AKC Dog Breeds Starting With The Letter A: Facts & Pictures


Did you know that there are many dog breeds that start with the letter A? In fact, there are 16 breeds in the American Kennel Club that start with this letter.

Each breed is unique and has its own set of characteristics. In this blog post, we will discuss ALL the breeds that start with A, as well as their defining features.

We will also include pictures of each breed so you can get a better idea of what they look like!

16 American Kennel Club Dog Breeds That Start With The Letter A

We hope this list of dog breeds will help you decide which furry friend you would like to add to the family. But know that our hearts here at Boston Terrier Society belong to, you know, the Boston!

If you want to learn more about this adorable breed, take the Boston Fact Quiz here: 25 Question Quiz All About Boston Terriers, I hope you learn something new about the Boston.

On with the list of dog breeds with the letter A…

Affenpinscher

1. Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is a small, sprightly Dog breed of the terrier type. The name Affenpinscher comes from the German word affe, meaning monkey, and pinscher, meaning terrier.

This Dog breed is also known as the Monkey Dog, Monkey Pinscher, or Monkey Terrier. Affenpinschers are intelligent Dogs that are easy to train.

They are known for their playful, energetic, and mischievous personalities.

Affenpinscher Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Toy Group
  • Average Size By Height: 9-11.5 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 7 – 10 lbs
  • Life Span: 12 – 14 years
Afghan Hound

2. Afghan Hound

The Afghan Hound is a Dog breed that is thought to have originated in the Afghanistan region of Central Asia. They are known for their long, flowing coats and aristocratic appearance.

Afghan Hounds are gentle and loyal Dogs, but they are also independent and can be challenging to train. They are typically used as show Dogs or pets, but they can also be used for hunting purposes.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Hound Group
  • Average Size By Height: 27 – 29 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 57 – 75 lbs
  • Life Span: 12 – 14 years
Airedale Terrier

3. Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is a Dog breed that is believed to have originated in the Aire Valley of England. They are known for their long, wiry coats and muscular builds.

Airedale Terriers are intelligent and easy to train Dogs that are also very loyal and protective of their families.

They can be used as working Dogs or pets, but they are also popular as show Dogs.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Terrier Group
  • Average Size By Height: 22 – 24 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 40 – 64 lbs
  • Life Span: 10 – 12 years
Akita

4. Akita

The Akita is a Dog breed that is thought to have originated in the Akita Prefecture of Japan. They are known for their large build, thick coats, and keen intelligence.

Akitas are typically used as working Dogs, but they can also make good pets. They are known for their loyal and protective personalities, and they require a lot of exercise and stimulation.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Working Group
  • Average Size By Height: 24 – 28 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 70 – 100 lbs
  • Life Span: 10 – 12 years
Alaskan Malamute

5. Alaskan Malamute

The Malamute Dog breed is a large, muscular Dog that is thought to have originated in the Alaskan region of North America. They are known for their thick coats, wolf-like appearance, and gentle dispositions.

Malamutes make good working Dogs and pets, but they require a lot of exercise. They are known for their loyal and protective personalities.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Working Group
  • Average Size By Height: 22 – 26 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 71 -95 lbs
  • Life Span: 10-12 years
American English Coonhound

6. American English Coonhound

The English Coonhound Dog breed is a type of coonhound that is native to the United States. They are bred for hunting raccoons, but they can also be used for hunting other small game.

English Coonhounds are powerful Dogs with a lot of stamina. They are known for their friendly dispositions and their strong hunting instincts.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Hound Group
  • Average Size By Height: 21 – 27 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 40 – 65 lbs
  • Life Span: 11 – 12 years
American Eskimo

7. American Eskimo

The American Eskimo Dog is a breed of Spitz-type dog that originated in Germany. The breed name comes from the word “Espi”, which means spy in German. These dogs were used as watchdogs because of their keen sense of hearing.

They are also alert and make good guard dogs.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Non-Sporting Group
  • Average Size By Height: 14 – 18 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 18 – 35 lbs
  • Life Span: 13 – 15 years
American Foxhound

8. American Foxhound

The American Foxhound is a breed of Dog that is thought to have originated in the United States. They are bred for hunting foxes, but they can also be used for hunting other small game. American Foxhounds are powerful Dogs with a lot of stamina.

They are known for their friendly dispositions and their strong hunting instincts.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Hound Group
  • Average Size By Height: 21 – 25 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 44 – 75 lbs
  • Life Span: 10 – 12 years
American Hairless Terrier

9. American Hairless Terrier

The American Hairless Terrier is a breed of Dog that was developed in the United States, Louisiana specifically. They are bred for their hairless coat, which makes them ideal for people with allergies.

American Hairless Terriers are intelligent Dogs and they make good pets. They are known for their playful personalities and their love of being around people.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Terrier Group
  • Average Size By Height: 12 – 16 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 12 – 16 lbs
  • Life Span: 14 – 16 years
American Staffordshire Terrier

10. American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire Terrier is a Dog breed that is thought to have originated in the United States. They are bred for their muscular builds and their aggressive personalities.

American Staffordshire Terriers are often used as working Dogs, but they can also make good pets. They are known for their loyal and protective personalities.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Terrier Group
  • Average Size By Height: 17 – 19 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 40 – 70 lbs
  • Life Span: 12 – 16 years
American Water Spaniel

11. American Water Spaniel

The American Water Spaniel is a breed of Dog that was developed in the United States. They are bred for their water-resistant coat, which makes them ideal for working in water.

American Water Spaniels are intelligent Dogs, and they make good pets. They are known for their friendly dispositions and their love of being around people.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Sporting Group
  • Average Size By Height: 15 – 18 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 25 – 45 lbs
  • Life Span: 13 – 15 years
Anatolian Shepherd Dog

12. Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a Dog breed that was developed in Turkey. They are bred for their large builds and their protective personalities.

Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are often used as working Dogs, but they can also make good pets. They are known for their loyal and protective personalities.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Working Group
  • Average Size By Height: 28 – 32 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 88 – 140 lbs
  • Life Span: 10 – 13 years
Australian Cattle Dog

13. Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is a breed of Dog that was developed in Australia. They are bred for their muscular builds and their protective personalities.

Australian Cattle Dogs are often used as working Dogs, but they can also make good pets. They are known for their loyal and protective personalities.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Herding Group
  • Average Size By Height: 17 – 20 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 31 – 35 lbs
  • Life Span: 13 – 15 years
Australian Shepherd

14. Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd Dog breed is a herding Dog that was developed in Australia. They are bred for their intelligence and their herding abilities.

Australian Shepherds are often used as working Dogs, but they can also make good pets. They are known for their loyal and protective personalities.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Herding Group
  • Average Size By Height: 18 – 23 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 35 – 70 lbs
  • Life Span: 13 – 15 years
Australian Terrier

15. Australian Terrier

The Australian Terrier Dog breed is a small Dog that was developed in Australia. They are bred for their intelligence and their terrier abilities.

Australian Terriers are often used as working Dogs, but they can also make good pets. They are known for their loyal and protective personalities.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Terrier Group
  • Average Size By Height: 9 – 11 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 12 – 16 lbs
  • Life Span: 12 – 15 years
Azawakh

16. Azawakh

The Azawakh Dog breed is a Dog that was developed in West Africa. They are bred for their agility and their speed. Azawakh Dogs are often used as working Dogs, but they can also make good pets. They are known for their playful personalities and their love of being around people.

Facts

  • American Kennel Club Group: Hound Group
  • Average Size By Height: 23 – 29 inches
  • Average Size By Weight: 33 – 55 lbs
  • Life Span: 10 – 12 years

Things You May Be Asking Yourself

How many different dog breeds are there?

There are 198 registered dog breeds in the American Kennel Club.

If you would like to see what each breed looks like with photos, check out our post here, giving you the origins of each dog breed’s name: How 198 Dog Breeds Got Their Names.

Are different dog breeds different species?

No, different dog breeds are not different species. Dog breeds are classified by their breed groupings which are determined by their common ancestry, physical appearance, and behavior. There are a number of different breed groups, and each group has its own unique set of characteristics.

Can you be allergic to different dog breeds?

Yes, you can be allergic to different dog breeds. Dog allergens are proteins that are found in dog saliva, urine, and dander. When these allergens come into contact with the skin, they can cause a number of symptoms, such as itching, hives, rashes, and asthma. Dog allergies are the most common type of pet allergy.

Final Thoughts

Which one is your favorite? Are you drawn to the Alaskan Malamute for its power and endurance, or do you prefer the Affenpinscher for its small size and spunky personality?

Regardless of which A-breed strikes your fancy, there’s no denying that these dogs are some of the most popular around. If you are interested in learning more about dogs, check out this resource where we cover how every dog got its name: How 198 Dog Breeds Got Their Names!

Donnie Gardner

Donnie Gardner is the owner of the Boston Terrier Society. He has been raising Bella the Boston since 2010. He resides in Kansas with his wife, daughter, and Bella. His favorite activities are hanging out with family, traveling, running (but has bad knees), and reading non-fiction books.

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