Are you trying to remember a dog breed that start with A? Well, this article was created to help you find that breed.
Here you’ll find the most popular breeds of dogs that start with A. They range from small tea-cup size to giant dog breeds, we probably have what you’re looking for, so let’s dive in!
NOTE: Keep in mind that the exercise needs listed for each dog breed is considered the best minimum amount per day to maintain a healthy and emotionally well-balanced dog.
Affenpinscher AKA the Mustached Little Monkey Devil
- Weight – 7–14 pounds
- Height – 9–12 inches
- Breed Category – Terrier
- Origin – Germany
- Lifespan – 11–14 years
- Exercise needs– 15-20 minutes/day
The French have a word for these little trouble makers, and it is: (drum roll please) diablotin moustachu, which means mustached little devils, and describes the mischievous attitude as well as the appearance of these cute little guys.
The Affenpinscher came from Germany and are bred to hunt and kill rats, but in today’s world, they are known as family-oriented, loving, caring, loyal, mustached little devils!
Afghan Hound
- Weight – 57-75 pounds
- Height – 24-29 inches
- Breed Category – Hound
- Origin – Afghanistan
- Lifespan – 13-15 years
- Exercise needs – 45 minutes/day
The Afghan hound is very aloof and just as aristocratic as the Borzoi! They are a hound that has a sleek and elegant athletic body. The Afghan hound was built for long days of strenuous hunting in the mountains.
Airedale
- Weight – 50 -70 lbs
- Height – 23 inches
- Breed Category – Terriers
- Origin – England
- Lifespan – 10-12 years
- Exercise needs – up to two hours per day
The Airedale or is often called the King of Terriers! They are the largest terrier globally and undoubtedly the most fearless ones out there. Bred not by England’s royals but rather the tough factory hands. Airedales were used to help hunt ducks, kill rats, and maybe even to poach on noble’s lands. Whatever the hunting task, the Airedale is the king of Terriers!
Akbash
- Weight – 90-140 pounds
- Height – 27-34 inches
- Breed Category – Livestock guardian
- Origin – Turkey
- Lifespan – 10-11 years
- Exercise needs – at least 30-60 minutes daily
Not much is known about the Akbash breed, though many believe they were first bred almost 3,000 years ago to protect shepherds’ flocks from predators. The Akbash is a lazy dog so make sure to give them enough exercise each day to keep them from becoming overweight.
Akita
- Weight – 51-86 lbs
- Height – 24-28 inches
- Breed Category – Working group
- Origin – Japan
- Lifespan – 10-13 years
- Exercise needs – 2 hours minimum!
The Akita is a large versatile hunting dog breed, bred to hunt deer, wild boar, and to be a family protector. In Japan, having an Akita means they also bring good health, wealth, happiness, and long life. They will bond closely with their family and keep away anyone they are not used to.
The Akita is a large versatile hunting dog breed, bred to hunt deer, wild boar, and to be a family protector. The Akita is a Japanese breeds, having an Akita means they also bring good health, wealth, happiness, and long life. They will bond closely with their family and keep away anyone they are not used to.
The Akita is one of the most popular japanese breeds in the world with the Shiba Inu neck and neck with the Akita. The Akita is a highly active dog, and so they need that minimum amount of daily exercise!
You can exercise them by playing in a large backyard with their fav toy. If they don’t get enough exercise they’re likely to make trouble such as destroying things in the house, tearing the yard apart, escaping, and/or running away for a while.
Dog Breeds That Start With A
Alabai
- Weight – 88–130 pounds
- Height – 24-32 inches
- Breed Category – Livestock guardian + protection dog
- Origin – Russia, and most countries ending in “stan” as well as a sliver of Eastern China
- Lifespan – 14-15 years
- Exercise needs – At least an hour of outdoor exercise per day
The Alabai has several different names like Central Asian Shepherd and volkodav (wolf crusher). It is the oldest known dog in existence, dating back more than 7,000 years, according to artifacts in the native lands in Russia and the middle east.
Alabais were used to guard the native people’s possessions, guard the flock or herd against predators, and help repel invading raiding parties from different tribes.
The Alabai and Caucasian Shepherds are the #1 baddest boys on the block. They are banned or restricted in many Western countries because they are highly aggressive and prone to taking care of any perceived aggression very quickly and brutally.
With plenty of exercises through out the day, along with training sessions, the Alabai also needs mental stimulation, once they get the three of those they will be great family companions.
Alaskan Malamute
- Weight – 71-95 lbs
- Height – 22-24 inches
- Breed Category – sledding
- Origin – Alaska
- Lifespan – 10-12 years
- Exercise needs – 2 hours heavy exercise daily
The Alaskan Husky is a Spitz type of dog, and they are highly pack oriented dogs and therefore must have a pack to be with. The Alaskan Malamute is one of the most popular breed of dog besides the Siberian Husky.
Like the Siberian Husky the Alaskan Malamute needs lots of mental stimulation, plenty of exercises through out the day. Otherwise this breed may become aggressive, territorial, or depressed.
This breed is thought to have been bred more than 3,000 years ago by the Kobuk people. They were created to haul heavy freight over long distances, much like the Siberian Husky.
American Bulldog
- Weight – 75-100 pounds
- Height – 22-25 inches
- Breed Category – Bully
- Origin – U.S.A!
- Lifespan – 8-15 years
- Exercise needs – 1-2 hours daily
The American Bulldog is powerful, stocky, fierce, loving, playful, and friendly to the people it knows. They were built to be fast enough to chase down stray cattle and defend the farm from roving cattle rustlers, coyotes, and other dogs. The American bulldog also served to hunt wild pigs. These bulldogs were also sturdy enough to haul a wagons filled with meat, hay, dung, or whatever else.
American English Coonhound
- Weight – 45-65 lbs
- Height – 23-26 inches
- Breed Category – Hound group
- Origin – America/England
- Lifespan – 11-12 years
- Exercise needs – 1-2 hours daily
The American English coonhounds are extraordinary hunters and singers! Adaptable to hunting what you wish to hunt, maybe bears, coyotes, wild boar, raccoons, they can also be fiercely protective of their family.
American Staffordshire Terrier
- Weight – 40-70 lbs
- Height – 17-19 inches
- Breed Category – Terrier group
- Origin – America
- Lifespan – 12-16 years
- Exercise needs – 1 hour daily
The AmStaff needs little in the way of grooming, but they need LOTS of exercise, training, and socialization!
American Water Spaniel
- Weight – 25-45 lbs
- Height – 15-18 inches
- Breed Category – sporting group
- Origin – America
- Lifespan – 10-14 years
- Exercise needs – 30 minutes daily
The America Water Spaniel is a native to lake country in the upper midwest; they are upbeat, outdoorsy, who have a powerful drive to hunt and swim! The American Water Spaniel is a strong outdoors bird dog with a double coat, staying warm during winter hunting.
American Eskimo Dog
- Weight – 6-35 pounds
- Height – 9-12 inches
- Breed Category – non-sporting group
- Origin – Germany
- Lifespan – 13-15 years
- Exercise needs – 30 minutes
The AM Eskimo dog is not American but rather German; during WW1, due to wartime hatred of the Germans, the AKC elected to rename them the American Eskimo dog.
It is a small spitz-like dog and was popular for doing circus tricks! There are three distinct breed types: toy, miniature, and standard.
Anatolia Shepherd
- Weight – 80-40 lbs
- Height – 27-29 inches
- Breed Category – Working Group
- Origin – Turkey
- Lifespan – 11-13 years
- Exercise needs – 45 minutes daily
The Anatolia Shepherd is a great livestock guardian and a good family dog. The Anatolia will protect its family, including four-legged family members, from coyotes and others like it.
Appenzeller Sennenhund Cattle Dog
- Weight – 48-70 lbs
- Height – 20-22 inches
- Breed Category – Foundation stock service
- Origin – Switzerland
- Lifespan – 12-15 years
- Exercise needs – more than 1 hour of strenious daily
The Appenzeller is a multi-colored cattle dog used to protect the home and, to you guessed it herd the cattle about in Appenzell, Switzerland.
Argentine Dogo
- Weight – 77-100 lbs
- Height – 24-27 inches
- Breed Category – Working Group designation
- Origin – Argentina
- Lifespan – 10-12 years
- Exercise needs – 2-3 hours daily
They were originally bred in Argentina to guard and hunt down big-game, along with protecting the family. It has quickly come on to the world stage as one of the baddest boys on the block but notably not the baddest boy! The Caucasian Shepherd and the Alabai hotly contest over that honor!
Australian Cattle Dog
- Weight – 35-50 lbs
- Height – 17-20 inches
- Breed Category – Herding
- Origin – Australia
- Lifespan – 12-16 years
- Exercise needs – more than two hours daily
The Australian Cattle Dog is very compact, muscular, sturdy, and is related to the Australian wild dog, the Dingo. They are ever wary and alert of new things and people; they also have a boundless well of energy!
Australian Shepherd Dog
- Weight – 55–65 pounds
- Height – 18–23 inches
- Lifespan – 12–15 years
- Breed Category – Herder
- Origin – U.S.A
- Exercise needs – TON’S!
A lean, tough ranch dog bred to help herd anything that moves, and they are cowboys’ best friend! Their names imply that they come from Australia, but that is the exact opposite of where they come from! They come from the western United States, around the time of the gold rush 1840s.
Conclusion Of The Dog Breeds That Start With A!
We hope you enjoyed this article. If you have favorite dog breeds that start with A that we haven’t covered here, send us a note and we’ll be glad to add it.
We will add onto the dog breeds that start with A so we will be updating it regularly with other dog breeds that start with an A!
We can’t wait to add more to the dog breeds that start with A! So, if you known of any dog breed that starts with an A, and you don’t see it on this list, send us an email. And we will add the dog breed to this article.
If you have a dog breed and want to share it with the Labrottie nation, we’d love to see the photos, and we can add them to our photo gallery, send us an email with your dog’s name and story.
For those of you who are getting a puppy but don’t know or don’t have an idea of a great dog name. We have many articles for you to pick and choose from!
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The LR Nation Team!