelles for a living. The Azawwakh may have virtually any color combination in their coat. They aren’t known for their colors, but rather for their speed, agility, and graceful long legs. Despite their sleek appearance, they have incredible muscles to back their athletic ability.
Featured Image Credit: Aneta Jungerova, Shutterstock
