How Many Dogs Can You Identify?

Labrador Retrievers are originally from the Canadian island of Newfoundland, part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Per their name, Labrador Retrievers can be excellent retrievers for hunters. Labs can weigh up to 80 pounds, so it’s a good thing they’re so friendly. Celebs who enjoy the company of a Lab include Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Prince Charles.

Believe it or not, Dalmatians have no spots at birth. Within about a month, though, most of their spots will be visible. Dalmatians even have spots in their mouths, if you ever have the opportunity to look! Each Dalmatian’s coat has a unique pattern. Traditionally, Dalmatians have been carriage and coach dogs, protecting the horses, so of course they serve as mascots for the Budweiser Clydesdale team.

Border Collies are originally from the “border” of Scotland and England, and they are bundles of intensity when they’re at work herding sheep or following their person’s commands. Famous people who have bonded with Border Collies include Ethan Hawke, Tiger Woods, and Queen Victoria.

Elvis was not happy about singing his famous song Hound Dog to an actual Basset Hound on television, but comedian Steve Allen convinced him to do it. The performance aired on The Steve Allen Show in 1956. By the way, the “bas” in Basset Hound is from the French, meaning “low,” because these hounds are usually only about 14 inches tall.

French Bulldogs are smaller than Bulldogs, and only French Bulldogs have erect ears. Many celebrities own Frenchies, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Taraji P. Henson, Dwayne Johnson, and Lady Gaga.

Believe it or not, while most Beagles are tri-colored, they can also be lemon, blue mottle, or red. These friendly dogs almost always have a white tail tip. Beagles are scent hounds, and it’s thought that their long, floppy ears stir up scent when they’re snuffling along the ground.

Basenjis are African hunting dogs, and for some reason they yodel, howl, and otherwise vocalize, but they don’t bark. They have a proud heritage—their images can be found in Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The first Beethoven movie was released in 1992, and it inspired a series of follow-up films. Saint Bernards can weigh up to 200 pounds, but they’re gentle and friendly dogs that are well suited for rescue missions. They’re originally from the Italian and Swiss Alps; they were first bred at the Great St. Bernard Hospice on the border of those two countries.

Shar-Peis are known for their blue-black tongues and adorably wrinkly skin. The name “Shar-Pei” means “sand fur” in Guangdong Chinese, describing the breed’s short and bristly coat. The TV show Lost featured a Shar-Pei named Bpo-Bpo.

American Staffordshire Terriers are descendants of Staffordshire Terriers, but they’ve been bred to be larger and less aggressive than their European relatives. AmStaffs, as they are sometimes called, are stocky dogs. In the old show Our Gang, aka The Little Rascals, created in the early 1900s, Pete the Pup was an American Staffordshire Terrier. He had a large cartoonish circle around one eye that was applied by the famous makeup artist Max Factor.

Dachshunds are recognized by their long bodies and short legs. They were originally bred to hunt badgers—the German word “Dachshund” means “badger dog.” David Bowie, Jack Black, and Audrey Hepburn are known fans of the breed.

Vizslas were originally hunting dogs and companions to Magyar warriors, way back in the Dark Ages. The breed nearly went extinct after World War I, but a few dog lovers ensured its survival. Vizslas always have a rust-colored coat.

Afghans can run so fast because their hips are high and wide apart as compared to other dogs. Afghans also have dolichocephalic heads, exceptionally long and narrow, giving them a field of vision of about 270 degrees.

Lhasa Apsos used to spend their days in palaces and monasteries in Tibet, where they were considered sacred. The breed first came to the U.S. in 1933, as a gift from the 13th Dalai Lama. Shih Tzus are probably descendants of Lhasa Apsos. Celebrities who have owned Lhasa Apsos include Gwen Stefani, Ellen DeGeneres, and Elizabeth Taylor.

These days, Poodles seem to be groomed for fashion, but originally the puffs of fur were meant to protect their joints and vital organs when they swam in cold water. In dog shows, adult Poodles must be groomed with the Continental Clip, the Modified Continental Clip, or the English Saddle style. Did you know that Poodles originated in Germany, not France?

According to Guinness, the tallest dog ever measured is Zeus, a Great Dane from Otsego, Michigan. He measured 44 inches tall on four paws in 2011. Standing on his hind legs, he stood 7 feet, 4 inches tall. In comparison, the tallest NBA players in history are Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, at 7 feet, 7 inches.

German Shepherds originate from Germany, obviously, but due to anti-German sentiment during and following World War I and II, the dogs have sometimes been called Alsatian Wolf Dogs or simply Shepherds. The most famous German Shepherd is probably Rin-Tin-Tin, who starred in silent films for Warner Bros.

Elle Woods’ fashionable friend was a Chihuahua. These dogs originally called Mexico home. Some Chihuahuas weigh as little as two pounds. They are extremely intelligent, with large brains relative to their size.

Portuguese Water Dogs may be related to Poodles, and they have coats that are either curly or wavy. In the past, in Portugal and Iceland, they often worked on fishing trawlers and even herded fish into nets. The Obamas’ Porties are Bo and Sunny. President Obama’s successor, Donald Trump, is the first president in 100 years not to have a dog in the White House.

Little Toto was a Cairn Terrier in the movie, but in the original Frank Baum book the breed was not specified. By the eighth Oz book, Tik-Tok of Oz, Baum revealed that Toto had the power to talk ever since he first set foot in Oz—he had just chosen not to say anything! Other Cairn Terriers, who presumably cannot talk, are excellent watchdogs, talented hunters, and eager-to-learn companions.