50 Dog Breeds That Start With R – Complete List (With Pictures)
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The Rottweiler and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are joined by the likes of the Rat Terrier and the Rough Collie, as well as numerous hybrid breeds, to complete this list of 50 dog breeds beginning with the letter R. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next pet or help with a crossword puzzle, use our list to help.
The 50 Dog Breeds That Start With R
1. Rafeiro do Alentejo
The Rafeiro do Alentejo is a Portuguese dog, initially used for hunting big game but more commonly used to guard livestock. They have an even manner but is extremely protective over their charges, especially at night. They are very powerful, requires consistent training and socialization and is not a suitable dog for first-time owners.
2. Raggle Dog
The Raggle is a hybrid breed that combines the Rat Terrier and the Beagle. Although they are small, this breed is energetic and has a strong prey drive. They can be stubborn, too, which means that they are better suited to experienced handlers and owners.
3. Rajapalayam Dog
The Rajapalayam is a purebred dog breed that hails from southern India. They look similar in build to a Greyhound and were bred as hunters, guardians, and companions. They are known to be fiercely loyal to their owners and may be wary of strangers, making them a good guard dog. You will need to socialize this breed from a puppy.
4. Rampur Greyhound
The Rampur Greyhound is a sighthound that comes from Northern India. This purebred was created by crossing the Greyhound with the Afghan Hound. They were initially used to hunt boar and other animals, and they maintain their sighthound tendencies, which means that they will have an incredible turn of pace and will use it if they see anything trying to escape.
5. Rashon Dog
The Rashon is a hybrid breed that combines the Rat Terrier with the Bichon Frise. This breed is considered suitable for novice owners because they’re intelligent and very eager to please their owners, which makes them ideal for training. They are alert and they do need decent amounts of exercise every day, however, so be prepared to provide walks or other forms of exercise.
6. Rastreador Brasileiro
The Rastreador Brasileiro is a scenthound breed from Brazil. Unfortunately, the breed became extinct in the 1970s, following an outbreak of disease in the breed. Efforts are underway to reintroduce it, and the efforts have been successful enough that the Brazilian Kennel Club relisted the Rastreador in 2013. They are a scenthound and will spend a lot of time with their nose to the ground.
7. Rat-A-Pap Dog
A combination of the Papillon and the American Rat Terrier, the Rat-A-Pap is an intelligent and intuitive dog that always seems to know how their owner is feeling. They have high energy levels and love to play with the kids, making them a good choice of family dog. They tend to be their owner’s shadow, following them from room to room.
8. Rat Apso Dog
The Rat Apso is a combination of Toy Rat Terrier and Lhasa Apso dog breeds. They can be wary and shy around strangers but once they gets to know people, they’re a loving and caring dog. They can be a little bit grumpy, too, and are not considered good pets for families with small children because of this tendency. They also may not be the best choice for a first-time owner.
9. Rat Basset
The Rat Basset is a cross between the Rat Terrier and the Basset Hound. They tend to be quite playful in bursts but have a somewhat docile appearance. They are a good choice for first-time owners and should be great with children as well as adults. The Rat Basset may adopt the barking and howling tendencies of either parent breed, which means the howling of the Basset or the more silent nature of the Rat Terrier.
10. Rat-Cha Dog
Crossing the Rat Terrier and the Chihuahua gives us the Rat-Char hybrid breed. They are very loving toward their owners and have a playful nature. They can be quite overprotective of their humans, and you should socialize this hybrid breed early to ensure that they’re not aggressive toward strangers. They will usually bond with one person more than the rest of the family and spend a lot of time following or sitting on this person.
11. Rat Terrier
The Rat Terrier is an American purebred dog. They were created by crossing a Terrier with other hounds to create a lovable breed. They were and still are a very good vermin hunter, and they’re capable of jumping surprising heights, as well as digging under fences and other obstacles in their way. They have a lot of energy and love to play, and they’re a good guard dog for the family.
- Also Read: 8 Best Dog Foods for Rat Terriers
12. Ratese Dog
This hybrid between the Rat Terrier and the Maltese is small but energetic. They are usually friendly and lively little dogs but tend to be nervous around children, so they will usually do better in a household with no kids. They can live with other dogs but do prefer to be the focal point of your love.
13. Ratshi Terrier
The Ratshi Terrier is a hybrid breed that combines the traits of both parent breeds: the Rat Terrier and the Shih Tzu. This results in a dog that is lively and energetic. They can be a little vocal, but this means that they make great little watch dogs. Although they are lively, they do not need excessive exercise, and they are relatively easy to train because they are smart and want to please you.
14. Ratshire Terrier
The Ratshire Terrier combines the Yorkshire Terrier with the American Rat Terrier. They are an active breed and will need plenty of exercise, even considering their size. They are loving and affectionate but would prefer to live in a home without small children, and their fur will need plenty of attention to keep it looking healthy.
15. Rattle Dog
The Rattle is a hybrid breed that crosses the Rat Terrier and the Standard Poodle. The Poodle is known for being one of the most intelligent dog breeds, and the Rattle takes after their parent breed in this respect. As well as being clever, they are also energetic and agile. They would make a great watch dog as well as companions.
16. Rattle Griffon
The Rattle Griffon combines the distinctive-looking Brussels Griffon with the Rat Terrier. They usually make outgoing dogs that get along with anybody. They are energetic and will require daily exercise, but they are also very loving family pets. They do require some care, and you may want to consider getting a professional groomer to maintain their facial hair.
17. Reagle Dog
The Reagle is a medium-sized hybrid dog created by mixing the Rottweiler and the Beagle. They will love their owners and be happy to show them affection. They’re also good with kids and pets and will enjoy playing with all members of the family. They may chase smaller animals and, once they get to know strangers, they will treat them almost as part of the family.
18. Redbone Coonhound
The Redbone Coonhound is a purebred hound dog. They’re muscular, strong, energetic, and agile. They’re a highly capable dog when on the trail, but tends to be more docile while at home with family. They like swimming as much as they do running, so you will have to have a towel handy to dry them off.
19. Redbone Shepherd
The Redbone Shepherd is a hybrid breed. They combine the Redbone Coonhound with the German Shepherd. The resulting dog is strong and lively. They will enjoy running for hours but, once they get home, they will find it equally enjoyable to sit and lounge around the home. They are highly trainable and will take very well to agility and other games.
20. Red-Tiger Bulldog
The Red-Tiger Bulldog is typical of Bulldog breeds in many respects. They have strong and muscular jaws and are fiercely loyal to their owner, usually willing to lay down their own life for the protection of their human. They need a firm and experienced handler, and this breed is not recommended for novice owners.
21. Rhodesian Bernard
The Rhodesian Bernard is a cross between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and St. Bernard. They tend to be very large and have the muscular build of the Ridgeback, rather than the slightly more rotund St. Bernard. They are gentle giants and are usually calm and placid, although they can be quite protective over their family and their property.
22. Rhodesian Boxer
The Rhodesian Boxer is a hybrid breed that combines the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Boxer. They’re a very intelligent dog and need to be kept busy, both physically and mentally. They like to be pack leaders, so you will need to show your dominance during training, but they can also be playful, loving, and incredibly loyal.
23. Rhodesian Labrador
The Rhodesian Labrador combines the strong Rhodesian Ridgeback with the ever-popular Labrador. They love their owners and will want to spend all of their time with you. They can be a bit goofy and they love to eat. This does mean that training them is easy when you have a bag of healthy treats, but their size means that they can usually find treats themselves.
24. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a hound that got its name from the ridge of hair that grows backward on their back. They’re prized for their ability to track lions, and while they make excellent family dogs because they are loving and attentive, they are also very strong and can be stubborn. They also have a strong prey drive that will need to be overcome.
25. Rhodesian Shepherd
The Rhodesian Shepherd is a hybrid breed that combines the Rhodesian Ridgeback with the German Shepherd. Both breeds make loyal family dogs, but the Ridgeback is known for having a strong prey drive and independent nature. The German Shepherd is utilized as a police dog, bomb dog, and service dog. The dominant breed will determine the type of dog you get.
26. Roman Rottweiler
The Roman Rottweiler is supposed to be a close representation of the original Rottweiler breed. They are bigger than the modern Rottweiler and are most commonly only bred and used as guard dogs. As a guard dog, they are highly effective, but while the modern Rottweiler is considered friendly and excellent with children, this is not necessarily true of the Roman Rottweiler. They should not be kept as family pets around children.
27. Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog
The Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog originates from the Carpathian mountains. They’re a large breed that is loyal and loving. They are also reliable, hardworking, and highly effective as guarding dogs. The breed bonds very closely with their owner, usually one person over all other family members, and they will want to be by their owner’s side most of the time.
28. Rott Pei Dog
The Rott Pei is an unusual looking hybrid breed that is a cross between the Rottweiler and the Shar-Pei. They’re not aggressive and are very loyal to their family, as well as protective. They are good with children, thanks to the Rottweiler heritage, but you will need to ensure that they’re well socialized when they’re young so that they will get on well with strangers and other dogs.
29. Rottaf Dog
The Rottaf is a hybrid dog that combines the Rottweiler with the Afghan Hound. These are active dogs and, despite the Rottweiler parent, are not considered to be good with children without early and ongoing socialization. They are also wary of strangers, which means that they can make a highly effective guard dog.
30. Rotterman Dog
The Rotterman is a hybrid cross between the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher. They are large and very strong dogs and require an owner of similar stature. They are clever and will be very affectionate with their owners. As well as making very good guard dogs, they are known to be good as search-and-rescue dogs, as well as in other service positions.
31. Rottie Basset Dog
The Rottie Basset is a mix of Rottweiler and Basset Hound. Although Rottweilers have a reputation for being aggressive dogs, their breed standard dictates that they must be good-natured and good with children, which they are. The Rottie Basset, therefore, tends to also be good with families, although the hound in them means that they will follow a scent once they catch one.
32. Rottie Bordeaux Dog
The Rottie Bordeaux is a cross between the Rottweiler and the Dogue de Bordeaux. This is a large breed, and they tend to make a loving family dog, although they also tend to snort and breathe heavily. They need a lot of training and early socialization, meaning that they are not usually considered a suitable dog for first-time owners.
33. Rottie Chow Dog
The Rottie Chow, or Chow Rottweiler, is a mix of Chow Chow and Rottweiler. There is a chance that the breed can be aggressive, and this is especially true of the Chow Chow parent around other dogs. The Rottweiler, despite its reputation, is known for being a loving family dog, though, and there is a chance that the resulting hybrid could be equally affectionate and loving with all family members.
34. Rottie Cocker
The Cocker Spaniel Rottweiler mix has the sweet personality of the Cocker Spaniel parent, as well as their love of the water, so you should expect your damp and muddy pet to want to jump up and love you. They will love to play ball and will want to please you. This breed will have moderate exercise requirements, but ensuring that they are well-exercised is important.
35. Rottie Shepherd
The Rottie Shepherd is a mix of Rottweiler and German Shepherd. They are energetic dogs that are loyal to their family, and they are highly trainable, having been bred from two breeds that are known for their use as service dogs. They will need plenty of time and will love to play, and you will need to offer a lot of exercise if you hope to tire them out and enjoy a peaceful life.
36. Rottle Dog
This hybrid breed combines the Rottweiler and the Poodle. They are playful and eager to please, as well as intelligent, and this means that they can be trained for almost any purpose, but they are best trained as members of the family. They will enjoy cuddling up just as much as they will enjoy getting outdoors and burning off their energy.
37. Rottsky
The Rottsky is a mix of Rottweiler and Husky. The resulting dog is very active and energetic, loves to be outdoors as much as indoors, and is a loyal, dependable dog that will protect you and the rest of your family. They may tend to howl, thanks to the Husky parentage, and the breed is given to destructive behavior if they are not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation.
38. Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is a very well-known breed of dog. Although they used to have a reputation for being aggressive, this was because they were bred as guard dogs and do have a fierce-looking face. In reality, they tend to make an excellent family pet. They are routinely used as a service dog in different roles around the world, and their strength is such that they earned the nickname of the “Butcher’s Dog” because they used to pull butchers’ carts laden with meat.
39. Rough Collie
The Rough Collie is a large herding dog with a stunning coat. They love children, and this is a trait that they are prized for, as well as for their excellent herding talents. They do need plenty of time with their human owners and require a lot of exercise every day, but their loving and loyal nature means that the effort is worthwhile.
40. Running Walker Foxhound
The Running Walker Foxhound is a foxhound that has a strong prey drive but a short attention span, which can make them seem like difficult household pets. They are intelligent, but difficult to train because of this attention span deficit, and they are not considered the best dogs for first-time owners or inexperienced handlers. They need a lot of exercise to prevent them from becoming destructive and depressed.
41. Rus-A-Pei
The Rus-A-Pei is a hybrid breed, combining the Jack Russell Terrier and the Shar-Pei. The Shar-Pei is a renowned guard dog and the Jack Russell is a terrier breed known for chasing and killing rats. This hybrid is known for having high levels of intelligence, but the Jack Russell in them means that they can be belligerent and may choose to completely ignore you unless you make training fun and rewarding.
42. Russian Bear Schnauzer
The Russian Bear Schnauzer was bred by the Russian military to create the ultimate guard dog. Today, they’re an intriguing combination of guard dog and loyal family dog, but they should not be considered by first-time owners. They will defend the family and home with their life, if necessary, but they’re very gentle and loving with family members.
43. Russian Harlequin Hound
The Russian Harlequin Hound is a Russian dog. Despite being an intelligent dog that is highly trainable, and being a revered hunter, the breed has yet to spread outside Russia. They are usually friendly and they get along equally well with other dogs as they do with people, although their prey drive means that they do tend to chase cats and small animals.
44. Russian Bandog
The Russian Bandog was first bred as a guard dog, and they have muscular and stocky builds as well as the aggressive face to match this role. They are considered low-maintenance dogs, and despite being used as a guard dog, they are very loyal and affectionate with their family members. Their strength and territorial nature mean that they might not be the best choice for a novice owner.
45. Russian Spaniel
The Russian Spaniel was first bred by crossing the English Cocker Spaniel with several other breeds. The resulting breed looks very similar to a Cocker Spaniel. They are used as hunting dogs and will happily flush birds out while running through water and across fields. They are a devoted dog that loves their family and their tails are almost always wagging to show appreciation.
46. Russian Toy
The Russian Toy is a small dog breed with distinctive tufts of hair around his ears. They are small and elegant. They are also lively and happy little dogs, highly intelligent, and they love to cuddle up with their human owner. They can be wary of strangers, however, so early socialization is important if you want them to mix well with other people.
47. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka
The Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka is a small dog. Its name translates as Russian colored lap dog and they make the ideal companion for apartment dwellers. They are sweet, loving, intelligent, and friendly to everybody. They are never aggressive and really do make excellent lap dogs.
48. Russian Wolfhound
The Russian Hound is strong, agile, and graceful and can achieve impressive top speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour. They are sighthounds, which means that they may chase after smaller animals when they inevitably spot them. They can be quite stubborn, which means that they are not the easiest breed to train.
49. Russo-European Laika
The Russo-European Laika is a hunting dog that hails from Russia and northern Europe. They were used to assist in the hunting of game and even moose. They are very loyal to their family and have proven difficult to rehome because they will try everything possible to return to their original family. They can be territorial and may be aggressive towards other dogs, although this tends to be more of a problem when they are younger.
50. Rustralian Terrier
The Rustralian Terrier is a cross between the Jack Russell Terrier and the Australian Terrier. The resulting breed displays a lot of Terrier characteristics. They are likely to chase after small animals and can dig and jump over any obstacles that stand in their way. They’re affectionate and love to have fun. They need to be a part of your life and will struggle if left on their own for too long.
Conclusion: Dogs Beginning With R
Conclusion: Dogs Beginning With RThere are thousands of dog breeds, including both purebred and hybrids, and there are many other breeds that have yet to be recognized or fully developed. Above is a list of all 50 known dog breeds that begin with R, including some that are specific to the countries of their origin and that are rarely seen around the world.
Featured Image Credit: Rottweiler by Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay
